Daddy Carp

"It’s one thing to step on my rod while inebriated, we’re blood kin - and I can overlook that…but you get my license suspended for a year, and once free of the courthouse - you’ll sleep with the fishes. I will apologize profusely to your sister…" RIGHT ON, BUT MAYBE A LITTLE TOO NICE & FORGIVING. NAIL HIM ON THE COURTHOUSE STEPS AND THEN CRY INSANITY!!

HERE IS SOME NUMBERS: Telephone Numbers to call for Current Generation Conditions Telephone Project Number Beaver (417)336-5083 Table Rock (417)336-5083 Bull Shoals (870)431-5311 Norfork (870)431-5311 Greers Ferry (501)362-5150

IT PROBABLY WON'T BE LONG UNTIL THEY ARE IN POMME de TERRE. With all the tournament boats, which frequent many different lakes, and persons bringing boats from other nearby lakes which have not set dry for a couple of weeks or gotten a good "hot water" cleaning.....we are just marking time. This is from the MDC site posted Nov. 2, 07: Zebra mussels found in lower Osage River The discovery of zebra mussels in the Osage River below Bagnell Dam illustrates the importance of vigilance by boaters and anglers. The invasive mollusk could damage Missouri’s economy and its ecology. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) Economic and ecological effects could be far-reaching. OSAGE BEACH, Mo.-Though sooner than expected, the discovery of another population of zebra mussels in the lower Osage River comes as no surprise to officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation, but they say each revelation emphasizes the need for caution by boaters and anglers. Resource Scientist Katherine DeiSanti and Resource Assistant Jarad Milligan were retrieving a water-temperature monitor from the back channel of Brockman Island Oct. 22 when Milligan spied mature zebra mussel shells on a concrete block to which the monitor was attached. DeiSanti noticed them a moment later. “Uh-oh,” Milligan said. DeiSanti said she thought the same thing. “We kept looking at them,” she said, “trying to make sure they were what we thought they were.” They found more zebra mussels on another block at the same site. In all, there were about 20. After scraping a few off for verification at the Conservation Department’s Resource Science Center in Columbia, they crushed the remaining zebra mussels. The site where the zebra mussels were found is approximately 3.5 miles downstream from Bagnell Dam. They have been found in several locations in Lake Taneycomo, Bull Shoals and will probably be in Table Rock, if not already, very soon. D.C.

COOL!! Way to go Geezer! From the picture, looks like you might be off a point just up from Decker's Branch Cove. Reports saying the lakes down about a foot & dropping slow. That can make it a little tight on the bass and "toothys" both. Haven't been able to get up there for about 2 mo. now. got to do it soon while I can still find my mower. If the water drops like it did 2 years ago (-5') I need to clear the access lane into my dock of about 5 stumps. Keep up the good work. DON'T FORGET, to mark an X on the bottom of your boat so you can find that same spot again.....LOL D.C.

GIGGING FROM A BOAT CONSISTS OF "USE OF A WATER VEHICLE ON A CONTROLED BODY OF WATER TO COMMIT A CRIME & THE TRANSPORTATION OF ILLEGAL ITEMS". IT INVOLVES BOTH THE MDC & WATER PATROL WITH ASSISTANCE OF COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. CONTACT INFO: MO. DEPT. OF CONSERVATION - MDC Conservation Agent Quenten Fronterhouse Counties: Taney Southwest Regional Office 2630 N. Mayfair Springfield, MO 65803 Phone: 417-336-0957 Jeff Harris Counties: Christian, Greene, Taney Southwest Regional Office 2630 N. Mayfair Springfield, MO 65803 Phone: 417-725-6963 Danton Letterman Counties: Stone, Taney Southwest Regional Office 2630 N. Mayfair Springfield, MO 65803 Phone: 417-272-1650 Charles Nofsinger Counties: Taney Southwest Regional Office 2630 N. Mayfair Springfield, MO 65803 Phone: 417-546-2990 Conservation Agent - Table Rock Lake W. Bryant Ward Counties: Taney Southwest Regional Office 2630 N. Mayfair Springfield, MO 65803 Phone: 417-858-3570 MISSOURI WATER PATROL Lieutenant Nick R. Humphrey Public Information Director Phone: (573) 751-3333 E-mail: Nick.Humphrey@mswp.dps.mo.gov District I Commander Capt. James E. Marlin District II Commander Capt. Matt Walz District III Commander Capt. Gary T. Haupt District IV Commander Capt. Robert Searcy District V Commander Capt. Dale G. Sluhan District VI Commander Capt. William E. Cox OPERATION "GAME THIEF" If you witness or suspect a wildlife violation, report it to your local conservation agent or call the toll-free number —1-800-392-1111— which is manned 24 hours a day. You may remain anonymous, and you may ask to be considered for a reward if you wish. If you provide information that results in an arrest and you’ve asked to be considered for a reward, your agent will refer this request to a citizen board of the Conservation Federation of Missouri. That board assigns a reward based on the severity of the violation involved. Rewards range from $50 to $1000. HOTLINE: Program 1-800-392-1111 into your cell phone— so you can act fast! THANKS FOR THE HELP IN THE PAST LILLEY, I'LL TAKE THE SOME OF THE HEAT NOW..LOL

There are water patrol and conservation agents on duty in the eve. hrs. I hear them on the scanner all night long on Table Rock and Lake of the Ozarks talking to their dispatcher in Jefferson City. I'll see if I can round up some numbers. I really would be the wrong person for them to get psssd off ar for assisting to coral major violators when they can't!!

Sounds like we're gonna have to fall back to the "good-ole-days" of catch & release on poachers! Catch them, film them, identify them & call the sheriff who will in turn notify the proper agents. They probably won't return, especially, if the agents make an inquiry & search of their homes. If they are transporting illegal game, they can loose their vehicle(car, truck, boat,etc). If they are storing at home, they can loose their house!!!. Just carry a cheap disposable flash camera. Just the flash will make them nervous as hell with these kinds of risks. I'm sure that if a flash goes off, they won't be back!! Licenses plates, boat numbers, physical discript of vehicle & persons. Get as much info as you can.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!!! as Gomer Pile would say. Had family down & they wanted to go fishing in Taney. Took them out trolling Sun. morning. Got 1 nice bow on a flatfish (F4) below Rockaway Beach. Went down to Powersite Mon. morning to troll there. I had caught some Bows on a 3" cheap "diver" from Walmart last week. Thought I would try it & see if it was for real. Wow, right off in the first 100 yds. they nailed it. My bro-in-law put one on his pole & they nailed it also. I tried another 3" diver sent to me by a pal. These lures are made in Australia & different from any I've seen here. Bam, they hit it just as agressively. The thing that is most surprising is, these were small, rainbows that were tearing up the water for these 3" lures!! I had always taken care to use small to micro tackle for the trout. I stumbled on this pattern-action while trolling in hopes of a bass or a walleye. I figured that maybe a big Brownie might hit, but didn't even expect that kind of response from rainbows (small ones) on those types of lures??? Guess I'll have to re-think this & start trying things a little different than the norm. If the standards are not producing good, just put on a deep running bass plug or some catfish doughballs.....who knows...it sure fooled me!!! LOL LOL Best of luck & have a good one D.C.

If the fishes read this forum, they probably think that either nobody ever comes to see & play with them or they don't like them enough to tell others about the fun they had......boo hoo hooo ! LOL Isn't anyone fishing the upper lake area now or is the fishing so bad they just don't want to talk about it? It's been real slow for me the last couple of weeks around Beaver Crk. Don't let that discourage you though, I'm still trying to figure out what the Walleye & Bass like in there. I've found a lot of baits they, don't, like. If they don't choose one before long I'll run out of lures to offer.....then they can just starve! LOL Have a good trip & catch a limit! If you fish it, tell about it. D.C.

Just do as you would on Table Rock! Water just as clear & much the same structure types. Deep lake, 60-80' and about 70 degrees surface now. White buzz baits, spinners, Model A's & lipless. Points have been good, they should be moving into shallows around structures. I like shad patterns or blk/chrome usually. Use leaders for clear water. Muskies: top water early, in-line bucktails & lipless always work on the 9,997th cast......LOL. GOOD LUCK D.C.

Here is a piece I just came across, thought you might enjoy if you haven't already seen it. MDC WEBSITE Special measures sustain fishing at Bennett Spring State Park in spite of flood losses Transferring fish between hatcheries enables the Missouri Department of Conservation to maintain quality trout fishing at all four trout parks and at trout fishing areas around the state, in spite of temporary setbacks like the flood at Bennett Spring State Park in August. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) Anglers saw no change in their success, thanks to an infusion of fish from other Conservation Department hatcheries. LEBANON, Mo.- To the casual observer, it looks like a typical October at Bennett Spring State Park. On any day, a heavy sprinkling of anglers can be found along the stream that dissects the popular trout park, trying to squeeze in a few final fishing trips before the regular fishing season closes Oct. 31. The number of rainbow trout slicing through the stream’s clear waters is about the same as it is throughout the summer. The water level is about normal for this time of year. However, this normalcy follows an anything-but-normal late summer for the staff at Bennett Spring Hatchery and the state park, which straddles the Laclede-Dallas county line and is managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. An August flood at the park killed thousands of rainbow trout in the hatchery’s rearing pools and forced the staff to look elsewhere for fish. Sixteen-thousand rainbows from Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery in Taney County are supplementing Bennett’s end-of-the-season trout supply. In the months ahead, the Bennett Spring Hatchery and the other state-operated trout-rearing facilities will return the favor by shipping a similar number of trout to Shepherd of the Hills. Most of the fish are destined for stocking at Lake Taneycomo. This trout-trading is an example of the cooperation involved in Missouri’s trout management. Just as important to Bennett Spring Hatchery Manager Mike Mitchell, it has allowed fishing as usual at Bennett. “Fishing at Bennett Spring should not be impacted at all for the remainder of this year or next year,” Mitchell said. “The mortality suffered during this event was not devastating, but merely a bump in the road.” A different tale was being told by stories that began circulating over the Internet and through trout fishing circles following the August 20th downpour. They spoke of a drastic trout die-off and bemoaned the impact this would have on the park for years to come. As is the case with many run-away rumors, these stories contained kernels of truth: Bennett Spring had been hit with significant flash-flooding that caused a trout die-off larger than had occurred at any Department of Conservation trout hatchery in a number of years. This mortality resulted from a rainbow trout’s somewhat sensitive physiological make-up and the confined water component that’s part of a hatchery’s trout-rearing system. “Trout are a coldwater species, which means they require cool water temperatures which con tain higher oxygen in the water,” Mitchell said. “In flood events, the oxygen levels in the water are decreased by high silt loads and warm water.” These lower oxygen levels compound the stress for a trout, which increases its production of ammonia. Reduced oxygen and increased ammonia can prove fatal for trout. Mitchell said everything about the rain-drenched park was counter-productive to trout survival. “This particular event was not just a flood, but a flood which rose very quickly, was very turbid and had water temperatures that were above normal levels for more than an hour,” he said. “All these factors came together to produce a very inhospitable environment for trout.” However, the trout fatalities didn’t match the level of tragedy that was being circulated on the Internet. Mitchell estimates that less than 10 percent of the hatchery’s trout died as a result of the flooding. At this time of year, Bennett Spring Hatchery holds between 600,000 and 700,000 trout of various sizes. Even though thousands of fish died, the loss only put a small dent in Bennett’s overall rainbow population. Nevertheless, due to Bennett Spring’s heavy angler traffic, it was a situation that called for immediate help. Conservation Department hatchery workers moved thousands of near-stocker sized trout (nearly 12 inches) from Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery near Branson to Bennett Spring to meet daily stocking needs through October. This winter, the Bennett Spring Hatchery will repay the favor by providing trout for stocking at Lake Taneycomo. Fisheries Field Operations Chief Chris Vitello says these efforts are “behind the scenes” and should not be evident to anglers. “There will be some movement of fish between hatcheries over the next few months,” he said. “Staff may also adjust feeding rates slightly to encourage accelerated growth in limited cases and to meet the need for stocker-sized fish across the system. Overall, the impacts from the loss of fish at Bennett will be absorbed by our hatchery system with minimal impact.” Vitello said this is one of several examples of how Missouri Department of Conservation hatcheries act in a concerted effort with each other, with other states and with federal operations. “Moving fish between hatcheries and sharing stocking assignments to minimize transportation costs are good examples of how our coldwater system works as a unit,” he said. He said hatcheries also routinely hold brood stock, gather eggs and raise fingerlings at one hatchery and then move fingerlings to other hatcheries for rearing. State hatcheries also work with Neosho National Fish Hatchery to stock additional rainbow trout in Lake Taneycomo. “This flexibility allows us to respond to incidents such as the recent loss of fish at Bennett in a timely and efficient manner. Recently completed and ongoing renovations and upgrades at our coldwater hatcheries will improve this flexibility over the next few years.” Anglers are reminded that, while the regular portion of the fishing season at the state’s four trout parks is drawing to a close, fishing at these facilities isn’t finished for the year. The winter season at the trout parks opens Nov. 9 and runs through Feb. 11. This season is for catch-and-release fishing only - no trout may be kept. At Bennett Spring State Park, Montauk State Park and Roaring River State Park, the season is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. The season is open every day of the week at Maramec Spring Park. Flies are the only type of lures permitted during the winter season. You can still use spin-casting or bait-casting equipment, but you must use some type of fly as a lure. Besides Bennett Spring State Park, Missouri’s other three trout parks are Roaring River State Park near Cassville, Montauk State Park near Salem and Maramec Spring Park near St. James. Trout parks are not the only places where trout anglers can go in fall or winter. Lak e Taneycomo offers excellent trout fishing opportunities, as do a number of streams in southern Missouri that have designated trout management areas. More information about trout fishing opportunities in the state is available at your nearest Missouri Department of Conservation office or at www.missouriconservation.org/7248. -Francis Skalicky- HAVE A SUPER DAY! D.C.

"butt-pro" is so in-bed with B.A.S.S. that it's not funny. If it ain't a Bass, they can't even spell it. The fly shop at Cabela's puts butt-pro to shame. You can get some good stuff at Ozark, Mo. Walmart, Tackle Surplus in Rockaway(if you can catch them open) I just came in from trolling (Rockaway to Power Site dam) and got the surprise of my life. I got about 16-18 going down on blue fox inline spinner and "sherbet/rainbow" f5 flatfish. I was going to troll for some bass or walleye comming back. I bought a "Renagade" brand lure at Wallyworld Mon. for $1.97. It looks like a cross between a model A diver & a suspending rogue about 3"long with bill. I got the brown with some red at the front. I trolled this at about 12-15' & BLAM! I got hit. reeled in & wow!! a 15-16"rainbow. I thought, what a fluke, and proceeded up the lake. About 10 min. later another good rainbow. Got 3 on it within 20 min. If the Bows hit it, then I would think the Browns would too since it resembles a minnow. Not bad for a cheap bait.

My wife and I were there and remember several of the spots in your photos. We had a wonderful time and thought that the canyon & drive were among the most beautiful in the area. I'm sure some things are different now but most still the same. We were there in about '68 or '69. Boy!! How time flies!!! Now that I think about it, I'll start getting old in a few years....LOL LOL. Loved your pictures, brought back great memories. D.C.

THERE ARE PROBABLY SEVERAL PLACES THEY ARE AVAILABLE BUT HERE IS A LINK TO A MAJOR SORCE: http://www.cabelas.com/link-12/product/0011729110979a.shtml I WISH THEY WOULD GO AHEAD WITH A CABELA'S IN THIS AREA. THEY ARE MUCH FRIENDLIER AND ACCOMODATING THAN "butt PRO". THEY DO NOT PLACE ALL THE RESTRICTIONS & PROCEDURES ON USING THE EARNED CREDIT CARD POINTS LIKE "butt-PRO" DOES. IT'S SIMPLE, YOU USE YOUR CARD & EARN THE POINTS - YOU SPEND THEM JUST LIKE MONEY & DON'T LOOSE THEM EVERY 90 DAYS. THERE IS NO MIN. PURCHASE AMT. OR OTHER HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH. THEY HAVE BARGIN ROOMS IN EACH STORE FOR RETURNED OR DISCONT. ITEMS. THE SELECTION IS GREAT AND IF THEY DON'T HAVE IT, THEY WILL TRY TO ORDER IT. I AM TO THE POINT,AFTER ONLY 4 MTHS. OF USING "butt-PRO", OF HATING TO HAVE TO GO IN THERE. LAST TIME IN THE BRANSON STORE I HAD 2 CLERKS ACTUALLY FOLLOW ME THROUGH THE ISLES IN FISHING DEPT. AFTER THEY ASK, FOR THE 5th TIME, IF THEY COULD HELP ME....I VERY NICELY REPLIED "FOR THE FITH TIME, NO THANK YOU, BUT MAY I HELP YOU AS YOU SEEM TO BE EITHER LOST OR FOLLOWING ME FOR SOME REASON?" THEY DISCONTINUED THEIR TAILING. I AM 63yrs. OLD, DRESS NICE-CASUAL, SHORT HAIR & SOMETIMES STUBBLE BEARD(RETIRED & SHAVE 1-2 TIMES/WEEK...lol). WAS CARRYING A TUBE OF REEL GREASE & A FLATFISH WHILE BROUSING FOR MORE LURES. NOTHING TO CALL ATTENTION OR WARRANT ANY SUSPICION. THAT WAS MY FIRST THOUGHT, "WHAT AM I DOING TO MAKE THESE GUYS FEEL UNEASY" THEN FIGURED OUT--NOT ME, JUST THEIR ATTITUDES. IF I DO GO BACK & THE SAME OR SIMILAR ACTIONS RE-OCCUR, I WILL POST WHAT THE MANAGER'S AND HOME-OFFICE REPLYS ARE AS I PROMISE THEY WILL BE CONTACTED..... ON THE SPOT IN PERSON OR MY CELL PHONE. HAVE A GOOD ONE & IF LILLY DON'T HAVE IT, CONSIDER CABELA'S!! "butt-PRO" AS A LAST-CHOICE-HAVE-TO!!!

After hearing the method "drop shot" used, most repeatedly, in the pro B.A.S.S. media, I figured they had discovered a new planet or species! When I listened closer and researched what they were talking about & how it was done......I discovered I had been using this method for years. Not in a "verticle" presentation for bass, but, for catfish, at an angle so as to keep my bait just off the botttom with a tight-line. I had been using it in a verticle presentation for crappie to allow the bait more room to move naturally. I guess it is better now though because of the special weights, hooks, swivels and precise measurements?? What does it do now (with it's new name) that it didn't do for us 50 yrs. ago except...offer a new line of items as "A MUST HAVE" for an inflated price with the name "Drop Shot Rig" etc. I did find, and still do, that spinning reels (open or closed-face) will do just as their name says...SPIN! I have much better luck keeping line-twist to a minimum by using baitcasters. You guys are totally correct on the swivels and using 2 baits to reduce the spin. Two baits offer more resistance to movement and usually try to spin in opposite directions keeping the line stable on retrieve.

I got some hits on an f-5 flatfish in rainbow/sundae color trolled very slow above Rockaway. Yesterday, my wife got bit on the same lure trolling below Rockaway. I also get consistant response with the "bluefox" inline spinners and the little cleo type spoons in: chrm/blue, firetiger, red/white. As I said, we were trolling very slow. I use the electric so I can get the lure action but also reach the depths. At $2.75 a gal. it runs alot cheaper than my old 35hp......lol. best of luck today and better luck tomorrow!! D.C.

Hi Al, Sounds like they're waking up alright! The Geeze & his buddy did pretty good this weekend, 2nd place in the muskies. I think I've caught more Drum off of lipless, on Pomme, than I have bass. They have been running between 4-6lb. & fight like the devil. Each time I get one on a crank, I just know it's "moby bass!!.....LOL. It has been really rough to get consistant quality bass bites for about 6wks. now. There is a lot of algie & green crap keeping the water murky. Don't know if this has anything to do with it or not. A lot of shad & frey working the top but, not much except gar hitting them.... once in a while, a bass will jump them. The bass I've caught are, very fat, like they are over-fed. Could be they're not hungry and we're only getting the "provoked or response" bite??? It's got to get better. Don't feel too bad, the tournament on Bull Shoals was almost a "no bite" according to several I talked to out of K-Dock today. May your next one be much better! D.C.

Hey, Hey, Hey,............Way to go Geeze!!!! Super! 2nd

Just be glad it is not an every-weekend with 2 or 5 tournaments going on. This is a good idea as to what the "bass tournament" groups are doing to trafic & space on the smaller lakes when they all converge every weekend. Hope it don't get that bad. Contests are fun & new friends can be made until they become a nuisance!

WONDER HOW LONG NOW BEFORE THE TAILWTERS ARE OFF LIMITS TO ALL? IT'S DUMB A$$ES LIKE THIS THAT FUEL THE LIBERALS, PETA AND ACTIVIST FIRES. JUST WATCH, THEY'LL TRY TO : "DO IT FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC". YA RIGHT!!! THIS IS JUST ANOTHER CLEANING OF THE GENE POOL AND REDUCTION OF IDIOTS THROUGH ATTRITION !!!! D.C.

Well, I finally made it to Beaver Creek area to fish. Got 1 right on the 18" line so I let him back. Slowly some of my old tactics started comming back to me. It looks like my best bet is either, red or fluorocarbon line, or at least low-vis leaders. I was told that the smithwick rogues do well, I assume "clown"would be the best choice? Do you guys do best with the med. divers or the deep divers (16-20)? What seems to be the most productive colors? As best I remember, I seemed to do better on the flats & points than in the channels or on deep bluffs. Is this the case on this lake too? This is almost like starting fresh! I'm familiar with clear water from Taney, Table rock and Pomme de Terre. Any help or information you can give will be tried & most appreciated. May all your TODAYS be better than your YESTERDAYS!

It's October and time that the muskies are waking up. You did set their alarm didn't you? Weather has been pretty warm and clear so far. I was hoping for more overcast days and cooler temps to drop the water temp. So far, NADDA! I guess there is a tournament going on this weekend for the toothy critters. Has anyone else gotten any or at least some decent follows? HEY GEEZE, I left you a response in "Bull Shoals site". Are you still thinking of Gracing our area with your presence in the near future?? Would love to have you down here awhile. Somebody post on how the bass, crappie & cats are this weekend. Me & the Geeze are "laying low" this weekend cause of all those Muskie Guys with those big Poles and big lures and hooks flying through the air.....LOL. I get scairt ! LMAO, Hope they catch one of those 52"ers that is supposed to be in there now. Good Luck guys, and if you get a big one out of Cedar Cove, let me know. May all your todays, be better that your yesterdays!! D.C.

Sounds like you may be familiar with the "Wallys" in that area. I am trying to learn the lake and get re-aquainted with the walleye rigs, lures & what works best. It has been several years since I fished for them seriously, and that was on Hillsdale Lake in Paola, Ks. I could sure use some info on the best stuff to rig, and colors to use, in these waters. I've already found that red cajun or fluorocarbon line don't hurt. They don't seem to like the larger lures or maybe I just need to fish them a different presentation style. Any help or inputs you can give will be most appreciated and tried. How far down is Sugar Loaf from Beaver Creek or #39 marker? Do they move onto the flats in the fall or still run pretty deep? I will be spending some time on Bull. I had forgotten just how beautiful a lake it is, still a lot of undisturbed shoreline left. I caught an 18"er Thurs. (1st time on the area). He was right at the line so I put him back. I would rather have a 1/2" in my favor, just in case the ranger has a different size ruler.....LMAO. Some of them (esp. the summer helpers) can be a little testy and pushy. Except for a couple, Most of the regulars are pretty decent guys just doing their job. Have a great day, and may all your "tomorrows" be a day to enjoy. D.C.

Hey Geeze, If you're still wanting to try the Wallys on Bull Shoals, got just the ticket for you. The upper end between Forsyth (hwy 76 bridge) and K-dock is supposed to be a very good area for the critters. If you put in at Beaver Creek Marina, it is about the middle of the area. You can go up or down from there. I would recommend staying at Rainbow Haven Motel in Rockaway Beach, Mo. He is very reasonable and you can catch some trouts off the public dock. Just use: a heavy sinker (3/4-1 oz.), 4lb. leader, #6-8 hook with chart., pink and white power eggs put on the hook in that order. They hit off the dock very good or you can fish the lake; with little cleo spoons or Blue Fox spinners & do very well also. Just ask Larry, at Rainbow Haven, what they are hitting on. He is most willing to help. The trip from Rockaway to Bever Creek is only about 12mi. Not far to pull your rig & launch. Launch in Rockaway is right at the motel. This way you can have the best of two worlds during the same trip. If you decide to do that, let me know & I'll try to meet you & give you much more info. Have a good one & may the big one you saw yesterday, swallow my hook tomorrow!!! LOL D.C.

Good show Geeze, you did get out! Was hoping to cross lines with you out there. I left early Mon. morn. Had to go to KC,Ks. & then back to Branson. Should have known they would hit my favorites after I left....LOL Were you using light color buzz & what color jig/craws did the best? Next time you get around those timbers, if you have a pumpkinseed Gulp "sinking minnow" in the bag, try it on a carolina rig with about 5-6' leader....just a thought from the past. Good luck, I probably will be on Bull Shoals & Taneycomo for a couple. Probably back on Pomme about Halloween time. I'll be the guy with the Pumpkin on a pole for bait !! D.C.