Phil Lilley

Not that I know of. That would be the city of Branson probably. They actively test the lake water... or used to.

Fishing buddy, Vince Elfrink and I boated up to Table Rock Dam about 5 pm this evening to check out the fishing as well as the condition of the lake. I was very anxious about what we would see after the onslaught of last week's water. We were shocked!! But also pleasantly surprised of what we found. I knew about the houses and docks damaged. I saw most of that before I left for Boston Sunday. What I hadn't seen or heard about was the damage to the bank and trees from Fall Creek to the dam. The high dirt banks were washed out, loosing up to 20-30 feet of structure to the torrent of water. Dozens of large trees that seemed to be well enough away from the edge were fallen straight down into the lake like someone had pulled the rug out from underneath them. Condos at Fall Creek, buildings that were 10 or more feet from the edge of the dirt bluff are now hanging over the edge, I'm sure vacated, their future unknown. The drop is more than 25 feet to the bottom and no way to get rock to stabilize the bank but by barge and I believe barges cannot make the trip this far up lake because of the depth of water. Up lake at Lookout Island, about 2 miles below the dam, 5 or 6 big sycamores were laying on their sides at the top of the island, uprooted from the flow of water. Between the island and the old KOA Campground, the dirt bank lost I estimate 30 or more feet. Cedars and hardwoods lay like wrecked cars on a freeway at the foot of the bank in the lake. Thank goodness for the riprap at the campground or more silt would have been washed into the lake. The bank below the boat ramp a short distance upstream and across the lake- same thing. Not as many trees down but the dirt bank has been eroded back quite a bit. Several trees are noticeably gone at Rocking Chair, a favorite fishing spot across the lake and up lake from the boat ramp. The most notable evidence of last week’s flood event was seen last as we pulled up to the cable just below the dam. The banks on both side of the lake were scoured by the currents. It looked like every bit of silt and sand has been washed from the rocks and around tree roots, especially along the south bank. It's quite a sight. Following docks are along the south bank in the Riverpointe Estates neighborhood. I took them in low light so they're alittle grainy. High banks were no match for the high water and current. Dozens of trees along the lake fallen to the high water and current. Condos at Fall Creek. Head of Lookout Island. Down from KOA. South bank. KOA just above dirt bank. South bank. South bank across from outlet #1 Just above outlet #1 Now for the fishing... We had found trout fishing to be good but somehow difficult before the additional flood gates were opened last week. The trout were on the bottom and the current was making is hard to get a lure to the bottom and keep it there long enough to get “bitten”. But we did well. In the past when the gates were opened at Table Rock, our trout flourished on the extra food the water washed up and into the lake…. Up from the bottom were bugs and in from Table Rock were small fishes like shad that the trout loved. This time was no different. White jigs, white shad flies, bright San Juan worms and even scuds were very effective, again, if you could get them to the bottom while drifting in the current. Presently, the Corp has dropped Taneycomo’s lake levels to their lowest since February, running only 3 or 4 units. This makes even easier to drift these same lures… less water, less current, easier to get them to the bottom. Vince and I made 4 drifts from the dam down about a mile and caught a dozen trout on each drift. Most measured between 12 and 17 inches but we couldn’t help but notice their condition. They were thick bodied and strong fighters. Most had grown back all their fins which rainbows loose in the hatchery’s concrete raceways and all were colored up bright and beautiful. We also had a couple of brown trout mixed in with the rainbows. Overall fishing, we thought, was very good. Water was a little color and 43 degrees. I’d say Lake Taneycomo trout fishing is back in business… and better than ever. Here's a nice sunset pic a clicked as the sun came out just before dropping behind the dam.

I'm going to change my opinion on this subject. Having boated up to the dam this evening, I think the bottom is very clean of mud. We drifted and I still could hear gravel moving under the boat. I saw where the banks were cleaned slick of any sediment and silt piled up in eddies. See my report and pics to see where all the silt came from and pics of the banks that were washed clean.

Went from blades to birds... what's going on? I gotta get over to the rock and see for myself. Next week is going to be a good week for videoing I'd say.

Expelled was moving. Everyone should see this movie. Unfortunately, there are places, cities where this movie has already been shunned. A student/friend who comes over from College of the Ozarks told me tonight they refuse to show it in Manhattan, KS (K-State), his home town. That proves the point of the movie. Lack of freedom of academia is a reality in virtually every science community in educational institutions in America. Ben Stein does an excellent job, trying to give both sides a chance to explain themselves. It's well thought out. It's alittle dry- he tries to spruce it up with excerpts from old movies and video scenes. It's not really about the debate over what's right and wrong, or who's right and who's wrong- it's about the freedom to disagree, the freedom to discuss, the freedom of a differing opinion based on science, not religion. And, in this movie, Stein shows this philosophy has bled and will bleed into other fabric of our society. Bottom line is freedom, and a lack thereof.

Did you see my new video? See the oa homepage. I didn't have time to upload it before I left for Boston. Crazy!!

Wasn't serious about the address thing... we may think of another way to recoop some expenses. John Wilson posted something that just asked members to send money and they did! Wow what a concept! But as long as we keep renting rooms, Lilleys' Landing will keep paying the bills. I am getting a few calls about buying ads space. We'll see where it goes.

We have had large gizzard shad in the upper end of the lake for years. Also flat head and other warm water fish. I don't think anything washed over the dam would change the Taney population of fish that much. 3 lb shad... don't know that much about shad but I wouldn't assume they came over the dam. Could have but I doubt it. There's can't be much more below the docks in Rockaway... there wasn't much there to begin with. I assume it's gravel under you dock? Not mud?

I've heard about it... coming out today. I may go see it tonight. Let you know how it is. http://expelledthemovie.com

The Branson Trout Unlimited Chapter is hosting John Berry, guide, writer and fly tyer from Cotter, Arkansas, home of the famed White River. John will speak on fishing the White River. He has been a big part of the forum ever since it's start over 2 years ago. The event will be held at the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery, just below Table Rock Dam here in Branson. The program will start at 7 pm. Coffee and refreshments will be provided. John is a fly fishing guide on Arkansas’ White, Norfork, Spring, and Little Red Rivers for trout and Crooked Creek for Smallmouth Bass. He has been a fly fishing guide in the Ozarks for the past fifteen years. He is the past president of the Mid South Fly Fishers (two terms). John served as the Conservation Director for the Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers. He is a life member of the Federation of Fly Fishers and the Mid South Fly Fishers. He is also a member of the North Arkansas Fly Fishers, Federation of Fly Fishers Guide Association, and the Arkansas Outfitters and Guides Association. He has taught fly fishing and fly casting for Shelby State Community College, Mississippi County Community College, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Mid South Fly Fishers, Casting for Recovery, and Becoming an Outdoors Woman. He is a member of The Federation of Fly Fishers Speakers Bureau and has been a seminar presenter and fly tier at the Federation of Fly Fishers National Conclave, the Federation of Fly Fishers Southern Conclave, the Sow Bug Round Up, the Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival, and the Home Waters Expo. John served as guide for Hooked On A Cure for the last three years. John writes a fly fishing column for the Baxter Bulletin in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He has written two chapters for the highly successful fishing guide, Home Waters. He writes for several sporting journals and is also a photographer whose work has been published in several periodicals. John has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Mid South Fly Fishers. In 1996, when he was president of the Mid South Fly Fishers, the club received the McKenzie Cup from the Federation of Fly Fishers as club of the year. In 2004 he received the prestigious Tall Tale Tellers Award from the Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers. Most recently John was awarded the Charles E. Brooks Memorial Lifetime Award by the Federation of Fly Fishers. Attendance is absolutely free so come and bring friends!!

That right there is the whole idea of this forum! If everyone just came here for the sole purpose to GET information and not GIVE any, the pages would be blank. This or any forum is only as good as the information on it and that means anglers sharing information. THAT is why this forum is so successful. I have very, VERY little to do with it.

At this point I have no idea. I'm still catching up from being gone. I'm only going from Leonard's post and what I see out my window.

Should have said "was".

Leonard's report on outlet #1 and what I see this morning on my banks prompts me to post this question- was this new layer or sediment distribed over the whole upper lake, the whole lake? If it is, I would think our scud population is gone. I would also think the midge population should increase, what little I know about them. May be too early to tell. The water here, although being released from the turbines, is clouded, not clear like it should be. This could be caused by 2 things - Table Rock is cloudy even down to 130 feet deep and coming thru the turbine this way or sediment is being picked up off the bottom as it flows down from the dam. Regardless, this event is going to affect Taneycomo for a long time.

Rain is forecasted for tonight and tomorrow.

Just got back. Haven't gotten the full scoop of what's happened the last couple of days but here's what I've heard, right or wrong. They shut everything down yesterday. They got Scotty's dock back in place. They supposedly got the boards back up on Powersite. My guess by looking at all the lake levels and generation is that they are going to try to hold all the lakes just below flood pool for as long as they can to let the White River drain out. If it rains, they'll let it go- they have to. That's it in a simple form.

Sorry- I put my foot in my mouth again. I PM'ed Micheal the other day and expressed myself and I'll do it here. I meant to say catching a white bass of that size on 8 lb leader is an easy feat. Not that the record itself was easy. But again... I messed up. And again, congrats to Micheal.

Do you think if we posted the mailing addresses for Bill and others they'd get money? Just a thought. I understand the desire to pay for good information, inside info right off the water, so to speak. It is valuable to everyone and appreciated by most. But then there's the twisted minds who are self-centered, into fishing just for the win. All you guys, if I could, I ban you from reading the forum but I can't, not yet. But just wait. And yes- we all know you're reading this. When Bill told me about the calls, I told him to go back and delete his phone number from the forum. I'll double check and see that he did. It's sad but true that we can't be open with things like that but we can't.

Didn't you get the note.... I'm in Boston.

by John Berry As many of you know, I am a bit of a coffee addict. I start every day with a pot of fresh java. There is a new coffee shop in town that combines my favorite beverage with my other passion in life, fly fishing. Anglers Coffee Café is located at 1343 Highway 5 South in Mountain Home, Arkansas adjacent to Blue Ribbon Fly Shop, the oldest and most respected fly shop in the Twin Lakes area. The hours are from 6:45 AM to 6:00 PM daily. You can contact the cafe at (870) 508-4040 or coffeeinfo@anglerscoffeecafe.com . Their website is http://www.anglerscoffeecafe.com . The interior of the shop looks and feels like an old fishing lodge. There is a stone fireplace for nasty days when you would like to warm up by a roaring fire before returning to the river. The place is decorated with a collection of antique fishing tackle and sporting art. There is an old cedar canoe hanging from the rafters, a lot of unusual mounts of interesting animals, and some very comfortable seating. If you need to knock out a few of those special flies that are out producing all others, there is a fly tying bench for your use. To keep you mind occupied, they have a plasma TV with fly fishing videos playing. If you want to check your email, bring in your laptop because the café is wired for Wi-fi. Oh yeah, the Anglers Coffee Café is wader friendly. If you are on your way back from the river and you are still dressed out, there is no need to change before you come in. Are you too busy to stop? Then use the drive through. They made sure that it is big enough to accommodate a vehicle with a boat. Call ahead with your order to save even more time. They are going to offer fly tying and fly fishing classes after hours. Then, of course, there is coffee. They serve all of your favorite variations, lattes, mochas, expressos and my personal favorite, cappuccino. There is Chai tea, hot tea, hot chocolate, iced coffee drinks, fruit smoothies and bottled beverages. I always like a little snack with my morning coffee. Here they have bagels, jumbo muffins and scones (my personal favorite is the raspberry and white chocolate scones). If you need something a bit heartier for lunch, there is an array of signature sandwiches. The Grand Slam for instance has roast beef, turkey, salami, ham, provolone, cheddar, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayonnaise, and mustard. There are Paninis, Italian style grilled sandwiches served on artisan bread (the ham and Swiss Panini is outstanding). There is also an assortment of freshly baked bars, cookies, and brownies (Lori's favorite). This is not a Starbucks where all the food is sent in frozen from some central kitchen but a locally owned coffee shop where the food is cooked on premises. One thing that has me excited is their angler's boxed lunch. I am always looking for a better shore lunch. This will allow me to serve my clients a superb meal with great deli sandwiches and fresh baked sweets and have some one else do the work. When I get a last minute guide trip, I often have to scramble to the store to get the food for my client's lunch. Now, I just make a phone call and I can have it prepared and waiting for me. I see this as being the ultimate place to meet my clients for a guide trip. I can get there a bit early and enjoy a steaming cappuccino and a jumbo muffin for breakfast. I can order my lunches while I wait. When my clients arrived we can get a hot coffee to go. If they need anything like a fishing license or rain jacket, a great fly shop is next door. At the end of the day, it is a great place to unwind for a few minutes over a cup of great coffee before heading back to Cotter. This would be a comfortable place to hang out on a slow day when I am not working. I see myself sitting at a quiet corner table sipping a cappuccino and working on my column. I am pretty sure that Anglers Coffee Café will be the gathering place for anglers when they are unable to get on the water. Where has this place been all my life! John Berry is a fly fishing guide and serious foodie in Cotter, Arkansas and has been writing restaurant reviews for over twenty years. John can be reached at (870) 435-2169 or http://www.berrybrothersguides.com .

Roland Duffield is one of my best friends. We have traveled and fished many places over the 25 years of our friendship. Although he is alittle stubburn about using my flies when they're working at times, he's a great anglers, fly tyer and teacher and I'm grateful to have share so many experiences together. That being said, happy birthday! Looking forward to many more days on the water with you.

It's incredible how big the Red Sox are around here... they live and breathe it. Drove over to Rockport yesterday. Nice seaside place. Disney is shooting a movie with Sandra Bullock. The have renamed the town "Sitka, AK", replacing signs on the streets and shops reflecting AK. They've even added small branches with green leaves to the bottom edge of trees on the main street to make it look like summer. Trucks with equipment everywhere. They were shooting a boat scene in the harbor with 2 very expensive looking boats with cameras and booms plus cameras on the banks with Bullock and a guy racing from behind a bluff out to sea. The locals are funny... they are amused, critical and happy they're there. It all depends on who's getting extra business out of the deal it seems. We ate at a hole-in-the-wall seafood place on the edge of the harbor. Picked out what we wanted, he'd cook it and we ate till we were full. Fresh lobster, crab cakes, stuff claims, shrimp and clam chowder (best we've had so far) and it only costs the 3 of us $40.00. Roy Moore's - if you ever go. He owns the Fish House too, a little more formal place close to the harbor. Drove highway 1A along the sea till dark, got lost and then finally stopped for directions. Headed back tomorrow.

You can try other skins but for some stupid reason, if you choose the default skin it eliminates the skin option. Not sure why it would load slower UNLESS it loads in your cach for the first several times and then uses the cach when going back in. If that's the case, it should get better.

We walked thru the Italian shops and neighborhood- reminded me of St Louis but alot smaller streets. Yes and did have some canoli before we left the neighborhood. We're in South Hamilton and headed to the college this am. VView out our motel room. We're in Gloucester.

Charles River Breed's Hill, Battle of Bunker Hill Locks on the Charles River. One of the old grave yards.