Phil Lilley

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...310/1073/SPORTS Here's the link. I'll be dropping him an email shortly. ...and I was invited on this trip?!?!

You can upload avatars and attach pics now.

911 That will get the water patrol the quickest. There's isn't a good local number for MWP at all, only the Jeff City #.

One more thing. Brian did talk to someone in the operation room at the dam. He said someone was on the island but not in the water. They stopped adding water and actually dropped the level somewhat. They didn't shut down though because he was not in danger. Water Patrol did arrive in a boat but after the guy had been picked up and taken to the opposite bank where he left in his vehicle. The Water Patrol circled the island, then stopped to talk to a MDC agent who had come down the bank where the guy had left from... obviously the agent nor the patrolman ever saw the guy. I will close this thread later tonight... I'll give some of you a chance to respond to what I've reported.

I talked to Brian yesterday. Here's what he said. There was water running- had been running for quite a while. This guy was at the bottom of the island in no danger fishing. Theey blew one long horn that meant there was 2 more units coming on and alot of water. That's when Brian become aware that the guy may be in trouble if he didn't get off the island to the south, the direction he came in. He did not. That's when Brian, seeing the guy wasn't getting out, when for help. Both Brian and I know that the island is a safe place even with alot of water running. The worse case- he'd spend the night out there. But chances are a boat would come by (which it did), see him and give him a lift to the bank (which they did). Yes the guy was scared- he didn't know how high the water would rise. But with the water running before the horn, he could have waded to the south bank at any time. He had time, though not much, to get out after the long horn. Brian said he yelled at him but he couldn't hear at first. So- I see Brian did no wrong... except not tell the story very well. As for the part about the ticket, again, we all make mistakes out of ignorance and stupidity... I side with alittle mercy on this one.

Head for creeks and long coves where water is still warm... they should be stacked there.

I don't think so. Not local as in living in Branson proper.

We are having alittle trouble with uploading pics since our last updated version of the board was loaded. It should be fixed very shortly. Sorry- try again alittle later.

It went off yesterday at 3 pm and I haven't gotten it to work since. I'm waiting on Dr Jim to come and fix it. Computers are such a PAIN!! And the water is running hard!

What about the fishing???? I've performed that proceedure about 6 times on people here at the resort. Pretty slick- works everytime. I've saved dozens of hours at the ER and over a thousand dollars so far I think.

http://www.ozarkcountytimes.com/publish/article_3582.shtml http://www.baxterbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../607170311/1002 2 articles in Arkansas papers recently.

When?

Oh yes... isn't my face on my avatar blue? ish? We've polled and almost everyone here don't like it, most think it should be illegal like other states but there's a fair amount of people here that don't think it should be targeted by MDC as illegal. Everyone has a right at their opinion. Yes I think it does affect fishing when that many people are shuffling BUT if there's alot of people just wading in current and not fishing below their feet, wouldn't that be about the same? When I fish and stand in current, I have as many as 20 downstream. It irratates me to no end - those trout should out where I'm casting not at my feet! Just typing outloud. May be we can develop a scent that DRIVES trout AWAY and spray it on our boots. Then spray it on shufflers boots when they're not looking. That would work!

Gezzz... I left my truck and trailer in the lot the last 3 nights. I plead forgetfulness for 2 days and laziness one. The truck wasn't touched. I'd think if they came in by road they'd take a rock to it too but fortunately didn't. We may drive down there tonight late to see if there's any activity.

No earlier. It has varied everyday. But it will run and run hard by the end of the day.

Here's a nice brown caught off our dock I believe on power bait. Caught last week before the water started. 6.5 pounds

Tracy Frenzel told me yesterday he's seen an unusual number of browns moving upstream past his boat in the Fall Creek area this past week after the water started to run. I've also heard of people catching alot of browns drifting jigs in the past few days. I targeted browns last night and only caught a few but wanted to keep trying some other techniques and see what happens. Tracy knew of a 15 lb brown caught in the last week and he's caught several well over 20 inches himself. Anyone else seen of heard anything? They should show up at night!

Talked to the hatchery this morning. They are stocking 81,000 rainbows per month in the summer months of June, July and August. In previous years they stocked 90,000 so they have decreased Taney's numbers by 10% for the summer months anyhow. I do remember when they first proposed changing the limits MDC said they were not going to decrease stocking numbers. That question was asked specificly. Not sure why they changed the stocking numbers. Shepherd is raising most of Roaring River's rainbows- have for the past 2 years because of construction and water levels. Construction at the hatchery is ahead of schedule. They are pleased with the progress. Brown spawn- Shepherd has reared their own brown stock for spawning the last few years so if they can't get any browns out of the lake this fall, they are still ok with getting what they need from the broad stock in the hatchery. They found by keeping these browns in the flooms outside the penstocks, they do fine.

Summer is flying by... and starting to fry! It's been a hot week here and all across the country. But it's not bad being next to a lake that's 46 degrees! Getting out in the evening on the lake is down right cold! What a paradox. As you've noticed, the Corp has turned a switch since the last report. It's the water switch at the dam. It's been running ninety to nothing compared to the last 11 months. We aren't used to it... neither are the trout. And the bass are totally in shock I bet. They, and the blue gill, are long gone from behind our dock... probably down in Cooper Creek. Water is coming on anywhere from 7 to 9 am and running into the night late. It's barely down in the morning when it comes back on making night fishing alittle tough I'd think. Some nights last week it never did shut down completely. The water comes on and builds to 4 units at 710 ft by midafternoon which is alot of water. Boating to the dam is no problem- just have to be careful not to drift into trees and definately do not use an anchor. We pull or anchors from our boats when the water is running this hard. An anchor catching in the wrong place and tied to the boat in the wrong place will swamp a boat in a matter of seconds sending the occupants into the icey waters and fast current. Spooky story? It should be. Best to drift. Shepherd is stocking today in the Branson area by boat. Drift power eggs on the bottom from Money Island down thru the bridges. Before the water starts in the am, look for midging rainbows and throw zebra midges at rings on the surface, fishing 12 inches under a small indicator, 2 lb line best. As the week progresses we'll see where the rainbows gather. They may move up to around our place to Fall Creek. Drift egg flies in yellow, orange, pink and white from the cable down. Get them on the bottom for best results. Some use drift rigs but a split shot will work. Also throw 1/8th oz jigs and work them against banks and off the bottom. White, sculpin, brown/orange, sculpin/peach, black best colors in that order. Drift tan or gray #12 or #10 scuds on the bottom either under a float 9-12 feet deep with weight (get them on the bottom) or using a drift rig or split shot with a spin rod. Trail them with an egg fly or a red san juan worm. They did real well drifting from Lookout down to the Narrows last week, staying in the middle of the lake. Some browns have moved up because of the water running. Throw crank baits- Rapalas, Pointers, Rogues medium size to medium/large in floating or sinking. Work them down hard and fast and then work them stop and go. A brown will trial a bait and hit it when it stops most of the time. Early and late is best on browns or on a cloudy day.

Boated up this evening with Colton. He leaves tomorrow so we thought we try some jig fishing. We drifted and fished the bank across from Fall Creek Marina- one rainbow. Then we tried the bluff bank from Lookout down- a nice brown and a couple of rainbows on white 1/8th oz jig. Fished below the island at lookout- nothing. Boated up and fished a couple of eddies towards the dam and caught a couple more rainbows. Then fished both side from the cable down using brown, brown/orange, black/red, sculpin but white still was the best color. Over all it was slow. Beautiful night though.

Where's your usual avatar? Phil

I haven't heard that. Not sure why they would be short unless it was planned ahead of time. No trouble at the hatchery. Haven't lost any raceways to construction.

From MWP's site http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/News/NRDetailba...sp?ID=N07060075 Little Rock, Arkansas, July 3, 2006 - Effective immediately, the US Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock District is banning kite tubing on all waters under the jurisdiction in Arkansas and Missouri. Kite tubing is a new form of extreme water sport that emerged this year. Reports and news accounts from multiple states cite injuries and at least two deaths resulting from this new activity. District Engineer Colonel Wally Walters implemented the temporary ban at least through the remainder of this recreational season, and it will remain in affect until the safety of this activity can be better assured. The ban could become permanent. "This product is described by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission as extremely dangerous and has already caused two deaths and numerous injuries," Walters said. "Until this product can be better designed for control and stability, and until proper training can be established, it is my judgement that the hazards and potential liabilities of allowing kite tubing on public waters outweigh the benefits of unrestricted use." Kite Tubes are large inflatable waterborne devices with a solid fabric floor bottom. As the tube is pulled forward from underneath, the front of the tube is lifted into the air. As speed increases, the entire tube is lifted into the air like a kite with the rider on top. The lack of lateral stability and controls often results in the tube overturning or throwing the rider. The Corps' Tulsa District banned kite tubing from its lakes last week, citing the potential for serious injury caused by uncontrolled flight of these devices. "Many kite tubing injuries are the direct result of the tubes reaching heights of 20 to 30 feet at tow speeds of 25 miles per hour and then rolling into an uncontrollable dive," a Tulsa District news released stated. "These dives can reach speeds in excess of 50 miles per hour with passengers receiving serious injuries from the impact." The National Park Service also has banned kite tubing from its Glen Canyon National Recreation area after four persons had to be air lifted to hospitals in three weeks. The Park service reported three of the victims had life threatening injuries. The Park Service's safety alert noted "all victims were using the kite tubes as directed when they suddenly lifted to dangerous heights, became unstable, and plunged down to the water surface. The injuries seen are consistent with deceleration impact events that cause internal trauma. Victims have reported coughing up blood, torn muscles, whiplash type injuries, broken ribs, punctured lungs and cervical fractures. Little Rock District lakes in Arkansas and Missouri where the ban is now in effect include Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Norfork, Clearwater, Greers Ferry, Nimrod, Blue Mountain, Millwood, Dierks, DeQueen and Gillham, as well as the Arkansas River in Arkansas.

From MWP's site http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/News/NRDetailba...sp?ID=N07060027 Dock Fishing Controversy The Missouri State Water Patrol has been caught in the middle of a controversy that involves lake fishermen and commercial dock owners on Corps of Engineers lakes. The point of contention is what rights an angler has when fishing around commercial docks of concessionaires who prohibit that activity. Do commercial dock owners have the right to prohibit fishing around their docks when those docks are located on public waterways? Who is responsible for the enforcement of the fishing restricted areas? The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers gives the concessionaires the authority to erect signs prohibiting fishing from or around the vicinity of their docks. When a commercial concessionaire signs a lease with the Corps of Engineers, they are given an area of jurisdiction around their docks called a "footprint". Footprints will differ from marina to marina according to their individual contracts, but usually the area they control will consist of more than just the area the dock covers. The concessionaire is responsible for the safety of his property and the property of his customers. The issue of safety prompts the dock owners to not allow swimming and scuba diving as well as fishing around their perspective "footprint" areas. The enforcement of the concessionaire's right to restrict activities is a different issue. The authority to prohibit an activity by a concessionaire is a federal regulation and not a state law. Only law enforcement with federal authority can enforce these regulations. The Missouri State Water Patrol cannot enforce federal law or the terms of federal regulations. The Missouri Attorney General's Office has informed the Corps of Engineers that the Water Patrol has no enforcement powers in regard to these federal regulations. The State of Missouri takes the position that open waters on the Corps built lakes are State waters and open to the public. There are always two sides to every dispute. Until this is resolved, we all need to be courteous and respectful of each other's rights. You can find the Corps of Engineers regulations under Part 327.8, Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Questions concerning this issue should be directed to the District Corps of Engineers Office in your area.

Babler has an article on drop shot here - http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=188