Browning Guy

The Corp of Engineers has put together an updated "Shoreline Management Plan - 2017" and it is up for public discussion at 3 meetings next week Monday, July 31 - Chateau on the Lake 4:00-7:00, Tuesday, August 1, United Methodist Church, Shell Knob 4:00-7:00 and Wednesday, August 2, Reeds Spring High School, 4:00-7:00 . You can also write to Corps as "comments are also being accepted on the 2017 Table Rock Lake Master Plan during this public review and comment period. Comments must be submitted by August 30, 2017. Speak now or forever hold your peace. The Corps is allowing us to speak our minds (respectfully) and to hear our concerns. It starts there. IF you have read this plan https://go.usa.gov/xN92C as provided in the start of this link, you would realize that it is the Corp of Engineers who state (in the very first sentence of the document) under Purpose: The Shoreline Management Plan for Table Rock Lake establishes policy and furnishes guidelines for protection and preservation of desirable environmental characteristics of the shoreline". The second paragraph under Policy states (again first sentence): "It is the policy of the Chief of Engineers to protect and manage shorelines of all Civil Works water resource development projects under Corps jurisdiction in a manner which will promote the safe and healthful use of these shorelines by the public while maintaining environmental safeguards to ensure a quality resource for use by the public" Is having a 35'-55' cabin cruiser on Table Rock helping or hurting the shoreline? Does having a 35'-55' cabin cruiser on Table Rock "promote the safe and healthful use of these shorelines by the public while maintaining environmental safeguards to ensure a quality resource for use by the public?" To me, the proposed update of the "Shoreline Management Plan - 2017" provides the Corp of Engineers the opportunity to stop or change what will be the future of Table Rock lake and prevent it from becoming another Lake of the Ozarks (not a Corp of Engineers controlled lake). The quality of water has changed INCREDIBLY in the 42 years I have spent time on the lake. I can no longer go out from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to fish without being extremely worried about hitting a massive wave wrong. I unexpectedly speared (in a Ranger 522VX) one two weeks ago and scared my 7 year old to death. The shoreline is being destroyed as dirt and vegetation is being washed away by the massive wakes. Our dock is being destroyed by massive wakes. From 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. we cannot be on our dock because it's nearly impossible to walk on it because of massive wakes from Great Lakes and Gulf Shore ocean boats. Read the proposed "Shoreline Management Plan - 2017" fully and explain how the Corp of Engineers doesn't control what happens to TR. The Corps is asking for input from the public.

The Water Patrol and Corps have decided to remove all buoys from the lake with the exception of those outside of marinas (go figure). I contacted the Missouri Water Patrol Division at 573-751-5071 and asked to have the names of those on Table Rock who have no wake buoys. She asked that I send a request to her e-mail address, Sydney.Kendrick@MSHP.DPS.MO.Gov to request the information. Ms. Kendrick stated she would have to check with Captain Matt Walz to see how they could release the information. I thought those of you who have buoys would want to know and hopefully get involved in forcing the Water Patrol to reconsider buoy removal. I encourage and ask anyone and everyone to contact the Water Patrol to express their concerns of what is happening to Table Rock with the massive waves caused by the Wake Board Boats, Ocean going/Great Lakes boats on TR. The destruction of the shoreline, danger imposed by the large wakes and destruction of docks should be enough for the Water Patrol and Corps of Engineers to begin consideration of limitation of size and speed of such large vessels and vessels intended for producing large wakes. Because of Representative Billy Long and Senator Roy Blunts' involvement, the proposed Shoreline Management Plan now provides many new docks to be added from 1 slip to 20 slips. This will cause even more dangerous situations by brining in more and more massive boats along with damage to both private property and to the shoreline (environment). Please contact the Missouri Water Patrol and the Corps of Engineers to express your concern or better yet attend one of the meetings regarding the proposed Shoreline Management plan next Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Go to https://go.usa.gov/xN92C AS SOON AS POSSIBLE for more information on how to express your concerns. Turning Table Rock into another Lake of the Ozarks would be shameful.

Speak now or forever hold your peace. We have complained about ocean going tuna rigs and wake boards destroying the shoreline, destroying docks, causing fishing/boating hazards and various other issues related to TR. Go to https://go.usa.gov/xN92C to read the shoreline management plan draft. Public workshops will be held Monday, July 31, 2017 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Chateau on the Lake, August 1, 2017 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church Shell Knob, August 2, 2017 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Reeds Spring High School. I encourage all of you to at least click on the comments page, print it out, fill it out, e-mail it or fax it and be heard. Just at first glance.......so far, two things that have stuck out for me......1) All private buoys will need to be removed from the lake by December 31, 2020. Commercial buoys will be allowed. 2) There is no mention of size of wake, water displacement or otherwise found (so far in reading), despite the very first sentence of the plan states "The shoreline management plan for Tablerock lake establishes policies and furnishes guidelines for the protection and preservation of desirable environmental characteristics of the shoreline while maintaining a balance between public and private shoreline uses." IF they truly care about the shoreline and water quality of TR then they would limit the size, speed, etc. of those boats intended for the Great Lakes or Gulf states (or Lake of the Ozarks for that matter). The wakes are destroying the banks and muddying the waters in the mid James area to the point swimming is unappealing at best. Please take the time to notify your neighbors on the lake, go to the public workshops and fill out the comments page. I'm doing all three.

Would really like to see best 3 fish instead of best 5, 6, or 10 in all tournaments, not just the hot summer months and immediate cull rule (not hauling 8-10 all day and then picking out your best at the end of the day).

I sincerely hope that I can still buy a new 521C for less than $70,000 when I retire in a year or so. If not, I will have to keep what I have to fish out of or look elsewhere. It will hurt a lot, but I'm not willing to jeopardize the kids college funds for a 521C. Been my dream rig for 5 years now, oh well. I'm confident Mr. Wood is reading my post here, PLEASE start building boats again and make them with affordable quality.

Spoke with a Ranger Rep at the last Spg boat show. Asked if he knew of the perception that Ranger would cheapen up the boats, quality go down and the Ranger name lose its mojo after Johnny took over. He said "absolutely we know that people are thinking this may happen". According to him there was absolutely no plans to reduce quality and cheapen up the boats. I asked the wrong question. Shoulda asked him if there was any way I could buy a $100,000 boat from Ranger. I used to love the whole Ranger story, quality and family, but the beginning of the end of Ranger story seems to have started. I hope not, but everything Mr. Morris touches seems to get cheapen up in quality while prices stay the same or go up. He does have a 3-4 billion dollar take over coming up and will have to pay for it some how.

Told you so. Just when you thought you had seen it all. A little fish with a big attitude that finally caught up with him.

The cat's head is out of the bag on TR. Won't be long till the whole cat is out and you won't be able to get it back in. $Long, $$McCaskill and $$$Blunt will be happy though, oh and their $$$$donors.

Same rat bastage that went 50' off the dock the other day. Can anybody make out the boat numbers? I can't help but think of the original "Caddy Shack" where the one rich guy was in his dingy compared to the Tuna Rig that Rodney Dangerfield had. One rich guy trying to outdo the other rich guys on an inland reservoir.

Want to see the future of Tablerock? Simply look to the past. A few YouTube videos for you to watch. Think this won't happen to TR. IT HAS STARTED. Skeeter is correct. I've already sent my State and Federal Representative my thoughts, but that cannot be all. It's a start. The third video, in part, shows state rep Rocky Miller (mentioned at the start of this thread and Rep. for LOZ area) saying "we can't shoot the golden goose". Year after year the issue gets worse and worse. Just a small sampling of videos on YouTube regarding wake issues and stupidity on LOZ. Please take the time to watch and learn about what our future holds for TR, a taxpayer funded lake. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPEUgKMfRDg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EXRhzLwQl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE5Cz4fGfLM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAalbT5XF3Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgNqi-jcfRI

I really didn't need to hear about how many fish "come up". I was perfectly happy thinking there must have been a fish kill or some tragic event that has caused me such a painful past 2-3 weeks of fishing. Now I find out there are fish in the lake. Over the last three weeks.......between the lack of quality fish and welding on a destroyed boat dock I may sell out and build my own lake in the middle of BFE.

and the fact KU doesn't REALLY play football. They just play at it. Now, Now don't get testy........my wife and I both went to KU, so I can comment with some authority.

Someone will get hurt or killed a short story will be written...........

The biggest problem is that we sit around and complain and complain and complain and complain and complain and complain, on a web forum. If you notice, I'm sitting here writing this at 4:00 a.m., unable to sleep after witnessing one of the worst days on Tablerock Lake I have ever seen in 44 years (I can't remember the first 6 years). My 76 year old fathers' dock was damaged (the worst yet) after massive waves from YES, OCEAN GOING, GREAT LAKE GOING AND WAKE BOATS INTENDED FOR MAKING MASSIVE WAKES, easily came WELL under the 100' Missouri state law of his dock (NOT THAT IT REALLY FREAKING MATTERS WHEN 4' - 5' WAVES ARE INVOLVED). It was impossible for us to use the dock from 11:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m. because we COULDN'T STAND UP ON IT! My father (76 years old) sat in disbelief and nearly in tears as he watched what used to be gin clear water and a wonderful dock his family could use be destroyed. A tax payer funded lake turned into a playground by the minority wealthy individuals who fund $Long, $$McCaskill and $$$Blunt, all the while the majority are left behind to clean up after them. I suspect my post will draw fire and negative comments, but if you had been witness to the disgrace of Tablerock lake yesterday, you to would be angry beyond belief. Thank you $Long, $$McCaskill and $$$Blunt for what you continue to do for us........ the working class majority. Mr. Long and Mr. Blunt, please grace us with your presence as you proudly display your work in lifting the boat dock moratorium (First story on Billys' webpage). I generally get some relief from typing a short, snippy post on this subject........not this time. In about 6 to 7 hours the destruction scene on Tablerock will be played out again and again........

I pray for my kids everyday asking for their protection and guidance for me to provide them with the skills they will need to navigate an increasingly twisted world. Hopefully staying principled, disciplined and patient will win in the end. Finding good, like minded people like here on OA is a good start.

Been a few years back while trying to load in for a evening/night tournament we watched a guy up to his chest in water trying to load a 30 footer. The trailer was backed in too deep, the wife was trying to get the lap dog into the midsized SUV and the husband was yelling at her to "grab the rope and pull". They had backed down in the middle of the ramp causing the line of boats to back up. Two kids were in the boat oblivious to the spectacle. He was pushing with all he had trying to center the boat on the trailer and yelling at the wife all the while 3' waves were bashing from all direction. We jumped out of the truck asked if they needed help and basically were handed control. The boat was loaded in less than 5 minutes. I won't forget the look on the guys face. I thought to myself, yep, it's just that easy. Loading my cooler and lawn chair tomorrow and heading to Mill Creek. I will try to share some pix next week.

What's ironic about that is that it was done to "save the water ways and protect the environment", meanwhile 4' swells are completely destroying the banks with the high water and water clarity has been diminished significantly.

My "you gotta be kidding" story from Sunday. Deck boat/pontoon twin outboards of some sort moving a ways past idle speed (plow speed) in heavy 3' swells with 5 adults sitting on the bow, no life jackets. The speed he was going.........., I don't know if he could have shutdown and trimmed up before he pureed one of them if they fell over the front. At least it wasn't kids on the front. Evidently you slap your money (and common sense) down and they hand you the keys. If you watch some of the YouTube stuff from LOZ you will see the very near future of TR. Do we call the Water Patrol every time we see stupid and hope eventually the WP will get tired of stupid and call on our "leaders" to slow things down? Not sure what the answer is, but I sure would like to see folks get together on slowing the TR to LOZ south transformation. Skeeter, do you have a good enough view to watch these tuna rig owners (of big egos) getting into it over boat wakes? Might be a good way to spend the weekend. A cooler, grill, lawn chairs and music as you sit back and watch the "fireworks". Might head to Mill creek ramp Saturday a.m. with a cooler and lawn chair. P.M. might be better when they're all cranky, drunk and sunburn trying to load out. Cheap entertainment right there.

That's funny! Regarding the knee......just remember.... when you "crack the whip" and she gets better, she'll be kicking your butt using that new knee. New knees are life changers. Witnessed it first hand with my dad.

A tax or anything to get in the way of 30' plus boat owners needs to be considered. At worst idle speed law as not to cause large wakes. I agree, size/displacement should be considered. Correct me if I'm wrong (entirely possible).......... Tablerock is different than LOZ in that it is owned by the taxpayers. With that I believe it is up to the Water patrol and Corp to take control to protect the taxpayer's interest (Tablerock). Allowing TR to become a party zone with 4'-6' waves and destroying public property should not be allowed. Watching the chaos in the mid James this past weekend was shocking. I'm surprised someone didn't get hurt. Like Bill, I've been fishing TR for 40 years and have never seen the like. The only good thing about $4.50/gallon gas is that it puts the brakes on many boaters. If we can figure out a way to work/get together to start the process of talking with the Corp and/or Water Patrol to slow the chaos.........I'm in. PM me if anyone wants to work together.

LOZ south. Mid James was complete chaos. "Shoreline Protection Tax" for boats over 24'? This past weekend...... the morning water visibility was 3'. By 5 p.m. less than 1' due to the massive waves stirring up the WHOLE lake. Bad enough the kids didn't want to swim aside from the fact you couldn't hardly stand up on the dock. Has anyone heard about the wake board boats NO longer being able to fill their boat bladders/hulls with water to make bigger wakes? Not sure if that's true or not. Dear Missouri Water patrol, PLEASE put more officers on LOZ south (formerly known as Tablerock). 1. Protect and ENFORCE the 100' dock law. 2. Make it known that boaters (all) ARE responsible for their wake 3. When you see stupid, call them out and ticket them. Yes, there are laws against stupid. You just need to figure out which law is most applicable and ticket them. 4. Consider making people have boating licenses (on-line course). A pain for us? Yes, but at least a start on putting some sort of boating sense into the heads of some.

I could have/wanted to put it in his ear, but the little voice in my head said "no - don't do it". Plus I had my 11 year old with me and I didn't feel like getting invited to the bank to spar. My son said "dad, what are you doing?". Sending a polite message was my response. You weren't fishing around Wooley Creek in Mid May were you? IF so, I apologize for casting over your line and motor. I remember fishing with my dad in the back of little aunts in the late 70's early 80's. We were catching a lot of fish in the very back making long casts with 1/2 oz. spoons towards the back. A guy in a 15' skeeter (little grey one with a Yamaha) saw us catching fish and couldn't help himself. He went by us and got between us and the fish to the point I couldn't cast. My dad said "hey partner are you really going to do this?" to which the guy said "you can still cast". My dad told me to lay my rod down and put on my life jacket. He fired up put it on plane and did 3-4 donuts around the guy and his partner. At one point, I looked out to see the guys boat going up and down like a pop bottle in the ocean with his partner holding onto the side of the boat. Dad shut down. The guy said "some sport you are" to which dad replied "take that thing to the bank and I will show you sport". See, I'm mellow in comparison.

I still believe a "shoreline protection" tax should be imposed on the wakeboard boats, tuna rigs and anything over 30' on an inland reservoir like TR. Sad to see boats that have a little radar thingy spinning around on top of the "captains deck". If they are going to destroy docks, shoreline and endanger other boaters with their wake, they should at least be forced to pay for it. I could NEVER be a Water Patrol Officer. There isn't enough paper in the world for all of the tickets I would be handing out. Welcome to LOZ south.

The wake board/skiers and tuna rigs were out in full force after the rain. Could have thrown a rock from the dock and easily hit 3-4 of them. My 11 year old is pretty good with his slingshot. Had a similar experience with another fishing boat earlier this summer. Saw us catch 4-5 and here he came. Within a cast of the our boat. How do I know? I put a jig right over the top of his motor and gently pulled it over the engine. I apologized. Then I threw over the top of his line and again apologized. He moved.

Great job. Out of one of the brush piles we put out?