Phil Lilley

I really like Steve's style of writing. When he told me how many articles he has to write for the NewsLeader alone per week I was amazed he would have enough to write about. He said he basically writes about everything he does. I have a hard time coming up with things to write about on Taneycomo- new things I haven't covered writing about in the past. And general fishing reports... again it's hard to write about the same fishing conditions week after week, having to put a spin on them to make them sound different. Writing is hard when you HAVE to write. If I'm not in that mood, it would be extremely hard if I had to write. So in saying that, I congratulate Steve for a very good job of writing. I know it's a tough job sometimes. Especially pleasing guys like loo10

Steve Brigman came over to play this evening. Water running- 4 units- 908+... I didn't think it would be a good fishing trip. I explained to Steve that this was the heaviest they'd ran the water since August- I think- and I believe these trout don't do well when something happens for the first time- like lots and lots of water. We drifted from the cable below the dam down to KOA a couple of times throwing 1/8th oz jigs- tried white, olive and sculpin with a little success. We tried a couple of eddie spots including at the cable on the south side- that's where we found some nice rainbows. He got a pic of one I caught- about 18 inches and great colors. Tried at outlet 3 and then down further against the same bank. Lots of fish holding on the bottom but had few takers. The weather was crazy. Line of clouds hung over us with blue sky visible over the dam. Lightning, some rain and fog... cold fog. The clouds didn't move one bit for 2 hours. It's still raining as I type this report... the cloud still isn't moving. The evening ended on a good note. But I'll let Steve tell the story in the NewsLeader. He's a much better writer than I.

I'm a slow learner.

Hot Spots is what I like. Wal Mart - Bass Pro - online too.

We have 5 nights open from Monday (Memorial Day) leaving Saturday June 3 in ALL 4 CONDOS here at Lilleys. I am offering to members of OAF right now at the following prices... 3 night minimum. #15 & #18 are 3 bedroom 2 bath - $189 - $119 now #16 is a 2 bedroom 2 bath - $149 - $99 now #17 is a 4 bedroom 2 bath - $209 - $129 now email me at phil at lilleyslanding.com Also remember our condo at Pointe Royale - 2 bedroom 2 bath for $129 per night all summer. It overlooks #10 fairway, walking distance to their club house, indoor/outdoor pool and tennis courts. It's just up the road from the Lookout access to Lake Taneycomo. See it here - http://lilleyslanding.com/condo/condo7.php

Type in Branson - 65616 and Springfield - 65804 Big difference- 20 cents usually. So if you're driving to Branson, fill up in Ozark... we do.

It's been the pattern at least out of boats in and out of the trophy area that the fish just aren't excited about anything till the wind start and that's been about 9:30 - 10 am. Then it's gets pretty good. See the fishing report for 5/21 for what they're biting on... still the same. The generation this week has cleared out alot of the gunk all thru the upper end but the bottom of the lake is still covered with algea/ dead algea? Whatever it is it can't be good for the scuds. Speaking of stuff growing in the lake, all along the banks esp below Fall Creek, there's a pond weed growing- which isn't unusual in itself- but the amount that's already grown is unusual for this time of year. Entangled with this growth is a green algea, slimmy in texture and it's thick. I have seen alot of forage fish in the weeds behind our dock- a good number of this years spawn- finglerings of some kind and lots of them.

You can't clean them in your boat. I think that's what he was doing.

caught off dock 24 inch rainbow 24 inch girth 7.9 pounds Berkley's Gulp Minnow

Sorry I don't have a name. 22 inch brown 4.3 pounds Caught on a sculpin jig

Ran to the dam today from 4-5:15. Running 2 units it looked like. We drifted from the cable to KOA 3 times and caught may be a dz rainbows. Nothing very big at all. Caught an equal amount in sculpin/orange head, white, brown and sculpin. Nothing on black. 1/8th oz jigs worked slow on the bottom. Slow compared to most trips. Love to see the water running. Babler reported fishing early today was extremely slow- even pb and night crawlers below fc. Later in the morning it did pick up for them though... as soon as the wind showed up.

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=783 There's a great thread already on the Current Forum. You may get some other responses for late spring patterns.

He said there were 50 boats in the tournament last year... I didn't think the Current was that big. Insane would be putting mild I'd say.

Talked to Bill today- he emphasized DEEP- he caught some of his fish yesterday 40 feet deep. He said they did the same thing last year after spawn- went deep. Read his report- good info.

Well... she may have to register and post to find that out!!

I know there's a fair numbers of locals who frequent the forum that fish below the dam (wade) almost every day. Haven't heard from you all lately? Sure would like to hear what's going on up there. Don't make me come up there and find out myself!!

Growin' up quick buddy! Proverbs - Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don't despise your mother's exerience when she is old. Get truth and don't ever sell it; also get wisdom, discipline and discernment.

That's a pretty short rod... esp if you're fishing open areas. I've started people on shorter rods in the past and they usually want to, or I think they should go to a longer rod. I'd start him with at least an 8 foot rod... unless you're fishing Swan or Beaver Creeks. Then shorter is better. I know- buy him one of each!

Martin - you shouldn't be so modest... tell us how you really feel! And what you caught. I think it's awesome!

He said they would put in at Van Buran?

Bill- you ROCK! Nice camera.

Getting alittle testy... let's cool the waters... so to speak. OAF is a fishing forum but this is general discussion- anything goes. Opps I just looked- this is in the Table Rock forum. I'll close this and if anyone wants to continue- start a topic in general discussions.

Argument - The fact is there are those who will take the place of the persons who don't come back because of the crowds. I think that's short-sighted. It's been true up to now. Go back east and ask about Branson. the vast majority will say- 'isn't that the place where there's a little road going in, stopped up with traffic, traffic jams all the time'. I heard that personally and from many others who travel. Traffic has been bad since 1983 at least when we came and it hasn't gotten better- only for those who know the back roads and when to travel them. So with that said, traffic will sink the landing- my opinion. Tram system- they've been talking about/studying that since 1993. I don't think it will help even if they do it. Branson will never be the sleepy little town it was when we came in 1983. But one thing it still has- friendly people. Hopefully we'll hold on to that. It may be all we have that makes us different than the big tourist venues.

Jeremy Rasnick is heading to the Current this weekend to fish a small mouth tournament- anyone know about this? Supposed to be a big thing.