Bill Babler

Techo, Thanks for the river report, we don't seem to get a lot of posts, from Cape Fair and that area. I believe SK will come on here before long and give a Kings River and White River report, and i don't believe he tore them up either. Said the water was still in a chill. Ha Ha

Freak, I think SK might have gone, he was talkin the talk to me on Friday afternoon. Fisherman, don't let a little shallow water stop ya. AS soon as you round the last bend past Holiday Island, hang to your right, as the flat on the Holliday Island Side goes about 3/4 of the way across the lake in that location. You can stay on that bank or move to the middle of the channel, when the old Railroad bridge comes into sight. Then just basiclly stay in the middle. You just caught the edge of that flat. It is amazing how far it comes out. Where it dumps into the channel on the flat side is a good place to troll for the eye's. Watch for locals as they are sure to be out. They are still catching them but it is a very defined fishery. 1 hr. before sunrise to about 7 am and then 1 hr before sunset till a hour or so after dark. My buddy that lives at bevertown says zip during the day. He fished yesterday, and had 1 short eye, and 1, 3 lb. Largemouth, trolling the flat in front of the swim beach, and the beavertown hotel.

Yes, we did see shad in the water. At first I thought someone had thrown several cigarette butts, in all together as they were floating in a group. Just exactly the size of a butt. I was going to pick them,up and when we drifter over, they were very small shad, still alive and kickin. Starting watching the area a little closer, and saw several groups of these really small shad, just crappie minnow size floating mostly from the cable to the ramp. Every trout we caught coughed up shad and my boat looks like a gull roost. Some of the trout had very large shad that were still coming out of their mouth. They liked the white jigs just as well. It has been my experence, that just the right ammount of shad is a few. If you get the big rafts coming thru, the trout get much harder to catch. If I can see one here and one there, and the trout are coughing them up, thats the correct reciept.

Lilley, always put the bite on me, and prussure also, did you notice his post, Babler will Post. Ok, Ok, got out of the house even though Becky had a dozen breakfasts to serve on her own. I think that builds character. First guide trip in a while and it felt great and also blessed to be out on such a glorious day. Fished a couple of fantastic kids, I say kids, 25 plus years old. They all look young to me. Motored up and drifted from the cable to the ramp, and it was GOOD. Half day trip, starting late netted us about 40 really nice bows, and browns. I believe we had 9 browns and the rest were the red strip fish. My gal was not a caster, so she dragged an egg pattern for a bit but couldn't get her a nip. Brice was a really good fisherman, and handled the 7' St Croix with ease. Brice used a 1/32 oz. white marabou jig, and I really had not had a chance to get Beca in the water before he had one on. The White jig was the ticket drifted in about the medium colume of the water. Could get no takers on the egg, so switched to dragging a 64oz. jig on the drift rig, and kept loosing it. Switch to a red san-juan worm in size 8 and the browns loved it. It was pretty much a 50/50 trip after I got the drift rig figured out. Becca, also caught some really nice rainbows on the San-J. Hope this keeps up as that was a really nice way to kick off the start of the season.

Looking at those diary pages has to put a lump in your throat. I didn't even know the man, but I'm sure I would have been a beter person if I had. Thank you so very much for sharing them with us. I think the eye's he was catching, had to be the Old River Jack's that Charlie speaks of. Catchin them in the mid-50's was not like picking apples, but if you knew how, you could get some real dandies. Where were these River Jack's before the lake went in? Why didn't the old float trips catch-em. I believe they were there and people gigged them during March when they went up the creeks to spawn. Do you think there were just so few and scattered out, is the reason that no one caught them on a pole and line, and only when they would concentrate and run up the creeks were the only time people could find them? I just don't know. I do know they were there, and after the lake dammed folks, got on them in a hurry. You know, with all the stuff I asked the biologist, I forgot to ask about growth rates, from fry, to fingerlings, to how long to adulthood. Rex said he has no proof of it, but a creel checker in the early 60's told him taney was being stocked on the lower end at that time with walleye. I found no stocking other than 1955 on Bull and the flood of 57 on thru Table Rock. However Table Rock has a very long history of stocking walleye. That's another story. My neighbor, Wilma, has fantastic photo's, and her son said he would put some on a disc for me to share. Millions of gallons of water pouring over powersite, a complete dry lake bed on Table Rock and picture of the dam and how high the water had gotten before they let it all out. Great Stuff Tight, See if you can stir the pot over there, and find out something before the lake went in. That's where I'm having my trouble getting information. From 1958 thru 1970, a man could write a book on the info. I guess I pretty much have. You can tell its winter and the guide business is slow.

Yes, there are several variations, of the 6-pack. There is the White River Region, There is also a Missippi delta Region, for inland waters only. No gulf operation. And there is a Northern Mississippi region, that covers the upper Miss and Great Lakes. This test, is by no means easy. I was rules of the road and operations instructor for the MIssouri State Water Patrol for 4 years, and I didn't pass the test the first time I took it. You have two trys before you have to repeat the entire process. The testing officer told me the test was not designed to test your knowledge, but to weed-you-out. All the questions were trick, and had multiple good answers, you just had to pick the best of the good. There are 5 different exams that are basicly the same, and they rotate these to make sure no one has all the a, b, or c's coppied for the next guy. You had better know all the lighting, weather and flag signals for every length of water craft, plus tons of barge information. I had at least 5 questions on barge operation from lighting to weather, to navigational aids, to fire retardants and the different extinguisher laws for each size vessel. Here's a good one A work Jacket must be worn when? A. A barge is loading B. When a barge is off loading C. Anytime a barge is underway D. During nightime operation. My question, was what in the heck is a work jacket, I didn't know. I didn't require the lic. when I was taking my guide trips in Alaska, as I was on a non-motorized raft. I was checked however by USCG and had not only my Alaska business permit, but also my White River Region 6-pack lic. They looked at it and never questioned me. In my 16 years of full time guiding here, they have been here 3 times. The first was after the big accident with the guide on TAble Rock, the second, after the Arkansas duck accident and then again the next year.

Drunk, I haven't had to guide down on that end for a spell, but usually that is the best place on the lake for hardware. Phil and I fished it a couple of times last year at about this time for bass, and all the trout fisherman, were just putting the hurt on them trolling and casting cleo's. We caught several on stickbaits as well. From the Pothole to Swan, several people have posted trout are the ticket, right now in upper Bull. When ever we go after the eye's we always catch way more trout, on the jerkbaits. Good Luck

Silver Mallard, was absolutely right on. Fantastic citing of the USCG rules. For some reason, the guys in Arkansas Don't think they need the Licenses, when My Lic. say's navigatable white River inland waters restricted. Who knows why the the USCG has chosen not to patrol or enforce the navigatable waters in Arkansas. And believe you me they are covered as the White drains into the Mississippi. If you don't think you will ever get caught, you can ask Tim Sainato. He was one step from being cuffed and thrown in jail because of an expired lic. The fine is $5,000.00 and denied permission to reinstate the lic. for a 5 yr. period, with 1 year imprisonment. After a court battle with the government, and lawyer expenses, Tim was Fined $1,000.00, and no jail time. Silver Mallard is Right as Rain, concerning the insurance. The Arkansas state lic., means nothing. Without that federal lic., any kind of an insurance clain is fradulant and not payable by the insurance company. I have asked about Arkansas. I spoke to the head of Western Rivers enforcement officer, and he said their day will come, and when it does, it won't be pretty. I have been involved in guiding and fishing across the entire US, and Arkansas, for some reason, Arkansas, thinks they are exempt from the rules the rest of the us have to follow. All the Missippi, Alabama, Louisana, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennesee, and Misssouri Guides are not exempt. No offence at all ment for the hard working guides in Arkansas, it just seems funny they do not need a lic, when the rest of us do. They also come to taney, and that is where there going to get caught. Taney, Table Rock and Lake of the Ozarks seem to be the hot beds for the USCG, not the Coast Guard Aux, But the big boys that can get you. Alot of times they are undercover as was with Tim's case. You can also talk to Bob Cline as he had a fierce run in. He was right, but they nit-picked him to pieces. Most of the guides don't realize that you must keep that lic. on board any time you are taking passengers for hire. Even if you have it and its not on board, you for sure are going to get cited period. As any government agency, there is no leway, the law is enforced as it is written. Great Post by the Mallard

CKJACKS, please refer to administration for some great tips. Check out early spring and late winter bass on the rock. I did indeed use a countdown at one time, but there are much better catchers to fish this time of year than the countdown. Lots of info in the above mentioned stuff, if you haven't tried the suspending sitcks before.

I have some, and Tim Hughes will paint them in any crawfish,shad or color pattern you want. My best luck is when the water reaches the high 50's with the warts. The suspenders are nice as you can hit the bottom, or an obstruction, and then let it suspend around the structure. I have never been able to beat the old color 38.

At least your not a Gizzard Shad. I guess I am part of the forage base and that is probably better than I deserve.

Po. So sorry the week turned into the artic for you, after all the research and time you had put in getting ready for the trip. Come again, it can't be any worse. Much regrets, Bill

CMAC, Thank you so much for the great pieces of history, I haven't had a chance too look at it very closly yet as the lodge is full of love birds, It is the season, but when I get a minute, I'm going to take it apart. Would you know if any of those guys are still kicking and throwing lures?

Shaky Head is a standup jig head with no skirt. They come in various sizes, colors and configurations, some with a flat spot on the bottom of the head that makes them standup, some weighted and balanced to achieve the same position, more of a cannon ball shape. Usual presentation is to attach a finess worm, fish dr. or most any french fry and let the bait free fall to the bottom. When it hits, the soft plastic will be in an up-right position and you just bounce or shake the bait in that location. You can also drag or hop the bait. Works great here at times. Some guys are real masters and have lots of confidense in it, as it too has alot of tecnique involved. FF, I would say has got it figured out real good. This is a farily new method, just started to catch on here in the last couple of years, but nothing is really new. Ralph Lambert, the owner of Kings Harbor Resort at Shell Knob, has been using it for as long as I have know him. At least 15 years. He has been pinching the barb down that long also, as he believes he gets better hook penetration. Probably way more info than you needed. All the local bait shops carry the heads.

CMAC, Whould there be anyway possible for you to post abit of any of those news letters or tournament results. The history of fishing the Rock would be a very interesting topic to everyone. It sounds like you have pieces that would be very interesting to the Ralph Foster Museum, for history of the region. I know I would go anywhere to read such pieces. Extemely exciting post. Thanks

1308, We would love to hear of your night fishing excursions. SK sometimes hits the Rock in the early AM such as 3 AM or so, but we never really get the scoop from nite time fishing. Give us a primer of the locations you look for, the baits you use and how you fish them. Any special nights or just the best time to go is when you can. I can tell you the whole TR Forum will really look forward to this fantastic info. It seems night fishing slowed down a bit after the fish kills, but with the way the LM are responding, I think it is coming back for front. Look forward to your participation.

Thanks alot boys. SK and I threw ourselves on the knife today for being so positive about whats been going on. Glad it was us that had to bite it. I bet we'll find them next time. WE really appreciate your interest, and will do our best to keep you informed. Good and Bad You have to have these kind of days to make the good one's seem so sweet.

I think everyone is ok with eating a walleye, I do understand Tight's point. He is the type of guy you want on the river. Don't know him but would guarantee he would never take to much or waste any of what he took. Didn't mean it to sound like I was a know-it-all, far from it. I am just interested in what the fisheries managers keep telling me. Who knows, they may not really know either. Times are a changin and most usually not for the best concerning us outdoor types. Good stickbait colors are Purple top white belly, Purple over Chartruse, Clown, Black Back Gold Side, and traditional Black Back Silver Side. Others will have lots more favorites. I have also done right well on a rainbow pattern at the pothole.

Tight, I have been fishing said area since 68 and although we did catch nice Eye's then, the last 10 years have been far better. I know that's only 39 years, and you do have me by a few. I just think if a guy wants to eat a walleye, he should be able to without riducule. as they are a stocked fish. Unlike the bass. Why do the brown trout and the rainbows make a spawning run on taney? Crazy Fish. Why do the Walleye make a spawning run up the White river and the James river and don't hatch any fry? Crazy Fish. Why do the paddlefish make a spawning run on Truman dam? Crazy Fish. Why is the Kings River the only known river on Table Rock that produces Fry? I'm not a biologist, I just make an effort to try and keep up with what is going on. 40 to 50 years ago was quite a different situation as far as all the spawning area's are concerned. 1 small philoplanctin that may have been present can vanish, and take with it an entire spawning population of fish. That's not from me, thats from warm water fishery biologist, no one knows. As he said, just cause they did it years ago, don't mean its happing now. The only fish I keep anywhere is 2 or 3 walleye a year maby 8 crappie and perhaps a couple of limits of trout. When these fish are stocked as the walleye in Bull are, and the trout in taney, I believe that a guy has a right to eat a couple. Maby I'm wrong, just hate to see some guy jumped for eating a fish that is being stocked for just that purpose.

I can now understand! It was brutal today. Gary buddy, I hope you got em, cause they sure turned the table on us,so as to speak.

I have really been struggling in the dam area right now and Indian Point is classified as the afformentioned area. You really have two shots, one to find shad most are in the 40 ft. depth range right now over gosh only knows how deep and vertical fish a spoon or grub in the shad ball, or throw a suspending rogue on the bluff ends, cuts or transition banks in that area. You can go to the back of either of the Indians till they narrow down and then start out the guts and look for the shad balls. If the weather is in the 50's and warming, the fish will start in that area, if it remains cold and the water drops in temp while your here, good luck. Have been doing extremely well up the White river with the rogue, but had a poor day today. Sunshine and wind will help at Indian Point. Fishin Freak, may be able to help, as he did have a med-depth jig bite in that area, don't know if it's still on or not.

Ham, for the most part we are wanting wind and most diffently sunshine. Water temp is not really a factor and the fish will eat the bait in extremely cold water as long as it trys to increase a few degrees throughout the day. For example SK and I threw the bait for 6 hrs. today and only had one fish on a very cloudy flat smooth day. During this past week in the sun and wind, everyone was having them eat the bait. When we started today the air was 27 and the water 43.7 When we stopped the missery, the air was 38 and the water 42.1 flat on breeze, We had a horrible day. Hope others did better. We did devote about 90minutes to walleye, but they didn't like us either. If we would have had the least ammount of wind and a slightly warming surface temp. they would have bit, reguardless of the water temperature

Gary, SK and I will be in a Red Stratos up the White, probably in Ark. If your up that far, look for us and we'll compare nonsense. Probably be no more than 1/2 mile above Beaver Town. Be careful up there, it can be tricky.

Can't wait to read your piece. A bunch of the older guys are around that can tell you of stickbait fishing here in the early 60's. Rick Holmgren, Dan, Langley out of Shell Knob. J.D. Fletcher out of Devil's Dive up the White, Charlie Cambell, Bobby Tindle, Stacy King, Ralph at Kings Harbor, And many, many more. I do know that one of the largest selections of homemade sinking and suspending stickbaits were a collection that burned at the Campbell Point Marina, I believe in the late 60's or early 70's. Many of these baits were impossible to find and hard to get. Most of the bodies were imported as floaters, and then transformed and modified. I know they leased the baits per day just like you would a rental boat with a very hefty deposit in case of damage or loss. The bait was about as much as the boat, to hear the ole boy's talk. I believe if you lost one, even though you had to pay for it, you never got another and were black balled. You might contact Tom Koob out of Shell Knob also as he is a very good historian on the region, and I would bet he would have some juicy info. Great Stuff. I may be showing my age, and being nostalgic, but I just love that type of information. Appreciate you RS

Thought I was the only nut that threw a stick sometimes on a spinning rod. I do RS. I just can't make myself use anything other than 8 lb. though. Where you fish up the James and around the cedars, you are no doubt the wiser of the two of us, with the heaver line. Do you remember when the floating Rapalas came to Table Rock and a few of the boat dock had them. They would drill and pour lead into the floaters and wrap lead around the hooks. Dan Langly tells me that when he ran Campbell Point they would rent these baits. Have you heard these stories? Freak, I use the old style lowrider.