Phil Lilley

Retreat Cabin on the Madison River Located 27 miles south of Ennis and 42 miles from Yellowstone Park. The owner was in our shop today... wanted a plug on the webpage. Very nice- awesome location- very reasonable rate. If you go- you must send pics and a fishing report!!!

I myself don't like machines... at all. I have too many guests come straight from Bass Pro with new reels and new line that was put on by a machine- the line jumps off and twists so bad you have to take it all off and start over. I throw the spool on the ground and start winding the line. If the line starts to twist, I turn the spool over. If it twists again, I turn the spool over again... and so on. It works for me! Oh course I'm taking about a spin cast reel.

When Terry was showing us how to tie some of his flies at the white bass seminar, he divulged a trick with the bobbin. He would twirl the bobbin clockwise (he's right handed) after even application. Why? At the beginning of each application, which is usually putting material on the hook using the thread, the thread would bend to the left, over the material when the thread was brought over loosely, instead of bending to the right away from the material. Comprehend? Try it- you'll see.

testing post

I know where he's fishing... On the Forsyth side close to the dam there are a bunch of big rocks. Now when the water is up, there's crappie all around these rocks- just to the side of the big rock pile. We always do well in this area. I know the water is down- I haven't been over there to see where it is compared to the rocks, but the crappie are going to be in that area or the closest water to there. Sorry Leonard... may be that's not your spot... but it's a good one. I'd try a jig and float, too.

We are going to update our software. We will lose the "skins" for a short period but none of the content. The skins will be put back in place shortly after the update, IF all goes well. Jim reported to me this morning that the forum was being "hit" by spammers. The reason for the update is to install new securities to hopefully close some security issues in the forum. Phil

No generation in 2-3 weeks now (that I know of). That's the longest period of time I can remember of no water running here on Taney. The rains last week and earlier this week clouded the water but today it's back to it's green tint and fairly clear. It's not the gin clear we are used to here but that's a good thing really. Temp is cold- in the mid to upper 40's. Fishing is good. Our guides have been going out and catching good numbers of rainbows on either bait or jigs. Our guides prefer to fish the jig-n-float method because it does catch alot of trout and it's easier on the fish when releasing big numbers. Bait is harder on the trout when released. And they are used to releasing 30-40-50-60 trout on a half-day trip with 2 people. Micro jigs in sculpin or olive are will the best, fishing them 3-4 feet deep under a float. Marabou- 1/125-1/50th sculpin, olive, brown or black also very good. Two pound line best but 4 lb is ok because of the water clarity. Above Fall Creek you will catch more and bigger rainbows but fishing below FC is good too. Throwing a jig straight has been good too. Buster reported yesterday he caught some very nice rainbows near the narrows (above FC) using a 1/16th oz sculpin jig- rainbows in the 15-18 inch range- working the jig right on the bottom and slow. Fly fishing below the dam has been very good. Reports of big rainbows and some browns have come in from guides and others. Night fishing has been excellent if you want to get out in the cold. Daytime- the usual scuds and midge patterns. There's been some big rainbows holding in the rebar shoot and hole as well as down in the big hole. If you're getting out in these areas, post your report on the forum. Jeremy is out today- he will report how they do. Fly fishing above FC using midge patterns- Zebra Midge under a float again has been working well. When I do these reports I feel like I'm repeating alot - I am - it's because they just work. Also scud patterns in gray, olive and brown worked close or on the bottom. I'd try fishing the bluff bank for bigger trout. They tend to cruise the deeper bank sometimes and you can pick them up by using either a scud or midge- or both. Below Fall Creek, jig and float is still the go-to method. Live bait - minnows, night crawlers, salmon eggs and power bait. Use 4-pound line best. Small hook and small split shot. Anchor off the channel to let boats by and fish towards the channel. You don't have to fish in the deepest part of the lake to catch trout- they are in the shallow areas- even more so at times. Boats drive them to the shallows at times.

For those who missed the seminar last night, you missed an excellent program. We had 25 in attendance. Bill and Terry treated us all to a powerpoint presentation covering the basics in white bass origins, habits, spawning and how-to's on catching. Terry tied an 3 of his best white bass flies as well as sharing some great stories. What a treat!! We may have to do more seminars! This was fun!!

There are a host of reports from the past week... and I'm sure more to come.

If it's soft - it is not legal. The name implies it's soft.

Gezzz... that's no fun at all!! Hope your recovery time is quick! It's not a good time of year to be down!!

The big bait he gave me was 13 inches long and weighed a ton.

I agree. It doesn't sound right. I hope a conservation-minded person or group buys the riverfront land and keeps it free from development. If anyone hears of a group like that, post it cause I'd be interested in helping.

I use to have one... the previous owner of Castaic Baits gave me one- out-of-stock size he had made special. But he asked for it back when his inventory ran low and he sold the business. He sent me a bunch of smaller rainbow baits. Still have them- don't ever fish them. I don't have any rods that are big enough to throw them!!

You got to get over here more, Don. But you know, Babler hasn't caught one over 3 pounds in his life

It's really not that dark. The black fibers just enhance the light fur- not meant to darken the fly. 5% may be too much. One trick is to cut the fibers to about 3/8 inch before blending.

I bet he ate a 3 lb rainbow for breakfast! Photoshop works wonders with fish pics... you can make them as big as you want to. And if you hold the fish WAY out in front of you, it makes it even bigger.

Photoshop works wonders with fish pics... you can make them as big as you like. Thanks for the report, Don!!!

It's been down- off and on. Water may be the problem (rain). I may have a connection that's getting wet.

Interesting- I'm sitting here watching the troutcam- there's someone fishing with some sort of egg or dough ball and he's dropping it right in front of the camera. He's had multiply bites--trout taking the bait and blowing it back out and he's not even feeling the strike. the creek chubs are poking at it like crazy but again, no set of the hook. But for the most part, the trout aren't paying any attention to it.

Yea- we have a "color" vote. I was beginning to wonder if I should have only had 2 choices. But 17 votes? I thought for sure this would explode with traffic, votes and comments. The shuffling issue has gotten more votes!??

I have told people in the past to update their versions if they don't have the latest and that's helped in some cases. It is running... there are 2 viewing it now. Water is cloudy again because of the rain but not bad.

I'm going to move this to the buy-sell-trade forum... "housecleaning" move you see. I don't mind announcing sales... if it's helpful to others. Thanks for posting.

Yes you can. They have pits where you can build fires- if my memory serves me correctly. No burn bans.

March 17, 2006 Water Level--904.1--rising slowly Water Temperature--53 degrees Water Condition--stained Crappie---This has been a very good winter for crappie fishing all over Table Rock. The size of crappie has improved greatly over the previous few years. Crappie are being caught suspended in the tree lines south of the dock. Fish a jig or a live minnow 6 to 12 feet deep in 20 to 25 feet of water. Black bass are hitting crank baits on secondary points in the creeks. Look for chunk rock points to be most productive. Hard to say what this rain and more this week will do between now and this weekend. I doubt if many will be fishing down there this week because of the cold weather. The crappie won't go far though. Stop at the marina at Cricket and talk to Mark. He should be able to tell you what's going on- up to the minute. Marc- we look forward to your report when you return home!! Hope it's a good one!