Phil Lilley

Being in the 'room' business, I understand why they do it. It's supply and demand- economics 101. At the end of the year, a motel has to make a profit to stay in business (simplified version). Because Joe on the corner is getting $29 per night in a slow time a year, most everyone else with the same amenities will get the same rate. But when everyone's full and there's big demand, motels 'make up' for the low rates and get higher rates, when they can get it. Hopefully the average rate meets their budget. We started at the very beginning to set our rates as low as our budget could stand with a flat, year-round rate. Why? Cause it's much simpler to remember one rate than a bunch of rates. That and we can get away with it. We offer amenities that no one on the strip can match so we have little competition. We can get $59 in the dead of winter when some motels get $19. Then we get $59 in the peak of season when a simple motel gets $79. But then we're not 'normal'. Don't even get me started on AAA (AARP) discounts. We've always tried to give young families a discount and NOT the retired folks. I always figured AAA(AARP) -aged people have had their chance to build a nest egg but younger people have not had the time and need alittle help, esp with kids. That's why we don't charge for kids under 18 (as "extra"). But I have to say, we got our AAA (AARP) cards not long ago- I told Marsha I'd never use them. The FIRST time she called and got a room in St Louis, she mentioned AAA (AARP) and got $40 knocked off the rate. It ticked me off they'd charge that much more for non AAA (AARP) members (younger people) but did I take the discount- you bet cha! yes this was edited...

Cooper Creek would be perfect I'd say. If you want to concentrate on just the trophy area, take out at Riverpointe Estates but it will cost you a couple of bucks.

TroutBeads.com have mottled up some of their eggs. Don't have to paint them with nail polish like we did last year. They really look great.

"Fished a tournament that year at red 11 on Grand. Water was 4-5 ft deep in there motel " That's why we didn't buy Red 11 back in 1979... we looked seriously at it but the mold and threat of flooding every 4-5 years made it an easy decision. Did catch a bunch of crappie off their dock while camping at the resort (they weren't open so I stayed in a popup in the parking lot).

I am new at this Alaska fishing but hopefully I'll learn a bunch this summer. I would say eggs, leeches and flesh for rainbows. Bright streamers in pink, purple and red for silvers. There's dozens of names of silver flies... but the brighter they are the better, esp in milky, glacier water. We use beads for rainbows. http://troutbeads.com is a great place to get them.

I'd say pray for clouds and rain. That's when the whites come up the best.

My wife's folks are from Greensburg/Mullinville, Ks. We were just out there a few weeks ago for her grandmother's funeral. I've spent alot of nights in the Best Western Motel hunting and visiting... it's one of the only buildings standing in the town.

I leave in 14 days... bought my Samsonite bags today and have my stuff laid out. Boxed them up twice already but changed plans... I'll learn. You know- this stuff should be plan on the COE site. If not, I need to put a FAQ page together on TR. This is one thing that needs to be put out there cause I have seen people swimming off the south side. I thought it was odd. Should be signs at least! What were the fines?

For those new guys and even the absent minded old ones (like me)- I have a new batch of OAF bumper stickers on order, free for the taking. Just PM your mailing address and I'll put one in the mail. Phil

One of these days I'll hire Sam- would love to fish with him. Just need to find the time.

Levi will be sporting a OAF has next time we go fishing. Gotta keep as neutral as possible

Much brighter morning this am than Wednesday. Much less topwater action, more boat traffic. Started close to the Belle with grubs and swimming minnows and first cast Levi hooked a smallie. We worked several gravel banks on both side of the big boat and caught 9 SM and a bunch of gogs. No keeper SM- coupld of 14's. Hit one spot where there was a rock formation off the bank in 10 feet of water and there were fish all over it. Fun time but no whites. Bill said they weren't coming up till 9-11 am but I think today's going to be too nice a day for them. Left at 8 am. Nefews Ryan and Levi with a couple of gogs. Ryan said I would take a pic of his smallest fish.

I do like the idea of using ethanol even if it's the same or more than gas/oil. But the jury is still out on ethanol- how it's made and all.

Thanks for the report. Sounds like you've done well. Like I said, I'm not sure if the SM are done spawning... I didn't see any signs of activity nor did I see any females with big bellies. They were all cookie-cutter in shape.

You guys must be over 50... time for a checkup?

Terry- did you get that off KY3's site? KY3 is trying to get me to do some advertising with them and they sent me some links... I noticed that all their fishing info came out of Arkansas! And this was one.

This is how I see it. Before the internet, what did you have? Word of mouth, newspaper and radio. The internet offers almost EVERYONE a chance to get and give current and detailed information on just about anything. Unless you had a party line to hundreds of anglers, you wouldn't know a fraction of what you can learn on the internet- a forum like this and many others. But even with a party line, if no one spoke, it's useless. Sorry, for those youngin's who don't know what a party line is- look it up! What I'm getting at is no report is dumb or insignificant. For many who don't register or post, typing is a problem and writing/spelling is another. Some people have a hard time navigating a forum. I am, for one, appreciative of all who type out a fishing report- any reports. And I know there's hundreds of others out there that feel the same way.

Dan has reported problems with email notifications not working- does anyone else have problems with it? He said it stopped after we switched servers last week. Thanks!

Yesterday was a great fishing (catching) day. Weather was perfect!

I do! Would love to see it.

Good report Dean, thanks. If you don't know the hot spots, cover as much water as you can. Right now, if I was new to TR and fishing the dam area, I'd hit the transision spots where the bank go from slopped pea gravel to steeper ledge rock. Fish 100 feet each side of the change. Hit points and secondary points. And if you have time, just run a pea gravel bank. If you catch one, slow down cause you'll probably catch more.

We had no problem with moss, nor did I see any. New report- launched at Gages in Long Creek this evening and hit some of my crappie spots. Had Ryan and Levi (nefrews) and Tom Johnson so we had high hopes of putting some slabs in the well. Didn't happen. Caught 2 nice ones on one of my secondary spots off the bank. They appeared to be spawned out females. Fished a gravel bank and hooked one smallie.

I heard the whites are all over the surface in the upper lake. Early, cloudy days and late.

I found out a LONG time ago that alot of people won't ever contribute for one reason or another. But I can't let it affect my attitude towards the forum or reporting, writing or creating more educational opportunies on the web. My frustration is all the guides who benefit by this site that never contribute.

Thanks for joining us. Looked at your forum- looks like it's been around awhile. I'd like to link forums together- those who really don't compete with one another and share information. Yours may be a good one to link to.