Phil Lilley

Good afternoon all, The Notice of Availability (NOA) for the White River Minimum Flow Reallocation Study Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register today. The clock is now officially ticking on the 45-day Public Review Period. A copy of the DEIS is available on the District's Web Page under the White River Minimum Flow Study page. Also on this page are the Reallocation Report and the Chief's Report that have been there for a couple of years now http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/planning/wrminflow.html. CD's containing the DEIS have been sent to interested agencies for review. I have attached a copy of the News Release that gives specifics on public meetings, and where the public can view copies of the DEIS. Regards Michael L. Biggs, P.E. Programs and Project Management Div. Little Rock District Corps of Engineers phone: (501) 324-5842 x 1071 mobile: (501) 749-5248 Downloadable District news is available at http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/news&info/newsrel.html on the World Wide Web. CORPS SETS WORKSHOPS, SEEKS COMMENTS ON DRAFT EIS FOR WHITE RIVER MINIMUM FLOWS LITTLE ROCK, Ark., June 2 --The Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock District is seeking public comments through July 18 on the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the White River Minimum Flow Reallocation Study. The Corps will also hold two public workshops to explain the findings of the draft EIS and gather public input. The first workshop will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, June 19, at the Pinkston Middle School Cafeteria at 1310 S. College in Mountain Home, AR. The second workshop will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 20 in the NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s Shewmaker Center at 1100 Southeast Eagle Way in Bentonville, AR. Copies of the draft EIS are available for review at several locations. They can be viewed between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Mountain Home Project Office at 324 West 7th St. in Mountain Home or the Beaver Project Office at 2260 North 2nd St. in Rogers. Copies are also available for viewing at the Corps’ Table Rock Project Office at 4600 State Hwy 165 in Branson, the Greers Ferry Project Office at 700 Heber Springs Road North in Heber Springs or the District Office in Room 7403 of the Federal Building at 700 W. Capitol Ave. in Little Rock. The document can also be viewed on the Internet at http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/planning/wrminflow.html. Written comments should be addressed to U.S, Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District, Attn: Mike Biggs CESWL-PM, P.O. Box 867, Little Rock, AR 72203-0867. Comments must be post marked by July 18 to become part of the official record. For more information call Biggs at 501-324-5842 ext. 1071.

Took the pic and calculated the length and girth and came up with 9.88 pounds.

They just added a google search engine on the DNR site - will help when researching items like the gravel situation we had last month. http://www.dnr.mo.gov

For those watching the cam this afternoon- there are some real hogs down there today!! A couple of browns and more rainbows. Wonder where these guys come from? I'm thinking they migrate from dock to dock... gut pile to gut pile.

In the evening when the water is running. See those creek chubs on the troutcam- you need to throw something that looks like them. There's tons in the lake and I'm sure the browns are keying on them. Rig- whatever does the best job for what you're throwing. Don't pay attention to line size- it doesn't matter (as far as being too large).

May use email - Stephens@adeq.state.ar.us. to submit your request

Ventured to the dam mid day today just to see who was up there and take a couple of pics. FAOL gathering is this weekend- saw a couple of the guys up there. There is a dinner tonight at the pavilion around 5-6 pm. Lots of food and fellowship. Leonard is the coordinator for the event. I saw some trout caught. Saw lots of trout all over the place. Very little wind which didn't help fishing. I drifted a #18 gray sow bug in the straight below the Rebar Hole for a little while. I caught 6 rainbows- all when the breeze picked up and put alittle chop on the water. Can't preach that enough- wind- chop- good! Took these- family time!

I’m catching up at last, and see that there is yet another public notice of an administratively complete application seeking a new permit for an in-stream mining operation on Crooked Creek. This is in Section 2, T 18 N, $ 16 W in Marion County by Guy King and Sons, Inc., “GKS in Stream Mine.” Again we have to write ADEQ to hold a public hearing in writing within 10 days and the date of publication was May 25. Requests should be sent again to James F. Stephens, Chief, Surface Mining and Reclamation Division, ADEQ, P.O. Box 8913, Little Rock, AR 712219-8913. Legal No. 060525-NAP Sorry for the late notice. Gay Vekovius

Caught last night off the dock on a night crawler, Austin Kitch from Neodesha, Ks poses with his trophy trout. It measured 23 inches long and weighed 5.56 pounds. He is here fishing with his family-- his dad has been coming to Lilleys since he was a kid. We even has a polaroid of him with a big trout in our archives- someplace. They will get this one mounted for the livingroom wall. Congrats, Austin!

I asked the this question- Chris- if you read the forum, you know that the underlining issue that's been discussed is not hand fishing but state legislature getting involved in conservation code and rules. Is there already precedence in law now that gives them the ability to create laws to govern fish and game such as limits, techniques and other rules? Or was this a 'test' case that would have opened that door for the first time? Answer - As you are aware, since 1937 the authority of management, restoration, conservation and regulation of Missouri's forest, fish, and wildlife has been in the hands/arena of the Conservation Commission. Senate Bill 1107 (hand fishing) was a challenge to this authority. If signed into law, it appears likely that the court system would have become involved in this challenge of the constitutional authority. It was defeated- this time.

Saw several big black balls of shad in the James yesterday at the takeout - McCord. None on the banks though.

Here's a link to the story- http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...315/1073/SPORTS

Experiment- This is my idea for the next underwater webcam... I have an aquarium setup in the cleaning shack with scuds and sow bugs. The are active most of the time but sometimes they "sleep" under the rocks and can't be seen. This camera doesn't seem to like to focus on close, small items so I may have to find another way to video/stream them. But for now, I'm going to leave it on- you can comment. I am going to purchase 2 new computers to act as servers as soon as the capture cards we ordered come in. Then more people can view the cams, hopefully.

I would like they are moving to flats at night to feed... but someone else needs to talk about this subject cause I'm not an authority. I would think point 5 would be a great place. Also I know one friend who's done well in the cove directly to the south of the tip of Indian Point on the opposite bank. The coves opens to the north.

Steve brings good things when he comes to visit... fish like him.

James River Outfitters just across the river from the access at the Y bridge. 417-357-1502

Had a guy come by a couple of days ago and showed me a few good cats he'd caught on trot line the night before. He said he was setting the line in 8 foot of water. When we were on the James yesterday I saw lots of jug line outs. One was bobbing. It's getting to be time for the big cats!

Coy- I edited your post since I posted the same notice already. But left the article you are referring to.

May 18, 2006 A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation News Contacts: Micah Holmes or Kristen Gillman (405) 521-3856 Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com DNA analysis confirms new state record black bass hybrid Biologists examine blue catfish populations June 3-4 marks Oklahoma Free Fishing Days Outdoor Calendar Fishing Report DNA analysis confirms new state record black bass hybrid The mystery fish is a mystery fish no more. DNA analysis recently confirmed that Dru Kinslow, of Oklahoma City, caught a state record black bass hybrid last March. Kinslow caught the 8-pound, 5.6-ounce bass from Veteran's Lake near Sulphur. When he took the fish to fisheries biologists with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, they immediately recognized it was bigger than either the current smallmouth or the black bass hybrid records. However, the brute had characteristics of both a smallmouth bass and spotted bass. Fisheries biologists sent a small fin sample to a DNA lab which has now confirmed that fish was a cross of a smallmouth bass and spotted bass. Black bass hybrids occur rarely in nature when the spawning areas of black bass species overlap. Kinslow was using a jig and salt craw combo when he hooked the big fish in the clear waters of 67-acre Veteran's Lake. "I was just trying out different lures to see what might be biting when I hooked the fish," Kinslow said. "It fought pretty hard and went all the way under the boat. I didn't realize how big it was until I got it in the boat." The fish measured 22.75-inches long and was 16.5 inches in girth. The former state record black bass hybrid was just established this February when Sean McAllister pulled a 6-pound, 14-ounce fish from Lake Texoma. For a complete list of record fish and the procedures regarding certifying state record fish, consult the "2006 Oklahoma Fishing Guide." If you think you may have hooked a record fish it is important that you weigh the fish on an Oklahoma State Department of Agriculture certified scale and a Wildlife Department employee verifies the weight. -30- Biologists examine blue catfish populations During a recent research project, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation fisheries biologists collected a 24-year-old blue catfish. More surprising than the fish's impressive age was its diminutive weight. The catfish weighed only two pounds. "That fish was not normal but, in short, we found that it takes a long time for a blue cat to grow very large. Generally speaking, it takes 13-16 years for a blue catfish to reach 10 pounds. They have a long lifespan compared to most Oklahoma fish, but they grow slowly," said Jeff Boxrucker, senior fisheries research biologist for the Wildlife Department. "We still have a lot to learn about blue catfish, but this research will help us better understand these great fish." Biologists spent months gathering samples and analyzing data from blue catfish populations on seven Oklahoma lakes. However, all is not equal in the realm of blue cats. That 24-year-old, two-pound fish was caught in Lake Ellsworth in southwest Oklahoma, but this spring, biologists aged a 78-pound fish caught by an angler from Texoma that was 19 years old. "Some fish, particularly blue catfish in certain lakes, just grow slower than others," Boxrucker said. "In our study we found that blue catfish grow faster in Texoma, Waurika, Grand and Keystone lakes. On the flip side, they grow relatively slower in Hugo, Ellsworth and Eufaula lakes." Boxrucker and his fellow biologists will continue to study these unique fish in order to give fisheries managers the knowledge they need to make informed management decisions. In the meantime Boxrucker has one suggestion for anglers. "Keep all the small blue cats that you can eat and the law allows. But consider releasing the really big fish. These trophy blues are a great resource for all anglers and because of their age they can be hard to replace," Boxrucker said. For more information about blue catfish research in Oklahoma log on to wildlifedepartment.com and go to "Fishing," then click on "Fisheries Research Projects." -30- June 3-4 marks Oklahoma Free Fishing Days In case you needed an excuse to take your family fishing, here is a good one - the first weekend in June (June 3-4) is Free Fishing Days in Oklahoma. "Free fishing days are a great opportunity to introduce family and friends to fishing," said David Warren, information and education chief for the Wildlife Department. Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to offer free fishing days 24 years ago and has since been followed by dozens of other states that have established similar free fishing days. Resident and non-resident fishing licenses (including trout licenses and fishing and hunting legacy permits) are not required on the free fishing days, although anglers should note that local or municipal permits might be required on those days. Texoma Lake anglers should be aware that the Texas free fishing day is Saturday, June 3 only. Unless exempt due to age, anglers fishing on the Texas portion of Lake Texoma on Sunday, June 4 must either possess the special Lake Texoma license or a fishing license issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Anglers must also follow all other fishing regulations. -30- OUTDOOR CALENDAR MAY 27: American Catfish Anglers Tournament Series at Ellsworth Lake, Lawton. Meet at Ralph's Resort (city permit required). For more information contact Mike Strawn at (405) 410-9486 or http://www.catfishangler.com JUNE 1-4: Bassmaster Elite Series at Grand Lake. 1: Aquatic Education Clinic: ODWC Family Clinic, Casting Pond at ODWC, Jenks. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling ODWC- Jenks at (918) 299-2334. 3: Wildflower Biology workshop at the Same Noble Museum. The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information call (405) 325-4712. 3 & 4: Frontier Days at Crows Corral at Clear Bay Rea, Lake Thunderbird State Park. Admission is free. You can learn about dutch oven cooking, bow making, hide tanning and much more. For more information contact Julie Tarver at (405) 321-4633. 3-4: Free Fishing Days in Oklahoma. Resident and non-resident fishing licenses (including trout licenses and fishing and hunting legacy permits) are not required on the free fishing days, although anglers should note that local or municipal permits might be required on those days. Texoma Lake anglers should be aware that the Texas free fishing day is June 3 only. 3: Aquatic Education Clinic at Wildhorse Pond, Mustang Parks and Rec. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling Mustang Parks Department at (405) 376-3411. 3: Aquatic Education Clinic: Wal-Mart Clinic, Cypress Lake, Norman. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling Gene Gilliland at (405) 325-7288. 3: Aquatic Education Clinic: Wal-Mart Clinic, Willow Pond, Norman. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling Gene Gilliland at (405) 325-7288. 3: Aquatic Education Clinic: Crystal Lake Clinic, Backwater Bassin' Clinic. Pre-registration is required. Register by calling Chuck Drake at (405) 354-9468. CENTRAL Arcadia: Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal, water 70. Largemouth bass good off northeast banks around trees mid-day to evening at 2-5 ft. on artificial lures. Channel catfish being caught off the north banks in the morning on worms and raw bacon just off bottom. Crappie good in coves and around rocks and docks on minnows, worms, roadrunners at 3-8 ft. Report submitted by Linnie Mason, gate attendant. Draper: Elevation 2 ft. above normal and clear. Largemouth bass good in coves with structure on plastic worms and tandem spinners. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County. Hefner: Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 72. Walleye good on worms and bottom bouncing sinkers. Crappie being caught on the east side of the lake and the south end off cement and riprap break on medium size minnows at 12-13 ft. Catfish being caught on the northwest bend of the dam slip corking punch bait, stinkbait and minnows at 2-8 ft. Report submitted by Bob Martin, OKC Fisheries. Thunderbird: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal and clear. Crappie good at 3-6 ft. on minnows and jigs around structure. White bass good on jigs, spinners and medium diving crankbaits off points. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms and tandem spinners in coves on structure. Saugeye fair to good on medium diving crankbaits and jigs at 4-8 ft. off points and old road beds. Report submitted by Tony Woodruff, game warden stationed in Cleveland County. NORTHEAST Birch: Elevation normal and clear. Crappie good off of the birch cove dock using minnows. Largemouth bass fair and can be found around rocky points using crankbaits, plastic baits and spinnerbaits. Striped bass hybrids good while trolling with live shad and crankbaits. Catfish fair on cut fish in the creek channel. Report submitted by Ben Bickerstaff, game warden stationed in Osage County. Carl Blackwell: Water 68 and murky. Crappie fair on jigs in 10-12 ft. of water. Saugeye and striped bass hybrids fair trolling with crankbaits. Channel catfish good on cut bait and punch bait around rocks. Report submitted by Tyler Gann, lake ranger. Eucha: Elevation 7 ft. below normal, water 64 and clear. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush and structure. Largemouth bass good on jerk baits and Carolina rigged plastic baits off rocky points. Catfish fair on night crawlers. Bluegill being caught crickets and worms. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries. Grand: Elevation normal and murky. White bass good on spinnerbaits and jigs in the tributaries. Channel catfish good on worms and shad guts in the mud flats and the tributaries. Crappie fair on minnows at 15 ft. around brush piles. Report submitted by Jim Littlefield, game warden stationed in Delaware County. Greenleaf: Elevation normal and clear. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Catfish good on cut bait on bottom. Crappie good on minnows and jigs. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County. Hudson: Elevation 4 ft. above normal and murky. White bass fair to good on small gizzard shad and lures in the upper end of the lake and around rocky gravel pits, Channel catfish good on cut shad in the river channel and rocky points. Crappie fair to good on minnows at 3-6 ft. Report submitted by Steve Loveland, game warden stationed in Mayes County. Hulah: Elevation 13 ft. above normal and murky. Fishing in the lake is slow. Flathead catfish are being caught below the dam cut fish and live shad. Report submitted by Ben Bickerstaff, game warden stationed in Osage County. Kaw: Elevation 7 ft. above normal and rising with stained water. Blue and channel catfish fair on stinkbait and cut shad in upper end of lake and Arkansas River. Blue catfish fair in tail waters on whole and cut shad. White bass fair in tail waters on minnows. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties. Keystone: Elevation 5 ft. above normal, water 60 and murky. Largemouth bass fair on plastics and spinnerbaits at 3-8 ft. in flooded brush. Smallmouth bass fair on crankbaits and jig and chunk at 5-10 ft. off secondary points and in rocky coves. White bass fair on minnows and rooster tails at 4-8 ft. below dam and in creeks. Striped bass good on buck tails at 3-6 ft. below the dam. Channel catfish good on worms and minnows at 4-8 ft. off rocky banks. Blue catfish good on cut shad and large minnows at 5-10 ft. in the flats and coves. Flathead catfish fair on minnows and jigs at 3-8 ft. in calm coves. Report submitted by Larry Sellers, Woody's Bait and Tackle. Oologah: Elevation 6 ft. above normal, water 60 and muddy in the upper half and murky in the lower half of the lake. Channel catfish good on dough bait and worms upper areas of the lake around flooded vegetation. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around submerged structure at 4-8 ft. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and soft plastics around flooded brush. Channel and blue catfish also fair below the dam on shad. Report submitted by Brek Henry, game warden stationed in Rogers County. Sooner: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 64 and clear. Striped bass and striped bass hybrids good on live shad on mid-lake humps at 27-40 ft. Crappie fair using minnows along highways. White bass good trolling crank baits and using jigs or slabs. Report submitted by Paul Tennies, Pete's Place. Great Salt Plains: Bass good in weed beds on Carolina Rigs and lipless crankbaits. Striped bass hybrids good in the upper end of the lake on shad and fair on slabs. Crappie fair on the rip-rap with minnows in 5-10 ft. Report submitted by Marshall Reigh, game warden stationed in Kay and Grant counties. Spavinaw: Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water 64 and clear. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around dam area. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. Catfish good on chicken livers. Report submitted by Dwight Moore, City of Tulsa Fisheries. Tenkiller: Elevation normal, water 72 and stained. Crappie fair trolling the main channel with deep runners and around docks or brush at 8-10 ft. on minnows or jigs. Catfish fair with some action on minnows and worms in coves. Report submitted by Monte Brooks, Cookson Village Resort. Webbers Falls: Elevation normal and murky. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits along shoreline and riprap. Catfish good on cut bait on bottom. Crappie good on minnows around brush structure. Report submitted by Lark Wilson, game warden stationed in Muskogee County. NORTHWEST Canton: Elevation slightly above normal. White bass and striped bass hybrids and walleye good along drifting slabs and trolling crankbaits. Crappie fair in the upper end of the lake on minnows and jigs. Channel catfish fair in the upper end of the lake on cut shad and crawfish. May 18-21 is the annual Canton Lake Walleye Rodeo. Report submitted by Mark Walker, game warden stationed in Blaine County. Ft. Supply: Elevation normal and clear. Channel catfish good shallow on stinkbait. Report submitted by Mark Reichenberger, game warden stationed in Harper County. Great Salt Plains: Channel catfish fair to good on trotlines baited with shad, slow to fair around the spillway on shad and stinkbait. Report submitted by R.C Nickols, Great Plains State Park. SOUTHEAST Arbuckle: Fishing can be good. Bass fair on jigs and plastic worms. Report submitted by Jack Melton. Blue River: Elevation slightly below normal, water 65 and muddy. Largemouth bass fair on minnows and flies. Catfish fair on liver and worms. Report submitted by Charles Baker, technician at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area. Broken Bow: Elevation normal, water 71 and clear. Largemouth bass good off rocky points on dark soft plastics. Crappie good in south Holly Creek on minnows and jigs around standing timber. Walleye fair in Egypt Creek south towards main body of lake off rocky points after dark on deep running crankbaits. Report submitted by Dru Polk, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. Eufaula: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal and clear. Largemouth bass good on soft plastic baits at 2-8 ft. around brush. White bass good on jigs at 6-10 ft. around bridges. Blue catfish good on worms at 2-6 ft. along the rocks. Crappie fair on jigs at 3-8 ft. around brush. Report submitted Ed Rodebush, game warden stationed in McIntosh County. Hugo: Elevation 3 ft. above normal, water 64 and murky. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits. Crappie good on live minnows. Channel catfish fair on cut bait. Report submitted by Wendell Smalling, game warden stationed in Choctaw County. Konawa: Elevation normal, water 75 and clear. Largemouth bass good on crankbaits at 5-10 ft. along the points and road bed. Report submitted by Daryl Howser, game warden stationed in Seminole County. McGee Creek: Elevation 4 ft. above normal, water 68 and clear. Largemouth bass fair to good on soft plastic lures at 2-6 ft. in standing timber. Channel catfish good on juglines with sunfish and good on red worms with rod and reel off rip rap. Report submitted by Larry Luman, game warden stationed in Atoka County. Pine Creek: Elevation above normal and murky. Bass fair on spinnerbaits around points and creek channels. Crappie fair on pink, red, and yellow jigs around timber. Catfish good on liver in upper end of lake. Report Submitted by Mark Hannah, game warden stationed in McCurtain County. Robert S. Kerr: Elevation normal, water 72 and stained. Largemouth bass good at 2-4 ft. using plastic baits and spinnerbaits fishing the rock, weed and woody shorelines. Crappie good at 8-10 ft. using minnows fishing the edge of the old creek channels. White bass good at 8-10 ft. using jigs fishing below Webbers Falls and Kerr dams. Blue catfish good at 3-10 ft. using fresh cut bait and goldfish fishing the edges of the current in the upper part of the lake. Flathead catfish good at 10-20 ft. using live bait on trotlines and juglines. Report submitted by Rick Olzawski, game warden stationed in Haskell County. Sardis Lake: Elevation 1 ft. above normal and murky. Catfish good on cut bait. Bass fair on weed beds. Crappie good around bridges and brush piles. Report submitted by Allen Couch, game warden stationed in Pushmataha County. Texoma: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water 68 and clear to the south and murky to the north. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits at 5-10 ft. around shoreline and structure. White bass and striped bass fair to good on live bait and sassy shad at 15-25 ft. around the islands. Catfish fair to good on live bait and cut shad at 5-15 ft. in Little Glasses Creek. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. around structure. Report submitted by Danny Clubb, game warden stationed in Bryan County. Wister: Elevation 3 1/4 ft. above normal, water 68 degrees and muddy. Channel and blue catfish good on the rip rap areas with shad at 3-8 ft. Flathead catfish good on trotlines baited with live sunfish 1at 0-15 ft. Crappie good on the banks with minnows at 3-6 ft. Largemouth bass fair around the points on dark crankbaits. Report submitted by D.G. Belcher, game warden stationed in Latimer County. SOUTHWEST Altus-Lugert: Elevation 14 ft. below normal and murky. North shore boat ramp is high and dry. Crappie are being caught using minnows. White bass, walleye and hybrid striped bass fair to good. Report compiled by Quartz Mountain Grocery. Ellsworth: Elevation 10 ft. below normal and murky. Crappie have slowed but are still being caught in shallow water on jigs and minnows. Catfish fair on cut bait off rocky points. Report submitted by Mike Carroll, game warden stationed in Comanche County. Foss: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water 68 and clear. Walleye and saugeye good along dam with live bait. White bass good. Catfish fair with cut shad or shad gizzards. Bass and crappie fair. Watch for the birds working and you will generally find fish. Report submitted by Eric Puyear, B & K Bait House. Ft. Cobb: Elevation 1/4 ft. above elevation and murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs in shallow water. Catfish fair on cut baits. White bass fair on jigs and minnows. Saugeye fair on night crawlers and jigs or sassy shad drifting or trolling. Report submitted by James L. Edwards, Jr., game warden station in Caddo County. Tom Steed: Elevation 4 ft. below normal, water 68 and murky. Catfish good on cut bait. White bass good trolling crankbaits. Crappie fair on minnows around the rocks. Report submitted by David Smith, game warden stationed in Kiowa County. Waurika: Elevation below normal, water 70 and murky. White bass good on jigs and shad off windy points. Catfish good on juglines or trotlines baited with shad and goldfish. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at Washita Bridge. Report submitted by Phillip Cottrill, game warden stationed in Jefferson County.

Pump them up and they may someday fight as hard as a smallie or white bass! Sign of the times. One thought- wouldn't they need more food thus creating a management issue for all Missouri trout waters? They wouldn't grow any faster (?) but would eat more so at least on Taney MDC would have to stock less trout. Would have to lower the limit- again

Sounds as if you're blessed... memories and future dreams. Welcome.

Wanted to comment on part of the report. I was being vague about something... for a reason. "Quite a few nice rainbows being caught- minus a couple dozen taken out at outlet #1 tonight by 4 guys... but that's another post for later." I boated up to the cable Monday evening and was sitting in the eddie against the south bank rigging when I saw 4 guys in outlet #1 pull up a stringer FULL of quality rainbows and headed up the bank. I tried to call an agent- no answer. So I headed over and beached the boat (bent my trolling motor shaft at a 45 angle), followed them and got their plate number and description of the truck. Light olive Explorer truck 4 door ATA-7094 out of state. I couldn't make out the state though. They were bait fishing, according to a couple of guy still fishing in the outlet. It looked to me there were more than 16 trout on the stringer- it was huge and all the fish looked to be over 15 inches. I talked to Quenton later and gave him the info. He passed it on to other agents in the area. I called and talked to the hatchery people and let them know about it- to watch for the vehicle. They could be construction guys in the area working-- Quenton said they've had alot of incidences with construction people fishing illegally in the evening and at night. With all the reports of small fish/ no quality fish being caught below and the dam, it sickens me to see that many rainbows taken at one swoop. Hopefully, at least these guys won't get away with it again.

http://ozarkanglers.com/james_river/maps/full.jpg http://ozarkanglers.com/james_river/maps/lower1.jpg http://ozarkanglers.com/james_river/maps/lower2.jpg Extend the road on to the water and that's where McCord is. There's actually a village there- McCord Bend Village. Pay $2 bucks per car. Can camp but no facilities. There's a boat ramp- a pretty good one. The lake's level is up past Blunk quite a ways so it's flat water thru Blunk to McCord. I'd consider putting in at Kerr and floating to Blunk next time- more moving water.

This either shows there are no old timers viewing this forum or there are no old timers left. I'm sure the latter isn't true cause I'm an old timers given what I've said. Anyhow... Russ Penn 'Moses' They fished upper Taney in the 60's into the 90's almost everyday they could fish. Both have passed away.

Floated from the Y bridge to McCord today... started about 10 am and fished most of the chuts and pools before the river was swallowed up by the lake. Then we paddled out. Fished exclusively jigs - 1/16th to 1/8th depending on the pools and speed of the water - in sculpin or brown/orange. Caught lots of blue gill, a couple of dozen gogs out of one pool and 20 or so small mouth bass- the pics are of most of the better ones. Didn't measure any- but 14-15 inches was the biggest probably. Great day- great weather. No one on the water except us and 2 other boats.