Phil Lilley

Boated up just above Short Creek with long time friend Tom Burckhardt (in his boat) and fished from 3:30 till 5 this evening. Threw one jig- 1/8th sculpin jig, 4 lb line, worked off the bottom mid lake and caught fish the whole time- both of us did. Some nice rainbows up to 1.5 pounds. Fun evening!

John Wilson has offered help in getting certified in the past.

From Gary Borger's site http://www.garyborger.com/Data/FFF%20Casti...tification.html As a founding Board Member of the FFF Casting Certification Program, I have witnessed the growth of both the Program and the wide-spread acceptance of its validity in the fly fishing community. There are many candidates each year applying for certification, and I am fortunate to be involved in certifying them both at the Casting Instructor (CI) and Master Casting Instructor (MCI) levels at various events across the U.S. I find that many candidates at both the CI and MCI levels are not prepared for the rigors of the exams. Most often I witness the following gaps in preparation. 1. Candidates have good head knowledge of casting but are poorly prepared for the practical exam involving both the casting process and the teaching of it. Please remember that the FFF exams are teaching oriented. At both the CI and MCI levels, candidates assume that they need to be able to demonstrate casting ability to the exclusion of teaching. Please do not make that mistake. You must be able to cast, of course, but you must also be able to teach in a way that is easily understood by those who know little or nothing about casting and fly fishing. 2. All those that do the certification want to see the candidates relaxed in their casting and teaching approach. Yes, it is an exam and everyone understands that the candidate will be under some stress. This is in part intentional because the candidate should be able to cast as if he/she had been doing it for years, not for just the past few weeks in preparation for the exam. 3. Spey casting is essential, but so is all the rest of it. You must understand casting and be able to execute it from experience, not just from text-book knowledge. It’s OK to repeat what an experienced caster has written, but then that information must also be in your hands and in your explanation. 4. Don’t try to take the MCI for at least a year after you complete the CI. The difference in these exams is huge. The MCI exam is tough, tough, tough. Remember, anyone that is certified at the MCI level has the privilege in helping to certify CI candidates AND has the potential of being elected to the BOG. Being a BOG member is NOT only an honor, it is a privilege, and it is bestowed only on those who exhibit the highest ability in ALL the teaching aspects and practical aspects of casting and fly fishing. When I test an MCI candidate, I am always asking myself, “Does this person have what is needed to certify CI candidates and to be a BOG member.” 5. Teach, teach, teach, cast, cast, cast, fish, fish, fish. The more you teach under the guidance of someone who is certified, the greater your knowledge base becomes and the easier the exams will be. The more you cast, the easier and more relaxed your casting will be. The more you fish, the broader you overall knowledge base will become.

I am, too, interested in taking the test. After I get my USCG 6-pack out of the way, I want to start on it. So whatever you find out, let me (us) know.

Thanks guys

Don't know much about it except what John Wilson has told me... you might ask over on his forum, as well as here. http://p088.ezboard.com/bflyfishingarkansasandmissouri

a. Babler told me today that TR's temp is just now dropping below 50. I'd say next cold spell, it should turn, if not before. Change? None. We may see more generation though. Jan 1-2 it's supposed to be fairly cold and windy. b. 6 miles on flat water- it's going to take along time I'd say. I'd shorten the trip to Riverpointe Estate's ramp.

Article in the Baxter Bulletin today. Read Article

I get to meet a lot of fishermen in my work, and I love talking with them. Fishermen are the salt of the earth and some of the best people you could ever meet. One of the things I love about bass fishermen is that we're always trying to learn more about the sport we love — a new technique, a new lure, a new way to sharpen hooks, whatever. Read More

Very top right next to help, search, members and calendar.

I still want to do a calendar... probably will make it for 18 months starting June 2008. But I need more images. I have a few real good ones of fish and scenic rivers and springs. I need more... a good lake pic, if there's such a thing. More winter pics too. Seasonal is always good. And I need them as large as possible- 300 dpi if possible. I could go buy images on line but I'd like images of waters here in the ozarks. Email them to lilley at lilleyslanding.com

I've been doing this for about 5 years, or more. We aren't busy during the week for the months of January and February and can offer lodging specials for those who can get away during the week. Unfortunately, we are full most weekends and so we can't offer anything on weekend days. For the nights of Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and most Thursdays, 2-3 people can stay here for $29 per night, 2-night minimum please. We pick the room, depending on availability. In exchange for this special rate, we ask that the party write a report either on the forum or emailed to me within 24 hours of returning from the trip. The report needs to be as detailed as possible. Reservations are to made by email or PM only to me. Don't call our office- they'll tell you to email me.

We headed to Sarasota to visit Marsha's sister and family in a few weeks- then headed down to Islamorada for a few days, meeting Jim Johnson and his family. Getting a house boat and tooling around the place. Never been down there. Any suggestions about things to do, places to eat, fish to catch?

I don't go to the blogs enough... I see there's a bunch of people who have created a blog but have not made any entries. At first, it was kinda confusing how to make your entry "published" but I eliminated that step. Now there's an error page that appears when you submit an entry but if you hit the refresh link it will go ahead and post the entry. I have to go and ask about the error thing. Need also to ask about why we can't attach images too. Would love to see the blog option used... just adds to the overall readability of the site.

very very little

I'll bring paper goods, cups, plates, eating tools, water, ice and will smoke something. There's a/c power there now. No generator needed.

I've checked the blogs settings and don't see why the attachment option isn't showing up. I'll have to look into it further. You can add images if you can upload your images onto a server like photobucket or you can email them to me, I'll upload them to our server and send the url back to you... either way. I've been playing around with other settings on the blog... some people have started a blog but didn't know how to change the entry from draft to "live". I've disabled the draft option since so that it's not as confusing.

Well I didn't know you did internet!! Did you leave the keys to your gator??? Sure would like to see how far the tail will shoot!! RAW (Rogers Adventure Weekend) started a few years back by 2 brothers, John and Ray Rogers. It was just a bunch of guys who wanted an excuse to go someplace on a winter weekend and fish or hunt. I understand there were a couple of trips in the beginning but only their trip to Taney has stood the test of time. This may be their, what, 18 or 19th year? It's always a fun weekend for the guys and us... a grand reunion.

Have to think about this one... It's hard to put the Alaska experience into words. The vastness, wildness- it's all encompassing. The Naknek is a big river- big open water that's new to me... others I'm sure have fished big water like it here in the states. Other rivers and creeks are alot like ours in Missouri, the only difference is the species of fish and the OTHER animals namely bears, wolverines and moose. You don't have to look over your shoulder when fishing at outlet #2, thankfully. The big rainbows- all in a class their own. Even the 18 inchers just don't quit fighting. But part of 'my' issue with coming back from Alaska is I've been on Taney 25 years now. I don't fish as much as I used to here or any other place close. My desire is to get out and fish all the other waters within 100 miles of here- and there's tons- if I can carve out some time. I want to come visit all the guys who fish the 11point, the Current and the Elk- take pics- write stories and build cool sites for each on oa. If the Lord allows, Marsha and I will do just that. Taney is a great fishery- that's why we picked her back in 1983. Never looked back...

Chuck and family. They posed for a pic when we first built our condos. He was a guests of our before they moved here.

Recognize these people? The year- 1992 Sorry so small- thought I had a bigger pic. Will look for one.

Hey Terry- glad to see you. Merry Christmas

Thanks for sharing your heart. White jigs work good in the winter and spring, some in the summer and little in the fall. Not sure why they slack off but they do for me. And if you know me, I'd rather throw a jig on 2 lb line than anything else.

Jig... figures. Jerry Dudley is one, if not the best jig fishermen I know and he's a good teacher. They team up and fish one of my tournaments each winter and usually place.

Had this sent to me by Jerry Dudley, Fayetteville. It's his grandson, Colton. All I know it was caught on 12/22. Hoping for more details soon.