For all of you trout fishermen who have been anxiously awaiting the annual winter shad kill on the White River, now is the time.

I got an e-mail from fly fishing guide John Berry Friday evening. He says dead shad have been coming through Bull Shoals Dam, and that almost always means dynamite trout fishing.

He says the best flies to use will be white Marabou jigs and streamers. John says to be sure to have sinking and floating patterns, though most of the action will be on the bottom.

During the shad kill, the area below Bull Shoals Dam will be pretty crowded.

John offers good advice on that, too: Be cautious, be courteous and wear your life jacket at all times.

Good fishing!

Just got back from today’s final practice, which seemed to go well. There is definitely a different feel, a more serious tone, a more focused message for games like this one. The Tigers were locked in to every word coach John Calipari said, and if they lose tomorrow, it won’t be for lack of preparation.

Forward Shawn Taggart (right knee) did a lot of things today in practice — pretty much everything, really — so I would expect to see him play tomorrow night. I am not sure how many minutes or what kind of impact, but he did not appear to be too limited.

Meanwhile, the team was awaiting the arrival of Tyreke Evans, who was scheduled to depart Philadelphia this afternoon to begin his official visit. Two of his brothers were already here and watched practice. I’ll have some more info on his visit in tomorrow’s paper. Also, Wesley Witherspoon will be in attendance — he’s the forward from Atlanta who Memphis is recruiting for 2008 — as well as Angel Garcia, who has already signed. Plus, the top local kids will be there.