raise the motor

Congratulations Bob, you are wise in knowing what a difference grandchildren make. My cousin moved away from St Louis back to our home town, only to sell his farm and move back when grandchildren arrived. The condo sounds like a great idea. I hope it works out for you. Joe

Yes Gary, men can shop too. I am glad we are not so close to the Bass Pro Shop. It is hard to visit there and not want one of everything. But the frequent customer always gets the special deals, right? We have always loved the Springfield area. Years ago we would come there for a week long bible conference at a camp made out of a converted chicken farm. Accommodations were poor but the ministry was fantastic. And the co-sponsor church was from Iowa. Wow, can those Iowa farm wives cook! One day each week they would rise around 3 AM so we could have warm yeast cinnamon rolls with breakfast. Growing up in rural Missouri, we like the remote areas. Thank the Lord, my wife likes fishing more than shopping. I am truly blessed. Except that she always catches more fish than I. She is a true fisherman and doesn't quit when they aren't biting. Joe

Hi Jason The Bull Shoals Lake fish attractor permits were available on January 13 this year at the Mountain Home office. I think they had 50 permits available and I was told they did not expect to use them all. One unique feature of the permit is that it allows you could cut small red cedar trees on COPRS property and to use downed dead trees of any size from their land. There are some added restrictions concerning placement of the brush and location of the trees. They indicated that permits would be available next spring for Norfork Lake. Table Rock Lake is also under the Little Rock District but is managed from the Branson Project Office (tel 334-4101). I assume they have a similar program. If anyone is interested in the Bull Shoals permits call the Mt Home office to see if permits are still available. The original deadline for sinking the trees was April 13. They could also tell you if other placement is allowed without permits and when they will next be made available. Based on their comments at the permit meeting I would be surprised if they approve of private placement. We found out about the permits from the Baxter Bulletin newspaper. I will post a notice if I read of any permit programs other than next years Norfork permits. Joe

Hello Bob We do have some nice lakes here. Kincaid Lake is one of the more beautiful lakes around with very good fishing. It resembles the AR lakes in some ways. Deer hunting here is almost too easy. In S E Missouri where I grew up the deer are very spooky and never stay around when a human was in sight. Here you need a dog to keep them out of your garden and avoiding them on the highway is a problem. Lots of government land with open hunting. I am surprised your wife does not like SW Missouri. What more could you want. Fishing and entertainment capital of the midwest and very nice people. You will have to get her down more so it will grow on her. Joe

I have not noticed slow traffic. It is nice however, at age 62, to be the youngest customer in a restaurant. Good luck with Memphis. Some good lakes around there too. I once watched a Cabelas Crappie USA tourney filmed on two lakes on the Tennessee River on the Tennessee/Alabama border. They looked like great lakes. Joe

I will be making my first attempt at sinking fish attractor brush in Bull Shoals with a fish cover permit later this month. It sounds quite simple, but I have been told it will be quite an experience. I can only use dead trees or live cedar up to 6 inches at stump. The only other materials that can be used is wire and shoreline rocks. You tie wire around a large rock then tie it to the tree. Somehow you must keep the wood afloat until the weight is sufficient to sink it all the way down. I can use up to six trees (any size if downed dead tree). Has anyone done this before? I would appreciate any pointers or observations. I was told the top of a ledge in about 15 feet of water at normal pool is the best spot. Does that sound right? I assume that would be for crappie. Would some other location be better for bass or other species? I will map the area with my graph, then use a marker until I get the bundle to the right spot. Thanks for any suggestions or pointers. I will post my experiences to this thread after the fact. Joe

Hi Gary Thanks Gary, I have really enjoy the OAF. Lots of good people and information. Oakland is about 20 miles north of Mountain Home AR on Bull Shoals. It is very remote but similar to the part of S.E. Missouri (Marble Hill area) where my wife and I grew up. The trips down will be from Carbondale for the next few years until we can retire. Do you live in the SW MO or NE AR area? About half of the Mountain Home residents are retirees or people who found and loved the area. Hope to see you around some time. Joe

Thanks Dutch. I read some discussion of white bass in Howard, Jimmy, Sugar Loaf and Bear creeks. Do you have any experience with any of them for white bass? Joe

Hi to All: I have been following the forum for a couple months and have thoroughly enjoyed the helpfulness and kindness of the regulars here. It is a credit to the area when talented fishermen are willing to share with those like myself, who have so much to learn. Thanks to all. I plan to move to the Oakland area from Carbondale, Illinois in a few years. For now I will make several trips down for a few days of fishing now and then. I have one of the 2010 Bull Shoals cover permits and will be sinking some trees later this month. I have done some internet browsing on the topic and understand that it can be very trying. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have read that placing the cover above a ledge is the best site. Thanks, Joe

I have been following the white bass and walleye reports on upper Bull Shoals with interest. Are there any similar runs on any of the creeks at the dam end of the lake? I have property in the Oakland area (Gulley Spring branch) and was curious about white bass and walleye on some creeks on lower Bull Shoals. I will be down in about two weeks. Any suggestions for crappie, white bass or walleye near Oakland. Thanks for any suggestions, I have a lot to learn and am excited about years of learning the lake.