Phil Lilley

Have a great weekend, Russ. We'll be staying close to the house, thank you! We don't venture out too far on the holidays... too many tourist. BIG ->

Direct sun helps alot.

My old Pentax Optio W2??... the words have worn off the camera.

Boated to the dam 8 am. Passed Babler- he's doing real well floating pink micros under a float from Andy's to Fall Creek. I threw sculpin and white 1/8th oz jigs at first. Rainbows were swarming the jig but not eating. Drifted a #16 black zebra tandemed with a brown san juan 9 feet deep and caught 3 before hitting the old KOA. Drifted a peach egg fly and caught 3 thru there- all three outside the mouth- again- they are slapping at it, not eating. At Andy's saw alot of rainbows on the shallow flat but none below there and the Narrows. Fished deeper and caught a couple more rainbows on scuplin jig, then moved to the bluff side and caught 3 more before quitting. Four of the rainbows were of good size- hooked one and lost it that would have went over 18 inches. The others were all less than 12 inches. Great day! No wind and 2 units this am.

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Another pic I missed... actually just testing the attachment feature on the forum.

That's what I was going to say- I wet wade in the fall.

As Babler exclaimed this morning when I told him the news... "They should be jumping in the boat this morning!!!!" Generation is down to a crawl. Am waiting official news what's going on or what Corp's plans are for the near future. Table Rock is down below 917 which is great. Beaver on the other hand is tickling the top of their pool again. I'm sure they are going to have to run Beaver full or possibly flood gates. That will put alot more water in TR. Bull Shoals- they're saying it will continue to come up and be held high for most of the summer AGAIN. Taney County will be without their fairgrounds yet another summer. I would think they will be back to running Table Rock Dam at 4 units full 24/7 shortly. Not sure why they've slowed it down today but it is a welcomed sight. I'm backed up and can't get out and fish- sure wish I could. For those who are- if drifting with bait, lessen your weight by a bunch- just a split shot. You'll feel more bites and catch more trout! Also, night crawlers from Fall Creek to Short Creek has been great- catching some nice, beautiful rainbows- probably out of the trophy area.

It's all changed. This am they are running only 2 units and not all of 2. Flow is way down and level here is down 5 feet. Now- gravel bars from Short Creek up to the dam will come into play. Better get a map here on OA or stop in at Lilleys and get a map and suggestions. New this may change again by the weekend- there's NO WAY to tell. But this am it's changed and word is it will stay this way thru Friday.

Was a perfect day on the river- temp, sun and flow all were good. Water had alittle color to it. Not crowded. We put in at Ponca about 1:30 pm. The current was good and we hardly drug at all. Five canoes and one kayak. Throwing brown or sculpin 1/8th oz jigs, we caught red ears, small mouth and gogs- nothing big and didn't catch that many but it was fun. It's been a few years since we've been on that part of the Buffalo. Last time it was low and we drug a lot. Pics soon.

It is my experience whites stay in the creeks for weeks after the spawn to feed on minnows.

That's the plan. All the kids are here so we're hitting the water before Sara and Josh head to Port Aurthur, TX Wednesday. Water is perfect. Taking the fishing rod just in case. Will report back.

Launch- downtown next to Scotty's No problem with any hazzards- water's too high. Dangerous in current- absolutely!!!!! If you want to anchor, be smart about it and anchor in slack water only. Drift eggs down the middle of the lake from Fall Creek to downtown. Night crawlers from Fall Creek to Short Creek- very hot right now. Brown/orange 1/8th oz jigs worked along the bluff banks.

Put in the park at 6:45. Headed up Swan on a great tip from Vince. Went to the 3rd bluff- one on the left and started catching small males on a blue rebel right off. Worked on down to the bluff on the right, where the road follows on top and people fish off of all the time, and finished there. Fished till dark. Kept 32 whites and 2 big crappie (3 of us) and threw back a bunch. Best was the rebel. Caught them on a purple jig, smoke swimming minnow and a small sluggo. Lots of whites in this area.

You know... I love the "bite" on topwater soooooo well I don't care about the hook-ups.. You know what I mean?

Despite high water, big rainbows are being caught. Richard Draheim of the KC area has been coming to Lilleys' Landing since before it was Lilleys' Landing. He and his brother Walter come every spring and every fall for a week. They fly fish regardless of water conditions. And they use jigs they tie themselves. It seems to be a contest every trip. If one jig is hot, they DON'T share but get bragging rights that evening at the cabin. Richard, I think, got the best of Walter this week on big rainbow. Caught on a gray jig, location unknown. 21 inches. Released.

TT- Brian and Sam are the ones to talk to about the Current. Brian has provided tons of information on flies and such in past topics, as well as on oa proper in articles. Sam Potter also have an article on oa. I'm sure you'll find southern Missouri rivers to your liking... Hey- when you've finished your trip, we'd love to hear about your experience. And pictures are always nice!! Thanks!

I've heard the crappie fishing here on the lower lake can be fantastic but you have to know where and when to go. Me- I don't know. But someone living on the lower lake may.

Me too... will look into it.

Impressive... thanks for sharing, Zach! Please share more about your experience and keep us up to date on the team's progress.

Thanks for posting Sam.

I bet there is a way using Vista... I've seen short cuts used before but because I don't use vista, I'm not sure. Is there anyone out there that can help?

We have quite a few openings after Memorial Day Weekend starting Monday, May 25th. Check out our availability chart online at http://lilleyslanding.com/availability/avail_0509.htm Unit #1 (single) 5/25 for 5 nights - book all 5 nights and we'll discount the stay by 30%. Reg $59 per night. Unit #10 (single) 5/25 for 3 nights - book all 3 nights and we'll discount the stay by 15%. Reg $59 per night. Unit #2 (single) 5/27 for 3 nights - book all 3 nights and we'll discount the stay by 15%. Reg $59 per night. Unit #11 (single lakefront) 5/26 for 4 nights - book all 4 nights and we'll discount the stay by 20%. Reg $79 per night. Unit #24 (nice single lakefront) 5/25 for 7 nights - book all 7 nights and we'll discount the stay by 30%. Reg $105 per night. Unit #3 (2 bedroom) 5/25 for 4 nights - book all 4 nights and we'll discount the stay by 20%. Reg $79 per night. Unit #9 (2 bedroom lakefront) 5/25 for 4 nights - book all 4 nights and we'll discount the stay by 20%. Reg $95 per night. Unit #15 (3 bedroom, 2 bath) 5/25 for 2 nights - book both nights and we'll discount the stay by 20%. Reg $189 per night. Unit #17 (4 bedroom, 2 bath) 5/25 for 4 nights - book all 4 nights and we'll discount the stay by 20%. Reg $209 per night. Unit #23 (3 bedroom, 2 bath) 5/26 for 3 nights - book all 3 nights and we'll discount the stay by 20%. Reg $189 per night. Call us at 1-800-284-2196 for reservations.