Lilleys' Fishing Buddy Report, Feb 18-20

[Phil Lilley]

Edward Spence

I arrived in Branson the afternoon of Tuesday 2/18 and got to the lake a little after 3:00 PM.

I fished below the rebar area below Outlet #2 just above the tree stump. I used a black #10 Wooley Booger stripping it back and had a number of slow strikes. I landed two rainbows, 11 inch and 13 inch before quitting at 5:00. I had two more on that got off. One was a nice fish I fought for a while. There were few fishermen on the lake, and just two of us when I quit.

On Wednesday 2/19 They were generating one unit early and shut it down at about 9:00 AM. I got in the water at 10:00 and fished the same location with the Wolley Booger. I had a few strikes and no fish so I changed to a #14 White Soft Hackle a little after 11:00. I quickly caught two rainbows with one measuring 14 inches. I lost two more and had a number of strikes before quitting at noon.

That afternoon I started back at the same location at 3:00. Still fishing with the White Soft Hackle I had few strikes before catching two stockers. I changed back to the Black Wolley Booger and fished about an hour with no strikes. After going back to the Soft Hackle I caught one more stocker before the horn sounded at 5:00 PM. Late in the afternoon I watch another fisherman land a 20 inch rainbow which I measured for him. He was using a bright green Wooley Booger.

On Thursday 2/20 they were generating early again so I got in the water at 10:30 AM. I fished briefly with the White Soft Hackle until the wind came up out of the North. I had no strikes and the wind was so strong I had difficulty standing in the water and had to quit for the day. Later I learned the wind had gusts to 55 mph causing some tree and building damage in the area.

While fishing the two plus days there were few fishermen on the lake although for the most part, the weather was perfect. I had a good time and want to thank the folks at Lilley's Landing for their courtesy and accommodations.