Phil Lilley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6vSxR6UKFM Interesing on both fronts. I'm withholding judgement until more facts are in.

Marsha and I decided to stop for the night here in Wagoner, OK on the way back from Glen Rose, TX and a weekend with Al and several other CCI's and his fly casting clinic. First let me say what a fantastic teacher Al is, as well as the other instructors at the event. But Al is the cream of the crop. He uses clear illustrations and language you can understand EXCEPT when he uses 12 official FFF casting terms in a row and then I'm lost. Just kidding. Second- I've been casting a rod since I was in JR High, casting an old glass rod in my front yard of the house on 22nd street in Parsons, KS. Totally self taught, I watched one of Lefty's videos about 8 years ago I think- otherwise I have no other fly casting influences. I'm alittle embarrased to even admit it, seeing the business I'm in and what I promote. But at 50 years old, I found myself in the advanced groups of casters not knowing why I was throwing tight loops. You know what the answer was? It was by accident. Why? I wasn't really doing it right. I knew when I would get tired in casting, my loops fell apart and I'd start getting tangled and knots. The more I tried to correct the problem, the worse it got because I tried to "think" about what I was doing. I needed to KNOW what I was doing before I could THINK about it and correct it- right? The other frustration I've had in trying to teach someone how to cast or correct their casting. Sure I'd do alittle for them. They could catch fish only because on Taney it's relatively easy to do, esp with a fly rod. But I wasn't giving them meaningful, lasting instruction. So I had a whole new part of the world opened up to me yesterday and today and I'm excited to see where it goes. If I persue getting my CCI, and I think I will, I don't want it to be just another knot in the 'ol belt. I've always like to educate people whether it's fishing or anything else. Knowing you're teaching someone the right way is a great thought and seeing them enjoy and grow in it is a joy. Thanks again, Al, for the opportunity and I look forward to working and fishing with you in the future.

It would be great if everyone who is catching alot of nice whites, sows in particular, would release ONE sow with eggs as seed. Just think what that would do for the spawn. Not to say that fish would survive the next guy if she's caught. But we've discussed this with trout, walleye, smallmouth and now white bass in this water forum and others and there's always going to be differing opinions. Some are more passionate about it on both sides. What we all have to agree on is to nail the poachers who take all they can catch during the heat of the run and stick them in 3 freezers at home, letting half of them burn before they're eaten. PS- I know Jeremy and I bet you a $100 he and his dad did release a sow or two.

Ahhh.... I didn't get what he said. Then he may have been hurrying to get the fish back in the water. May be this has a happy ending after all (for the trout too!).

You might try the Indians west and north of the dam. Cow Creek across from point 5.

The only way they open the new auxiliary flood gates is if Beaver Dam gives way. That's the reason it was built- so that the earthen dam at Table Rock would not be compromised if that happened. I should post this statement my forehead cause I've answered that question a hundred times in the last week. That's the buzz here in Branson... even on the local news channels. That got it all wrong. Just like CNN did a couple of weeks ago when they reported Branson was flooded. That costs motels and eateries here a ton of money and continues to even this week. Talked to a couple of motel and resort owners this week who were having to explain that we weren't flooded to callers. We're getting those calls to. Your post is correct, denjac. But the Corp will never admit there's a problem with Beaver Dam, but there is. Imagine if Beaver gave way, particularly right now when TR and BS are so full. If Beaver went, then Table Rock, it would certainly take Bull Shoals Dam too. It would flood half the states of Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. And you think Katrina was bad...

Rural Springfield... close to 2 trout parks, take 60 towards the NFOW and other fantastic trout streams; close to Crane Creek; central to Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals to the south and Stockton, Pomme and Truman to the north. Jobs- better than outlying areas including Branson proper. Cost of living lower. Gas is definitely cheaper. Plus you may have Beeson as a neighbor who will show you all the good fishing spots.

Thom- don't see the link you're referring to. Watched it again a couple of times because I didn't get the impression she knew him the first time but I think you may be right. Was thinking about the whole video today and thought I'd post a different version of it but I'm not sure now, in the light it could be his wife, that it would be right. I thought maybe he was running up the hill to show someone in a vehicle, like his wife, the fish and then would run back to release it. That still could be plausible unless Thom is right and she posted what he says she posted. Anyhow- even if he did release it after running up the hill, he's still technically in violation cause it's supposed to be released immediately... but we don't do that while fishing from a boat- taking pics and all. REGARDLESS it's a great video to be viewed by the world on youtube... makes you think twice about posting videos on youtube cause somewhere, someplace on a forum in Kyrgyzstan, people may be talking about you.

When flood gates are open, strange things happen below the dam. I'm sure they are fish that have made their way to the dam from down lake to see what the fuss is. I guess they recognize the nutrient value of scuds, just like trout do.

Boated to the dam about 2 pm with Dave Gianini (rainbow) and made a few drifts between storms (literally). Had the whole place to ourselves the whole time. Saw one other boat on the way up. Same conditions- floods gates and turbines. 2 or 3 guys at outlet #2 and one guy at outlet #1. And the trout were hungry for white. Dave had tied on 2- 1/8th oz jigs- said he'd done well using the rig the day before. And he proved it by landing 3 rainbows before I boated one. I was using a rig with a #2 split shot and a white rabbit PMS and a red san juan. Broke the sj off on the first when when releasing it and didn't tie it back on the rest of the afternoon. We caught 2-3 trout on a slow drift and 6-9 on a good drift. Most were good drifts. Caught one brown, one rainbow pushing 17 inches (Dave) and several 16's. Most bellies were buldging. A few spit up scuds. Did matter where we drifted- middle or side, they were looking for white. Dave said they drifted white jigs from Monkey down thru the bridges and were doing as well there as at the dam. And the trout were good sized too.

They can dump TR 6 inches per day but that's NOT with Beaver dumping at the same time. It's feasible for TR to be back to spring time levels by the end of the month if it stops raining... but that's a big IF.

Am sending out an email thru the forum to all members but wanted to post for those who are not members and to those who don't get our emails. Here it is: Greetings! Got rain?! Morton Salt advertisers got it right when they said, "When it rain it pours" -- but they couldn't have meant for a whole month!! Rains continue while area lakes are being inundated to their highest limit. The water is racing from Beaver into Table Rock and through Taneycomo and into Bull Shoals where it's being held somewhat until water levels on the White River can drop to absorb the higher releases from Bull Shoals. It's a game the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has played many times, but that doesn't make it any easier. They can't control the rain. Fishing takes a back seat when a lake like Beaver experiences water lapping over the top of the dam from being 99% full!! I'd call that dangerous. The main reason for this email is to invite everyone to upcoming area events in the next few months. First, the Branson Chapter of Trout Unlimited has scheduled two programs for its members and the public and a wounded veterans outing: At 7 p.m., Friday, April 25, John Berry will share what he knows about fishing on the White River. John has been a long time guide on the White as well as the Norfork, Spring, Little Red and Crooked Creek fisheries. He's a teacher, a writer, former director for the Southern Council of FFF…and the list goes on and on. Read more on John by checking out his site http://www.berrybrothersguides.com. This meeting will be held at the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery Visitor's Center. This could be just the excuse you need to plan a fishing weekend in the Ozarks. Then at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15, Bill Babler and Michael Kyle will share their areas of expertise on fishing Lake Taneycomo. Each brings a different aspect to the table. Babler has been a guide on Taney, as well as Table Rock and Bull Shoals for more than15 years. As an Orvis-endorsed guide, he specializes in both spin and fly fishing. You've read his informative posts and articles on OzarkAnglers for years, and now you can come to hear him in person. Kyle owns BackCountry Outfitters in Springfield and has guided on Taneycomo, as well as Table Rock and other rivers in the area for several years. He guides mainly out of his Clackacraft drift boat but does wade when he gets the chance. Kyle has extensive knowledge to catch fish on a fly, either during the day or late at night, which he prefers. Come hear both anglers at the Second Baptist Church, located on Battlefield Road in Springfield. There is no charge for either event, and both are open to the public. On the following day, Friday, May 16, the Branson Chapter of Trout Unlimited in cooperation with Project Healing Waters, will host several U.S. Military Veterans from Ft. Leonard Wood for a fishing day here at Lilleys' Landing Resort & Marina. Project Healing Waters, initiated and conducted by members of the Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited, serves military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or disabled to aid their physical and emotional recovery by introducing or rebuilding the skills of fly fishing and fly tying so they may enjoy for fishing outings and for lifelong recreation. We are asking our fishing community for volunteers to help with this day, both from OzarkAnglers and from the Trout Unlimited members. We need a few anglers with boats to take these guys and gals fishing. We also need people to act as guides and take them fishing in boats we will provide. Of course, if we have an abundance of helpers, the consolation is that you'd just have to go fishing anyway.This will be a wonderful day for everyone who attends. If you are interested in making a commitment of helping with this day, please email me at lilley@lilleyslanding.com. I will provide you with a schedule of events and what to expect. Lastly, our Trout Unlimited Chapter has helped with an event each year during the free fishing weekend in June -- the Family Fishing Fair presented by the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery for the Missouri Department of Conservation. This year's event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 7. We need a small army of volunteers to really make this event sing. This year we'd like to have fly tyers, fishing instructors, people to help with casting. Plus new this year will be a fishing pond where youngsters will be able to fish for trout with the help of volunteers. We hope we've planned this far enough out that many of you could make this a nice get-a-way weekend to work the fair and fish the rest of the time … or go to a show or two, if that is your fancy. That's about it. Keep watch OzarkAnglers for the latest fishing conditions and reports and ,of course, new episodes of the "Bill & Phil Show." Thanks- Phil Websites: http://mdc.mo.gov/areas/hatchery/shepherd/ http://www.backcountryoutfitters.org/ http://www.secondbaptist.org/ http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/ If you don't get emails and think you should, your email program is probably blocking them as spam. This is being sent out as bulk mail so it 100% spam according to most spam blocking programs. Takes about an hour to send 3000 emails to be patient if you're looking for it.

I'm trying to talk my wife into it. We're going to Glen Rose, TX this weekend for a casting clinic (I'm taking it) but this would be fun for us. Marsha said I could teach her after this weekend and my reply- it may be better if someone else taught you...

Beaver is running flood gates. The lake is at 99% and they're barely keeping up. More rain means more water into Table Rock. They are pushing as much water thru Taney as possible without flooding low lying houses downstream. They may have to move more shortly. That means opening the other 5 gates or opening the ones they have open more. As for fishing... Babler should be able to report. A few guides caught fish yesterday.

The hatchery was a semi-bluff. At that time there weren't that many cell phone around so the hatchery personnel would radio an agent. I knew it would be fruitless unless he was real close. But it worked. Luckily he was ignorant of the fact that no one from the hatchery could write tickets.

Had a guy fishing during high water at outlet #2. He was close to the outlet with 10 others around plus a dozen people standing above him (tourists) watching. He fought a big trout for 30 minutes and finally someone netted him. About a 23 inch rainbow- snagged in the belly. He commenced to take him to his car!! Right in front of everyone!! The guy who netted him looked like he wanted to tell him off but didn't say anything. I spoke up- told him it was snagged. He ignored me. When he started up the steps I made myself very clear- you snagged the fish and it was illegally caught and it should be released. He turned to argue and I said I'd go to the hatchery and report him if he didn't release it. He was mad but went back to the water and threw it back. A couple of us worked with the fish till it swam off.

Try again. It worked for me. It's been viewed 74 times.

Yes but if he's a local or still here fishing and still taking fish illegally, they can watch the area. It's more of a heads up than something they can take and make a case- I agree with you there. But it is clearly a slot rainbow. If nothing else, he should be very nervous about being caught on camera with his catch... funny if he saw it on youtube.

Check this out. Was looking at some videos that came up after mine and this guy took a slot fish up to his car. Almost ran to get it there!! Just a couple of days ago.

See it on the homepage. I have part 1 up and working on part 2.

First I'm frantically trying to upload our video from yesterday. Lots of trouble with editing and uploading. Google didn't work for some reason and youtube has a 10 minute limit now so I'm having to split the tape in 2 parts and it takes alot of time, esp when I'm in a hurry. Did boat to the dam for 2 drifts at 11 am. Babler is guiding a couple of guys and doing well. The wind is tough blowing upstream. White jigs and red san juan reported Bill. Got this pic of them- nice rainbow on a white jig. Lots of browns today but nothing huge. That's what I was after but only had a couple of bows. It'd slowed down Bill said. Videos up later this afternoon. Want to get it where they're uploaded the same day.

ok... the shad we're seeing are from Table Rock but to say there's no shad in Taney is a bit on the far side. It's like saying there's no catfish here. Absolute statements like that don't abode well for the speaker.

They could be anyplace- I'd say on the south side of middle of the lake- in the flood gate water. That's where most of the critters are coming over from Table Rock. Saw a big carp and several small blue gill, as well as shad on the surface. In the past we've gotten the big browns from the cable to the first island when flood gates are going. A big crank bait might work. How did you do, Don?

Bill and I boated to the dam mind am today to see what was going on. A bunch of guide boats and a couple of private boats were up there and everyone seemed to be catching a few trout. We filmed a bunch but I can't capture the video just now because my son borrowed our firewire cable. Hopefully I'll get it tonight. We made lots of drifted and tried several techniques. Fly fished with 20 feet of tippet under an indicator with a san juan and scud combo. Caught fish but was impractical. Drifted a san juan red and a #10 olive/gray scud combo using a drift rig and caught some, mainly on the sj. Then we saw it... a shad floating in the foam. Then another. We pulled out the white jigs and started catching much larger rainbows with huge stomachs buldging out. Time Pagie told us he had been catching rainbows that were spitting out shad. Caught nothing huge... 16-17 inches maybe but beautiful colors and fat. Heard Buster had a 15-20 lb brown come after a stocker on a clients line right at big hole this am too. Water temp- 45 coming over the dam and 43 coming under. Water still stained over the dam and clear under. If I get the video online it'll be late tonight.

Nothing's changed in over a week. Same water level, same chalky color. Me and Bill are going out to try to catch fish on a fly rod today. Roark is still the hot spot. Drifting power eggs from Monkey down thru bridges is still about the best bait drift. Best way to catch nice trout is drifting scuds up by the dam and below Lookout, spin rod using a drift rig. Table Rock came up a foot yesterday but is starting to drop again. Guys- they will NOT change the flow at the dam until Table Rock and Beaver are manageable. We are still under flood control and more rain is in the forecast. We may see flood gates for the whole month of April.