Lilleys' Landing Vince Elfrink Memorial Tournament

[Phil Lilley]

Big Brown Trout Pot Hits $1,000

Branson, MO - (Monday, Feb. 11 2013) -- The last public winter fishing tournament on Lake Taneycomo sponsored by Lilleys' Landing Resort and Marina in Branson is scheduled Saturday, Feb. 23. Cash prizes and trophies are awarded to the top four two-person teams in this catch-and-release contest which is open to all novice and expert trout anglers alike.

Formerly called the Team Tournament, the Vince Elfrink Memorial Tournament was renamed last year to honor an outstanding fishing guide and avid competitor in the tournaments. Elfrink was the longtime facilities manager of the fieldhouse at College of the Ozarks who died in October 2011 from an inoperable brain tumor.

"Many of us miss Vince," said Phil Lilley, tournament organizer, "and cherish all the memories enjoying God's great creation with him. We thought this was a good way to honor his memory as a wonderful outdoorsman, husband, father, and friend."

Fishermen will take off at 8 a.m. from Lilleys' Landing, returning at 4 p.m. for the weigh-in and a free meal. The entry fee is $50 per each two-man team; usually between 25 and 40 teams enter. It's a catch-and-release, so anglers can only use artificial baits.

Since no one has weighed in a brown trout for four years -- they must be 20 inches or longer to net on Lake Taneycomo -- the prize pot has rolled over, now reaching $1,000.

Marabou jigs have long proved to be a mainstay on the lake, because they are inexpensive at $1 each, and can last through a dozen or more fish. Lilleys' Landing tackle shop carries jigs in several different size of weights to vary with Taneycomo's generation schedule. Scuds and midges are also great to try in the upper lake, sometimes with a tandem rig tied with an egg fly or a San Juan worm 18 inches below the scud.

Entry forms for both tournaments are available at the Lilley's Landing office, 367 River Lane off of Fall Creek in Branson, or at the website, http://lilleyslanding.com. as are weekly fishing reports. There are only a few boats left to rent through the resort, which may be reserved by calling (417) 334-6380.

Media Contact
Megan Cummings - Marketing, 417-294-0406, megan@lilleyslanding.com