Phil Lilley

I have pics of Big Hill when they were working on the lake-bottom before filling it. Our boy scout trout used to hike and camp out there in the mid 70's. There's a place on the ne side of the lake- a small lake or big pond- that we used to call Bath Lake. Big Hill actually runs up again the dam of the small lake I understand. Anyhow- I almost bought that place way back when- had dreams of creating a fishing/hunting lodge. Wish I had bought it now cause with Big Hill the property I'm sure is worth alot more today.

- Night fishing? are there fly fishing night opportunities at or around the resort, either on the dock or wadable? Not looking to 'slay' them but want a fighting chance. Why do people start at midnight vs. 9 or 10 at night? Not wanting to stay up too late and thought about throwing a line in upon arrival. Not much around the resort for night fly fishing... have to go to the dam for that. We can start fishing at any time- the only reason for starting that late - you'll have to ask them. Maybe they have to watch Jay Leno or something first. - Boating? I will be fly fishing and my buddy spin (working on conversion). Looks like most fly fishing takes place in wadable areas below the dam. Is this personal preferance, resource (boat) limitations, or just significantly better than other parts of the lake. What is the prime boatable area up and down from the resort? I am sure I can get these answered in the morning at the shop but trying to get framed in prior to arriving, that I am itching to get out of the office and on the road:) You can fly fish anyplace on the lake from a boat but it is better conditions upstream from, say, short creek and fall creek. What I mean by conditions is shallower water basically. Downstream again you can catch trout on a fly rod but you'll be fishing a jig under a float or a zebra midge-same. Thanks for your help and all the great info on the site.

I'm not an crappie expert so anyone correct me... I use a swimming bait and work the banks and trees at different depths and structure till I find a pattern. It's as simple as that.

Take my word for it... it wouldn't last long. I've had some experience with unapproved signs. But you might ask MDC - Chris Vitello - about a design that they would approve... it might fly.

Feature is on Michael Kyle of Backcountry Outfitters. Outdoor Section

The one big thing that's changed this week... it's warmer! That about all. Fishing has been consistant for a couple of weeks now. So has generation- very little to none at all. I don't look for any generation either, even with the snow we've had. It might have equated to 1.5 inches of rain but most soaked into the ground and not in the lakes. Table Rock is still 12 ft below power pool so the Corp will conserve all they can. We had a busy weekend and fishing was good for those who braved the cold, snow and wind. The forecast - again very little if any generation. Weather is supposed to be mild with slight winds. If you're fishing above Fall Creek from a boat, bring your fly rod and use #14 grey or brown scuds under an indicator 3-5 feet deep on the channel drop or on the bluff bank. If trout are midging the surface, tie on a zebra and fish it 12 inches under an indicator and target feeding fish. Spin - throw a jig or throw a jig-n-float. Jig colors- sculpin, olive, brown, black, gray or ginger. I like a black/brown combo right now. Below the dam, drop in size scuds to #16 or #18 and take some different colors. San Juan worm with the slight runoff we are having. And midge hatches have been fairly thick so several midge patterns are working. Run a crackleback across the surface and see what happens. Use a stimulator as an indicator and catch 1 in 7 on a dry fly- fun! Below Fall Creek, air injected night crawlers #1. Salmon eggs did well this weekend- sugar cured. And then your power baits... white, yellow and pink. Spin-0-lures are working real well- white with the red dots. And silver or gold cleos - very good on freshly stocked rainbows.

There's already a program in place and active- volunteers that talk to people about MDC code and rules on the water. I'll have to dig for the details. But I haven't much from the program or people actually doing the duty. Not down here anyway.

Right now about 45-47. It will drop till we get into July-August.

None that I know of. We have one 3/4 Team Lazy Valley has one 3/11 but you have to be a guest to fish it... I'm told.

Rolan Duffield, photo-bug, has graciously volunteered to lead the rod building forum. Thanks Rolan!

White- my guess is the decals haven't been put on- they are "new".

I thought someone would catch on... Actually they were on a test run. These are new ducks to the fleet I believe but they rarely come up here and for good reason. I sent Jerry, our dock hand, out to inspect why 2 ducks went by and then a tug boat. My suspicions were correct- one had run aground at Short Creek. Jerry talked to one of them. They said they draft 5-6 feet of water so the chances of getting past Fall Creek's gravel bar were nominal. They said their goal was to get to the dam but again... they didn't know the lake's characteristics. As for trying to do business on Taney-- they have tried in the past but couldn't get a permit from the Corp- I think. There's been uproar about it in years past and now with the influx of boats from the Landing, I doubt it will happen, at least not up here. I'd like to see it- the first time they would make a run up past the bridge- approaching monkey island- there's a flotilla of boats parked all over the lake. They weave in and out and get past the first hot fishing spot. Then they come to the Cooper Creek area- docks and boats oh my! They manage to get past them, only to swamp a small jon boat with a couple of 2 kids. Then the challenge - Short Creek. Everyone knows boats clog up the channel there all summer long. Turn around- not enough room. Backup- that's along way to back up! Might as well start fishing and pray for generation!

I got these skins from a guy from the UK and posted some questions on his forum along with the url of OAF. That might be where the link is overseas.

Someone didn't make it to the dam...

Are they coming?? If they knew what was good for them they won't. If they knew what was good for them, they wouldn't have gone out today.

We had 80 users on the forum at one time... did someone mention OAF on a radio program or something? SportCenter?

Scouting out a new route? Better now be!

There ya go!

For me - jigs and soft plastic swimming baits (swimming minnows), lead heads, floats. Jigs - varied colors and sizes. Bright colored heads seem to be good at times. I do well using pink, chartruese, gray, purple marabous with bright red, chartruese heads. I throw 1/8th to 1/16th oz depending on wind and depth of water. I use 1/32 to 1/80th if using a float. Soft Plastic - swimming minnows, 2.5 inch are my favorite. Colors in order - smoke, chartruese, purple, lt blue, motor oil, white. Head color- same as above but I usually use a plain lead head. Size - 1/8 to 1/16th oz. I use 4 lb line exclusively. Prefer a fly rod over spin. If you're looking to buy swimming minnows (the original ones), I carry them on my online store at http://lilleystacklestore.com They are very hard to find, especially in all the sizes and colors.

Your report was warrented for sure. If nothing else it made some of us aware of the possibility. Chris did say they would keep checking the area for evidence of didymo.

I love the first one... great pose.

3 units at 707 ft... not bad! The rainbows in the trout cam are sure loving the action. Lots of "stuff" floating around. You must know, there's a pile of trout remains dumped in from the cleaning sinks just upstream from the camera. Anyhow- I cleaned the camera lense yesterday. I had to get my hands in the water and I mean it was COLD- ice cold. So actually this should warm the lake up a bit- that's a switch! Don't think this means anythings (running water this morning) I'm sure they aren't starting a trend or anything. I seriously doubt if they run it long or for the rest of the week... but they're proven me wrong before too.

Welcome... appreciate your willingness to share. Look forward to your input.

There'd be alot of unhappy campers....

Not at all... You'll do alot of dead drifting nymphs and stripping streamers and midge flies. In the moving water below the dam, dead drift #18 gray scuds, #16 red San Juans or #20 thread midges. In the outlets you can get away with using larger scuds- #16, #14. Drift them under an indicator alittle deeper than what the water depth is so that are on the bottom basically. Same in the rebar shoot. Between the outlets and below rebar, you can strip woolies (olive #14), cracklebacks or softhackles #16 across current or casting downstream. Retreive at differing speeds and styles- mix it up till you find the right one. That's a start. I'm sure we can point you in the right direction when you get here.