Phil Lilley

I try to keep the camera showing part of the bottom to give some comparison but it's hard to keep it in one place. The water is very cloudy and dark the last couple of days for some reason. If we get some new water (generation) the water should become gin clear. Most of the trout are 12-13 inches but there are several 2-3 pounders down there. We have had some as large as 6-9 pounds. Some bass and suckers.

What I've heard is it's slow... whites are waiting on rain? Current? They sure aren't waiting on warm water. I don't think anyone has figured them out yet.

Did he let you see it? I've never heard of it- it could be a midge tied by someone named Cooper locally or something.

You're too busy fishing... they are there.

If they're here this late in the season, I'd imagine they're here all summer.

Thanks- post often! Welcome.

Where is the black- tell me a little bit about it.

Not sure of the condition but you might try Bull Creek off either 160 or F highway- wade up or down from these places. Not many people fish this creek- only locals. Taneycomo is in the same shape- not good at all.

You must be more specific... what lure and application are you fishing? Spinner baits? Jigs? Plastics-carolina rig? Top water? Stick baits? Other?

Yes we've had Osprey on the lake for 2-3 years now. Just less trout for us humans!

Albert... Albert... Albert Cards need some pitching!!! Their best pitcher is a hitter! My first game will be the 26th... can't wait.

I own a Black & Decker electric knife and like it but I've been told they are hard to find. Mine is 2 years old and may be on it's last filets... so I'm looking. I've had the knives that are made for cleaning fish but none are heavy enough to clean fish it seems. Does anyone have any favorites and where to buy? On the internet?

From what I've heard- both. They don't all spawn at once- there will always to those spawning and those staging. Buster said he caught 3 limits easily yesterday with clients using a jig/float 18 inches deep 3-4 feet off the bank in the Long Creek area.

Wow- you had quite a trip!! Rod & reel??!! I expected you to say trot line or jug lines! Care to share how you caught them? On what bait- what kind of rig... I'm not getting up there any time soon but there may be some that could. I commend you for releasing them but most people say they'd be good eating. Do you not think so or do you just like to practice c/r? And lastly.... pics!!!!

A very good friend of mine just bought a place in Alaska and is now booking trips for this summer. His name is Jim Johnson, former owner of the Pere Marquette River Lodge on the Pere Marquette River in Baldwin, Michigan. He and his family will be living and working out of a small "lodge" on the Naknek River, located in the Katmai National Park. Because of his recent purchase (less than 30 days ago), he doesn't have alot of his promo material done yet. He's only seen the place buried in snow so only has a few pics taken by the previous owner, who ran bear excursions out of the lodge. Jim is experienced as an Alaskan guide, taking groups to the different areas of the great state with his brother Tom. Only until now do they have a base to operate out of. He has already booked most of the weeks available this summer but has openings in June and July. This is the best part - he's only charging $1500 per person for 7 days, 6 nights which includes- - the assistance of a professional river guide - all meals - a riverfront cabin, double occupancy - use of a boat, motor and fuel - transportation to and from the King Salmon airport Fly out trips are available. Hosted bear photo safari - included. Guided trip to Brooks - included. More details? Post away. Jim is going to register here and answer any questions. I will say this- I have known Jim & Phyliss for over 20 years now and can say honestly they will provide a quality Alaskan trip well worth double the money you will pay. $1500 is unheard of (as far as I know) for a week of fishing in this great place. And no I don't get anything for helping a friend in his new business. Here are some pics from my trip to the Kenai River in 2004 with Tom Johnson, Jim's brother.

You can't change- sorry.

Scotty's Tell Rich to send his wife out to the pump

Bill fish from Tuesday -

Took my uncle Jerry out this morning early. Headed down to Roark to check out the crappie. Caught a few crappie along with some blue gill, bass, and white bass. The 2 whites we caught were big- 2 & 3 pounds and guess what they had in their bellys - a dozen sculpin in each. I caught them on swimming minnows just outside the mouth of the creek. We caught the others on swimming minnows also. Headed back to the dock and picked up Jerry's daughter Susan and her 2 kids, John and Mary. Megan and Caleb, 2 of my kids, followed in one of our jons. We anchored above Short Creek and fished air-injected night crawlers. Jerry with an 18 inch brown. This turkey (the trout) almost pulled my rod in the water the first time I hooked it- the reel on the side of the boat saved it- it broke off. The next time I landed it and it did indeed had 2 hooks in it's mouth. John with his mom and first trout. My 2 kids each with rainbows. Jerry and Mary with her first trout. How many species of fish do you see? Add a spotted bass, a largemouth and a few blue gill and that's what we caught this morning.

I've heard of some great crappie and whites coming out of Flat by bank anglers and waders. Can anyone help me with directions to such a path?

We've had several anglers come in and say they caught white bass on minnows in this area of the lake. Is this unusual? Yes and no. Yes- don't see many whites caught up here. But because of the water temp they are moving up. No- there are alot of whites in Taney.

Guys- it doesn't bode well for you to post a pic like this- esp catching it the way you stated, on a public forum like this one. Putting your hand under a fish's gill plate is a death sentence in most cases, esp with a fish this size. Better to lift the fish gently just above the water's surface and take a quick photo- a closeup would even be better. But in saying that, I wouldn't like to see a bunch of guys dog-piling on this... Lesson learned.

North Arkansas Fly Fishers Federation April Newsletter 2006

For those who like low water conditions on Lake Taneycomo, your fishing experience this spring and possibly summer will be just what you like. For those who like the water running, well, you better do a rain dance. Our region has only seen a fraction of the normal rainfall for the past 10 months leaving area lakes and streams extremely low. And because we are entering summer months when the power administration likes to generate hydro power, the future of generation patterns is uncertain. But one thing is for sure, they will be conserving as much water in our lakes as possible. Beaver Lake is 12.5 feet below power pool, Table Rock is 9.5 feet low and Bull Shoals 6.5 feet. Generation has been nonexistent this winter which is unprecedented. SPA may generate as temperatures reach the 90's but sparingly, in my opinion, assuming we received little rain this spring. Boating on the big lakes will become dangerous due to the gravel bars and standing timber in the lake. If you are vacationing on lakes and taking a boat--even if you've been on the lake numerous times--consult a local marina for a map and/or warning advisories for dangerous areas. How will this affect Lake Taneycomo? Levels will not be dangerous to boats. Our lake is kept at power pool when not generating by virtue of a lower spillway plus turbines. Empire Electric, who owns and operates the dam (Powersite Dam), is not supposed to draw the lake down past a certain level, which is the power pool level. So our lake will not drop below power pool. But our situation could become dangerous--not for boaters but for our trout. Rainbows can survive water temperatures up into the 60's and brown trout can tolerate temps even in the 70's but neither operate well in either. With no generation and no cold water entering the lake from Table Rock Dam, our water temps will reach these temps in time, just lake other lakes in the system. In the upper reaches of the lake, such as the trophy area, these temps will be reached much sooner. Unfortunately, this is where the highest concentration of trout reside. The area directly below the dam isn't affected by this phenomenon because of the inflow of hatchery water which is kept cold. But further downstream, namely from Lookout downstream, water temps have already risen into the 60's on several occasions. If we don't see rain this spring, the Missouri Department of Conservation and SPA should have a plan in place to work together to make sure our trout fishery is kept safe from high water temps this summer. But how far downstream should this plan be considered? There are resorts and marinas as far downstream as mile 13 (1 mile below Branson) that count on trout fishing for their clients. I don't think it's fair for SPA to consider the cries of a resort owner at mile 18 and not the cries of a resort owner at mile 13... but we may not see fairness in this process--I don't know. One thing that the lake in the lower reaches has to it's advantage is deeper water. Trout can and will seek out cooler water at these deeper depths. How do warmer temps affect trout fishing? Not too bad at all really. If given a choice, I'd rather have warm water than cold water. Let me clarify. In the past, we have seen water temps below 39 degrees in May and June during heavy generation. Our trout don't bite as well at these cold temps. They get lethargic. Compare that to temps in the 60's--trout are very active and actually need more food to survive so they bite better. The problem warm water/low flow creates is we will see thinner rainbows because of the higher stocking rates in the summer and less food for the trout in the lake. I'm not a fisheries biologist so I can't say why exactly but it is my experience that during sustained low generation periods our rainbows become thin due to a lack of "bugs" in the lake. So putting two and two together I summarize low/no flow is bad for our food base. I've seen this numerous times. Will they die from starvation? In extreme times I guess so. Are we in extreme conditions? No-- not yet. But looking behind-- no real accumulative rain since June of 2005-- and looking ahead-- no real rain yet this spring and none in the foreseeable future, summer ahead of us, we could be in extreme conditions by the end of the summer and into the fall.

Thanks for posting and letting us know you're out there. If you have info about your 'home waters' post it - it'd be cool to hear about other trout waters in your area.