Phil Lilley

Should be back up and running. All the skins aren't running yet but I have defaulted a new skin just to give it a new look.

Last word... I think amendments are way too easy to be brought to the ballet. In this case, it seems that one person is behind the amendment and his money is backing it. Should anyone be allowed to buy an amendment to the state constitution esp if he has a financial interest in it? Gambling is another case in point. One guy funded the Rockaway Beach effort in an attempt to make money for himself. I don't think it's right regardless of the issue. But I know- it's the system. Anyhow- I respect all views on this matter and thank everyone for the discussion. I hope it's been enlightening for everyone.

Just don't want Table Rock Asphalt to be the bad guys in this. They indicated they were concerned about the lake/fisheries too but the data MDC provided showing dredging would be bad for the lake was inconclusive as well as from an old study (20 years). TRA said they would withdraw the application if MDC showed it would hurt the lake but they didn't feel like they presented a strong case. They withdrew because the community is split on the issue and they didn't want to damage their image, which is very good, in this community. They give back alot to the Branson area- I know cause I've asked for and received funds from them for a variety of nonprofits. I see and respect their point... but I think the permit process worked in this case. And yes I think the emails from OAF members influenced the outcome.

Table Rock Asphalt has withdrawn it's application for dredging above the 65 bridge. I talked to one of the principles of the company today. He indicated that with Scotty's dock and other construction at the Landing, it is going to be difficult for their barges to travel downstream from the gravel pit located near the railroad bridge on the lake. Table Rock Asphalt has been in this community for over 50 years and cares deeply about it's image in the area. That's mostly why they withdrew the request.

You know that's when the trout will really be biting!!!

These people put these topics up only to get hits. They get paid each time someone clicks on any of the links on the page. So by clicking the links, you are funding the trillion dollar, world wide industry. I delete these topics as soon as I see them. Unfortunately, most of the time they are posted at night and I don't see them till I log on in the am.

I had 90 minutes before having to take the office so I drove to the dam and met Vince below rebar. As I walked up, he was fighting a big brown but his fight was short-lived- it made a hard run and broke him off. Lots of trout holding in that stretch of water- several browns over 10 pounds and many smaller ones. They just weren't biting very well. Vince continued to drift a variety of scuds, different shades of gray and olive and small- #16 to #20's. I drifted my scuds- nothing- so I tied on a #18 white soft hackle and hooked 3 trout and missed 2. They were hitting them on the swing. One brown and 2 rainbows all under 17 inches. Vince stayed till dark. He said he caught 10 trout- most rainbows and browns up to 18 inches. I saw Chuck Gries fishing the pool below rebar. He was drifting scuds in the slow pool. He caught a few small trout. Brett Rader was guiding a guy fishing in the rebar shoot. He hooked a big brown as soon as I got there. It was foul hooked so Brett broke it off. It wasn't 10 minutes later, he hooked another brown, this time in the mouth and much bigger. His net wasn't big enough so Chuck lent him his. After netting it, they measured, took pics and released it. I'd say it was 26-28 inches- male I think. I've tied up some scuds using mink and alittle brown ancron using TMC103bl #15 and #17 hooks with 6 turns of .010 lead. Going to try them tomorrow hopefully. 103bl is a dry fly hook but I like the shape. John Berry tied some soft hackles at the conclave using them. I'm also going to tie some soft hackles with them.

What a small world... I could tell you were more embarrased than upset. I had just walked up when they got the call she was found and that she wanted to keep fishing. You said, "she said what?!" Classic. One trip you'll talk about for a long time I'm sure. Hope we can help witht your next trip. But it will be hard to follow Stan and Carolyn's instruction... they are the best. Welcome.

Thanks for posting pics... I was wondering how the event went. Is there any details about fish caught... flies??

Ian is working on it tonight... this has been an ongoing problem since I started hunters. It's frustrating. pl

Water is running- 2 units at 4 feet high at the dam. I drove up to see what was going on about 9 am. Tried to fish at rocking chair on south side but too many leaves in the water. Drove up to #2 and talked to George Garth who was fishing in the #2 slot. Saw lots of fish and they were hooking a few. Lots of people milling around waiting for the water to drop.

Jared- you may want to downsize the pics before you attach them. I make mine 500-600 pixels wide at 72 dpi- they load faster and are just as clear. If you don't know how, email them to me and I'll help. phil at lilleyslanding.com Beautiful brown- and good photo.

I went back down but didn't take a rod. I went with the guys staying here hoping for take a pic of another big trout. They fished rebar and below with little success. When the horn blew, I high-tailed it to the north bank cause I only had tennis shoes on. I sat at the TU stairs till the others wondered back- it was almost dark. Randy parked above #3 so I went out that way- not to the parking lot or I might have seen you Don.

Bowman doesn't look too happy. I wouldn't either. It's will be interesting how far AG&F takes this. Could they sue the Corp? We've had kills on the lake here but none documented.

Zach- we was about 50ish, 6'2" maybe and 270-280- a big guy. Sandy white hair and a mustash the same. Round face. Wasn't as fat as he was just a big man. I didn't see the wife... she was fishing and didn't want to be bothered.

I hope she's not a member of the forum!

It's not over 10... but I bet it's 9. Eddie is the Berkley rep for Bass Pro. It's probably a Fenwick!

TexomaOkie's son is a marine assigned to AF1. He's probably with him on this trip.

I'm planning on being back later this evening. Look for a yellow hat.

I was about to leave when I saw Kory walking down the bank. He was wearing a red vest I recognized as a resue outfit- he works for the Branson Fire Department. He was walking with another guy- his captain I fould out. They got a report of a missing woman. They asked if we had seen a lady in waders, 5'11" about 200 pounds. Not us. They said she had been seen last fishing at outlet #1 an hour ago. I walked up to the parking lot and saw 2 fire trucks, 2 abulances, 3 rescue trucks, 2 police cars and a Corp ranger car. About the time I got over to the parking lot at #1, I saw a guy, who was her husband, walk up and talk to one of the officers. Then we all heard on the radio they found her- fishing way down lake at the rocking chair hole. They also said she wasn't ready to come back up and was going to continue fishing. Her husband was not happy... embarrassed is more like it. Lots of trouble for a differences of opinion on where to fish!

Drove to the dam this morning at 7 am- met up with Randy Waggoner and his crew at rebar. Randy is a outlet junkie but he did rather well at rebar yesterday so he converted. Pics of yesterday's trip to follow. When I walked up, Eddie Ketchum had aleady started his assault on the trout, landing 4 trout in 4 casts including this 22-inch brown. He was using a 2-fly rig tying on a #18 gray scud as both. Randy landed one alittle smaller but the hook location was questionable. Then it slowed down... alot. No shortage of fish and esp browns- big browns. I couldn't get them to take anything- broke off on my first cast and that was about it for me. At 9:30, Eddie walked upstream to see how some of his friends were doing. Rob had been casting to a browns for a hour to no avail. Eddie asked to see his rod and casted- just to show him the proper drift. Of course he hooked the brown and landed it. 26 inches and about 8-9 pounds. Rob has to at least get in one of the pics. All fish swam off unharmed. Leonard was up trying out a new white bunny fly. Pretty amusing watching him work that fly on the bottom, enticing mainly rainbows to pick it up and eat it. He let me try- drifted it by a huge brown below rebar and we both thought it took it. I may be getting slow in my old age. Chuck Gries had a client below us. I didn't see it but Chuck said he landed a 24 inch brown. I saw them taking pics of a fish. Other than that, it was pretty slow. Not as crowded as I thought it's be. Nice morning.

He spent the night in Springfield and had a rally this am at 9. I didn't even think... was Danny with him?

That's it- the contest is now set. We'll see when the big clock turns 4,000,000.

Jerod- I live in the same fear... but I can handle it. Fishin' is still just fishin'

Got to the parking lot about 10:30 pm. Moon was out bright. Didn't need a flashlight to see walking. Walked down to #2- there were 3 waders down from #2 outlet. Two left soon after I got there. One stayed and caught 3 trout that I could see- nothing big. I started casting a black 3/32nd oz jig straight (no float) and hooked a fish on the third cast. Foul hooked a 17 inch brown in the belly- felt like a strike so I was dissappointed I foul hooked him. Several more casts- nothing. Dropped down below the guy wading and hooked another fish on a white 3/32nd oz jig- a sucker but this time I caught him in the mouth. Made my way downstream to rebar and thru the narrows trying different sizes and colors of jigs- white, black, sculpin and gray with no success. Saw Leonard leave about 11 pm so I knew it was slow for him be leave so early. When I left at 12:30 am there were 2 fishing with glow sticks in outlet #2.