Phil Lilley

If there wasn't a patch kit that came with your waders, you should buy a patch kit just made for breathable waders. If you botch a patch on waders, it's not good. Best to fix it right the first time. I speak from much experience, unfortunately.

23... almost 50. Would be nice to know the rules on the first try. Can't read chicken scratches.

MDC's stance on barbless has been, in the past, they don't help hooking mortality so why enforce it? I've yet to find a study that shows barbless helps keep fish alive after being caught. The one reason why I don't like the barbless rule is that #1- anglers get ticketed because they left a little tiny point sticking up and it catches the agent's sleeve. or #2- an angler forgets to bend a barb down or thought he did or thought he was using a barbless hook and gets checked and gets a ticket. It's bad PR. It's a social thing in the eyes of most fisheries biologists, at least the ones I know. I would fight it, personally. As for enforcement, MDC knows statewide they are thin. It would cost the state so much money to increase enforcement where needed, not just Taneycomo. One argument is to increase the trout stamp on just Tany to cover an additional agent just for Taney. As for limiting # of any trout, large or small, it has to work into MDC's management scheme. It's not as simple as just making a rule to appease the lunker hunters. But make no mistake, MDC likes big fish and they'll do what they can to achieve the best results for Taney and any other fishery in the state.

Brian Ellis made it in, al beit 2 hours late, last night. He's pretty pumped from the fishing reports here. The winds yesterday were something else. No exaggeration- gusts hit 50 and regularly all day into the night. A Carolina Skiff beached at the access- 22 ft fiberglass with a 60 jet- was flipped by the waves and wind- just up from Jim's place. They took all their boats to the other side of the river (east side) because the east wind wrecked their dock and they were afraid their boats (and mine) would end up flipping too. We fixed everything this morning and off we went. The winds also churned up the lake and the ash on the bottom so that the river was a murky, milky color. We hit the best spots first and did very little. Hit another spot, checked with a couple of other groups from Jim's and saw they weren't doing well either. We chalked it up to the discolored water and headed for camp. Drove into town and King Salmon Creek. Waded about a 2 mile stretch and found very little. Seems most of the salmon have moved up creek and the rainbows and char with them. Did catch a few rainbow and char but not a very productive day. Brian is heading to Ugashik Narrows tomorrow. Bill and I are scouting again.

When I first started posting articles on OA I wanted to answer as many questions as possible. I think I did. At least I covered most if not all of your questions, Kevin. Not to knock your questions but I know this has all been covered in past articles and topics. It's impossible to answer your depth question as asked. At power pool the water at the cable is 4-6 feet maybe and 60 feet at Powersite (??) Trav? Not sure. At full generation add 8-10 feet at the top and ???? feet at the bottom- may be 4 feet? Not sure. Rebar- you just have to see it and experience it to know and even then, we hold our breath at times. HP- our 25 hp props do fine with 4 units. But if you're using a jet- it would have to be at least a 40 hp I'd say. Bottom- gravel, mud and bed rock. Mainly gravel.

Well, we've been bums the last couple of days. Yesterday weather was perfect but we had things to do in town- look at property and talk to locals... get the skinny on current gossup and such. Small town politics is interesting, even in Alaska. We didn't fish. Wish we did but things came up at the end of the day when we thought we might that kept us from going. So today- the weather is bad. Temps are decent but the wind is gusting to 50-60 mph and rain. I feel for those who are flying today. So Duane and I did laundry in town and now we're chilling out. Finally found a way to post pics so here they are. Took some video too but it's pretty dark - will wait on it. Last pic is the view from our cabin here on Pike Lake. Fish are all silvers.

I have covered fall low O2 conditions and lake turn over in articles and previous posts. I bet you'll find lots of info under the Best of Taney section. Lamar- I'm alittle confused which info you've posted is the most current. It would be helpful if you added a new post or add a new topic altogether with new news. You ARE doing us all a great service by reporting on what you're hearing from the Corp----- Thanks a bunch!!!! Phil

Had to sleep on this- this is what I came up with. At first thought, "the trout would migrate out of the 80 degree plus water from the flood gates and stay in the colder generation water" BUT the problem with that is IF they ran 4 units full, I'm not sure they (corp) could inject enough O2 into the water to keep the DO up above 4 ppm. The Corp has a restriction on how much they can run in the fall because of the O2 situation. Even running 4 units now could potientially kill alot of fish in Taney. If they ran flood gates, it would kill more I'm afraid. So I wouldn't get all excited about flood gates, Leonard. I might be the demise of your walleye and smallies as well as your big browns. I'm sure the Corp is talking to MDC about the situation but at this point (AGAIN) mother nature is in control, so to speak. Told Bill this am- we've had alot of "first" this year in our lakes and rivers. This is again a first. We've never had this much rain in the fall where opening gates is a possibility.

Jim- is that statement written by Obama? Strange statement. He switches from first person to second person and back to first all in the same paragraph. I'm sorry but I have a real problem with his relationship with his pastor. Actions speak louder than words. For him to stay in a chuch for as long as he did with this kind of leadership speaks volumes. I don't pretend to try to sway you or anyone else from changing your vote. Ultimately, most of us vote on the party and their issues and stances, not the person him (or her) self. I will vote republican most of the time because of their conservative stance. At times, I have to bite my lip (Dole in 1996).

Hard to see from here (AK) exactly what's going on but from the looks of Table Rock and it's rise that Taneycomo will be on the move too for quite some time. All those who were looking forward to days of no generation can tuck that dream away for another month- sorry. As long as the water is moving, it will keep the lake free of debry and mud. Fishing should be good, drifting in boats like it's been all summer. But don't look for any down water. I guess it's possible but not probable.

Bill and I started early this am- 6 am up and at 'em (that's 9 am for most of you all). But sunrise is at 7 something. We were on the water early- beat everyone to the good spot. Silvers everywhere. But they weren't biting as well as last evening. Not at all. By 10 am they shut off completely but we had 9 to the boat averaging 10 pounds- much larger than last night. Man these guys can pull!! And most of their fight is out of the water- all over the place. This evening hooking was dead. Again they were tough. One hookup and he was foul hooked. We didn't stay out long- cold, windy and rain. Will try again tomorrow. Duane took a bunch to Margot- tons of Char up to 32 inches. And lots of bears. Tomorrow he and 9 clients are flying to Ugashik Narrows for huge char.

Quick note on before Phil got here. Worked for the camp for three days guiding clients from Georga. These boys could fish and we averaged 5 bows over 24 inches per day, with char and other various critters on the fly. Pinks are still really hitting any type of fly when around them and my clients all hooked kings. If you are wading, it is just about impossible to get one in. They will just flat put the hurt on you and your gear. One jumped at least a dozen thundering jumps before breaking 20 pound tippet. It is amazing how small a fly these fish want. Size 10 seems to be the best. For these big fish in alaska, it is hard to find a quality hook in that size that will tolorate the kind of prussure they put on the steel. I am having a really tough time with the silvers. Hooking them but having them come off, on the tiny flys. Lost 9 straight. That will burn your britches.

Well- we're here. Bill and I rented a cabin from Pike Lake just a couple of miles up the road from Lake Camp Acess and Jim's camp on the Naknek River. We're here for the next month. Brian Ellis from St Louis will join us on Saturday and Tom Knox and group will the following Saturday. Silvers are still numerous and fresh. It's amazing how late they are running. They were starting to come in the river when I left back in late July. Bill and I fished late yesterday and landed 8, losing twice that many. They were taking #10 black or purple woolies on the drift. Some were as small as 5 pounds up to 14 pounds. Lots of jumping and blowing around- hard to handle. Weather is good- 60's yesterday and upper 50's today and some rain. We're going to limit on silvers early this am and then head into town and look around some. As soon as I get my laptop online, I'll post pics. I'm working off Jim's laptop presently and can't upload pics from here. P&B

You do not need anything from the USCG. Nothing really that I know of except good insurance.

Getting too personal guys. Stop attacking each other and address the issues. Don't shoot from the hip- it belittles your stance. I'm leaving this in Dan's hands for the next 24 hours. He has my blessing to do whatever to keep this civil.

CORPS SETS WORKSHOPS, SEEKS COMMENTS ON DRAFT EIS FOR WHITE RIVER MINIMUM FLOWS LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Aug. 21 --The Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock District is seeking public comments through Sept. 22 on the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the White River Minimum Flow Reallocation Study. The Corps will also hold two public workshops to explain the findings of the draft document and gather public input. Both workshops will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The first will be Tuesday, Aug. 26 at the Taney Center at Kisse Mills Junction in Forsyth, Mo. The second will be Wednesday, Aug. 27 in the McMullin Lecture Hall at Arkansas State University Mountain Home, 1600 S. College Street, Mountain Home, Ark. Copies of the draft environmental document are available for review at several locations. They can be viewed between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Corps’ Mountain Home Project Office at 324 West 7th St. in Mountain Home or the Corps’ Beaver Project Office at 2260 North 2nd St. in Rogers, Ark. Copies are also available for viewing at the Corps’ Table Rock Project Office at 4600 State Hwy 165 in Branson, Mo., the Greers Ferry Project Office at 700 Heber Springs Road North in Heber Springs, Ark., or the District Office in Room 7403 of the Federal Building at 700 W. Capitol Ave. in Little Rock, Ark. Copies are also on hand at the following libraries: Forsyth Public Library at 162 Main St. in Forsyth, Mo.; Taneyhill Community Library at 200 S. 4th Street in Branson; Baxter County Library Gassville Branch at 6469 Hwy 62 in Gassville, Ark.; Baxter County Library Main Library at 424 West 7th in Mountain Home; Central Arkansas Roosevelt Thompson Library at 38 Rahling Circle in Little Rock; and Central Arkansas Main Library at 100 Rock Street also in Little Rock. The document can also be viewed on the Internet at http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/planning/wrminflow.html. Written comments should be addressed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District, Attn: Mike Biggs CESWL-PE, P.O. Box 867, Little Rock, AR 72203-0867. Comments must be post marked by Sept. 22 to become part of the official record. For more information call Biggs at 501-324-7342.

I haven't weighed in on the election but you might guess where I stand... I believe over the years our gov't has grown to be a monster steered by power-hungry men and women who care little about "the people"- that goes for either party with few exceptions in both. Three of the four candidates fit this profile no question. Not sure about the forth- no one probably at this point knows. But party machines behind each candidate will dictate for the most part what they do or don't do after being elected. I believe in less gov't. Less involvement in business and the markets, less business in welfare as we know it, less business in many of the areas it has screwed up in the past. It should defend our borders, help other countries in peril when possible and build and maintain our infrastructure. I think welfare should be privatized. I think education should be privatized. I believe churches should care for the widowed and poor. Gov't should get out of much of the business it's in... but I'm not a fool. I know that will never happen. That being said- our gov't should protect freedom. That includes the unborn starting at conception. The abortion issue is one that is of the foremost importance to me. It supersedes even my love for the outdoors.

Caught on a gold rapala in the trophy are this morning. Released.

Hey MO- who else carries TMC besides Wapsi?

Gosh Chief, is that the best you can do

After hearing her speech today, I'd like to see her and Sen Clinton go toe-to-toe.

Water was still high late this morning. Vince said he called early and it was 701.5

Water was up 18 inches higher this morning than yesterday. Not sure what power pool level is at this point. I did notice the stump at Short Creek this morning was barely out of the water and yesterday it was 2 feet out. So they may have sucked the water down from Powersite yesterday or it's high today- no matter I guess. Went upstream to take pics of the gravel bars above Fall Creek after the fog lifted. Of course the area looked alot different because the water was higher. To the naked eye, it looked the same as before the floods. But I took pics anyhow and here they are. Looking up from Lookout Island. The island itself. The cut between the island is deeper. The gravel point below Andy's house. The point doesn't go out in the lake like is used to. It's deeper. Looking downstream- you can see the exposed gravel along the left bank- didn't used to be there. Looking down at the bar at Dry Wash. See the gravel below along the left bank. It's real shallow below the bar out past the middle of the lake- really filled in.

Wanted to post this- it's the dock below the Riverpointe Ramp. High and dry. Will try to have more later today.

Rig away... FC's dock wasn't destroyed at all. The store area was and there was a buckle on the downstream end but otherwise it was not damaged. Of course the support-stiff arms were mangled and needed to be replaced. Have no idea why they took it out. Should have least tried to sell it to someone on the lake.