Phil Lilley

Pike- someone else will have to address that. Silvers- that early they may be in the mouths of rivers in the bay. But that is very, very early for their migration. Try down the cost of Kenia- what Gavin said.

For Immediate Release June 1, 2006 A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation News Contacts: Micah Holmes or Kristen Gillman (405) 521-3856 Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com Department to hold vehicle auction "Outdoor Oklahoma" television on demand Sign up now to attend a Selman Bat Watch Outdoor Calendar Fishing Report Department to hold vehicle auction Are you in the market for a used vehicle? If so, you will want to head out to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's public vehicle auction. It will be held Thursday, June 8, at 6 p.m. at the Department's headquarters located at 1801 N. Lincoln in Oklahoma City. "We have a good variety of Ford and Chevrolet trucks. All of them are four-wheel drive and many of them are extended cab models," said Johnny Hill, property manager for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "We're going to sell everything as is to the highest bidder." A total of 25 vehicles will be available at the event, including a ¾ ton Chevrolet truck, a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe and a 1996 Dodge Caravan. For more information about the auction call (405) 521-4600 or for a complete list of auction vehicles, log on to wildlifedepartment.com. The sale will start promptly at 6:00 p.m. and items may be inspected from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. the day of the sale. -30- "Outdoor Oklahoma" television on demand The Wildlife Department's weekly television show, "Outdoor Oklahoma," show is now available 24-hours a day over the internet and the best part about it, it's free! Podcasting is the method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio programs or music videos, over the Internet for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. Podcasting's essence is about creating content (audio or video) for an audience that wants to listen or watch when they want, where they want, and how they want. To learn more about "Outdoor Oklahoma" television show podcasts log on to www.wildlifedepartment.com/oo_tv.htm. -30- Sign up now to attend a Selman Bat Watch Come watch over a million bats fly out of their cave, over your head, and off into the nighttime sky at a Selman Bat Watch. There are 12 opportunities in July to see the only public viewing of Mexican free-tailed bats in Oklahoma. The Bat Watch begins July 6 and occurs each Thursday, Friday and Saturday the rest of the month. Register by June 26 to attend. Download a registration form at www.wildlifedepartment.com. Every summer night, the bats leave their roost to dine on flying insects. They'll cruise right overhead according to Melynda Hickman, event organizer and biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "From a distance, the flying columns of bats look like smoke. But when you're sitting right there, and the bats pass over your head, there's no doubt you're seeing and hearing bats. It's a unique experience," she said. The bat flight is the highlight of the Bat Watch, but there's more to the evening than watching. There's also learning and exploring. The Bat Watch begins at Alabaster Caverns State Park - 6 miles south of Freedom and 30 miles northeast of Woodward in northwestern Oklahoma. Buses take visitors from the state park to the Selman Wildlife Management Area, which is usually closed to the public. Once there, visitors learn facts about bats and the prairie community. Since 1996, the Wildlife Department has managed the area because of its importance to the Mexican free-tailed bat. This is one of only five major sites in Oklahoma used by female free-tailed bats to raise their young. The bats return to Oklahoma year after year from their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. They spend daylight hours inside the cave. Then, from dusk until dawn, they fly over the countryside consuming more than 10 tons of insects each night. "If you like watching wildlife, or just want to experience something extraordinary, you'll want to check this out," Hickman said. Sign up now through June 26 to see this amazing natural spectacle. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Seating is limited to 75 people per night and evenings fill quickly. Children must be 8 or older to attend a Friday or Saturday night, which run from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Thursday nights are shorter to accommodate children ages 3 - 7 and run from 7:15 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Check for open viewing dates, get a registration form, and find out more at www.wildlifedepartment.com or call (405) 424-0099. -30- *****Photo***** Editor's note: Below is a link for accompanying photo and intended for newspaper publication. The ending link is .jpg for the photo. The photo will open in your browser. If you have a pc you should be able to right click, save picture as, choose the file type you want to save as and click save. The other way is on file in toolbar, save picture as, choosing the file type you want to save as and click save. Images can be viewed with the article at http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wl_news.htm. High resolution - http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/newsrele...manbatwatch.jpg Low resolution - http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/newsrele...twatchsmall.jpg Photo Caption: See more than one million bats spiral out into the evening sky at a Selman Bat Watch. OUTDOOR CALENDAR JUNE 6 & 8: Aquatic Education Clinic: ODWC Family Clinic, Casting Pond at ODWC, Jenks. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling ODWC- Jenks at (918) 299-2334. 8: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Vehicle Sale. The sale will start promptly at 6:00 p.m. in the parking lot, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK. Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. 9: Project WILD at Rogers County Conservation Education Reserve, Claremore. Class runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. For more information or to enroll contact call Barbara Gibbs at (918) 260-8876. 10: Hunter Education Home Study: Midwest City Library, Midwest City; 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; (405) 732-4828. 10: Aquatic Education Clinic: Metro Tech, OKC Parks and Rec. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling Bob Martin at (405) 755-4014. 10: Wildlife Tours at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Have an opportunity to view wildlife on a bus tour of Pinchot Loop in the Special Use Area. You may get to see young buffalo and longhorn calves. Reservation are required and $3 per person will be collected at the beginning of the tour. For more information or to make reservations contact the Refuge Headquarters at (580) 429-3222. Only one family reservation per phone call. Tour will start at the headquarters. 10: F.O.C.A.S. KIDS DAY. The Lake Tenkiller Chapter of The Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society, Cookson is accepting reservations for this event. This annual event will be held at the Jimmy Houston Outdoors Store. Lunch will be provided for the children. The event is funded by the Jack Houston Memorial Bass Tournament. Children must be at least 5 years old and no older than 12 on June 10. Parents may sign up their children by calling (918) 457-5115 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Volunteer sign-ups are also being taken. Reservations are required for this event which will be limited to 500 children. 10 & 11: 13th Annual Wildlife Habitat Garden Tour and Plant Sale presented by the Tulsa Audubon Society. Admission is $5 and children under 13 are free. For more information contact the Tulsa Audubon Society at (918) 446-2720. 10: Youth World Bowfishing Championship at Ft. Gibson/Toppers Boat Ramp. The Tournament starts at 7 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. Check-in time is 5:30 p.m. Legal fish one each of common carp, gar (any species), buffalo (any species) and drum. For more information contact Randy Woodward at (918) 486-4823. 10: The 34th annual Robert L Hutchins chapter of Ducks Unlimited Banquet and Auction will be held at the Great Plains Coliseum in Lawton, Oklahoma, beginning at 6 pm. This is the largest banquet and auction benefiting Ducks Unlimited, a national organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of wildlife habitat. Tickets at the door 11: Wildlife Tours at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Have an opportunity to view wildlife on a bus tour of Pinchot Loop in the Special Use Area. You may get to see young buffalo and longhorn calves. Reservation are required and $3 per person will be collected at the beginning of the tour. For more information or to make reservations contact the Refuge Headquarters at (580) 429-3222. Only one family reservation per phone call. Tour will start at the headquarters. 13: Oklahoma Station Chapter ¬ Safari Club International Membership Meeting at the Quail Creek Country Club in the Pheasant Room. The club is located at 3501 Quail Creek Road in Oklahoma City. From Hefner Parkway exit at 122nd Street, go east one block to Quail Creek Road, turn left (North) and proceed to the Country Club. The meetings are a great time of fellowship and good opportunity to get involved in Safari Club International. Paul Newsom will be speaking about game calling techniques and strategies. The social begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner begins 6:00. Dinner (Lemon Grilled Chicken, Chicken Monterey, or Boneless Pork Chop) is $15 per person and dinner selections must be made by Friday, June 9 by calling Verilea Faust at (405) 721-7229, (800) 405-3580 or send an e-mail to faust4v@pldi/net 13: Aquatic Education Clinic at G.S.P. Pond, Greenleaf State Park. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling Steven Evans at (918) 487-7125. FISHING REPORT FOR MAY 31, 2006 CENTRAL Hefner: Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 76. Channel catfish are being caught at 4-8 ft. on the west side of the dam on cut shad. White bass are being caught on the north east side of the lake. OKC will be observing Free Fishing Days. Report submitted by Bob Martin, OKC Fisheries. Thunderbird: Elevation 5 ft. below normal and clear. White bass good early mornings off points on minnows, jigs and spinners. Largemouth bass good in coves with structure at 3-5 ft. on tandem spinners, medium divers and plastic worms. Crappie have slowed down and moved to deeper water, but can still be caught on minnows and jigs at 5-7 ft. around structure. Saugeye fair to good early and late day on green jigs and medium divers off points. Catfish are starting to bite fair late evening and night time on stinkbait, minnows and cut baits. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County. Wes Watkins: Elevation 2-2 1/2 ft. below normal, water 74-82 and murky in creek areas and clear in the middle of the lake. Catfish good on chicken livers, worms, minnows and shrimp shallow. Crappie are being caught on minnows and jigs along Fishmarket roadbed area at 8-10 ft. around structures. White bass fair to good while trolling with diving crankbaits. Largemouth bass fair on assorted dark-colored soft plastics and tubes early morning and evening. Report submitted by M.M. Fowler, St. Gregory. NORTHEAST Bell Cow: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 71 and murky. White bass good on minnows and jigs off the fishing dock. Channel catfish good on stinkbait. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Gary Emmons, game warden stationed in Lincoln County. Bell Cow: Water 80 and murky. Largemouth bass good. Channel catfish good in channels on doughbait. Crappie very good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by lake ranger. Birch: Elevation lake is 1/2 ft. below normal lake level and clear. Crappie fair off the docks on minnows and jigs. Catfish good in the creek channel and near the flats on cut fish and shad. Striped bass hybrids good on live shad. Largemouth bass fair in the lake and in the creek on plastic baits. Report submitted by Ben Bickerstaff, game warden stationed in Osage County. Carl Blackwell: Elevation normal, water 78 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastic baits and crankbaits. Striped bass hybrids fair trolling with crankbaits. Channel catfish excellent on punch bait and cut bait around rock structure. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 12-15 ft. Saugeye fair trolling with crankbaits. Report submitted by Jon Cunningham, game warden stationed in Payne County. Copan: Elevation normal and murky. Gates below the dam are closed. Catfish good on juglines or trotlines using cut shad. Crappie slow but still biting on minnows. Report submitted by Jason Cain, Copan Handi Mart. Eucha: Elevation 6 ft. below normal, water 77 and clear. Crappie good on minnows and jigs around brush and structure at 6-10 ft. Largemouth good on Carolina-rigged plastic baits off rocky points. Catfish good using shad and night crawlers. Bluegill good on crickets and worm in coves. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries. Ft. Gibson: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. above normal, water 78 and clear. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits, doughbaits and soft baits in. flooded grass and timber. White bass good on spoons and white, silver, gray and chartreuse twister tails. Channel catfish good on cut bait, shad, worms and liver. Reported submitted Marvin Stanley, game warden stationed in Muskogee and Wagoner counties. Grand: Elevation normal and murky. Crappie fair to good at 10-15 ft around brush piles and fishing docks on minnows and jigs. Channel and blue catfish fair in the river channel on cut or whole shad. White bass being caught around rocky gravel points and near mouth of lake tributaries. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County. Greenleaf: Water clear. Largemouth bass good on spinners and crankbaits along shore line. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around fishing dock and brush structure. Catfish fair on shad and worms at 5-10 ft. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County. Hudson: Elevation normal and partly clear. White bass fair to good on small crankbaits trolling upper end of the lake. Channel and blue catfish good on cut shad. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Mayes County. Hulah: Elevation 1 ft. above normal lake level and murky. Catfish good in the lake on cut fish and shad. Crappie good off the dock at Wah-Sha-She State Park on minnows and jigs. Catfish good below the dam. Report submitted by Ben Bickerstaff, game warden stationed in Osage County. Kaw: Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water 78 and stained. Channel and blue catfish are good around riprap at 2-5 ft. on worms, shrimp, and stinkbait. Flathead catfish fair on juglines and trotlines baited with live bait. White bass fair trolling crankbaits at 10-20 ft. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties. Oologah: Elevation 3 ft. above normal and falling, water in the 70 and murky to the south and muddy to the north. Channel and blue catfish fair on juglines baited with shad at 10-15 ft. Channel catfish fair on worms along rocky banks in the Winganon area. White bass fair trolling shad colored lures on flats at 10-15 ft. Channel and blue catfish fair on shad below the dam. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County. Sooner: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water 74 and clear. Striped bass and striped bass hybrids good on live shad on mid-lake humps at 23-33 ft. Largemouth bass good using shad-colored soft baits on jigs.Report submitted by Paul Tennies, Pete's Place. Sooner: Water 80 and clear. Largemouth bass good on buzzbaits early and late around weed beds and good on Carolina rigs in weed beds. Striped bass hybrids good in main lake on live shad at 15-20 ft. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties. Spavinaw: Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water 80 and clear. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows around dam area. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Catfish fair on cut shad. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries. Tenkiller: Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal, water 74 and clear. Largemouth bass slow some action on gravel points drop offs. Crappie fair around brush piles on tube jigs or roadrunner jigs midday. Catfish fair 15-18 ft. on points with stinkbaits and drifting the flats with cut baits. Sunfish good around docks on worms. Report by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort. Webbers Falls: Elevation normal, water 78 and murky. Largemouth bass at 6-8 ft. on spinnerbaits and plastic baits fishing the weed, rock and woody areas. Crappie good at 12 ft. using minnows fishing the old creek channels around the lake. White bass good at 10 ft. using jigs fishing and shad imitation crankbaits at the mouth of the Grand River. Blue catfish good at 3-5 ft. using fresh cut bait and goldfish fishing the rocky areas around the lake. Flathead catfish fair at 5-10 ft. using live bait fishing the rocky areas. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County. NORTHWEST Canton: Elevation normal. Channel catfish excellent along the dam on live bait and stinkbait. Walleye good drifting night crawlers over submerged islands. White bass and striped bass hybrids good trolling crankbaits. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County. Ft. Supply: Elevation normal and clear. Channel catfish good on liver and worms and stinkbait at 1-3 ft. in shallow water along the edges of the lake. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Harper County. Great Salt Plains: Channel catfish excellent in main lake on trotlines baited with shad and blood bait. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties. Great Salt Plains: Channel catfish fair to good on trotlines using shad or grasshoppers and fair in the spillway area on shad and stinkbait. Flathead catfish are slow in the stilling basin using a cast master lure or storm shad lure. Report submitted by R. C. Wilson, Jr. SOUTHEAST Broken Bow: Elevation normal, water mid-70's and clear. Largemouth bass good on Carolina and Texas-rigged dark soft plastics along points. Crappie fair around the north end of the lake by Holly Creek on minnows and jigs around standing timber. Walleye good on Carolina rigged soft plastics between Egypt creek south to the dam midday and after dark on jigs. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. Eufaula: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. and clear. Largemouth bass good on plastic baits at 2-6 ft. along the rocks. White bass good on jigs at 4-10 ft. around bridges. Blue catfish good on shrimp at 2-6 ft. along rocks. Crappie fair on jigs at 8-15 ft. around brush. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County. Hugo: Elevation 2 ft. above normal, water 74 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Crappie fair on live minnows. Channel catfish fair on cut bait. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County. Konawa: Elevation normal, water 83 and clear. Largemouth bass good on topwater lures at 5 ft. in weed beds. Channel catfish good on shad in the south coves at 5-10 ft. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County. McGee Creek: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water 75 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastic lures and spinners at 2-6 ft. in upper end of lake around standing timber. Channel catfish fair on jugs with live bait along rocky points and riprap. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County. Lower Mountain Fork River: Water is clear and cool, the powerhouse has been active during most afternoons. The predominant insects have been midges, ants, grasshoppers, and a few caddis and mayflies. There have been some really massive midge hatches lately, and flies imitating these insects have been producing well, if you are capable of fishing tiny flies on fine leaders. Zone 2 continues to be a challenge, but there were some anglers who did quite well in that area of the river. Report submitted by Sid Ingram, Beavers Bend Fly Shop. Lower Mountain Fork River: Trout in zone 1 is good with egg patterns and pheasant tail nymphs and light cahills. In zone 2 trout fair early and late on midges and light cahills on top. Zone 3 trout fair near the dam early morning on egg patterns, wooly buggers and black caddis. Report submitted by Jesse King, Three Rivers Fly Shop. Murray: Water 73 and clear. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass good on crankbaits, soft plastics and worms. White bass good on jigs and crankbaits. Channel catfish fair on stinkbait. Crappie fair on minnows. Report submitted by Jeremy Brothers, game warden stationed in Carter County. Pine Creek: Elevation above normal and clear. Crappie good on jigs around submerged timber at 10-12 ft. Channel catfish good on night crawlers in the upper end of the lake in creek channels. Bass fair on crankbaits around rocky points and some success has been reported on "brush hog lures" around points as well. Sunfish are also becoming more active around the old bridge and in lower portion of the lake around the campgrounds on red worms. Report Submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 78 and murky. Largemouth bass fair at 6-8 ft. using plastic baits and crankbaits fishing the riprap areas around the lake. Crappie fair at 10 ft. using minnows fishing the edge of the old creek channels of Dirty, Sallisaw and Big San Bois creeks. White bass good at 10 ft. using jigs and crankbaits in the Applegate Cove area. Blue and flathead catfish good at 3-6 ft. using fresh cut bait and live bait fishing the rocky areas around the lake. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County. Sardis Lake: Elevation normal and slightly murky to the south. Catfish good on cut bait. Bass fair on weed beds. Crappie good around bridges on minnows. White bass good trolling. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County. Texoma: Elevation normal, water 75 and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on plastic baits at 10-15 ft. around points. White bass and striped bass good on sassy shad and live shad at 15-25 ft. at Burns Run. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on cut shad at 15-20 ft. above the highway 70 bridge and Washita River. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. East Burns Run and Rock Creek. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County. Wister: Elevation normal, water 73 and murky. Channel and blue catfish good around the riprap areas on cut baits, whole shad or worms. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits worked at 4-10 ft. Flathead catfish good on trotlines baited with live sunfish and set at 8-15 ft. Crappie slow this week. White bass slow also. Report submitted by D.G. Belcher, game warden stationed in Latimer County. SOUTHWEST Altus-Lugert: Elevation 13 1/2 ft. below normal and murky. Lake level is dropping very slowly. North shore boat ramp is high and dry. Crappie are being caught on minnows. Striped bass hybrids and white bass good. Catfish have been biting on shad. Walleye are fair to good. Report compiled by Quartz Mountain Grocery. Ellsworth: Elevation 10 ft. below normal, water 76 and murky. Catfish fair to good on cut bait at 12-19 ft. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County. Foss: May Elevation 1/2 ft. below normal, water 72 and clear. Striped bass hybrids good early in the morning and late evening on live bait. Walleye good in morning and evenings also on live bait. Crappie fair all day. Catfish good on dough bait. White bass fair. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House. Ft. Cobb: Elevation normal. Catfish fair on cut baits. Saugeye fair drifting night crawlers. Report submitted by James L. Edwards, Jr., game warden stationed in Caddo County. Waurika: Elevation below normal, water 70 and murky. White bass good on jigs and shad off windy points. Catfish good on juglines or trotlines baited with shad and goldfish. Striped bass hybrids excellent on shad and jigs in deep water. Crappie slow. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.

I'll drop you a line if we get a cancelation- and we do get them. #17 is open all this week (4 bedroom)- canceled last minute. That's a tough one to take for us. Will discount it big time just to get someone in it hopefully.

I remember- moving in and out from the bank in different depths of water.

walkeg's report - We fished it about two weeks ago, just after the river was down, some what. Still about 2 foot high but clear. Bass were showing signs of spawn. Caught a few that went over 12" but it was before the season. Crawdad color crank baits seem to work the best. Floated from Grease Back bridge to Gravens.

I've never tried BS night fishing... did you go out of K Dock? Fish off the bluffs?

I actually don't want to think that... sorry but I want them to get caught red handed and fined. I could have told them the other day I had recorded their lisc # and descrip of their truck and all the agents in the region were looking for them but... after they took all those fish, illegal trout, it should cost them.

He's hibernating. I went by to see him a couple of days ago. He's fine. Not sure why he's not posting.

I'm full of rumors today. That's what I get for talking to Mike Adams. He knows what's going on. Latest resorts to bite the condo dust- Blue Haven Lakeshore The Lakeshore Resort rumor is alittle more shakey- Mike wasn't sure if it was Lakeshore or another resort but the guests who are leaving Blue Haven wanting to rebook for next year are being told they can't- tearing down the place and building condos. Briarwood is already gone. Cloud Nine, Lakeshore, Blue Haven- Del Mar is gone - Taneycomo and Tanglewood are still in business. But with the market, they all may be gobbled up in the next couple of years. The old Sun Valley isn't open. Riverlake sold to a LLC and we've been told by people staying there that's not a good situation so far. Then there's Trout Hollow- that's it on the upper lake besides us over on this side- Cooper, Lazy, Ozark and us. I never thought family-style resorts would be in danger of extinction on upper Taney. But I believe they are needed. That's how society is going- closed off to neighbors and family... do you ever see families on vacation meeting other families staying in condos? You bet they do at resorts like ours. Long lasting relationships are founded here every summer... and they will continue at least at this resort.

John... We do have the condo at Pointe Royale- golf, tennis, nice pool and wade fishing at Lookout. 7 would be alittle tight but it could work. We'll try to make it work. There are less and less places on the lake to stay. Lazy Valley has the house they bought and a couple of other larger places. Riverlake does too.

No roof- that's what gets me. Those new boats out in the sun.

Rumor has it BP only has a permit for 16 slips - uncovered! That's all. That's a rumor but I'm sure with it opening real soon, the dock should be built and installed in the next week or so. We'll see then.

I'd mentioned in my last report about seeing 4 guys take dozens of slot rainbows from outlet #1 the other day. Well I saw their truck last night when I went to the dam to visit the FAOL bunch. I got ahold of Buck, our eastern Taney Co agent and he headed over. I walked down to the outlet and watched them- 2 guys this time, using bait but not catching anything. They left before Buck got there. Vehicle - olive Sport Trak Ford Truck, 4 dr 2006 GA plates ATA 7094 They've been fishing in the evening, park at #1 and fishing right in the outlet. I did not talk to them but they seemed nervious... they know about the rules. They walk past the sign the states the rule.

Monday was a Memorial Day spent like dozens of others for Margaret Smith of Harrisonville – making memories on Lake Taneycomo. Others may boast of years of such tradition, but Margaret likely has them beat – she turned 91 in March and just retired her favorite Zebco reel last year, a present from her husband from the ‘50s. As a young secretary for a Springfield bus company, the then Miss Cather was courted long distance by her love, Erwin Smith, from a dairy farm near Joplin. After eloping to a justice of the peace in Claremore, OK, in 1941, the newlyweds soon discovered fishing for fun and food. “You know, the thing was then, no one had anything much,” she said. “But we would get a can of chicken guts and go to the river. We thought that was great fun.” Their daughter, Judy (Reece) was born in Springfield before they moved to Neosho, where Erwin owned and operated buses for the school district. Then they moved to Joplin where he worked for the Joplin Bus Co. A bout with tetanus prompted the move to Harrisonville in 1951. “They didn’t think that he would live, but, of course, he did – until 1967. “ After her husband’s death, she needing something to do since the couple had been so active in Harrisonville – he with a piano repair and tuning business, and she as an attorney’s secretary for 25 years. That started many more trips to Branson as she recruited family and friends to join her at least twice a year, primarily on holiday weekends. They have been staying at Lilleys’ Landing Resort long before it was Lilleys’-- when it was Rosadaro Resort run by Sam & Rose Hepko. Judy’s husband, Larry, died in 2002, and she retired from her career in education just last year, allowing more opportunity for “girls’ weekends” or even “weeks.” Margaret’s biggest catch on Lake Taneycomo was a five-pound rainbow caught off the dock at Cooper Creek resort years back as she was trying out a new ultralight rod. “I didn’t have the sense to know what to do with it, but I got it in anyway,” she said. For years her choice in bait was the red hot salmon eggs. “When you used to get those nasty fish in here – those suckers – we caught so many with worms; we pretty much stick to Power Bait now.” Still always as stylish and perfectly coiffed as 20 years ago, the grandmother of three and great-grandmother of five delights in her angling adventures – despite two knee replacements and last year a heart attack. “They flew me to Kansas City or I probably wouldn’t have made it,”she said. After treatment, “I said to them, ‘How about my fishing?’ and they said, ‘You do it!’ and I’m going to for as long as I can.” Judy & Margaret of Harrisonville, Elsa Curd & Hazel Faustlin of Green Valley

Good afternoon all, The Notice of Availability (NOA) for the White River Minimum Flow Reallocation Study Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register today. The clock is now officially ticking on the 45-day Public Review Period. A copy of the DEIS is available on the District's Web Page under the White River Minimum Flow Study page. Also on this page are the Reallocation Report and the Chief's Report that have been there for a couple of years now http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/planning/wrminflow.html. CD's containing the DEIS have been sent to interested agencies for review. I have attached a copy of the News Release that gives specifics on public meetings, and where the public can view copies of the DEIS. Regards Michael L. Biggs, P.E. Programs and Project Management Div. Little Rock District Corps of Engineers phone: (501) 324-5842 x 1071 mobile: (501) 749-5248 Downloadable District news is available at http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/news&info/newsrel.html on the World Wide Web. CORPS SETS WORKSHOPS, SEEKS COMMENTS ON DRAFT EIS FOR WHITE RIVER MINIMUM FLOWS LITTLE ROCK, Ark., June 2 --The Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock District is seeking public comments through July 18 on the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the White River Minimum Flow Reallocation Study. The Corps will also hold two public workshops to explain the findings of the draft EIS and gather public input. The first workshop will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, June 19, at the Pinkston Middle School Cafeteria at 1310 S. College in Mountain Home, AR. The second workshop will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 20 in the NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s Shewmaker Center at 1100 Southeast Eagle Way in Bentonville, AR. Copies of the draft EIS are available for review at several locations. They can be viewed between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Mountain Home Project Office at 324 West 7th St. in Mountain Home or the Beaver Project Office at 2260 North 2nd St. in Rogers. Copies are also available for viewing at the Corps’ Table Rock Project Office at 4600 State Hwy 165 in Branson, the Greers Ferry Project Office at 700 Heber Springs Road North in Heber Springs or the District Office in Room 7403 of the Federal Building at 700 W. Capitol Ave. in Little Rock. The document can also be viewed on the Internet at http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/planning/wrminflow.html. Written comments should be addressed to U.S, Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District, Attn: Mike Biggs CESWL-PM, P.O. Box 867, Little Rock, AR 72203-0867. Comments must be post marked by July 18 to become part of the official record. For more information call Biggs at 501-324-5842 ext. 1071.

Took the pic and calculated the length and girth and came up with 9.88 pounds.

They just added a google search engine on the DNR site - will help when researching items like the gravel situation we had last month. http://www.dnr.mo.gov

For those watching the cam this afternoon- there are some real hogs down there today!! A couple of browns and more rainbows. Wonder where these guys come from? I'm thinking they migrate from dock to dock... gut pile to gut pile.

In the evening when the water is running. See those creek chubs on the troutcam- you need to throw something that looks like them. There's tons in the lake and I'm sure the browns are keying on them. Rig- whatever does the best job for what you're throwing. Don't pay attention to line size- it doesn't matter (as far as being too large).

May use email - Stephens@adeq.state.ar.us. to submit your request

Ventured to the dam mid day today just to see who was up there and take a couple of pics. FAOL gathering is this weekend- saw a couple of the guys up there. There is a dinner tonight at the pavilion around 5-6 pm. Lots of food and fellowship. Leonard is the coordinator for the event. I saw some trout caught. Saw lots of trout all over the place. Very little wind which didn't help fishing. I drifted a #18 gray sow bug in the straight below the Rebar Hole for a little while. I caught 6 rainbows- all when the breeze picked up and put alittle chop on the water. Can't preach that enough- wind- chop- good! Took these- family time!

I’m catching up at last, and see that there is yet another public notice of an administratively complete application seeking a new permit for an in-stream mining operation on Crooked Creek. This is in Section 2, T 18 N, $ 16 W in Marion County by Guy King and Sons, Inc., “GKS in Stream Mine.” Again we have to write ADEQ to hold a public hearing in writing within 10 days and the date of publication was May 25. Requests should be sent again to James F. Stephens, Chief, Surface Mining and Reclamation Division, ADEQ, P.O. Box 8913, Little Rock, AR 712219-8913. Legal No. 060525-NAP Sorry for the late notice. Gay Vekovius

Caught last night off the dock on a night crawler, Austin Kitch from Neodesha, Ks poses with his trophy trout. It measured 23 inches long and weighed 5.56 pounds. He is here fishing with his family-- his dad has been coming to Lilleys since he was a kid. We even has a polaroid of him with a big trout in our archives- someplace. They will get this one mounted for the livingroom wall. Congrats, Austin!

I asked the this question- Chris- if you read the forum, you know that the underlining issue that's been discussed is not hand fishing but state legislature getting involved in conservation code and rules. Is there already precedence in law now that gives them the ability to create laws to govern fish and game such as limits, techniques and other rules? Or was this a 'test' case that would have opened that door for the first time? Answer - As you are aware, since 1937 the authority of management, restoration, conservation and regulation of Missouri's forest, fish, and wildlife has been in the hands/arena of the Conservation Commission. Senate Bill 1107 (hand fishing) was a challenge to this authority. If signed into law, it appears likely that the court system would have become involved in this challenge of the constitutional authority. It was defeated- this time.

Saw several big black balls of shad in the James yesterday at the takeout - McCord. None on the banks though.