bill kelley

First, let me say thanks again, Phil. It was a great weekend. We found a good spot, if you're food fishing rather than c & R. The Bird house just below the Fall Creek Dock. There is an eddy between the short stump and the Bird house. Pull a boat in and tie up a loose hitch (so you can release quick in an emergency), to the short stump. No current but the current edge is maybe 5 feet out. We used power baits, rapalas, and white jigs. Just tossed them in the edge of the current, let them drift by and recast upstream. We hit for a one day limit, all from 11 to 14 inches. Nice 'bows. I've used that spot for some time now, and rarely been skunked. It's also easy to slip your line and safely power back into the current. See you my next trip down.

I've been using Interstate batterys. Marine deep cycle, however, I go to the local distributor and by a blemish. usually just a nick in the outside cover. Battery costs about 30 bucks and lasts about 3 - 4 years, and still carries the same guarantee as a new one.

Hey, Phil, Jeremy, I see the level is starting to drop. GOOD! I'll be down about Friday noon. Hope it keeps going down. I'd like to be able to unlimber my Fly rod. See you then.

Well, I'll look for you. I'm coming down on Fri and spending the weekend. I should be on the water by Noon on Fri. Got my two fishing partners, my boat, and a fresh batch of Deer jerky, just made last weekend. I'm set.

Beautiful. The cedar really makes it. I use a pedestal, but it has a vise that it fits into so I can clamp it to my fly desk or to my office desk if I'm using a pattern on my computer. very nice, Terry

I understand from relatives, that it is an excellent school. Have a safe trip. I'm coming down with my fishing partners in three weeks. If you've got any chores left over let us know. See you then.

Phil, nice photo of your folks place. A lot more water than when I was there last Weekend. My son and my fishing partners are all praying for you. Hopefully, over the next few days the water will go down. I don't see any bad weather predicted until late next week. Good Luck, my friend.

Phil, I was at your place this weekend. The height of the water was startling then, Now It's scary. I only wish I was closer and could lend a hand somewhere. We, my son and fishing partners, will keep all of you in our prayers. You've got such a beutiful place, we'd hate to see it messed up. I'm schedualed to come down again the first of May. See you then. Radar shows clearing down there. I hope the worst is over.

Coming down on Friday, I'll have to spend a few minutes with you, Phil, just to get some pointers. I'm presuming that the fast running water will make it tricky putting my boat in at the public access next to you. Save a fish or two for me.

Then I guess I have to say, not only welcome to the forum, but, welcome neighbor. Living up here in the frozen north, I can understand your desire to get down to serious fishing. I'll post a note after I get back from my trip next weekend. If ever your in the mood for some panfish or bass, let me know, my regular email is bill@wkelley.com. We can grab a rod and go over to the Monee resevoir and chase some blue gills or smallmouth. Good luck on your trip

Have a good, safe trip. I'm jealous. I won't be down there for 2 more weeks. Then I'll be at Lilley's with my son. And after this last week of weather and the flue, I have to get out of Chicago before I go crazy or my wife shoots me to put me out of my misery or is it her misery. Definetely talk to Phil when you get down there. He can, with a few words, make your trip very successfull

I was just in Peotone doing an appraisal. Now I'm doing some work for their zoning board. You're right, small world. Your parents and I probably have some mutual friends.

Looking at your driving time, I'd say your coming down from Northern Ill. 44 should be good by mon, if not, consider grabbing 100 before you go down into the valley and get back on at gray summit. I haven't been that way since I was a kid but it goes around all the lowlands. Have a good trip. I'm heading down there in 2 weeks.

Welcome, I used to live in Des Moines. in the Urbandale neighborhood, near the Merle Hay shopping mall. That was 30 years ago. Where south of Chicago are you from, I'm down in Monee, used to be in Midlothian.

Welcome, I'm from down in Monee, used to be in Midlothian. Glad to see somebody else from the Windy city. Where about are you at. I get down to Taney 3 - 4 times a year and hopefully more, if my wife let's me. Just clean off the shrink wrap on the boat, 'cause I'm headed down the first weekend in April to fish Tanecomo. Hopeing for good weather.

I take whole trout, just the head removed. put a few chunks of onion in the body cavity, lay on aluminum foil , bring up and around the trout and just before closing add a half a jigger of dry vermouth. About 10 minutes on indirect heat on the Weber. when done the skin will flake off and the bones will lift out. Only good use for vermouth that I know of. I never put it in my martinis. enjoy!

St. Louis finally got some snow, Huh. I'm up here in Chicago and haven't seen my grass since before Christmas. My boat is still covered with Shrink wrap, the rivers are ice blocked, the ponds are frozen over. I figure we'll see spring by July. Oh well, I'll be at Phil's the first weekend in April, hope it's a little warmer.

Beautiful. Just seeing it brought back memories of when I was a Scoutmaster. Waking up in the morning and smelling Coffee and Bacon over an open fire. Now it's wake up at 3am and use a compass to find the bathroom in my house. And I won't comment on any smells.

Welcome, Steve. I'm a neighbor of yu. I'm over here in Monee, Il. just south of Chi on I57. I get down to Tablerock and Taneycomo 4-5 times a year. Usually with one trip in July. I'll look for you. If you want to talk more, PM me at bill@wkelley.com.

I've got to throw my 2 cents in. I've owned a Tracker Tournement V18 for 5 year now. A lot of hours. Never a spot of trouble. Hull and compartments are still in excellent shape, and the engine Merc 75 has performed better than I expected. I run doun by you guys, and up on the Mississippi, the Illinois and out on Lake Michigan. I think it just comes down to personal taste and making sure you maintain your equipment.

Glad to see someone else from Chicago. I know you will love fishing in Taneycome and up on Tablerock. I live in Midlothian and come down 3-4 times a year. I can't get enough. I started fishing here before the tablerock dam was built. Spent my summers with my cousins on a farm near St. Louis. Now We're all reaching retirement and planning on more time just letting a fly drift a little. Welcome. Enjoy the fishing.

I've been reading Phil's postings for years. Glad to see this forum. I'm in chicago, but come down 3 -4 times a year to fish Taneycomo & Tablerock. Now maybe you guys can teach me something and I can finally catch a fish. I'll be down the week-end of the 28th with my two fishing partners, Just finished tying some new scuds and midges and can't wait to try them out. Hope for good weather, cause we sure aren't haveing any up here.