Phil Lilley

Have not been to the area since last year... so did I go down there last year??? Will let you know what I see.

In the am early but probably to Swan. There are less boats out in the mornings.

M- where is the lake level? At the Tea Table, below or above?

I hope to go in the am early but probably will go to Swan. If we go to Beaver, I'll take pics. I take pics if I go to Swan too.

are hitting in Beaver Creek again.

are hitting in Swan again.

Took my uncle out this morning early before he had to leave for home, Fairhope, AL. We boated up to Andy's house and started drifitng my split shot rig with an egg and a red san juan on the shallow side. We connected with 5 or 6 each drift for 5 drifts, many of the rainbows were colored up real pretty measuring from 12 to 18 inches. Had to have him back at the house by 9:15 and made the appointment. Wind is picking up so it was perfect timing. They're really starting to hit good... I think they're getting use to the current. Saw one other boat the whole morning.

There you go.... Thanks!

motroutbum (26), Steve Dally (42) Sure having alot of B-Days lately... are you guys changing your folios and celebrating more than one birthday a year?

Got out for a few hours today by myself. Wanted to really give the white jig a go. Parked up in the left corner at the cable and threw for quite a while and had only a couple of small rainbows. Hope to find some white bass or nice trout but nope. Parked above #1 outlet in that eddie and caught a few more rainbows but nothing worth mentioning. Could see a bunch of rainbows just below the boat along with a 3-foot gar crusing by. Also parked below the first island and caught a half dz rainbows there on a white jig. A couple went 16 inches. It does seem like alot of them are held up in eddies but not all. Drifted and drug the white 1/8th oz jig several times down the lake to the ramp and only picked up 2 or 3 each time. Did hook one brown (I'm sure) at the 3rd outlet. Couldn't get it off the bottom and when it did it stayed under the boat till the hook pulled out. Felt like a decent fish. Last drift I went to the egg fly/red san juan rig but this time instead of a bell I tied a small knot in the tag line and pinched a #4 split shot on and drifted with that. Since I was by myself, I kept the boat pointed upstream and could adjust the speed of my drift with the trolling motor, keeping even the smallest of weights bumping on the bottom. Much better feel and the wind didn't affect the drift as much- at least the line. One the one drift I missed 3 and boated 3 rainbows before the 3rd outlet. Nice ones too. Got 4 more from the Rocking Chair to the KOA drifting the south side and missed 2. Dropped down to Andy's and drifted the west/shallow side. Caught 2 right off the bat and then not another bite till I got down to the flat where I caught one. Switched side on the lake (east side) and drifted again down the shallow side where I picked up 3 more before Fall Creek. Kept drifting- caught 3 more- and these were the largest of the whole drift! Quit before I got to the RiverEsates Ramp. Never lost my rig... Didn't have a SD card in my camera so no pics... sorry. Didn't see another boat except 2 drift boats, one heading home and one at Lookout Island.

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.