Phil Lilley

I think you can.

I can view the video using Quicktime.

Wonderful - thanks!

It's the last day of June . . . my how the weeks of summer fly by. I remember as a kid that summer breaks just didn't seem to last but a week or two, and then it was back to school. I think it's still the same. Generation here has been pretty consistent with no generation except for three to five hours late in the afternoon and into the evening. Dam operators are running up to four units, building to the maximum, then shutting them off. Duane Doty and I were up fishing last evening when four units were running, but it didn't stay there very long. And when they do shut it down, the level drops out pretty fast because there's not a whole lot of water downstream holding it up. The generation has kept the lake pretty clean and cold, which is a good thing. While the water's off, bait fishing has been tough. Very little wind and no water movement makes a slow day on the lake. A few clouds and a breeze will help the bites to pick up. We're getting some intermittent weather with scattered storms and a little rain, which is good for fishing. If you're a fly fisher, the dead-still conditions make it tough but not impossible. I boated up close to Lookout Island today at noon and fly fished with the water off for the first time this year. And I hit the shallow, skinny water with midges and scuds -- some of my favorite kind of fishing. The bites were fairly common but not the hookups. Chuck Gries, one of our guides, said the bites are quick and short. He was right. My indicator would take off like a shot, but when I tightened and set the hook. . . nothing. It was tough for even me. May be I'm too much out of practice! I started with 6x tippet and a #18 red Zebra Midge under a half palsa indicator six inches deep, fishing the shallow side of the lake and targeting midging rainbows in 12 inches of water or less. They were real skittish and most ran when I cast to them. I had a few takers, but most of them spit the fly before I could set the hook. I did catch a few small rainbows, all good fighters and really pretty. There was no wind for the most part. Then clouds moved in and there was a breeze from the south. The water got choppy so I tied on a #18 black soft hackle and stripped it back with short and quick strokes. Had several chasers and a couple of swipes before getting the hook into one, then two -- both small rainbows. I had worked my way about half way down to the Narrows when I switched to a #16 gray scud, weighted and tied with Hareline's UV gray dubbing. I like to use UV dubbing (flashy) when it's sunny out since it seems to attract more bites. I started fishing it shallow, about 18 inches under a small indicator and still fishing over in the skinny water. I found schools of rainbows in the slightly deeper pockets, and all were roaming around looking for bugs. I got bit when I threw into most of the schools but only managed to hook and land a couple. As I got closer to the Narrows, I moved out into deeper water and lengthened my depth to three, then four feet. I wanted the scud dragging the bottom. I kept the boat in very shallow water, using the motor as an anchor when I wanted to stop and fish a pocket. I have to tell you, the Narrows is a special place to wade and fly fish -- or even spin fish -- since the last high water event. The current carved out so many ditches and pockets all up and down this area that it's amazing. And fish are all over the place -- on the flats, on the edges and in the channel. There's almost always a current through there because it's such a small, narrow area. At one point, when my black lab Jackson was hot, I knew he wouldn't jump out of the boat into the water so I stepped off and called him in. He dove in and had a great time cooling off. I was wet wading (no waders, only sandals) to my knees, walking out below the boat and kept fishing. I wasn't out five minutes when I felt a little push of water against my left leg and a slight rise in the lake. The water wasn't moving any faster. . . but 10 seconds later is was! I was 25 feet from the boat and when I got to it, the current was really picking up. It gained speed quickly, which surprised me. I didn't hear the horn but knew it was supposed to come on about 3 p.m.. I jumped in the boat and pinched a split shot on the line. I knew the quicker current meant I needed something to get my fly down faster. I saw several nice rainbows holding just off a flat in a deep pocket, feeding frantically on bugs as the water washed them off the gravel. I made my presentation and whack! He nailed it! Turn camera on. . . Nicest trout of the afternoon. Duane and I threw jigs from Fall to Short Creek with two units running Wednesday evening. Zero. A couple of bites. We boated to the dam when there were four units running, but operators had already starting shutting them down. We had no bites until we floated below Big Hole. Then we both caught a few rainbows, a couple longer than 17 inches, enticed by an 1/8th-ounce sculpin/ginger, orange head jig on four-pound line. We worked on down through Trophy Run -- nothing. At the end of that run and the top of Lookout Island, we noticed a pretty good hole and slack water on the south side where we started catching a few. I had tied on a #14 red Zebra midge under a float, with two-pound line on a spinning rod, because fish were starting to midge with the dropping water. I caught a couple of rainbows and one small brown in that eddie. Duane caught a couple real nice rainbows there on a jig. The Missouri Department on Conservation continues to stock rainbows below the Branson Landing on a regular basis. The stocking boat was seen earlier this week stocking below Blue Haven Resort. These trout stay schooled up for several days and tend to move up lake. We're still sending most of our guests down in this area to fish, and they're doing pretty well. These rainbows will chase and take lures like spoons and spinners fairly close to the surface, especially if there's a breeze or choppy surface. Trolling is easy for novices, but you just have to keep the lines straight if there are a bunch fishing at once. Our guides are going down lake and using a Trout Magnet under an indicator four- to six-feet deep and catching these rainbows. You can also use one PowerBait Gulp Egg on a small jig hook under an indicator just as well. View full article

There's a banner at the top of the page on the main Striper Talk Page.

Across the 76 strip from the old Grand Palace - behind Jimmy John's.

Me and Duane sent up for the ribbon cutting ceremony and walked through the exhibits. Can't put it in words... how impressive this place is. Here are some pics...

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character 10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:10-

Pics disappeared... not sure why.

We're done here.

Bottom line they did- and many other species of fish. Gizzard shad didn't do well though. Question is why are there still so many warm water fish up below the dam... assuming most if not all came into the lake over the top of the dam - in January. Lots have been caught out, some should have swam down lake... his story tells us these fish aren't up there 6-8 weeks after the gates are closed. Not this time. I don't think it's right to think these fish "can't survive" in Taney because of cold water. It's not that cold. They probably don't need to eat as much and aren't as active but they can live in cold water just fine.

Of lures...

Branson, MO – The world’s largest private collection of antique fishing lures, rods, reels, boats, motors and everything fishing opens as The History of Fishing Museum in Branson, MO. Grand Opening is Thursday, June 30. The Ribbon Cutting will be at 10am. Collected entirely by one man and his wife. Karl and Beverly White. Karl began collecting at the age of eight. The first lure Karl bought was the James Heddon’s Crazy Crawler (the most expensive lure to produce at the time). The lure is still in the collection today – nearly 70 years later! The History of Fishing Museum is comprised of more than 40,000 pieces and valued at $5 million. The collection is considered to be the world’s most complete and diverse tackle collection. While many collectors specialize in one area (i.e. ice fishing) or one company (James Heddon & Sons), the Whites’ collection represents everything that is “collectible” in antique tackle and fishing paraphernalia including the first of many. · Spike Reel from the 1730s. 1st Reel known to exist. Made in Europe, these reels were used by American Anglers. · Snyder Reel from 1840. 1st Casting Reel made in the United States. Made by George Snyder from Paris, Kentucky. A watchmaker and silversmith, Mr. Synder made 12 reels for his family. Only 4 are known to exist today. Snyder Reels are the world’s first precision free-running baitcasting reels. When Karl White bought the Snyder in 1997, his purchase price set a world record for the most expensive fishing tackle item ever sold at an American Auction. · Haskell Fish Hook made by Riley Haskell in 1859. 1st American plug-type bodied bait. With a metal body and a revolving tail, the minnow imitation has dual hooks that point upward. The lure was made in silver, copper, brass & bronze. Karl’s collectible is the bass size and in silver. The only Haskell found with the original box was a 10” copper (musky size) sold in 2003 for $101,200 at auction. · Comstock Flying Helgramite made by Edward Comstock in 1883. 1st wood plug ever made, Mr. Comstock took his idea to Pflueger to manufacturer and Pflueger copied it. A lawsuit was quickly filed. This plug was used in the court case. Look closely and you will see the barbs have been cut off to prevent the judge from getting hooked. · Skeeter Boat. 1st manufactured Bass Boat. Karl has the first Skeeter to come off the line. He owns production hull #1, he also has #2, and the fiberglass #3 and #5 in his collection. The oldest patented piece in the collection is a Buel Trolling Spoon that was patented in 1852, but the collection also includes fishing artifacts that date back pre-colonial, Native Americans and Eskimos. Newly added to the expansive collection is aquatic dinosaur bones and fish fossils. SPECIAL NOTE: Karl White’s mother turns 100 on June 30 and will travel from Oklahoma to cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. History of Fishing Museum is open Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm and Sundays 12 noon – 6pm. Adult Admission is $17.75; Children $7.75. Groups of 15 or more are $11.00 with bus drivers and tour guides admitted free of charge. Located right off of Highway 76, you can find the History of Fishing Museum at 225 N. Wildwood Drive in Branson, MO. 1.417.239.FISH.

Fixed it. Wouldn't let me upload this one on the first post. Had to double check... but there is a Black River forum. Want me to move this to it? No biggie if not.

Bink's Pro Series Spoons

Drop down to Taney if it gets too hot up there...

We should do a OAF trip...

Very well done. Great fish!

If you're fishing Table Rock Lake, I will move this to that forum for you - you'll get more help. If you're fishing exclusively the James River, this is where you want to be. Just let me know.

I've pinned this topic for future reference. If anyone would like to expound on descriptions, I'll create an article so that people won't have to ask these questions again. Excellent info - thanks!