Phil Lilley

Looks like they ran enough water to get cold water down to at least our area but it didn't do anything for the moss along the banks. Still the lake looks cleaner. Talked to Bill Babler just now- he's fishing above Fall Creek with clients. He said it was slow early but has picked up and is good fishing a zebra midge under a float- spinning rig. They are catching alot of rainbows. He said Buster Loving has a trip up there also and are doing well throwing a 1/16th oz sculpin jig in the channel and catching better rainbows. Bill also said there's alot of surface activity very close to the bluff bank indicating he think a dry fly like a stimulator or humpy would be excellent right now. He caught alot of very nice rainbows fishing the bluff bank last week- that action is still there even with the colder water.

http://ozarkanglers.com/fff.php You'll find a list here.

Tom and I put in about 6:30 last evening and headed to a couple of my spots from last year. By this time in 05 I'd been out over a dozen times and caught lots of crappie but this year is just alittle busier for us. The first place, a small cut on the left at the first bend, yielded 3-4 crappie - nothing like I expected. The second was up-creek on the right- another cut in the bluff bank - nothing. This was weird- I expected something there but no. Went alittle up the same bank to the transision and caught one or two short fish. I usually don't go on to the pea gravel, shallower bank but we did and that's where they were. We ended the evening with 10 keepers, nothing we had to measure, and one white bass sow with eggs. Two of the crappie were female with eggs. Caught them all off the bank 10-12 feet in 4-6 feet of water. At least where we were they haven't finished but from the numbers, most have spawned. We caught them all on smoke swimming minnows.

Cooper - Copper - my mistake. May have been a brassie.

24 inches is about average (for me) but it depends on the application. I don't think you could do much wrong here. As far as knots, I use a triple surgen's. Actually this is a double surgen's- loop one more time for a triple. Wet the knot before tightening. This is a good knot when tying a larger tippet to a smaller tippet.

Still no generation. Water temps continue to rise and warm water species of fish continue to show up where they usually aren't. Although hardly anyone is targeting bass, crappie, white bass or blue gill, they are being caught "accidentally" on minnows and other baits. I boated down below Taneycomo Acres last evening and witnessed blue gill nailing midges on the surface along with the rainbows there- the blue gill were noticeably more aggressive. I fished for crappie in some brush piles there on the bluff bank but only caught blue gill. Did switch and caught some rainbows on a zebra midlake before dark. Still lots of midge action early and late all over the lake. The times I've been down at Roark I've seen tons of midging trout there as well as in our area all the way to the dam. Sorry- had to run- finishing the report... Called just now (5 pm) and they are running 2 units at 4 feet. Not sure how long they will run it but anything will help. Check back- I will add to this report tomorrow after we see how far the cold water comes downlake. This will affect fishing. Don't have time to change the whole report- have to be in Springfield in 45 minutes for a Y meeting---- but they did run enough water to cool our water down considerably here at the resort. Will know what it did to the fishing later this morning- check back.

I try to keep the camera showing part of the bottom to give some comparison but it's hard to keep it in one place. The water is very cloudy and dark the last couple of days for some reason. If we get some new water (generation) the water should become gin clear. Most of the trout are 12-13 inches but there are several 2-3 pounders down there. We have had some as large as 6-9 pounds. Some bass and suckers.

What I've heard is it's slow... whites are waiting on rain? Current? They sure aren't waiting on warm water. I don't think anyone has figured them out yet.

Did he let you see it? I've never heard of it- it could be a midge tied by someone named Cooper locally or something.

You're too busy fishing... they are there.

If they're here this late in the season, I'd imagine they're here all summer.

Thanks- post often! Welcome.

Where is the black- tell me a little bit about it.

Not sure of the condition but you might try Bull Creek off either 160 or F highway- wade up or down from these places. Not many people fish this creek- only locals. Taneycomo is in the same shape- not good at all.

You must be more specific... what lure and application are you fishing? Spinner baits? Jigs? Plastics-carolina rig? Top water? Stick baits? Other?

Yes we've had Osprey on the lake for 2-3 years now. Just less trout for us humans!

Albert... Albert... Albert Cards need some pitching!!! Their best pitcher is a hitter! My first game will be the 26th... can't wait.

I own a Black & Decker electric knife and like it but I've been told they are hard to find. Mine is 2 years old and may be on it's last filets... so I'm looking. I've had the knives that are made for cleaning fish but none are heavy enough to clean fish it seems. Does anyone have any favorites and where to buy? On the internet?

From what I've heard- both. They don't all spawn at once- there will always to those spawning and those staging. Buster said he caught 3 limits easily yesterday with clients using a jig/float 18 inches deep 3-4 feet off the bank in the Long Creek area.

Wow- you had quite a trip!! Rod & reel??!! I expected you to say trot line or jug lines! Care to share how you caught them? On what bait- what kind of rig... I'm not getting up there any time soon but there may be some that could. I commend you for releasing them but most people say they'd be good eating. Do you not think so or do you just like to practice c/r? And lastly.... pics!!!!

A very good friend of mine just bought a place in Alaska and is now booking trips for this summer. His name is Jim Johnson, former owner of the Pere Marquette River Lodge on the Pere Marquette River in Baldwin, Michigan. He and his family will be living and working out of a small "lodge" on the Naknek River, located in the Katmai National Park. Because of his recent purchase (less than 30 days ago), he doesn't have alot of his promo material done yet. He's only seen the place buried in snow so only has a few pics taken by the previous owner, who ran bear excursions out of the lodge. Jim is experienced as an Alaskan guide, taking groups to the different areas of the great state with his brother Tom. Only until now do they have a base to operate out of. He has already booked most of the weeks available this summer but has openings in June and July. This is the best part - he's only charging $1500 per person for 7 days, 6 nights which includes- - the assistance of a professional river guide - all meals - a riverfront cabin, double occupancy - use of a boat, motor and fuel - transportation to and from the King Salmon airport Fly out trips are available. Hosted bear photo safari - included. Guided trip to Brooks - included. More details? Post away. Jim is going to register here and answer any questions. I will say this- I have known Jim & Phyliss for over 20 years now and can say honestly they will provide a quality Alaskan trip well worth double the money you will pay. $1500 is unheard of (as far as I know) for a week of fishing in this great place. And no I don't get anything for helping a friend in his new business. Here are some pics from my trip to the Kenai River in 2004 with Tom Johnson, Jim's brother.

You can't change- sorry.

Scotty's Tell Rich to send his wife out to the pump

Bill fish from Tuesday -

Took my uncle Jerry out this morning early. Headed down to Roark to check out the crappie. Caught a few crappie along with some blue gill, bass, and white bass. The 2 whites we caught were big- 2 & 3 pounds and guess what they had in their bellys - a dozen sculpin in each. I caught them on swimming minnows just outside the mouth of the creek. We caught the others on swimming minnows also. Headed back to the dock and picked up Jerry's daughter Susan and her 2 kids, John and Mary. Megan and Caleb, 2 of my kids, followed in one of our jons. We anchored above Short Creek and fished air-injected night crawlers. Jerry with an 18 inch brown. This turkey (the trout) almost pulled my rod in the water the first time I hooked it- the reel on the side of the boat saved it- it broke off. The next time I landed it and it did indeed had 2 hooks in it's mouth. John with his mom and first trout. My 2 kids each with rainbows. Jerry and Mary with her first trout. How many species of fish do you see? Add a spotted bass, a largemouth and a few blue gill and that's what we caught this morning.