Phil Lilley

They'll probably run one unit tomorrow to cover the gravel bars in the upper end so don't be disappointed if you're planning on wading in the am and they're running it.

Been dropping all day. It still have some to go.

Ran up the lake at 1 pm and just got back in. Wanted to see what the lake was looking like with slower generation and lower levels. Just alittle wet and green around the edges. Boated to the dam. They are running less than 2 units. Lake level here at the Landing is low - as low as it is when the water is off. But there's a slight current. As I boated up, the level rose and the current quickened. At the dam, all gravel bars are covered, the stump below Rebar is sticking out of the water about 18 inches and there's hopeful fly anglers all along the banks, wishing the water would stop. I think while I'm typing, the water is dropping even more. They're supposed to officially start the drawdown tonight but I bet they already have started. Talked to Brian Shaffer- he said fishing was slow, slow. Saw a ton of midges hatching, all over the surface but the trout weren't keying in on them, at least on the surface. I fished a 1/8th oz sculpin jig till I lost 2, then tied on a white and started to catch fish. Caught a real nice rainbow right at Rocking Chair, then a few smaller males by the ramp. Drifted on down and caught a half dozen more, then a 15 inch brown, then a few more rainbows. They were aggressive on the jig which is nice. Fought hard too. Drifted a #10 grey Peppie scud below Lookout on the flats and caught 4 rainbows, missed that many. Lost the scud. Then lost the rig. I was done. I really think there's going to be some real, real nice trout below the dam when this water finally stops and we'll be able to see. Should be alot of fun.

Talking to Clint at the hatchery yesterday, water came up in the conversation. The water coming from Table Rock has risen to 59 degrees since the rains in September and October. Remember when they opened the gates the first time - 65 degree over the top and 50 from the bottom. They've been generating 24/7 ever since. Clint used the word "pulling" which struck a note. When they're pulling water at the dam, I'm sure there's a current even on the big, main lake on Table Rock. When all that water was being pulled to the dam, from the top and from 130 feet deep, it created a current that's really never slowed down. Here's the theory... water is being "pulled" from the upper parts of Table Rock to the turbines, it's not being pulled from the bottom where colder, dense water is, thus the 2 ppm DO and 59 degree temps. Clint thinks that the next few days of no generation may stop this current and when they start generating again, we may see our water temp drop again. I speculated that Table Rock may have been starting to turn over, evident by the high temp and higher than normal DO levels. But Clint's idea makes more since. We have not had the cold temps we need to flip Table Rock. It makes sense... we'll see what happens.

Here's the 25 pound brown that was caught in '08 on powerbait.

Last year, one of our guests caught a 25 pound brown while drifting PowerBait in the same area. Why does a large, old fish that probably only eats rainbows take a tiny bit of dough? Crazy, but it happens. This is what's cool about fishing... anyone has a chance, regardless of age or experience, to hook a big fish. Landing it is another thing though. That's where the stories begin --- 'the one that got away' stories. But this one didn't. So you can think and say what you will about this record being caught on Powerbait instead of a fly or crank bait but the simple fact is that these are only fish in the end... and it is just fishing... the playing field is once again leveled and hope is renew in the novice that it could happen to anyone. Great story... Congrats to Scott and his friends.

http://www.swpa.gov/gen/sat.htm Take a look.

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"> " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"> Scott tells his story how he caught his trophy brown trout earlier today.

"> " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"> 28.8 pounds.Video of measurement to follow along with interviews.

"> " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"> On the way to the hatchery.

I PM'ed Rick and let him know the news an hour ago or so - didn't want him to just read it on the forum.

Scott Sandusky of Arnold, Missouri catches a new Missouri State Record Brown Trout on Lake Taneycomo near Branson, Missouri. Fishing out of Lilleys' Landing Resort, he and his buddies just started their fishing weekend, drifting downstream from Lilleys using PowerBait on a drift rig when the big brown struck. It took Scott over 10 minutes to land his record trout, almost losing it in the trolling motor as well as stretching his 4 pound line to it's limits when it made a run clear across the lake. Pics and video to follow. Sorry, but the video is slow to edit and load to youtube. It was caught about 1 pm I think... so much running around I didn't notice the time.

Yea- but it's just for the owners/guests at Fall Creek. Not open to the public unless you come off the water and buy stuff in the store. Looks like they're building something close to the water- may be a restroom. Or maybe that's the shop. It's not that big.

Saw your vehicle... didn't see you as I floated down.

Not my best report... but there are lots of bug shots!! "> " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360">

Empire needs to work on Powersite so they will draw down Taneycomo starting Saturday night till the lake is down 4 feet at the lower end, then run alittle water to keep the gravel bars watered. Work will be done Monday and generation will be back to normal Tuesday, it's estimated. Sunday am will be almost a FOR SURE thing for the water to be OFF at Taney I'd guess for most of the day. All morning at least. It will end up being low though, having the bottom sucked out. Boating above Fall Creek will be very tough until they start running water - on Sunday, not Saturday.

It's crazy. Hasn't been cold enough to turn but it's turning all the same. Hasn't all the way and it's hard to tell when that might happened. I don't think anyone will tell ya... this is really a different fall season for sure.

Right now I have a hunting trip planned for the weekend. It's the only time several of the young working guys can go this season so... I probably will miss the event. I can, though, have extra tables, chairs, tarp and other things available for Leonard to pick up if needed.

Wow- them are some powerful words there. Has nothing to do with my best buddy Forrest does it?

I think I started a thread not long ago about suggestions for habitat changes. I can resurrect it. Nothing official yet.

Welcome. Kyle, as we floated by your place a few weeks ago, paid you all a high compliment. You have a nice place. Thanks for joining the forum.

Like Brian said - they don't stock much above Cooper. Hardly any above Fall Creek. Barbless - I doubt it ever happens although it would help the fish's face/jaws. I think it should be promoted more but not made a rule. I wouldn't mind catch and release above Lookout Island. Slot below to Fall Creek. Make the slot 13-22 inches on rainbows. 24 inches on browns. That'd be cool. Add an agent just for Taneycomo and you've got my Christmas wish list. Oh - and add the habitat improvement plan we'll be working on; do that and everything will be peachy keen.