fishinmachine

Glad you had a good trip! Will be there this afternoon, hoping for a hybrid or two. FM

OK, the water's been there for more than a week...how about the fish? I was below Powersite a week ago with Bull Shoals still rising and Powersite flowing hard. Not much happening yet with the fishing at that time. Am heading that way in the morning, has the striper or walleye bite picked up, yet? Coming from Texas back home to Missouri and hoping the bite is on. FM

Wow....that is some cold water flowing out from the dam. But the walleyes are northern fish, I guess. Thanks, guys. I'm traveling up from Texas tomorrow to give the stripers and walleyes a shot on Norfork. Good luck to you this spring!

Do you guys really catch walleyes occasionally below Bull Shoals dam, or are you referring to upper Bull Shoals Lake below Powersite dam?

Thanks for all your responses, folks. Just a couple of weeks from now we'll give the yellow perch (and walleyes, and bass, and crappies) a go and let you know how it turns out. Thanks again and best fishing luck to all of you. FM

Taxidermist, Have never spearfished, always thought it looked like fun, though. Avid rod/reel angler since childhood, but never have tried with a spear. My son is interested in the idea, too. How does one learn about the sport without being acquainted with someone who has experience? Any good books you know of? Classes? Or is it not all that complicated? FM

Thank you, Taxidermist. Was wondering what to expect for viz with the high water....but the water may not be up much in another month. FM

Taxidermist, what kind of visibility do you think we'll find at the end of July at Bull Shoals? We may do a dive or two while we're there....have not dived BS before. Thought we might anchor off a point near a channel swing one night, drop a submersible light or two over the side, wait an hour or so 'til the shad show up, then roll in, drift down to the thermocline and camp out for a bit. I've always wanted to see what it looks like underwater on one of those nights when the sonar screen is black from top to bottom with baitfish and gamefish. You know, those rare night trips when you're catching crappies, whites, and walleyes every few minutes while jigging spoons or flick/settling a jig or soaking a minnow? Don't know if the bubbles from the second stage will spook the fish, but I guess there's only one way to find out. FM

There's a BPS in Branson, now, too? Just read an article online (submitted by Mr. Lilley, I believe) about Mr. Elfrink's state record yellow perch...very cool. Guess it's clear there are a few of them in Bull Shoals. Perhaps we'll see some while diving or perhaps catch one while fishing....along with many walleyes and crappies:) I see the lake is still high, but coming down a bit. What is the water clarity like on the lower lake near the dam? FM

State record perch?????? I guess I'm out of the loop, guys. Texas is a long way from the Ozarks. What's the story with a state record perch and where is the BPS tank to which Phil refers? Here in Texas, all members of the sunfish family are incorrectly labeled as "perch"....but the species I am interested in is not a member of the sunfish family. Perca flavescens is a true perch and closely related to the walleye and sauger and to stream darters. Just want to make sure we are discussing the same critter. Yellow Perch Thanks for your responses, folks. We are truly excited about returning to the Big Bull after many years away. FM

Headed for BS in late July with extended family, will be staying near Oakland area. We'll be fishing and a couple of us may do a scuba dive or two. I know that Bull Shoals has a healthy walleye population and I hear that a few yellow perch turn up from time to time on the end of a line. Were they accidentally stocked along with walleye fingerlings? Does anyone know if it is possible to catch the yellow perch regularly? I'd like to show my kids what they look like....caught them years ago during summers in Minnesota with my grandfather(who started a lifetime love of angling for me). FM

You guys put the hurt on the fishes last night.....great catch. Now I'm getting homesick. FM

Looks like the gates are shut down again, vonreed. FM

Thanks, Slider....have a good fish fry! FM

Hee, hee! Yep, I live in Texas and that photo is a dead giveaway....Texas-strain largemouth for sure! FM