Hillbilly Deluxe

FYI, I think #1 would be my choice for The Rock. Looks really good for the chunk rock stuff I fish.

Touche!

I like #4 -- it kind of has those awesome "Jayhawk" colors!

I've followed some of these "big boys" down the bank and caught fish right behind them!

Chilly Nights and Indian Summer By Brian Wright a.k.a. Hillbilly Deluxe According to Wikipedia, an “Indian Summer” is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs in autumn, in the Northern Hemisphere. It is characterized by a period of sunny, warm weather, after the leaves have turned following an onset of frost, but before the first snowfall. In my neck of the woods, on Indian Point at Table Rock Lake, Indian Summer generally occurs in early November. There’s something primeval about this time of year that instills a sense of purpose for man and beast. The fall season — with its chilly nights and warm, Indian Summer days — also seems to create a sense of urgency in our woods. Just as early American Indians harvested their crops of squash and corn — and took to the fields to harvest wild game for fur and meat — this time of year triggers modern day outdoor enthusiasts to take to water and woods to enjoy their own fall harvest. For many of us, that means hunting. Kansas and Missouri offer some of the finest hunting land in the nation. Monster bucks are in the rut, upland game birds are looking for food to sustain them through the winter, and waterfowl are moving through the area by the hundreds of thousands. If fishing is your passion, you know that late fall will have many species of fish gorging food in preparation of the grip of winter. The lakes and rivers throughout our region are simply outstanding this time of year, especially my home lake of Table Rock. For campers, hikers, and canoeists, the Indian Summer offers a few last days to enjoy the natural beauty of the Ozarks before winter. No matter what your pursuit, there’s just something exciting about this time of year — right down to deciding how you will layer your wardrobe. Personally, this is my favorite time of year. Spring comes in a close second. I must admit that when spring arrives, I always say it’s my favorite season, but in reality, at that time, I’m heavily influenced by suffering through several months of frozen ground, frozen lakes, and frozen toes. Mid-autumn is superior. There’s nothing quite like gathering with friends and family to sip hot apple cider by the firepit. The aromatic smell of wood burning, and the cool fall air, are intoxicating — especially after spending an Indian Summer day in the outdoors. The first few weeks of November find the forest floor covered with a patchwork of color courtesy of fallen leaves from maple, hickory, ash, and dogwood. The canopy above is highlighted by the deep colors provided by oak leaves which cling to their point of origin —refusing to fall until the bitter winter winds of December rip each petiole from its branch. As an avid fisherman, I cherish each day I spend on the water this time of year. Early November provides the opportunity to find schooling, active, fish. Most of the fair weather fisherman have moved on to watching football, leaving the lake eerily quiet and nearly void of boats. This is also a fantastic time to explore the lakes. I often navigate the coves and creek channels this time of year and take in the splendor of the season. The cycle of seasons will soon bring winter, and with it, shortened hours of daylight, hibernating animals, and dormant plants. No matter what your personal pursuits are this time of year, there is one thing for certain. You must enjoy the Indian Summer when it arrives. It won’t last long and winter will be close behind

Dang nice day there, Duck! What color grub were you throwing?

Yeah, I keep thinking I need to throw a blade as well, but since I keep catching fish on the shakey, I don't see any reason not keep throwing it.nCan't wait to get back to TR this weekend. Anxious to see how some of my buddies fishing in the BPS employee tournament do. Fish slow with finesse for Table Rock success!

Great point on watching the line, dwiebenga. Most of the time I really don't feel the bite on the shakey head, just see the line moving off. The fish usually just pick up the small worm and move off with it. Very critical to watch line closely or you will miss some fish. I went out Sunday (yesterday) morning from 7:30 until 11:00 and caught 6 bass fishing around the dam. Two keeper largmouth, plus, one short smallmouth, one short spotted bass (13"), and two more short largemouth -- all on a 3/32 oz. shakey head rigged with a 6" Zoom finesse worm (green weenie). Water was very clear. All fish came from 8-12' of water and fishing very, very slow. Threw a topwater and a Zoom craw but didn't get a bite on those.

I use three main colors. Green Weenie. Smoke Purple. Black Grape. Let me know how you do!

Yes it is. Sits up nicely off the bottom on the shakey head.

Yep, 3/32 oz. I use a "Bite-Me" Shakey swim ballhead made by "Bite-Me" out of Indiana (I get them at Bass Pro Shops). I have logged over 300 hours this year using the lighter head with great success. I have used a heavier ballhead, but I think the slow fall is key to my fish. I find that even on a windy day I can still control, and feel, the finesse worm if I'm using 6 or 8 lb. line. Again, I'm constantly checking for nicks and frays on the line.

I have fished a shakey head rig with a 6" Zoom finesse worm on TR and caught nice fish all year on this set up. I'm using a spinning rod with 8 lb. test and fishing chuck rock (be sure to check your line and re-tie often). The key for me is using a 3/32 oz. head ( this is probably a lot lighter that most people are throwing). Most of my fish (70%)are coming as the worm falls to the bottom. Once it gets there, I feel like the lighter shakey head allows a little more natural action to the worm as it stands off the bottom. Unless I'm throwing topwater very early or very late, I rarely throw anything but this set-up.

Thank you, sir. Might give that a try!

I would absolutely fish the dam rip rap if you are looking for smallmouth. I have been consistenly cathing them at the north end of the dam for the last six weeks. Nothing huge, but nice fish. Plus, it's a short run. You might also want to try the very end of Indian Point where the old river channel swings close to the bank. Fish slow in about 15' of water early and late.

Where is this Office Pub you speak of?

I'm with you, Buck Creek Mike. I saw a few fish busting on top, but could not get the bite. I fished chunk rock banks around Indian Point and had good success catching spots, smallmouth and largemouth. I think if I would have worked a spook real early I could have had some success. Lost a very big fish in about 4 feet of water at the of Indian Point on a finesse worm. Scary big! Didn't want to come back to OP after that one.

Thanks. I'm old school and have an assortment of Spooks, but might give a Sammy or one of other a try.

Thanks. What color do you use on The Rock?

What's a Sammy?

I agree on Village at Indian Point for a great place to stay. Too bad there are no fish over here.

Thanks, Fishinator. Were you fishing the river channel ledges or secondary points?

Welcome, Mike. I split my time between my house in Overland Park and my hideaway at Indian Point on Table Rock. TR is awesome!

Picture was taken at Table Rock near the dam. Snake was about 2 feet long.

Hi, Al. Thanks for identifying my original picture of the snake with the fish. I thought it was a water snake but wasn't sure. It was pretty cool to see him come up out of the water with that fish (I think it was a shad).

The snake was about 2' long. It was lighter than it looks in the picture as it was very early in the morning and light was low. I think it's a water snake, but after looking through MDC snake idetification I'm still not sure.