Phil Lilley

I've heard whites are being caught in one or both Swan and Beaver again. Any truth to the rumors?

It would have helped if MDC would have built their ramps alittle higher up on the bank. Can't use the courtesy docks without getting wet.

Thanks for posting. Good question. I'd say first you need to get to know fishy people in-the-know and they need to get to know you. Look for a job in the fishing industry- may be Bass Pro. Work hard and make a good impression. Look at getting a OUPV lisc and start guiding part time. Fish some of the local tournaments, get involved in a local bass club. I'm sure others have ideas too. This is out of my area of expertise.

Four events in May offer children age 15 and younger a chance to learn about trout fishing, enjoy beautiful spring weather and spend quality time with family and friends. Each year the Missouri Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and The James Foundation organize Kids Fishing Day events in cooperation with local sponsors. The DNR owns and operates Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. The James Foundation owns and operates Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The Conservation Department operates trout hatcheries at each facility, supplying the raw material for fun and lasting memories. Bennett Spring will host Kids Fishing Day from 6:30 a.m. until 8:15 p.m. May 3. Lunch will be provided for the kids from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Educational programs will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., including fly tying, fish cleaning and cooking, a shooting trailer, the World Bird Sanctuary and a nature center touch tank. For more information, call 417/532-4418.

Four events in May offer children age 15 and younger a chance to learn about trout fishing, enjoy beautiful spring weather and spend quality time with family and friends. Each year the Missouri Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and The James Foundation organize Kids Fishing Day events in cooperation with local sponsors. The DNR owns and operates Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. The James Foundation owns and operates Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The Conservation Department operates trout hatcheries at each facility, supplying the raw material for fun and lasting memories. May 17 is Kids Fishing Day at Maramec Spring Park. The park will open at 5:30 a.m. with fishing starting at 6:30 a.m. and continuing until 8:15 p.m. Kids fish free, and there will be no parking fee for cars with kids 15 and younger. The entire upper half of the spring branch will be reserved for their exclusive use. Rainbow trout will be stocked throughout the day to help ensure fishing success. Volunteers will be on hand all day to help kids with fishing. Kids are expected to bring their own fishing equipment. The Maramec Spring Trout Fishermen's Association will sponsor fishing contests from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. A casting contest will be held at 11 a.m., with 11 trophies to be awarded. Free hotdogs and soda will be provided. Prizes galore will be given away all day long, including bicycles, 50 fishing rod-and-reel sets, other fishing equipment, savings bonds and numerous attendance prizes. There will be exhibits, contests and activities from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the area around the registration tent. These include making fish-print T-shirts, critter stamping, a stream table, aquarium fish display, taxidermy, photographs, aquatic entomology and games. Fly fishing demonstrations and classes will be held on the stream. Kids who want to fish must pick up a free fishing tag at the Millfield Shelter adjacent to the fishing area. Included with the free tag is a “goody bag” containing a variety of free items. These will be available the day before Kid’s Day and all day Saturday. The first 1,500 kids to arrive will receive a special “Kid’s Fishing Sports Bottle.” For more information call 573/265-7801 or email paul.spurgeon@mdc.mo.gov, or visit www.mdc.mo.gov/2921.

Four events in May offer children age 15 and younger a chance to learn about trout fishing, enjoy beautiful spring weather and spend quality time with family and friends. Each year the Missouri Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and The James Foundation organize Kids Fishing Day events in cooperation with local sponsors. The DNR owns and operates Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. The James Foundation owns and operates Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The Conservation Department operates trout hatcheries at each facility, supplying the raw material for fun and lasting memories. Kids Fishing Day runs from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. May 17 and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 16 at Roaring River. Youth participants can pick up free trout tags at the hatchery office any time the day before each event or on the day of the events. They also will receive stringers, fish posters, fishing activity coloring books and other educational material. The area from the first low-water bridge upstream to the hatchery will be reserved for youths. This area will also be stocked through out the day. Volunteers will be available to help young anglers. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. However, some equipment will be available for kids to borrow. Parents are welcome to help kids, but only one pole may be used between the helper and the child. Adults are not allowed to fish by themselves. Free hotdogs, chips and soda will be available 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Seminars on fish cleaning, fish cooking, archery, knife sharpening, knot tying, fly tying and fly casting, jig tying, how to fish Roaring River and other subjects will be offered throughout the day. The Conservation Department’s mobile shooting range will be on hand, too, or participants can take hatchery tours to see how trout are raised. Other activities will include a live snake program, a make-your-own trout fishing T-shirt station and critter-stamp headband making. The nationally known “Fishin’ Magicians” will also present two programs. Kids who attend two classes will receive prizes. Those who attend fly casting classes will be entered in a drawing for complete fly-fishing outfits. Those who attend an archery class will be entered in a drawing for a bow. In addition, trophies will be awarded to boys and girls with the biggest fish and the biggest stringer. There will also be a drawing for free taxidermy mounts among youngsters who catch trout weighing over 3 pounds. Volunteers at Roaring River Kids Fishing Day events need not be experienced anglers. To volunteer, call 417/847-2430 or email jerry.dean@mdc.mo.gov.

Four events in May offer children age 15 and younger a chance to learn about trout fishing, enjoy beautiful spring weather and spend quality time with family and friends. Each year the Missouri Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and The James Foundation organize Kids Fishing Day events in cooperation with local sponsors. The DNR owns and operates Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. The James Foundation owns and operates Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The Conservation Department operates trout hatcheries at each facility, supplying the raw material for fun and lasting memories. MONTAUK STATE PARK Montauk’s Kids Fishing Day runs from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. May 3. Kids can pick up free trout tags at the hatchery office from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 2 or on the day of the event. A section of the spring branch from the CCC Spillway to the Social Hole will be reserved for the youth anglers and stocked with trout all day. Volunteers will be on hand to help young anglers. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Parents are welcome to help, but only one pole may be used between an adult helper and a child. Adults may not fish by themselves in the area set aside for Kids Fishing Day. Local sponsors will provide hamburgers, hotdogs and soft drinks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for participating children. Activities offered throughout the day will include a stream table exhibit, door-prize drawings and trout-fishing seminars, such as fly tying and fly casting.. Volunteers are needed to help with this event. Individuals wishing to volunteer do not need to be experienced anglers. If you would like to volunteer or donate to Kids Fishing Day, or for more information, call 573/548-2585 or e-mail Tom.Whelan@mdc.mo.gov.

I fear the worse. The Corp is going to try to drop the lake and get it back below 920 as fast as possible. Dropping water levels are death to fish that spawn close to the banks. Fish spawn, water drops and leaves the nest high and dry. So when these fish spawn- or when the weather turns warm, warming up the water and triggering the move to the banks- the timing will dictate if any of these lakes have a successful spawn, bass, crappie, goggleye, even blue gill and shad. If the spawn holds off for another 3 weeks and we don't get any more big rains, we might salvage the spawn. Good thing is the water temp is still real cold. Back in 85 when Table Rock rose to 928.5 (I think it was 85), the Corp was able to drop Table Rock's level 6 inches a day with flood gates. We'll see how fast it starts dropping. Any other thoughts?

Not being familiar with the Elk, tell us what we're looking at. It looks like a gravel dam and a dry river bed downstream. Has the river dropped back to normal already?

Crazy!!!!!

It has to do with your browser and it's settings. Not sure how to readjust it.

I got a feeling some of the creeks and rivers are starting to clear... any eye witness reports? Thinking of Swan and Beaver on Bull Shoals. I realize some of the major rivers like the Current and Meramac are going to be non-accessible for a while. We had great reports and images over the last week. I bet we covered the 2008 flood better than most- we all are grateful. But everyone keep us informed on the status of your creeks and rivers now that the water is receding. With some warm days ahead, fishing will really pick up quick and no body wants to miss out on another white bass run! People who fish, sell bait or guide in places where fishing is still possible should post and let everyone know- below dams especially. Thanks John Berry and Jenny at the Station below Truman... as well as others. Now if I can get Babler to write a report... and maybe do another video! PS- any reports should go under the proper topic.

I betcha it clear and I bet Powersite is clear too.

Leonard- you must have been using some other weight to get a 1/16th down to the bottom. The creeks are always hot when they run this much water. They get crowded with fish and boats.

Looks like they're running some water!! 4 times what they are out of Table Rock without flood gates.

Fished some yesterday and today- both in the afternoon. Two different drifts- first from the dam down to past the ramp. Drift the north side to outlet #3, move to the middle and to the south side at the path to rocking chair. Reason- more fish, less depth of water and more gravel. Drifted a tandom- egg and scud. I used #10 scuds in olive or gray. Egg- pink or orange. Just like in the video. We used a 3/8 oz bell to get down. Caught 2-4 rainbows on each drift. A young man here at the resort caught a 23 or 24 inch brown on a white jig today- I assume at the dam. I tried a white jig and caught a couple of one drift but the guys fishing with me didn't catch anything so we went to the drift rig. Then we fished the Branson side on the lake from Andy's down past the narrows (steps coming down the mud bank). Again it's the shallow side. Same rig except a subed out the egg for a red san juan. Caught more rainbows and just as nice, mainly on the san juan. The wind was tougher on this stretch though and it got colder late in the day. Blowing upstream. Our guest have had a hard time catching this week and understandably so. Lots of water and lots of current. HAVE TO GET THE BAIT ON THE BOTTOM AND KEEP IT THERE. If you can manage that you will catch fish. You can use a fly rod and fish 20 feet under a float but again... HAVE TO GET THE BAIT ON THE BOTTOM AND KEEP IT THERE. Figure it out and you'll do almost as well as using a spin rod. The only problem is controling the boat so that you stay far enough and close enough to your float long enough for the fly to get to the bottom for any amount of time. If that doesn't make sense... try it and you'll see. With the wind, current and turbulants, it's tough keeping your boat straight let alone moving the same speed as a float. I see Bret Rader guiding 3 fly fishers out of a boat and catching a few fish and think... what a guy! Lots more patience than I. You gotta REALLY want to fly fish to take that kind of abuse. I mean it's work- both the boat handler and the fisher. Try to do both and you'll end up throwing something in the lake- I promise. Saying all that- fly fishing isn't impossible but almost. I have seen a drift boat parked behind Lookout Island for long length of time and I heard they're catching some fish. I saw a guy parked behind the first island and he was catching some fish on I think a jig. Some guys staying at the resort are drifting down at the bridges with power eggs and doing well. We tried fishing the mouth of Short Creek yesterday and didn't do well BUT we saw trout midging like crazy up in the creek towards the bridge. That's a great possibility. Roark has a ton of fish in it again- trout. Jig and float using a pink jig will work. But they are alittle picky. We caught them good yesterday but reports today were not so good. There are some white bass running up by the resort in the early am and late pm- just studs so far. If you come in from the 65 bridge by foot and wade the very upper part I guarantee you you'll catch whites on fly rod in the late evening. Great water for fly fishing. And yes it's cleared up- no trash no mud, clear water. And I bet there's the same in some of the other creeks around. I heard Turkey Creek had a bunch of whites in it before the rains. No whites at the dam. They might not go there. In years past when they've gone up there it was later in the spring and the water coming over the dam was warmer. Water over is 50 and under is 42. May not be warm enough to draw them up. BUT I'm extremely surprised we haven't seen more shad either from over or thru the dam. It still may happen.

If anyone has any lead laying around they need to find a way to process it into weights and sell it... sell it for half what BP sells it for and make a good profit. Esp if there's a shortage of 8 oz lead. I assume it's used for snagging?

In today's paper: Table Rock will crest tonight to tomorrow at 929, highest level since 1985. Water released: 37,400 gps over the top and 112,000 gps second thru the turbines. Water will be released at least till 4/8 when the lake is expected to return to normal level of 920 ft. Carolyn Parker is quoted in saying, "It's making it tougher because the water is dirty. It's hard to see them." This must be an old quote because the water is very clear- it's just deep and fast. "The fish are really deep right now but in a couple of more days, it will be better."

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...ONTPAGECAROUSEL

Look at Bull Shoals go.... 681 and climbing. Table Rock isn't going to get to 930 which is a good thing. They're pushing alot of water thru here.

What are they running now at BSD?

Have friends in the Baldwin area. They've said it's been a bear up there this winter. I'd think by 4/5 Table Rock will have settled down a bit. At least you should be able to get a boat in by then. Fish should be settled into spring patterns.

8 4 lb line I can get an 1/8th down pretty well.

I saw the last 5 minutes of the Drake game- great game! What about that last second 3... man what a bomb.

I'd say that's just units, not flood gates. I don't think they can measure flood gates unless they estimate.