Phil Lilley

There's an options box on the top right of the top comment box. Need to change this setting.

Sam- we need to share cell phone numbers. We could have helped with your catching I think. Might have seen you on the water but didn't know. We were at Snapp most of the day but did move around in the afternoon. As for the ramp... we were the first in and last out today. Actually, there's quite a bit of room to park rigs around the corner in the old parking lot. Have to have 2 people to do it though- ferry the boat and pick up your truck driver up in the cove by the lot. And like you said, there was plenty of room for everyone on the water... even at Snapp.

What a wonderful day today. Hope we have some days in April like today. Minus the 19 degrees at the start!!! Was hard to imagine at 7:30 am it was going to warm up to 60 later in the day! I thought the fish wouldn't bite early... 19 degrees!! The lake should have been frozen over but we clocked the temp at 42. Boated to Snapp... stopped twice to thaw our faces. I didn't want to fish once we got up there. I can get pumped to fish for trout in 19 degrees but not crappie or any other warm water fish. Just doesn't compute! But fish we did. Caught the first crappie at 7:45 am. White 1/8th oz jig was my weapon of choice. Bill stuck with his swim baits, mostly a black over white 3 inch swimming minnow. I did throw a pearl 3 inch swimming minnow on a 1/4rd oz head several times and did catch a few but the white jig did the best for me. Set the boat in 20 feet of water and threw up into 5-9 feet and let it go to the BOTTOM. That's where 100% of the fish were. Had to get there and keep it there. Work it slow and stopped 2-3 times as we retrieved it. At first, the takes were soft, especially the crappie. There was a slight breeze from the north but not enough to affect the line or the feel. Mostly crappie for the first 2 hours. Then the whites started in. Mix in a walleye or two and some small bass and that was our day. The bite slowed mid day. The wind completely stopped about 10 am and picked up about 1 pm but still not much. We tried several other places up and down the lake. Similar structure- roll offs from flats to channel and a couple of humps Bill and Vince knew about. Oh yea- Vince joined up about 2 pm. We hit one spot where we picked up 5 nice whites in short order plus a beautiful yellow perch Vince caught- he released it before I could get a pic of it. It was really pretty... about 10 inches long. The whites later in the day were more active and would tap the jig pretty hard. Again, can't stress this enough, the lure had to be on the bottom. Ended the day with 15 nice crappie from 11 to 14 inches, 20 whites mostly 2+ pounders, one keeper walleye and 3 shorts, 3 big gills. Had a couple keeper blacks but didn't keep them plus several other small blacks. Bill counted 40+ rigs at the ramp. Never got crowded and everyone was pleasant on the water. Didn't get any good video... sorry. Chris Tectrick was fishing close to us most of the day. He has I think 10 crappie and 10 whites. Saw Tim Sainato on the water also. He and another guy had 2 limits of big whites by noon and were working on crappie when we talked to them.

January-February 2009 Newsletter from the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery Conservation Center Hope your winter is going well. Contents [1] Wild About Winter – January 24th [2] Fly Tying Class – February 14th [3] Vulture Venture – February 21st [4] Would you like to be a Volunteer? – Open House February 5th [5] Blue Star Memorial coming to Branson at SOTH [6] Ask a Naturalist “How Much Wood can a Woodchuck Chuck?” Making Reservations: Because the Hatchery is open 7 days a week, you may call any day from 9am to 5pm. This includes Saturday and Sunday. We ask that reservations be made by phone, not by email. 1. Wild About Winter Saturday, January 24th 10am – 12 noon (continuous) No Reservations Required Come and enjoy winter themed arts and crafts as you learn how Missouri animals prepare and survive the winter. This program will be continues in the morning so that you can participate in as many of the activities as your youngsters want. This program is primarily designed for pre-schoolers, but siblings are welcome. No reservations are required. Call (417) 334-4865 ext ) for more information or directions. 2. Fly Tying Workshop Saturday, February 14th Ages 12 and up 2- 4pm Reservations Required Join area fishing guide, Jeremy Hunt, for a wonderful hands-on fly tying workshop. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced fly tier, you will learn new techniques to help you make that perfect fly. This program is free, but reservations are required. You don’t need to bring anything, but if you have a fly tying vise, bring it. For more information or reservations call (417) 334-4865 ext 0. 3. Vulture Venture - 13th Annual Saturday, February 21 Any Age 12noon – 6 pm No Reservations Required Since 1996, the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery in Branson has hosted Missouri’s most unusual wildlife viewing opportunity. The award-winning Vulture Venture will be Saturday, February 21st from noon to 6 p.m. This event focuses on the often misunderstood and highly beneficial birds known as vultures. Indoor attractions include a live vulture from the Wonders of Wildlife Museum in Springfield, a video about vultures, vulture games, stickers and crafts. Naturalists will greet visitors outdoors with spotting scopes for viewing one of Missouri's largest vulture wintering roosts. This is a rare opportunity to see both black and turkey vultures in same location. Late in the afternoon, you will be treated to vulture "kettling" as the big birds swoop down above your head to roost for the night. This is a free program and requires no reservations. For more information or directions, call (417) 334‑4865 ext 0. 4. Would You Like To Be A Volunteer Naturalist? The Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery is now recruiting for new volunteer naturalists to help at the Conservation Center. Volunteers will be helping with a variety of projects including, greeting the public, giving hatchery tours, landscaping, talking to visitors, and giving school/public programs. An informational “Open House” is scheduled for February 5th at 7pm at the Hatchery. You will be able to hear what is involved with this program, talk to current volunteers about what they do, and get answers to any questions about this volunteer program. If you are interested in spending your time to not only help our community, but also our forest, fish, and wildlife, then we have the right opportunity for you. Contact John Miller at (417) 334-4865 ext 0 or john.miller@mdc.mo.gov for more details. 5. Blue Star Memorial Comes to Branson via the Hatchery Thanks to the Shepherd of the Hills Garden Club, Branson will now have a home for Missouri’s newest Blue Star Memorial…at the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery. The SOTH Garden club and the SOTH Hatchery recently got the official word that the memorial has been approved at the Hatchery. While no date has been set for the installation, the public will be invited to the unveiling. It is the hope of the Hatchery and the Garden Club that veterans from across the country will visit this memorial as part of their Branson experience. Here is a brief description of the Memorial program: Since 1945 the Blue Star Memorial of the National Garden Clubs began to honor the men and women serving in the Armed Forces. The name was chosen for the star on flags displayed in homes and businesses denoting a family member serving. Garden clubs pictured a ribbon of living memorial plantings traversing every state. The designation of Blue Star Memorials was achieved through petitions and cooperation with the various state agencies. The Blue Star Memorial Program has grown to extend thousands of miles across continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. All men and women who have served, are serving, or will serve in the Armed Forces of the United States are included. Markers continue to be dedicated each year on highways, Veterans’ facilities, National Cemeteries, parks, and civic and historic sites, showing our appreciation for those who defend our country. No marker may bear an individual’s name. These markers are designed to pay tribute to the Armed Forces as a whole. 6. Ask a Naturalist “How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck if a Woodchuck Could Chuck Wood?” Jacob from Branson asks, my friend taught me a new tongue twister and I was wondering if it was just a joke of if there really is an answer to “How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck if a Woodchuck Could Chuck Wood?” Jacob, I heard the same tongue twister in school too. Until a few years ago, I had always thought this was just a cute joke. Luckily, the Naturalists at the Hatchery did some research and found that there REALLY IS AN ANSWER. Thanks to the staff at Cornell University, the answer is 700 pounds of wood a year. Here is what we found at their web site: Compared to beavers, groundhogs/woodchucks are not adept at moving timber, although some will chew wood. At Cornell, woodchucks that gnaw their wooden nest boxes are given scraps of 2”-by-4” lumber. A wildlife biologist once measured the inside volume of a typical woodchuck burrow and estimated that -- if wood filled the hole instead of dirt -- the industrious animal would have chucked about 700 pounds' worth. (http://www.news.cornell.edu/Chronicle/96/2.1.96/facts.html) Enjoy Groundhog Day on February 2nd. We hope that it does NOT see its shadow! For a great web site about the groundhog tradition and groundhogs in general, go to www.groundhog.org If you have a question that you would like to have a Naturalist answer, send your question to John.Miller@mdc.mo.gov . We would love to answer it for you and share this information with other readers in our ‘Ask A Naturalist’ spot. We hope that you have enjoyed this issue of the Shepherd of the Hills newsletter. Have a great winter and keep learning about the forest, fish, and wildlife resources around us. Cheers! John Miller Naturalist Program Supervisor Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center 483 Hatchery Road Branson MO 65616 (417) 334 4865 ext 0 John.Miller@mdc.mo.gov

I have a few ink cartridges laying around I need to get rid of. I have 4 HP 56 unopened. Reg $41.99 I'll sell for $20 each. I have a HP 57 series Tricolor unopened. Reg $39.99 I'll sell for $20.00. I have a HP 28 Tricolor unopened. Reg $25.99 I'll sell for $12.00. I have a HP 20 Black unopened. Reg $35.29 I'll sell for $18.00. Plus whatever it cost to ship. Was going to sell them on ebay but wanted to pass on these savings to my buddies instead.

I think we're going to K-Dock and look for some eyes...

Links fixed...

God is working a miracle in little Jacob's body and every nurse that has seen Jake from the time we got here until now, is blown away by the progress we've made. I know that there are many days ahead, but today the Doctor took surgery off the table and told us that we might be out of the ICU by Friday. We'll meet with the pulmanoligist tomorrow to find out if the chest tube can be taken out soon. Jake played with trains today and had more smiles than I've seen in a long time and I cherished everyone of them. Thank you all for your prayers as we go through this, you're words of encouragement and scripture have kept me strong and somehow allowed me to stay up for every hour that I've needed to be here with Jacob. Not to mention, provided me with the most amazing husband I could have ever asked for...who has been my rock, sitting beside me every step of the way. And while it has had lots of ups and downs, Jake is getting better. I told one of the nurses in ICU that they need a sign at the door of ICU, "Buckle your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride." And that it has been! I believe that God is healing Jake and I'm more hopeful than ever that we'll be out of here soon. Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers. Attached is a picture of Jake tonight, first silly face I've seen in over a week. Blessings, Cassie

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showforum=4 LOok at the topics on top- one is Taneycomo Levels. That's where you'll find past the future generation schedules.

Added a bunch more hats - - - - http://lilleystacklestore.com/xcart/home.php?cat=248 I have a black and dark blue but they are so close in color they don't show up different in a pic. So if you want a dk blue, email me.

He didn't... I emailed him my response to his post. He must be fishing... he hasn't gotten back to me.

Bill, you're killing me here... The political forum doesn't work cause political issues can't be discussed here. They are banned. Too many fights over beliefs and ideals. The political forum I created was supposed to bring home that point but I can now see how it too can be misunderstood. I'll take it off... and lock this before someone accuses me of favoritism.

Yes- they are on display.

I believe most if not all boats ramps in the area will be very busy this spring, seeing that most of us have been waiting 24 months to get to fishable water. The prospect of good fishing only amplifies the call to fish. If it's like most years, a few weekends in April will be packed and after the "spawn" is over, most of the weekenders will be gone for the season and the locals will have their waters back. You're right not to lose sleep.

I added a hat, a yellow one for now, to our online store. I'll add the other colors tomorrow. They come in yellow, white, dark navy blue and black. Here's a link to the store page.

Wow... pictures!!!

Don't forget me!!! I'm official now. Also Vince Elfrink, Vince on the forum. He's a great crappie catching guy.

Barter... that's great!! Wish I had the time and skills but there again, I've never fished the Current. That's what I thought you meant!

Does Brent Frazee work for the star anymore?

You're right, it's not.

Finally someone admitted trying to post... That's the point - NO ONE can start a topic, not even me. And read the forum description and you'll understand my intention. See, you think everything is about you, Chief. It's not.

Come on Jeremy... give us some details. I know it was a white slider. Did you limit? Were they on the channel drop offs? How deep?

Another one... is this code?

Not sure if I'm getting this...

This is an email we received today. Many of you from this area will know Dr. Rick Tallon... this is his grandson. As many of you already know, my son Jacob (3 years old) was admitted into ICU on Wednesday and diagnosed with a severe case of strep pneumonia and we have been in ICU at Cox South since that time. Beginning Sunday night, he started running a fever of 105 that has continued until still yet this evening. On Wednesday, Jacob was taken into surgery and had a chest tube put in place in an attempt to drain the strep bacteria in his left lung cavity. Since Wednesday, over one liter of strep bacteria fluid has been drained from his lung and it's still coming. He continues to battle for his every breath and while there are moments of progress, there is a rocky road ahead. We will be in ICU until Thursday and in the hospital for another several weeks following that time. We continue to pray for his healing and for his little body to fight off this infection and begin to heal. I would like to ask for you to take time to pray for Jacob, whether it's sitting at your desk at work or among your small group...wherever you might be, we desperately need God's healing right now. We serve a powerful and mighty God and I'm confident in his promises, and it's in moments like this that I truly know that God is in control and we are not. Thank you for your prayers as we go through this very difficult time. Jacob's mom, Cassie