wily

what access are you using? we used to go to the undercliff campground but they've closed it down. i don't like tipton ford access...too many beer cans and trash wildcat stinks...cherry corner or whatever they call that in diamond is about like tipton ford.

i fished monkey island area saturday morning...water temp was 82. water color was motor oil. The water level is dropping. i fished points and bluff ends mostly with a jig, and i struggled. i did find a school of white bass on top around port duncan. i managed to catch a couple, but I had a battery problem, so staying with them was pretty tough.

the sac river near el dorado springs...you can float from caplinger mills to 54 bridge.

lake level is 748 or so, which is about 3 foot lower than when i was there two weeks ago. all ramps will be usable at this level...the problem with the ramps starts above 750. honey creek usually has the clearest water but the elk won't be too far behind

Former Shell Knob man accused of harvesting fish eggs for caviar By Jeff Lehr jlehr@joplinglobe.com SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — It’s probably not going to earn 38-year-old Thomas J. Nix Jr. any nominations for Sportsman of the Year. A federal grand jury in Springfield indicted the former Shell Knob resident Wednesday in connection with the alleged harvesting of paddlefish eggs caught in illegal nets at Table Rock Lake and processing them into caviar for sales in Tennessee. Nix, who now lives in Memphis, Tenn., was charged in a seven-count indictment accusing him and an unindicted co-conspirator of transporting and selling paddlefish roe taken in violation of state and federal laws for about seven weeks from Dec. 31 through Feb. 17. In a little more than four weeks, between Jan. 11 and Feb. 11, Nix sold about 387 pounds of the caviar to a Tennessee company for $35,820, according to the indictment. Agents of the Missouri Department of Conservation nabbed Nix and his co-conspirator Feb. 17 in alleged possession of 78.3 pounds of unprocessed paddlefish roe, the U.S. attorney’s office for the Western District of Missouri said in a news release. Nix and his co-conspirator allegedly took eight paddlefish from Table Rock Lake on that occasion and extracted their roe, the U.S. attorney’s office said. Another 91.32 pounds of paddlefish caviar, processed and packaged in containers for sale to the Tennessee company, allegedly were discovered at Nix’s home in Shell Knob and seized by the agents. Paddlefish native to the Mississippi River basin have been declining in population because of over-fishing and habitat changes, and are protected by state and federal laws, the federal prosecutor’s office said. Female paddlefish reach reproductive maturity at nine to 11 years of age and can weigh 50 to 100 pounds. They may hold five to 10 pounds of roe. Nix allegedly set gill nets, commercial fishing nets set vertically in the water to entangle swimming fish by their gills, on Table Rock Lake in Stone and Barry counties. The U.S. attorney’s office said he would return to check on the nets every few days, removing the fish he’d caught, and relocating the nets as the fish moved upstream to spawn. Nix allegedly split open the fish suspected of containing roe, extracted the eggs by hand, bagged them and placed them in a cooler to be taken back to his home. He would also weight the carcasses of the fish with rocks and sink them in the lake to avoid detection, the federal prosecutor’s office said. He sold it to the caviar processing and sales company in Tennessee at various locations in that state by falsely representing it as caviar lawfully taken in Arkansas, the prosecutor’s office said. The indictment charges him with a single count of possessing and transporting roe taken in violation of federal regulations and five counts of transporting paddlefish caviar across state lines. An allegation is included that would require Nix to forfeit to the government all vehicles and equipment used to commit the offense, including a 20-foot Bumblebee 200 Pro boat and trailer with a 225 hp engine, a global positioning system, three gill nets and a digital scale. A close relative of the sturgeon, the paddlefish’s roe produces a caviar similar to sturgeon caviar and has become a popular substitute in the face of diminishing sturgeon populations worldwide and international protection for declining stocks, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

we were down for 4 days i thought it was thursday that it rained. all in all trout fishing wasn't too bad in about 15 foot of water along the flats. we (wife and 2 little boys) caught several on a mini carolina rig. a 1/4 oz barrel sinker ahead of a swivel and then about 3 feet of leader. we were using powerbait. we also fished the coves a little and we caught a lot of perch. the clearer the water the better. we caught a couple goggle eye along the bluffs of the main lake. i even caught a couple bass on a brown eakins jig, but i saw more cruisers than i put in the boat. all in all a great trip, and lots of memories for the boys. i want to give a shout out to trav for helping -- after reading his posts we had to try it. and we really had a good time. thanks

we drove the boat up from forsyth to watch the fireworks. the fireworks were great. the ride back to forsyth was pretty rough. the fog rolled in and it was definitely sketchy on the way back. lots of starting and stopping. GPS would have helped a ton

i heard that the re-introduction of blue cats has caused the problem. i guess blue cats are eating machines, and their success has come at the crappies expense.

i went yesterday afternoon, and you're right the water is up. Martin's landing parking lot was flooded. The ramp was usable, but you couldn't get to the docks. i was by myself so i went to indian hills in bernice. indian hills is a nice resort with all amenities -- marina, courtesy dock, and a restaraunt with cold beer. their ramp was fine, but it costs $6 to launch. i fished up in horse creek, mostly fishing a c-rig along the river channel. i caught a handful of smallish bass, and a drum. i'd cast at an angle, landing up top, and dragging it off of and across the drop. i only fished a couple hours in the afternoon. quite a few pleasure boaters out...it was a beautiful day in oklahoma.

I've heard of Joe Farkas. I see his truck at Indian Creek quite a bit. I've been with two striper guides on Beaver. Ed Chapko the first time...E&C striper guides. he is a nice guy and put us on some topwater fish in april -- i believe he prefers to work the prairie creek area. he trailers his boat so he is mobile. the second time we went in november with don andreason at Beaver Fever Guide Service. don is a little gruff, and not nearly as talkative as Ed, but he knows where the fish are, and how to catch them. He keeps his boats (has 3 guides) in the water at his dock in the lost bridge area. i felt like Ed's equipment (rods & reels) was better. both knowledgeable. price is comparable. check out beaver fevers web page...just google it. lots of pictures. one more thing about beaver striper guides...they're more expensive than other guides. if i did it again...i'd bring my own topwater rod, and go with Don at Beaver Fever.

we stayed at sunflower a couple years ago. i liked it. it's on the north side, but the lake is pretty small. so it's easy to get around.

should have started further up river. we (group of 12) floated from powell to cyclone over the weekend. lots and lots of smallmouths were taken on the right baits. some guys really struggled, but my buddy and i caught lots of fish on small worms/grubs rigged on a jig head. there's a lot of downed trees and tree limbs in the water above lil guadalajara

my mechanic suggested removing the fuel line from the motor once the boat is on the trailer...and running the engine about half throttle until it dies from lack of gas. only takes a minute or two...that way the alcohol isn't left in the carb. i've been doing it every since.

take a look at the some of the names that are fishing this week on beaver... http://flw.flwoutdoors.com/tournament.cfm?...y=1&sort=bn it will be interesting to see how they catch em...i'd like to go follow them, but i'm not sure i could in my new boat since it only has a 40 on it. i guess i could just go sit half way up indian creek and wait til someone comes...anyone i wonder if any of the guys who don't make the cut will fish in the Heartland???

| Morning Story | The National Guard signals the start of the 2008 Wal-Mart Open on Beaver Lake with a cannon blast. (Photo by Rob Newell)Hour of power on Beaver Lake Power fishing enthusiasts excited by high, muddy water at Wal-Mart Open By Rob Newell - 15.May.2008 ROGERS, Ark. – In the history of the FLW Tour, few times has the field faced flooded conditions – truly flooded conditions Sure, there have been some high-water FLW Tour events on Kentucky Lake and Buggs Island in years past. And the Connecticut River flooded out for the Forrest Wood Cup in 1998. All in all, however, the FLW Tour has managed to dodge the deluges over the years. That will change this week as the FLW Tour visits a flooded Beaver Lake for the 2008 Wal-Mart Open. This marks the 11th year the Wal-Mart Open has visited Beaver. And it also marks the highest water the Tour has ever seen on Beaver. Currently, Beaver Lake is 8 feet over the top of normal pool. The last time the lake was close to this level for an FLW Tour event was in 1998 – the inaugural year of the Wal-Mart Open. That year Gerald Swindle of Warrior, Ala., won the tournament by flipping and fishing a spinnerbait. Since that first event, though, the Wal-Mart Open has pretty much been a perennial finesse feud of spinning rods, little worms and sight-fishing on Beaver’s gin clear waters. But due to an abundance of rain in the Ozarks over the last few months, the White River basin is now swollen with high, muddy water and the water color for much of Beaver Lake looks like creamed coffee. “It’s a completely different lake this time around and I’m pretty excited about it,” said Dan Morehead of Paducah, Ky., who won the Wal-Mart Open in 2003. “For the first time in a long time on this Tour I have just a couple big rods on the deck and there’s not even a spinning rod in my boat.” Morehead is looking forward to going “old school” by power fishing shallow flooded cover in stained water this week. “I get to fish like a man for a change,” he chuckled. “So I’m tickled to death.” Morehead recalled that the last time the water was high in 1998, the lake water was still clear. “I don’t think the high water is so much of a shocker as the water color,” Morehead said. “I can’t believe how muddy the water is and how far down the lake the stain line travels. There’s just a little bit of clear water near the dam. Several times during practice I had to ask myself, ‘Am I really on Beaver Lake?’” The high, muddy water will also make Beaver Lake fish big, meaning anglers will be able to spread out and fish just about any way they want to. BP pro David Walker of Sevierville, Tenn., had an interesting observation about the lake as well. “Normally when we come here, all the power fishing guys are all packed into one small part of the lake where there’s just a little bit of stained water while the finesse guys have free reign over the whole lake,” Walker pointed out. “This time around the flippers and pitchers can fish just about anywhere they want to and all the guys holding spinning rods are crammed into the last quarter of the lake by the dam.” “Don’t get me wrong,” Walker added. “There will still be a few guys who make the top 10 with a shakey head. But I do believe there will be a larger representative of shallow-water power fishing anglers in the finals this time around.” And from the looks of things at the day-one launch this morning, Beaver Lake is only going to get higher and muddier. Ironically fitting for a flood tournament, the day one launch of the Wal-Mart Open was punctuated with a steady downpour which had most anglers soaked before they even made their first casts. Logistics Anglers will take off at 6:30 each morning from Prairie Creek Marina located at 1 Prairie Creek Marina Drive in Rogers, Ark. Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at Prairie Creek Marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins will be held at the John Q. Hammons Center, located at 3303 Pinnacle Hills Parkway, beginning at 4 p.m. Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, FLW Outdoors will host a free Family Fun Zone and outdoor show at the John Q. Hammons Center from noon to 6 p.m. each day. The Family Fun Zone offers fans a chance to meet their Fantasy Fishing team anglers face-to-face and review the latest products from Berkley, Lowrance, Ranger, Evinrude, Yamaha and other sponsors while children are treated to giveaways, fishing themed games and rides like the Ranger Boat simulator. Children 14 and under visiting the Family Fun Zone on Sunday will receive a free rod and reel combo while supplies last. One lucky member of the audience will even win a new Ranger boat during the final 4 p.m. weigh-in Sunday, May 18. Admission is free, and you must be present to win. The total purse for the Beaver Lake event is $1.5 million, including $10,000 through 75th place in the Pro Division. Thursday’s conditions Sunrise: 6:09 a.m. Temperature at takeoff: 55 degrees Expected high temperature: 60 degrees Water temperature: 65 degrees Wind: NNE 10 to 15 mph Day’s outlook: rainy and cool

I went to indian creek yesterday and the big boats were everywhere. the water was stained in dam area...i saw lots of fry in the back of one cove.

I haven't been there in a couple weeks, but the last time i was down...the water in the dam area was still very clear. you should also add striper fishing to your list...the top water bite should be good. fish at night along the pea gravel around the island closest to prairie creek. not sure if you'll even be able to see the island though with all this water. if not try any gravel flat close to the main lake. the coves on the north side of prairie creek should be good for crappie.

i just had some photos of branson landing forwarded to me...branson landing this morning

poured all night in joplin, but it looks like it's passed us -- it's starting to lighten up, and the clouds are high

If you're in IT -- you should look at Jack Henry in Monett. Monett has a decent golf course, it's close to Roaring River, the west end of Table Rock, and Beaver Dam.

Thanks, i sent you some pics and my phone number. i read on here where a couple guys posted theirs on Craigs List so i did that too. this link will hopefully take you there. the picture quality isn't that great, but it'll give you an idea. http://joplin.craigslist.org/boa/627929880.html

$4500 which is negotiable -- make me an offer Boat also has -- 4-blade stainless shooter prop 24 volt trolling motor - batteries are in good shape Two Livewells i'm having a hard time posting pictures but i'll email

No, there was a little bit of trash out in the middle, but not much. courtesy dock at indian creek is about 6 foot under the water, and the water is up to the light pole at the ramp.

1989 Ranger 364V – 18 foot single console bass boat. I purchased from Bill’s Marine in Monett five years ago. 150 Johnson VRO updated 8” Jackplate Hoot Foot Two Fish Finders Ranger Cover Ranger Trailer in good shape Boat is in good shape Cosmetically …but is excellent mechanically. would consider trade for a mid-sized Pontoon it's a great boat -- but my family is getting older, and we need more room.

there are some males in the very back of indian creek.