Phil Lilley

Here's the response from MDC Phil, I am not aware of this algae having been found in Taneycomo to date. However, I can't say that we have loooked either. We will check it out. I have pasted in some information from Mike Kruse and Craig Fuller below. Mike wrote: It's known also known as "rock snot." Its an invasive algae that has recently made an appearance in a variety of North American and New Zealand trout waters. I did a google search and found a few items: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/living/13654884.htm http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?i...on/75-algae.inc Like most invasives, its real effect on native biota is unknown. Craig wrote: Historically, Didymosphenia geminata was a rare and beautiful diatom restricted to pristine lakes and streams of northern latitudes. In recent years, its reputation has been compromised. While the diatom is still lovely, it is no longer rare. Didymosphenia geminata now forms excessive growths in Boulder Creek, as well as many streams of western North America. Didymosphenia geminata attaches to stream substrates by secreting a stalk. In some streams, the stalks of D. geminata cover almost all available substrates, forming dense mucilaginous mats up to several centimeters in length. The dense mats prevent the growth of other diatom species, which are an important source of food for aquatic invertebrates. Associated with increased populations of D. geminata is a decrease in abundance of aquatic invertebrates. In turn, the species and availability of invertebrates impacts fish at the next trophic level. There is reason to be concerned about the negative impact of D. geminata on fisheries, especially given the spread of the diatom across watershed boundaries. What has changed to allow D. geminata to take on the characteristics of an invasive species? Has the environment changed, or did an aspect of the ecological tolerance of D. geminata itself change? Connections between the features of the diatom (cell size, stalk composition), other organisms (mayflies, stoneflies, midge larvae), and the physical environment (stream flow, ultraviolet light, temperature, sediment) may play a role in explaining the dense growths of this diatom and its impacts at the watershed scale. http://geology.cr.usgs.gov/crg/colloquia/2005/feb17.html Chris Vitello Fisheries Regional Supervisor Missouri Department of Conservation

If you have problems- send me an email phil@lilleyslanding.com

Some guys cleaned a bunch of suckers last night and they had tons of eggs. Alot of the guts dropped into the tank where the camera is mounted (fish aquarium), behind the camera upstream. The trout this am were fighting to get ot the guts and were all over the camera- the water was running so the eggs and other morsels were floating in front of the camera so we had a chance to watch the eat- and eat. There's still alot of stuff in the tank and when they start running water toight- if they do- it should be interesting. So it's sucker eggs you're seeing.

I'm leaving myself for a day with my daughter in KC--- Be patient in trying something new like jigs. They will work extremely well if you give them the chance. Change colors, depths, areas- seek out riffled surfaces if they are scattered. Trim your jig if bites are short- pinch don't cut!! And under a float, micros are the best if you want to pay the price. Brown, olive, black or scuplin. Pink if the water is running.

In regards to Steve's post and the eggs- they wouldn't be legal in Missouri, fly/lure only. They are soft plastic, regardless of being scented. They look real good though!!

Glad to see you... Hope we can help you with your fishing on the Little Red.

Got a reply from Chris Vitello, MDC. Here's what he wrote - 1/26/06 Phil, I have consulted with others within MDC and have actually secured one of these lures to consider its status. A couple of points. 1. I suggest that you post the following information from theWildlife Code of Missouri somewhere for your clients ... maybe on the forum: 3 CSR 10-20.805 Definitions (22) Flies, lures and baits: (A) - Natural and scented baits - A natural fish food such as bait fish, crayfish, frogs permitted as bait, grubs, insects, larvae, worms, salmon eggs, cheese, corn and other food substances not containing any ingredient to stupefy, injure or kill fish. Does not include flies or artificial lures. Includes dough bait, putty or paste-type bait, any substance designed to attract fish by taste or smell and any fly, lure or bait containing or used with such substances. ( Soft plastic bait (unscented) - Synthetic eggs, synthetic worms, synthetic grubs and soft plastic bait. © Artificial Lure - A lure constructed of any material excluding soft plastic bait and natural and scented baits as defined in (A) or ( above. (D) Fly - Artificial lure constructed on a single-point hook, using any material except soft plastic bait and natural and scented bait as defined in (A) or ( above, that is tied, glued or otherwise permanently attached. The lure in question as pictured on your website and the one that we examined is definitely NOT a fly, because it has two hooks. However, it is legal in Lake Taneycomo both above and below Fall Creek because it does qualify as an "Artificial Lure" under the definition above. Hope this helps.

I find when trout are midging they are mostly taking pupa from the film Imitating this is tough- for me anyhow. I have better luck using zebra midge which are beaded or a midge like a miracle or even a thread midge and sink it under the surface 3-6-12 inches deep. Then even in slick water conditions, a good drift will produce a take while something on the surface or in the film may not look right to the trout. I borrowed the image from http://westfly.com

Castaic makes a big rainbow soft plastic bait. Made just for those California lakes.

What I read is that it chokes off invertibrates (bugs) that the fish feed on thus hindering growth and eventually the numbers of fish. It's not a good thing- whatever. Transportation- I'd say it can be transported by boat or waders. We're talking about small spores (seeds).

Edward Spence Tuesday, January 24, I got to the parking area below the dam at 3:00 just as generation began with one unit on line. I fished off the gravel bar below the parking area starting with a #16 Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle with no success. I switched to a gray scud under an indicator and immediately had a fish break me off. I landed the next fish, a 13 inch Rainbow. Another fish broke me off before I quit at 5:00 as three units went on line. Wednesday, January 25, generation ceased at 8:30 AM and I got to the water at 9:00. I started fishing at the rebar area with the #16 PT Soft Hackle. I had a few strikes before landing a small rainbow. I switched to a #14 White Body Soft Hackle and landed three Rainbows in the 11 to 12 inch range. I changed to a #16 White Soft Hackle and caught four larger Rainbows with the largest at 14 inches. I lost two nice fish I never saw and quit for lunch at noon. I was back fishing at 2:00 PM at the rebar area. Fishing was slow with a number of tentative strikes I believe were small fish. I continued with the #16 White Soft Hackle since I seemed to be having better luck than those around me. Later in the afternoon I caught three Rainbows with the largest at 13 inches. There was very little wind or current. I quit at 4:30. I had planned to fish in the morning before leaving, but again there were three units on line. The mornings were cold, but otherwise the weather was perfect, and there were few fishermen providing competition.

I got a very sore back from a walleye shocking gig I helped witha couple of years ago on Bull Shoals. Lots of fun but hard on the back- all those BIG walleye. But would do it again in a heartbeat.

Spoons and spinners - gold or nickle... something flashy usually is good but wait till alittle closer to the time and we can be more specific. White power eggs with another color like yellow or pink is good anytime. Night crawlers are the best live bait. Jigs- again, wait till alittle closer to when you come for colors.

It's an excellent site- you can't help but run into it when you search for almost any waters in Missouri. Matt Tuckers site is another great site. Just looked at your forum... my, my you have a ton of time just setting it up!! Are all those lakes MDC lakes? It would takes years to get info on all those lake!! Cuddos Mo!

You ran into the right person. No one does it like Brian!

I'm ashamed to say I don't know much about it either. Fox Statler dwelt on it in a past post I think on the White River Forum - I saw it someplace. He's done alot of reasearch on Didymo it sounds like. I'll email Chis Vitello about the report.

You may have to email Gene.

Wow- what a resource. If you're ok with sharing it with the OAF world... that would be super. Sounds like a road/lunch trip to Springfield!! I'll buy!

It's making the forward rounds- I've gotten it 3 times now from different people. Have no idea where it is or what type of fish. I assume it's south of the border- may be latin or south america.

Just wondering if anyone is here because of the ad we are running in Springfield? It's a talk station.

I'm planning on doing the whole river eventually because alot of people float it for smallmouth. And there are public accesses up and down the river I'd like to identify plus the sections canoe outfitters offer for floating. Like I said before- there's nothing out there as far as maps or info like this- even MDC doesn't have anything that I know of. the original map I'm working with is 1900 x 3000 px so it's a huge file. Well- here- this is a section of the map I think you're talking about.

Great post!! Thanks for sharing your life experiences. I'm not sure your statement's true about not having anything to show for your schooling. I'd say we all have alot to learn by what you've done with your life so far. As for the fishing part- you'd be surprised how little I fish - at least the past 2 months. But I do plan to fish alot this spring just so I can report back to the OAF world.

Something to look over. I'll work on it tomorrow... or Friday.

Isn't McCord's Bend just upstream from Blunk Hole?

This pic was on the forum just a few days ago...