Phil Lilley

I've heard they're starting to show up. Better start looking and let us know if you see any.

Oh yea... seeing the weather forecast it's not going to heat up real fast- 50's 60's day time for the next week. Water won't warm up too fast. Eggs weren't bloody. Whites will stay in creek for a while after spawn anyhow. I'd say another 2-3 weeks.

Quick report before I have to run... Caught I don't how many whites this am at Beaver. Put in at 160 bridge and went up. Found flowing water and worked down. Caught males till got down to 12 feet of water above bridge. White jigs on the bottom caught sows. Released 20 2-3 lb sows and kept a few smaller sows and a bunch of studs... may be 20 total. Haven't cleaned them yet. One keeper walleye and one short. Video coming later today. Ate at Danna on the way back.

Just been told you can launch at the 160 bridge off the road on the side. We may switch and go to Beaver if this is true. I didn't want to put in at the park and make the long run.

I like your avatar.... Happy B day Flatlander

Talk to someone who fished from 3 till dark today in Swan- caught a few males early in the field across from the park and then basically nothing the rest of the evening. One boat with 3 guys caught 14 sows early too but it shut down about 5 pm for them and most everyone else. They caught their whites on white rooster tails. They must have been talking to the whites in Beaver. Lake level is up to the 2nd bend past the old dam and water is gin clear at that point. Mike said he did catch fish there but all trout. The road leading back behind the old motel and along the bluff is flooded and that's where I usually put my boat in but the city of Forsyth has it blocked off. The ramp by the campground at the mouth of Swan is open but there's a bunch of debry to deal with. We're still going in the morning.

and...... what'd you catch?

OK- white bass were caught one mile above 160 bridge today mid day on just about anything and they were big ones... go till there's good current. White rooster tails were killer. 10 am till 2 pm was the best part of the day. Water is still stained. If any agents read this you've got alot of double dipping going on up there it was reported to me. I guess locals think they're due since the last 3-4 years have been poor. But they're robbing themselves and everyone else by loading up on all big females... real smart! Hope they get caught.

Beaver Creek at the park. Shadow Rock behind the old hotel. K Dock I'd think but not sure.

Better?

Have not been to the area since last year... so did I go down there last year??? Will let you know what I see.

In the am early but probably to Swan. There are less boats out in the mornings.

M- where is the lake level? At the Tea Table, below or above?

I hope to go in the am early but probably will go to Swan. If we go to Beaver, I'll take pics. I take pics if I go to Swan too.

are hitting in Beaver Creek again.

are hitting in Swan again.

Took my uncle out this morning early before he had to leave for home, Fairhope, AL. We boated up to Andy's house and started drifitng my split shot rig with an egg and a red san juan on the shallow side. We connected with 5 or 6 each drift for 5 drifts, many of the rainbows were colored up real pretty measuring from 12 to 18 inches. Had to have him back at the house by 9:15 and made the appointment. Wind is picking up so it was perfect timing. They're really starting to hit good... I think they're getting use to the current. Saw one other boat the whole morning.

There you go.... Thanks!

motroutbum (26), Steve Dally (42) Sure having alot of B-Days lately... are you guys changing your folios and celebrating more than one birthday a year?

Got out for a few hours today by myself. Wanted to really give the white jig a go. Parked up in the left corner at the cable and threw for quite a while and had only a couple of small rainbows. Hope to find some white bass or nice trout but nope. Parked above #1 outlet in that eddie and caught a few more rainbows but nothing worth mentioning. Could see a bunch of rainbows just below the boat along with a 3-foot gar crusing by. Also parked below the first island and caught a half dz rainbows there on a white jig. A couple went 16 inches. It does seem like alot of them are held up in eddies but not all. Drifted and drug the white 1/8th oz jig several times down the lake to the ramp and only picked up 2 or 3 each time. Did hook one brown (I'm sure) at the 3rd outlet. Couldn't get it off the bottom and when it did it stayed under the boat till the hook pulled out. Felt like a decent fish. Last drift I went to the egg fly/red san juan rig but this time instead of a bell I tied a small knot in the tag line and pinched a #4 split shot on and drifted with that. Since I was by myself, I kept the boat pointed upstream and could adjust the speed of my drift with the trolling motor, keeping even the smallest of weights bumping on the bottom. Much better feel and the wind didn't affect the drift as much- at least the line. One the one drift I missed 3 and boated 3 rainbows before the 3rd outlet. Nice ones too. Got 4 more from the Rocking Chair to the KOA drifting the south side and missed 2. Dropped down to Andy's and drifted the west/shallow side. Caught 2 right off the bat and then not another bite till I got down to the flat where I caught one. Switched side on the lake (east side) and drifted again down the shallow side where I picked up 3 more before Fall Creek. Kept drifting- caught 3 more- and these were the largest of the whole drift! Quit before I got to the RiverEsates Ramp. Never lost my rig... Didn't have a SD card in my camera so no pics... sorry. Didn't see another boat except 2 drift boats, one heading home and one at Lookout Island.

I've heard whites are being caught in one or both Swan and Beaver again. Any truth to the rumors?

It would have helped if MDC would have built their ramps alittle higher up on the bank. Can't use the courtesy docks without getting wet.

Thanks for posting. Good question. I'd say first you need to get to know fishy people in-the-know and they need to get to know you. Look for a job in the fishing industry- may be Bass Pro. Work hard and make a good impression. Look at getting a OUPV lisc and start guiding part time. Fish some of the local tournaments, get involved in a local bass club. I'm sure others have ideas too. This is out of my area of expertise.

Four events in May offer children age 15 and younger a chance to learn about trout fishing, enjoy beautiful spring weather and spend quality time with family and friends. Each year the Missouri Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and The James Foundation organize Kids Fishing Day events in cooperation with local sponsors. The DNR owns and operates Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. The James Foundation owns and operates Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The Conservation Department operates trout hatcheries at each facility, supplying the raw material for fun and lasting memories. Bennett Spring will host Kids Fishing Day from 6:30 a.m. until 8:15 p.m. May 3. Lunch will be provided for the kids from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Educational programs will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., including fly tying, fish cleaning and cooking, a shooting trailer, the World Bird Sanctuary and a nature center touch tank. For more information, call 417/532-4418.

Four events in May offer children age 15 and younger a chance to learn about trout fishing, enjoy beautiful spring weather and spend quality time with family and friends. Each year the Missouri Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and The James Foundation organize Kids Fishing Day events in cooperation with local sponsors. The DNR owns and operates Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. The James Foundation owns and operates Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The Conservation Department operates trout hatcheries at each facility, supplying the raw material for fun and lasting memories. May 17 is Kids Fishing Day at Maramec Spring Park. The park will open at 5:30 a.m. with fishing starting at 6:30 a.m. and continuing until 8:15 p.m. Kids fish free, and there will be no parking fee for cars with kids 15 and younger. The entire upper half of the spring branch will be reserved for their exclusive use. Rainbow trout will be stocked throughout the day to help ensure fishing success. Volunteers will be on hand all day to help kids with fishing. Kids are expected to bring their own fishing equipment. The Maramec Spring Trout Fishermen's Association will sponsor fishing contests from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. A casting contest will be held at 11 a.m., with 11 trophies to be awarded. Free hotdogs and soda will be provided. Prizes galore will be given away all day long, including bicycles, 50 fishing rod-and-reel sets, other fishing equipment, savings bonds and numerous attendance prizes. There will be exhibits, contests and activities from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the area around the registration tent. These include making fish-print T-shirts, critter stamping, a stream table, aquarium fish display, taxidermy, photographs, aquatic entomology and games. Fly fishing demonstrations and classes will be held on the stream. Kids who want to fish must pick up a free fishing tag at the Millfield Shelter adjacent to the fishing area. Included with the free tag is a “goody bag” containing a variety of free items. These will be available the day before Kid’s Day and all day Saturday. The first 1,500 kids to arrive will receive a special “Kid’s Fishing Sports Bottle.” For more information call 573/265-7801 or email paul.spurgeon@mdc.mo.gov, or visit www.mdc.mo.gov/2921.