Phil Lilley

The White River below Bull Shoals and the Norfork River below Lake Norfork will get more minimum flow starting in August. To allow the extra flow, the Corp will readjust the way they manage the lakes above, adding I think 4-6 feet of water to the management pool. How this affects the levels is a good question. In times of drought like we are in now, it probably would mean the level would be lower by a bit but not as much as you'd think. Just like now, thru this winter because the lake levels are so low, they just aren't running water when they could/should be for power. It's a water management decision. The extra water that will be released will have to be added into the equation of managing the resourse. I honestly don't think it will alter levels to the point of being noticed. BUT if the lakes get high or if the go to low levels again, there will be those who will blame it on minimum flow- mark my words. Missouri and minimum flow- they are going to wait and see how it works in Arkansas. Give it 4-6 years.

Frame this comment!!! Put it with all the negative comments about the rude waders/boaters. It offsets them all. Thanks for the report.

Creek Chubs. Lots of them.

It's very possible bass on lower Taney are feeding on trout but there is a huge supply of shad down there too but I'm not sure if they do... I'm sure there's big browns down there and they would definately feed on trout. So throwing a rainbow lure could get you a big brown or big bass. They both live in basically the same environments.

I guess those who don't fish for crappie often have a hard time visualizing where and how to catch them. There are books and videos on the subject but it's good to hear from the common angler too. I'll pin this topic since the season will be upon us soon and I know there's going to be many questions posted on the board about the subject. This topic should keep the common question from being asked, "Where are they and how do I catch them?" Here's my 2-cents. I've been a crappie-fisherperson-wannabe for along time. I couldn't seem to be in the right place, using the right lure, at the right time to catch crappie. I didn't have a 'feel' for it. I envied the retire guy who patiently fished everyday and was on them, caught them. But I think I have a handle on it. Here's what I found. Spawning Banks - I have found them on any bank that has a 30 to 40 degree angled bank on the main lake or in coves/fingers. It's best when you find these banks close to deeper water. Long, shallow banks are not good, neither are steep, bluff banks UNLESS these is a ledge with a log or tree on that ledge. Transition banks are good, especially where the bank just starts to flatten out and you find small rocks and even some pea gravel. I like to see at least a little pea gravel in the large rocks on the bank. I've also found that drainage cuts in a bluff bank will hold crappie, especially if there is driftwood in these cuts. Prespawn (March, first of April) - crappie have already started to group up but they tend to move around. They suspend out off spawning banks or out toward the main lake, not necessarily back in the coves yet. They could be in 20-30 feet of water but suspended anywhere from 2 to 12 feet deep. That makes them difficult to locate and patience is needed to find and catch them. They will make "false runs" to the banks when the water warms early. You'll find mostly males making this run, but not always. Spawn (mid to late April) - Crappie will be surprisingly close to the edge of the bank during spawn... sometimes 12 inches. Not all crappie will spawn at the same time so you will find them on the bank- and off the bank 10-15 feet. Concentrate on the banks I described as spawning banks and keep moving if you can't locate them. Move quick to cover alot of ground. You will find them, especially on Table Rock during this time. TR has had some of the best crappie populations the last 3 years. Postspawn (May) - this is an area I'm not as familiar with. I'll let someone with more experience cover it. Fishing for them - I love to use my fly rod and a jig-n-float, especially during spawn. But to locate them I would use a swimming bait- grub or swimming minnow. Bill Babler - Spoke to Bill Anderson this morning. Bill was our lake biologist for a long time. He is now the cordinator of our warm water hatcheries. Most of the crappie we are catching are coming from a couple of good back to back spawn years. A keeper is basicly a 4 to 5 year old fish. What I could determine in speaking to Bill is the number of shorts should well outnumber the keepers for a viable population, as at legal length, with the fishing prussure we have, the majority of these fish will be harvested. Contrary to popular belief, wave after wave of crappie don't come into the bank, spawn and move away, as another set moves up. In a given period of time the spawn will occur. The majority of these keeper fish will be there at one time. When their gone, there gone. Yes there is some constant movement, but it is the same fish going and coming in search of the right conditions, not another group of fish. Most of us can remember the low decade of the 90's. Don't forget it, as Bill said, with the harvest that has gone on the last couple of years and the extremely poor recruitment of last and for sure this year, we had better enjoy them while they last. Can catch and release of these bedding females make a difference in our future harvest. Bill says not likely. The recuritment of crappie spawn is manley due to lake conditions. With depressed water levels, and warm clearing conditions, the new hatched crappie will have a rough go of it. If the microscopic organism's that the spawn consume are present and we get rain to promote cover for these young we may continue to have good seasons like 05, and 06. But look out 3 to 4 years from now, thats when we will see how good it really was in 2006.

Talked to Jeremy R this evening. He said he and others have been catching walleye, whites and crappie from the mouth of Swan down past Barker. Whites at the Barker Hole on rebels and crappie around any stickup on jigs and swimming minnows. Walleye at night off the riprap accross from the mouth of Swan Creek on stick baits. He said it's really been good. Any others catching fish down there?

Brett- you're probably going to get a great answer.. I'm still amazed how much time people like SKMO, House and others spend on the forum answering questions the way they do. It would be helpful to others on the forum including the "guides" - after your trip give us a report on how you did.

Thanks for joining us. Enjoy that kid while you can. I still have a vision of my daughter swimming/competing... a very special time for both of us.

I've noticed that since the breakdown a couple of weeks ago there's hasn't been alot of traffic on the trout cam. Before it had 5 viewers on it all the time. It brings me to believe people are having trouble viewing it. Anyone?

http://search-desc.ebay.com/Ozarks-Regiona...2d1QQsofocusZbs 2006 Strong Kids Campaign silent auction Strong Kids is our scholarship program that pays for kids/families who cannot afford membership and/or programs at the YMCA. Take a look at the items when you get a chance.

I wouldn't doubt that they're work. Shaffer fishes muddlers dry on the surface- they're not a mouse but it's the same concept. Never seen a mouse in the water during the day but you know if one was crossing the lake, day or night, I bet he wouldn't make it accross!

Are you throwing directly upstream above you and letting it drift towards you? If so, may be that's your problem. The ideal drift is out in front of you- casting it upstream and letting it drift back in front of you and below you. Depending on the speed and depth, your fly may not be in the "kill zone" till the end of the drift. Also, making good mends will help you get the best/longest drift possible, keeping the fly in the zone longer. Mending is lifting and adjusting the fly line/leader in relation to the fly/indicator so that the line drift free from interfering with the drift of the fly. Weight of the fly and/or split-shots do affect the drift but it doesn't sound like that's your problem. Or may be I'm misunderstanding your issue.

A friend sent me this link to Missouri's Treasury Department to search for unclaimed funds. I looked and found 4 items that added up to about $100 for the resort- funny!! Even funnier- I went to Kansas's site and typed in Marsha's maiden name and found a cousin and her sister there with unclaimed funds. Cool! http://www.treasurer.mo.gov/ucp/database/ucp.asp http://www.kansascash.com/prodweb/up/index.php http://www.state.ar.us/auditor/ He got it from a Dateline Show on NBC - here's the link to their site- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12028200/

That's all Buster talks about- for 2 years now. Jewell spider green pumpkin jigs and soft plastics.

Green Pumpkin Seed

He's picking up a jon boat- Stealthcraft made by Jim Johnson.

Maybe it's like a puff ball... an egg fly tied on a jig head and fished under a float suspended. What is that imitating????? They're deadly.

Thanks, Hunter. That area must have had thousands of crappie - they've been catching them there all winter! I've even pulled a few out, not many though.

Thinking about heading down to the pothole tomorrow and look for some fish... crappie, whites, walleye- whatever. Going to try all the way down to Barker.

I think after this week of cold and wind, the crappies are going to be off the banks in deep water like denjac said. Look for standing trees and search for them in all depths till you find them.

He's been on Taneycomo the last 4 days... I think he has today off so we may see him.

I can't do that... I'm not that smart (html language.

Talk to my friend Paul. He went yesterday and fished below the 10 bridge. Water temp 47-48. Water was clear above the bridge. Fished 7-12 feet of water and caught whites on a blue swimming minnow. Fish were 2-3 feet off the bottom and biting extremely light. Caught mostly males with a couple 2-lb sows mixed in.

Lite action rods and 1000-1100 model reels with 4 lb line. Use jigs- 3/32oz to 1/32 oz in earth colors plus white. Deadly on trout and bass.

Store-n-go boat & Mini Storage hwy 165 417-334-4277