Phil Lilley

Contained between Table Rock and Powersite Dams.

Snagged - I'm NOT touching that!! Coincidentally, Jeremy Hunt wants to do a fishing clinic on a Saturday up at the dam. I don't think he's worked out all the details but what we've talked about so far is - free - limit to 10 people - basic fishing instruction from equipment, clothing, equiette, casting, reading water... I guess we could create a official looking card, personalize it and present it if they pass the OAF test. As far as keeping you all in line... I've only had to bump one user- and I didn't have to bump this user, he requested to be bumped- that's pretty good seeing we have almost 500 members now.

Rudeness, shuffling- these subjects bring out the lengthiest threads on any forum... and bring out the critical spirit in all of us. Regardless, there's always going to be stupid people to deal with (unless you become a hermit). Just hope none of us does something stupid and becomes the subject of another thread on another forum.

The natives are restless tonight... Curtis and I cleaned the lense on the camera this evening and what a difference. Gave them a bunch of food too.

Excellent. How did you get them on a server?

Honestly there's no time better than others... all depends on weather patterns, fronts and rain.

There is no such thing as luck. Luck denoted chance... no plan... chaos.

I was fishing one day and catching fish at the bottom of rebar. I gentleman walked from upstream down to my right and eased down to where he was eventually casting where I was casting and even moved further where I had no place to cast. I thought I could wait him out but he didn't move. He did catch a couple of trout so that made things worse- he wasn't moving. I had been there for 3 hours so I figured I had my good time and started to leave. I waded over to him and said in a quiet voice (I didn't want anyone to know I was getting on him) that he had moved into my area too close. He was surprised- didn't have a clue he had done it... very apologetic and offered to move. I said I was going home... then he said he knew me- he was a guest of mine. I'm glad I handled it that way- I'm glad I didn't yell or give him a dirty look and walk off discussed. Doesn't happen that way all the time... wish it did.

Yes it's valentines... so what of it?! Paul and I were chastized by a couple who were fishing late this evening on the lake for being out on this special day. Am I in trouble - no. Can't say the same for Paul though. We put in a the Yoccum bridge on Long Creek about 3:30 pm and started fishing the channel out to the main creek. It was breezy but not bad. Using a chart. swimming minnow, Paul hooked one on the first cast--- yes the first cast curse! I hate catching a fish on the first cast cause it usually means bads things to come. He caught another short crappie and then we had a long dry spell. By the way, Paul Crews is from Neosho and longtime friend from back home. He is in construction and has a job on Indian Point. He reads the forum but is another non-member... non-poster. His wife Rita types all his emails and cuts the crust off his bread. Enough said. We fished the mud banks, throwing and working our swimming minnows in 2 to 6 feet of water. We found the crappie scattered and soft on the strike. I think we caught 8-9 crappie with 4 just-keepers. Boy the lake is low! By the way I did my valentines on Saturday evening... and anyhow... Marsha is my valentines 365 days a year.

Shaffer boy- this may stick.

Sure- Lisa will be there... I'll be on Table Rock chasing crappie with Vince. We both should do good!

Not with the cold weather we've had. I'd say it set them back pretty good but I'm sure as it warms up again, they'll be back on the flats soon. Gotta be patient!

Jigs- I'd throw straight line 1/16 or 3/32 oz sculpin, black or brown jigs from Short Creek to the dam, depending how far up you can get. Very little wind- easy fishing.

Strip them in choppy conditions (windy) best. I work them down current letting them swing below me. I strip them slow, fast, both, neither. I mean I get bit when using almost any kind of retreive- you just have to figure out what mood the fish are in- aggressive or passive. The take will be hard or soft- you will see most of the takes but not all. It's a fun fly to work. What size and color were you using (g-bug). You're right- it's a very small wooly tied with ostrich most of the time. Bret Rader coined the name.

Is this the plant? And the dam. And some powerlines... I've seen them before.

Keep trying... it's been very busy lately. I know it's frustrating but I don't have the cash to up the bandwidth right now so only 5-6 people can view it at one time.

I guess I'm speaking out of hat... I saw alot of anamosity towards a fishery biologist at a gathering last year at Forsyth and afterwards I talked to him (MDC guy) and he told me he had threats against him because he had suggested the 12 inch limit on spots. And yes they were big tournament guys. Reason? I have no clue. I don't know much about the sport of tournament bass fishing so I can't speak to the issue. But I agree with your accessment.... and I guess so does Ark Fish & Game.

MDC fisheries would like to do the same thing but the bass groups on Table Rock have gotten very upset at the suggestion. From what I understand it's a very, very volatile subject.

Fall Creek is about 1.5 miles upstream from here (Lilleys). We are about 1/2 mile up from Cooper Creek Access, 4 miles up from downtown Branson.

Where is the PSO? Is it on this image?

What can we say Bryantsmallie28... it's winter and we're desparate for entertainment.

Looks like you have plenty of water there. Must be nice. If I'm jealous of anything it's your water. Thanks for the report.

I know this is a wide pic but you'll just have to scroll sideways. Zink Dam is on the far left- right? I know highway 44 - it looks like you fish up or north of 44. Are there any boat ramps? It looks like park space along the river on the downtown side- I assume you park someplace there and walk down to the river. Looks like there's a shoot at the bridge- the stripers should gang up here or just below it I'd think. Sorry- looking at these google earth pics gets me wondering....

Is it fesible to put a boat on the river and fish these areas? I'm thinking about making the trip during the week and I understand the water may be too swift to wade? Is that right? If so, one of my jons with a 25 hp motor should be alright to boat up and anchor in an eddie. I'm still feeling out the river- from the stories and pics. I have an old HLS 7 wt that will handle any striper in that river... it's handled chinooks up to 35 pounds on the Pere Marquette. Can't wait.

Friend went to the Spring Friday - upstream from "slim's" docks about 3-4 miles above the Twin Bridges, down from Moccasin Bend. On the bottom in 13-15 feet of water using chartruese swimming minnow, 4 lb test. It was very windy so conditions were tough. Caught 20 nice whites.