Phil Lilley

a. Babler told me today that TR's temp is just now dropping below 50. I'd say next cold spell, it should turn, if not before. Change? None. We may see more generation though. Jan 1-2 it's supposed to be fairly cold and windy. b. 6 miles on flat water- it's going to take along time I'd say. I'd shorten the trip to Riverpointe Estate's ramp.

Article in the Baxter Bulletin today. Read Article

I get to meet a lot of fishermen in my work, and I love talking with them. Fishermen are the salt of the earth and some of the best people you could ever meet. One of the things I love about bass fishermen is that we're always trying to learn more about the sport we love — a new technique, a new lure, a new way to sharpen hooks, whatever. Read More

Very top right next to help, search, members and calendar.

I still want to do a calendar... probably will make it for 18 months starting June 2008. But I need more images. I have a few real good ones of fish and scenic rivers and springs. I need more... a good lake pic, if there's such a thing. More winter pics too. Seasonal is always good. And I need them as large as possible- 300 dpi if possible. I could go buy images on line but I'd like images of waters here in the ozarks. Email them to lilley at lilleyslanding.com

I've been doing this for about 5 years, or more. We aren't busy during the week for the months of January and February and can offer lodging specials for those who can get away during the week. Unfortunately, we are full most weekends and so we can't offer anything on weekend days. For the nights of Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and most Thursdays, 2-3 people can stay here for $29 per night, 2-night minimum please. We pick the room, depending on availability. In exchange for this special rate, we ask that the party write a report either on the forum or emailed to me within 24 hours of returning from the trip. The report needs to be as detailed as possible. Reservations are to made by email or PM only to me. Don't call our office- they'll tell you to email me.

We headed to Sarasota to visit Marsha's sister and family in a few weeks- then headed down to Islamorada for a few days, meeting Jim Johnson and his family. Getting a house boat and tooling around the place. Never been down there. Any suggestions about things to do, places to eat, fish to catch?

I don't go to the blogs enough... I see there's a bunch of people who have created a blog but have not made any entries. At first, it was kinda confusing how to make your entry "published" but I eliminated that step. Now there's an error page that appears when you submit an entry but if you hit the refresh link it will go ahead and post the entry. I have to go and ask about the error thing. Need also to ask about why we can't attach images too. Would love to see the blog option used... just adds to the overall readability of the site.

very very little

I'll bring paper goods, cups, plates, eating tools, water, ice and will smoke something. There's a/c power there now. No generator needed.

I've checked the blogs settings and don't see why the attachment option isn't showing up. I'll have to look into it further. You can add images if you can upload your images onto a server like photobucket or you can email them to me, I'll upload them to our server and send the url back to you... either way. I've been playing around with other settings on the blog... some people have started a blog but didn't know how to change the entry from draft to "live". I've disabled the draft option since so that it's not as confusing.

Well I didn't know you did internet!! Did you leave the keys to your gator??? Sure would like to see how far the tail will shoot!! RAW (Rogers Adventure Weekend) started a few years back by 2 brothers, John and Ray Rogers. It was just a bunch of guys who wanted an excuse to go someplace on a winter weekend and fish or hunt. I understand there were a couple of trips in the beginning but only their trip to Taney has stood the test of time. This may be their, what, 18 or 19th year? It's always a fun weekend for the guys and us... a grand reunion.

Have to think about this one... It's hard to put the Alaska experience into words. The vastness, wildness- it's all encompassing. The Naknek is a big river- big open water that's new to me... others I'm sure have fished big water like it here in the states. Other rivers and creeks are alot like ours in Missouri, the only difference is the species of fish and the OTHER animals namely bears, wolverines and moose. You don't have to look over your shoulder when fishing at outlet #2, thankfully. The big rainbows- all in a class their own. Even the 18 inchers just don't quit fighting. But part of 'my' issue with coming back from Alaska is I've been on Taney 25 years now. I don't fish as much as I used to here or any other place close. My desire is to get out and fish all the other waters within 100 miles of here- and there's tons- if I can carve out some time. I want to come visit all the guys who fish the 11point, the Current and the Elk- take pics- write stories and build cool sites for each on oa. If the Lord allows, Marsha and I will do just that. Taney is a great fishery- that's why we picked her back in 1983. Never looked back...

Chuck and family. They posed for a pic when we first built our condos. He was a guests of our before they moved here.

Recognize these people? The year- 1992 Sorry so small- thought I had a bigger pic. Will look for one.

Hey Terry- glad to see you. Merry Christmas

Thanks for sharing your heart. White jigs work good in the winter and spring, some in the summer and little in the fall. Not sure why they slack off but they do for me. And if you know me, I'd rather throw a jig on 2 lb line than anything else.

Jig... figures. Jerry Dudley is one, if not the best jig fishermen I know and he's a good teacher. They team up and fish one of my tournaments each winter and usually place.

Had this sent to me by Jerry Dudley, Fayetteville. It's his grandson, Colton. All I know it was caught on 12/22. Hoping for more details soon.

Drove to the dam with Tom Johnson about 11:30 am for alittle fishing. Walked down below rebar and fished the narrows till 2 pm. Water level seemed to be alittle low. Was an intermittened breeze from the west, downstream. We started with small scuds but quickly switched to #16 black or red soft hackles and had strikes on almost every cast for quite a awhile. Soft hackles were new to Tom and he was having trouble keeping them on the hook. I told him not to set the hook- just hold it and lift the rod slowly, applying pressure. He did better once he got the hang of it. All rainbows and not much size. I switched to a scud again- nothing. So went to a red san juan and had hookups immediately. Broke off a couple of reds- then went to brown and did even better. Rainbows were larger than on the soft hackle. Nice day- glad we went. Tom is Scrooge in the Christmas Carol production at SDC and has one more week before he's off for the winter. We've already decided to make it a weekly ritual... fly fishing someplace. This is what it'd look like if you had a camera on yor boot.

Sorry Greg I wasn't offended... can't do it. I identified with Trav a bit comparing Taney to Naknek which is very unfair to Taney but it makes a point. I think Trav was making a point too, unpopular as it is, but being unfair to the upper end of the lake and the trout fishing here maybe because he doesn't completely understand the fishing up here (sorry for assuming and I know what assuming will do to a person). I honestly get real frustrated with fishing below the dam cause I KNOW what it is and I know these trout at stocked and I still can't catch them alot of the times!!! So it's not as easy as many think... or it's speaks to my skill level- one or the other.

Just wetting the water... I'll have more details tomorrow but I'm pretty sure it's a 17' with a trailer. The motor lost a cylinder yesterday and we just order 2 new G-3's. This one has a small leak. Rated for a 70 hp but a 50 would do a good job. The 40 Yamaha will be sold for parts probably. Asking??? Not sure. It's seen a lot of time on the water.

http://www.lakestockton.com/read.php?34,29846

January, if they run water, is one of the best months for big walleye. Keep your eyes and ears open.

A quick word before I hurry onto church this morning... Taney has 3 parts- put-grow-take, put-take and well, lake? Not sure how to put the lower end where it's pretty much a normal lake with the exception of big brown trout. Slots are designed to protect broad stock AND designed to do what it does on Taney, give trout a chance to grow before taken because that's what anglers want. It can have 2 purposes, can't it? As for any quality fishery in Missouri, if it's "managed" by MDC, you could say it's not natural at all but an "aquarium". That's an extreme statement for some fisheries but not necessarily for others. You have different degrees of management and I'd say the trout parks and Taney is at the top of the Managed List. If I were to share my truly honest feeling about Taney after being in Alaska, I'd really miff a lot of people. Simply put, it's hard to come home and look at trout fishing in the same way. But we're talking about 2 fisheries that are on the opposite ends of the angling spectrum. I understand what you're saying about Taney and all but may be you're being a little harsh in putting it. Kinda "in your face". You are blessed to be on a fishery that isn't as well known as most in Missouri for it's warm water fishing and to get to spend the time on it as you do. I was glad to see Trav on the forum and talking about the lower lake's fishing but I have to say that the thought crossed my mind-- he's going to attract a lot more attention to the lower lake and it's going to get fished more! I think it's going to happen more and more regardless because of the Landing, Bass Pro and the area's growth. Gotta go. Be nice!