Phil Lilley

You got it.

No- TR's water is way too warm. Will needs weeks of very cold weather.

Half way thru January... winter is passing fast. Boated up to the dam this am... crazy as that may seem to be. David Eckerle and I drifted a couple of things, trying a kind of new thing and several old ones. First I slid a plastic trout bead onto the line and tied on a hook, then slid the bead down within 2 inches of the hook and pegged it with a toothpick, broke it off. It was a washed out pink, about an 1/8 inch in diameter (they go by mm but I don't used them enough to know the difference yet). We use them in Alaska and this is the way we present them, fly or spin. Well I caught one on it and David caught 2 on a regular egg fly, yellow. David caught several anothers on an olive 1/8th oz jig. I caught one on a white jig (video). Made 3 drifts to KOA and called it quits. The wind was tough, esp being about 22 degrees out. the birds were swarming the turbines and outlet #1. Not sure why. Didn't see them pick anything up. Video - http://ozarkanglers.com/video/1-15-07a.wmv It's not much- too cold to even video much. But you can see how high the water is.

Well... I'm not an avid hunter or dog owner. I've owned several dogs but 2 favorite was a black lab female (excellent pointer and retreiver) and a half brittney half short hair female (smart as a whip- almost too smart). The lab died of old age in 2003 and the mix was taken in 2004. Companionship would be first on my list, second would be a hunter. I say an English (Gordon) because they are loving and gentle- at least the ones I've been around. BUT that's not to say I wouldn't get a lab again. I am a ways off in getting another dog. Resort life has it's negatives... and now that we are traveling a bit more, it's difficult to fit one into our lives right now. But now we have Jon on the board, he may have some very interested business propects on his hands. PS- if you look on OzarkHunters you'll see Lady on my avatar.

Jon, do you or know anyone who raises English Setters? I may be interested in the future.

Table Rock's level has risen from 914.7 to 916.7 since the rains started last week and will continue to rise another 1-2 feet, my guess. That means SPA has gone from restricted to power demand to flood control in less than 2 weeks. I'm sure they're looking at the long range forecast, seeing a possbility of rain/snow in the near future. They don't like TR to get above 920, especially when they have so much room in the system for water (Bull Shoals). This is great for Taneycomo... it'll clean out the gravel somewhat in the upper end and refresh the lake a bit.

Anyone know Terry Beeson's phone number or address? Flysmallie- sent you an email.

Thanks Rolan. We will do it again. It's amazing to me that just a few miles north and west of here is so much damage and lack of power. We've just had the rain we've all been praying for... for years now. Table Rock has come up almost 2 feet and will continue for several days. Taney is running 4 full which is a welcomed sight. The lack of traffic on the site today reflects the fact there's alot of people either out of power or have other more important things to do than view and write on forums.

Nice to hear from you again Jon. We'll have that pontoon ready for you in a few weeks!

It's possible but don't hold your breath.

Sorry I missed it Dan. We had some friends show up from KC and had to divide our time- difficult situation. We're talking about doing another rod building class later in the spring/summer, off-campus location probably.

I bet they are Turner's Micro Jigs. About $3.50 each? I carry them in my shop here in Branson. Will have them online shortly. Welcome...

Like a normal, rainy winter day here... 32 and light rain, no wind, great fishing weather (for trout anyway). Don't know what tomorrow will bring though. We may get hit too. But because of the terrain between here and Springfield, alot of the weather stops at the break-line. It did last night. We are about half full. Had a couple of cancelations but for the most part- a good weekend for us in January. The resort has a generator that powers the whole place if it does get bad. I'm wondering how much diesel we have in the tank though.

He came in yesterday... had a GREAT day fishing at the dam today, he said. We'll be here all day tommorrow, rain... or rain... or ice...

-18... man that's cold! Amazing it's -18 here in the states. It hasn't been winter here... until now. Rain and 35 here. Looks like the freeze line is between here and Springfield. Rain, rain, rain... keep it coming!

Check out the pics on the trip page. Look for the pic of the smelt... and the fingers. That's the marks. First day I got cut, next day I lost my glasses to the river (swatting bugs). But I'd do it all again... oh yea... I am going to do it again. With gloves, a boga and a string on my glasses

It helps if you put the correct path...

You're very much welcome. Thanks for being such a gentleman. I appreciate how you treat your wife and son... you're a good husband and father- much to be proud of.

http://ozarkanglers.com/video/bear_cubs.wmv We were leaving Margot Creek, just walked out from the mouth and got in the boat when this mom and cubs walked out where we had just come from. We were in the boat a few feet from shore- very safe. This is what you don't want to mess with- mom and cubs. http://ozarkanglers.com/video/brooks_falls.wmv Famous Brooks Falls. No bears there in mid August- they're there last of June thru most of July- then to the upper woods where the streams are small and salmon are thick- easy pickin's. http://ozarkanglers.com/video/camp.wmv Naknek River Camp http://ozarkanglers.com/video/margot_creek.wmv Looking out from the creek to the lake- beautiful view. http://ozarkanglers.com/video/sockeye_ripping_hand.wmv First day and I handled a sockeye wrong... stupid! You'd think as many browns as I handled I'd know not to put your fingers in the mouth! http://ozarkanglers.com/video/sunset.wmv Sunsets last a LONG time up north... almost an hour.

Had to try it and see what you're talking about... 'ADD REPLY'

Without sounding smart (hopefully), you should back and read fishing reports from Novemeber- there are alot of them. Crowds are pretty bad on weekends. Almost always good populations of trout below the dam, assuming that's where you're refering to. If not, boat traffic is light downstream and fishing is fair to good. All depends on generation patterns and summer/fall bug growth.

When the water runs, like it has for a week now, trash builds up on the camera. We need to clean it off- but sometimes it gets missed in the day-to-day.

No- not yet. But will someday. Maybe soon.

I got a new shipment of OzarkAnglers.Com bumper stickers in... if anyone is interested. This is great advertising for the site- but the best advertising is word of mouth. Keep spread the word!

It was shot on Margot Creek. If you go to http://earth.google.com/ -download their G/E software, if you haven't already. Type in 'King Salmon, AK' in the finder at the top left of the window. It should take you to KS. To the right or east is a big lake (Nakenk) and a glacier to the east of it. The east half of the lake appears to be light blue water- that's caused by glacier runoff. In the southeast corner of the lake, close to what appears to be a volcano, close to the glacier, is a small creek that snakes back and forth, running south. That's Margot Creek. I have about 4 minutes of the same bear fishing the river but not quick as exciting as this clip. I'll play around and do some more later. Unfortunately I didn't take many video fish shots- I was too busy netting fish- or afraid to video and drop the camera in the water.