Phil Lilley

What do you mean by "electronics".

No Table Rock, sorry.

That would be cool to take it other places and try it. The White would be cool... just have to avoid the natives' glares

My dock will be empty Saturday so come on. I've seen them catch quite a few fish today off the dock. Supposed to be a beautiful day.

I don't understand the perception of tournament - here on Taney. I can the big lakes cause the contestants do zip around the lake in their 300 hp rigs. But this lake is full every weekend in February - every weekend - tournament or not. And boats zip around just the same... There's no difference in this weekend and next weekend as far as boat traffic. I'll even count them for you. And yes, there is a private tourney. About 50 boats. 8 am - 3 pm. They're a bunch of guys from St Louis that have been fishing together for 24 years now. Sorry to sound defensive... but it's something I hear all the time and it's a misconception. If they were as bad as some say they are, I wouldn't host them.

"I have heard a couple of guys on different sites belly ache about being denied access to your site...little do you know how right those decisions have been on your part." That's interest... I've only deleted one membership- just one. Never denied anyone except spammers and we just don't validate them. May be it was because I don't allow ronche jabber like some forums. Whatever.... I have quite a few guests and even friends who have a tough time with the internet. Anything new throws them. Some can't type... some can't spell... some are intimidated and will never post anything. All that's ok and I welcome them all. When I write and post articles I'm not looking for anything in return. The forum is the same way, although it wouldn't be the same if I were the only one posting. It takes everyone.

Well... no poll. But a fine idea- thanks. If the "wrong" side won, I still wouldn't change it so no matter. Just thought it'd be a good topic for discussion. Wasn't just picking on the smallmouth forum... I've noticed alot of forums are doing the same thing. Was looking for a new skin. All those sites use a forum format and all require you to register just to see their wares... I backed out of most of them and they lost business.

I notice that more and more forums require all viewers to register before they can see threads. I like the site but I think alot of people back out and won't register, most of the time because users are intimidated by the process. Or they don't want to give out their email address. If you look at OAF's online users, at any time we have about twice the number of guests viewing the forum compared to members. If I wanted to beef up my member numbers I guest I could force people to join but how many would I lose? Not worth it to me. I could open the forum so that non guests could post... but that may open a can of worms. I know John Wilson shut the door on non guests posting on his forum cause there isn't any accountability there. Any thoughts? Not planning on changing anything so don't think I'm considering it... just wanted to know your thoughts.

Interesting... sure it would work. Then both could fish - actually one person take the boat and could fish from the platform with this feature.

I have the opportunity to buy a flats boat for rental purposes. If you don't know what a flats boat is- here's one: Has a poling platform on the back. Made for shallow water. I'd put a 60 hp prop on it. I love to go up and fish the shallow side flats below Lookout for midging rainbows. I use my Landau right now with the trolling motor but there are 2 drawbacks- noise and the lack of ability to go real shallow with the trolling motor. In a rental situation, one person would pole and one fish, switching off duties. The pole is designed tobe sunk into the sand and lashed to the platform for anchoring but I don't think our gravel bottom will allow that. The person on the poling platform could fish too if I rigged a small anchor system somewhere on the back. A quick release trolling motor could be mounted on the front during generation periods. My question is- would anyone rent it? Is this interesting and different enough to lure you waders to try something different? Please be honest- I will not be offended if you say this idea really sucks. I need alot of input. Thanks

I'd think they'd be clear by morning with the trucks out. But I'd be careful in town.

I got a bunch given to me by the former Castaic Baits owner- I'll share.

Don't push it....

Sure... anything for you buddy!!

no problem

I did- Bull Creek

See http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?s...ic=9467&hl=

Back to the old skin... I'll buy another and have it installed shortly. The blogs are working except I noticed the attachments aren't coming up, at least on Trav's blog. Trav- you may have to re attach them but I'll ask invision about it. Everything else should be working. I notice there still is a pause when posting sometimes. It must be a server issue then. It's always something! Thanks for your patience!

Last summer, I reserved the camp for a week just to make sure I'd have some time to take friends up to Alaska to experience the great outdoors. I was right- the whole season booked up before the 07 season was done. I have booked only 2 people so far for the week. I wanted to make available to anyone on the forum. July 12-19 is prime sockeye and king salmon weeks on the Naknek and great bear viewing at Brooks. You won't be disappointed. We have room for 10 people. $1795 includes everything but your flight and fishing lisense. You supply your own fishing stuff. We provide lodging, meals and guides for the entire trip. $500 now, $500 in May and the balance at the end of the trip. Flights will run about $1100 to King Salmon.

We have put together a test camping trip this summer in Alaska. I say test, may be I should say adventure! We've never done this so that's why I prefis this in that way. On Naknek Lake there is an area called the Bay of Islands. Located in the north part of the lake, dozens of small islands are protected from the wind by mountains on 3 sides. The lake is known for it's northern pike, rainbows and lake trout- all big of course. They feed all summer on salmon fry, known as smelt. As well as fishing the lake, there are 3 places we will boat to- Brooks River (bears), Margot Creek and Idavain Creek, weather permitting. We will be tent camping on one of the islands. All camping equipment will be provided except for a sleeping bag and your favorite pillow. You'll need to bring your own fishing gear, although we will suppliment some equipment such as spinning gear. We will have a list of items to bring for those interested. We plan on charging the same for this trip as we do for the cabin trip - $1795 per person per week - in the future but because this is an "adventure" trip, we're only going to charge $1200 per person. This will cover most everything except your fishing lisence and flight to King Salmon. This will be the only week we'll do this this summer. Next year we may expand it. Sockeye will also be running that time of year. We will catch plenty of sockeye at either of the 3 rivers I mentioned, to eat and take home. Kings will be running but they don't go into the lake- they stay in the Naknek River and spawn. We plan on boating from Lake Camp to the Islands on Saturday afternoon or evening, July 5th and returning early on Saturday, July 12th. We will have my big boat at the islands as well as several small jon boats and kyaks to tool around in the islands. Bears? No bears on the islands. They're chasing salmon in the creeks and rivers. I'm sure I'm leaving out something. This trip is still in the planning stages. Right now I'm looking for 6 clients to take. We'll need a deposit to hold the reservations of $500 now and $500 in May. Flights look like they are going to run about $1100 to King Salmon, about 10% higher than last year. Just a warning... this isn't going to be a plush, easy trip. Wading at Brooks is fairly difficult. The water is fast and the rocks slick.

All sold- thanks!

We have 3 inches on the ground with another snow coming later in the day- heavier I understand. We've already cleared the road, parking lot and now we're headed to the Cooper Creek Ramp to clear it. We're in good shape.

CWF - I'm just glad to see you around again! I miss our conversations on the old CC board.

That would be enough. Settle it off the board. As for the blow comment, whoever it was meant, it is undoubtedly a phrase that has ugly connotations and those are not permitted on the board. Considered yourself "thumped" by the admin... Have a good day!! Afterthought: For what's it's worth- it was a good fishing report. Now I have to go shovel snow.

We are going to try to update the forum software today. The people at invision will be doing it so not sure when it will happen. Both the forum and blog will be affected. The present "skin" will go away and a new, standard skin will take it's place. They said the new skin is close to the one I'm using so we'll see what it looks like. If I don't like it, I'll order a new one and have it installed tomorrow. Jim wants to move OA over to a new server at some point. This will put the site on a dedicated machine all by itself. With the traffic it's getting, it needs to be alone... will work better and faster. When this happens, the site will be down for 10 hours or so. Could be switched at the end of the week, depending on how the update and skins go. Jim has to drive to Lebanon, MO to make the switch. Thanks for your patience!