m&m

Ben, I'm in mike

BB, nice looking fish. Mike

Ben, good stuff there. Thanks Mike

ABK, you did not miss anything by not coming down this weekend. We went out Saturday morning from Moonshine and headed into a couple of coves in long creek just past the State Park. Lots of pre-fishing going on. Saw boats from CA, SC & TX running and gunning in all those coves around there. They sure were pretty with their boat wraps and jerseys. Lol we only stayed out a couple of hours and after 3 short fish on a Ned we decided to head in and let the practice guys have the points. WT was 68.5 at 7:30am and the color was pretty good. Mike

Started out at $28k and now has offered the last 2 at $18k each. Mike

I am aware of one 20 slip dock that has been put in since the moratorium started. Phil is correct. This dock is in the cove just north of the dam. The person had a permit prior to the moratorium and the rule was they could not install it until they had most of the slips sold. The sales guy was trying to sell us a slip since 2015. He has two slips left and has dropped the price. By the way the rules proposed include a provision that a person could own no more that two docks on the lake unless they own a marina or resort. Mike

Quill, thanks for the report. Good looking fish. Mike

My wife and I attended the public comment session at the Hilton in Downtown Branson in 2015. I gave our perspective as a citizen and taxpayer which is consistent with what others are saying here. I have been following it because I too do not want LOZ at TR. The original recommendation from the COE was to issue permits to minimum of 12 and maximum of 20 slip community docks. The SMP created zones in different areas where these community docks would be allowed. The plan prohibited docks in areas that were not within a zone. I thought the plan was spot on. My only concern that I expressed to the COE was in regards to existing docks that are under the minimum of 12 slips. I presented it as an example that if there was an existing dock with a permit that was smaller than 12 slips and the owner of that dock wanted to sell it to someone else on the lake, could it be purchased and moved to an approved zone and would the COE issue a permit to the new owner. The COE really did not have an answer. I recommended that the number of smaller docks be limited to the number that exists today and be grandfathered so an owner can sell it and the new owner can get a permit. I was told that a final SMP will be issued in 2017. Then more recently, I have read the stories about the realtors and developers who lobbied Long and Blunt to attach an amendment to the Water Act that puts a 5 year moratorium on the COE issuing a final SMP (Shoreline Management Plan). And the amendment also authorizes the COE to resume issuing permits for docks without any minimum size restriction. The realtors and developers claim that this amendment increases the value of waterfront property because a buyer can install a dock. There is obviously competing interests here. I agree with Phil that our voices should be heard. Ben thanks for creating a method that is easy for those that want to express their opinion can do so quickly. Mike

Bill, thanks for the report. Mike

Wow. Many stories within those posts. Thanks for sharing. Mike

Congratulations. The first of many. Thanks for sharing. Those smiles tell it all Mike

BB86, I noticed that you don't have any shoes on. Maybe that is what my problem is. I wear shoes when I fish. I've always thought it was about wearing my hat wrong. who knew it was shoes all along? Mike

Dhunter, thanks for the report. Nice pictures. Mike

BB86, sounds like you and your dad had a great time. Healthy looking fish. Thanks for the heads up on the shallow bite. Mike

So that has been my problem this year. You two are transporting more up river than those tourney guys are bringing our way. The mystery has been solved. And I thought it was just my ability. Thanks for clearing it up. Whew, I can feel good about myself again. Mike

Champ, thanks for the notice on the Toyota derby. Those of us who fish the dam and Long Creek area sure do appreciate the stocking program that exists because of those tourney guys. Hopefully they will bring some LMs down that way. Mike

Bill, thanks for the report. good to know about the c-rig. Great information as always. Crowded on a Thursday. Doesn't anyone but me have to work anymore? Mike

Here's what I know about color. I can just as easily NOT catch fish on a red lure as a green lure. Just sayin'! Mike

Chris, I'm glad you started throwing the RC. Sounds like you and Michelle had a good time. Good luck the rest of the week. Mike

I have to admit I had not seen a black and blue crawfish so I was skeptical. But a couple of years ago I saw one in shallow water in May at LOZ. The body was black and the pinchers were light blue. Mike

Quill, thanks for the report. Big C and I went out for a couple of hours yesterday morning and only caught 4 short fish. No topwater either. We thought it should have been better too. But it gave us a chance to talk about everything we don't know. It we a good time fishing with a fellow OAF member. Mike

WOW!!!! What a teaching moment to all! Cheese thanks for sharing. Mike

The attached article states that Table Rock and Bull Shoals are two of the top 10 lakes in the US if you want to catch a LM, SM and KY spotted bass. http://www.bassmaster.com/news/top-10-big-3 Mike

176, believe me, the fish have no reason to fear me. Mike

All, I listed my travel trailer on the Buy-Sell-Trade forum if anyone is interested. I am retiring soon and will move to TRL full time in January. But not to worry, since I only catch small fish I am not a threat to the sport. lol Mike