Wonderful Fishery

[Sam]

Well, I understand that you can't keep good fishing a secret. I can usually tell what's going on by how many rigs are parked at a ramp when I arrive - it's amazing how fast the word gets out.

But in the age of the Internet, I think the effect is magnified enormously. With these web site postings and now magazines getting involved, we'll have people from St. Louis, K.C., and everywhere else hitting upper Bull Shoals this spring.

I can't help but be disappointed - I was really looking forward to fishing there. I've stuck with upper Bull Shoals through all the tough fishing years we've had there, and I kinda got used to not seeing other boats around and still catching fish because of my knowledge of the water. Now if it's good, it'll be packed with ya-hoos from everywhere and quickly fished out - because of all this publicity.

I'll try upper Bull Shoals once or twice - and if it's too much of a circus I'll quietly switch to Stockton, Pomme de Terre, or elsewhere. If I'm lucky enough to find good fishing somewhere else, I'm not saying a thing that can be broadcast to the whole world.

[Phil Lilley]

A few years ago, I reported catching big crappie out of Long Creek and Gage's area. I had 4 spots and reported 3 of them. The next 2 weeks, I went fishing quite a few times and I did see the ramp parking fill up but my spots didn't have people on them. I continued to catch nice fish.

Places like Beaver and Swan Creek and white bass- they will get crowded no matter what on weekends and nice days.

K Dock ramp is the only ramp within, what, 10 miles of water or more? 15 miles? Even if there's 40 rigs at K plus whatever boats are out of the marina itself, that's not many rigs covering that much water. I think upper BS is still one of the best uncrowded water around. The diff is this year we'll catch some fish.... nice.

Best thing- with all the great fishing everywhere - James, Long, Beaver, Swan, Kings, Sac and all the other white bass and crappie places I missed- it's going to take pressure off everywhere... spread out the love.

[Sam]

Lilley - Yes, you're right. River Run, Beaver, K Dock, and Yocum are the only places to put in on the Missouri end, and that's not many launch points in many miles of water. At times, during a good spring crappie run, I've fished among lots of boats in places like Snapp Holler and Mincy - but we were all catching fish and having a good time. It's a public lake, and I don't expect to have it all to myself.

I remember your tip about the spring crappie in Long Creek real well, and want to thank you again for that. It led to many good trips for me. Long and Cricket Creeks did get pretty crowded for awhile - and since I like to fish away from crowds, I soon found that the same conditions applied in other nearby creek-coves. On two trips in particular there must have been a hundred boats up Long Creek while I quietly limited out in Brushy Creek and had it all to myself.

So yeah, I've got lots of fishing spots on upper Bull Shoals. If there's not boats on every one of them, I'll be happy.

[duckydoty]

I believe the internet can be used in two different ways.

The way I like is sharing information. Whats working, where the bite is on and so forth. There are many people on the internet that do not get to fish anywhere close to as much as I do. I was one of those people at one time. I only got a couple of chances a year to go and really appreciated any help I could get from anywhere to make my few trips a year a little more productive because lets face it-we all like to catch fish when we go fishing. I think it is a good thing to share the info in the manner.

The other way is---If your planning a trip to some hot spot and dont want to see it crowded-post a report about some other place and how good the fishing is. I really dont think it will make that much of a difference on your trip though. About the only way to have a whole lake to yourself is to go in the nastiest weather possable at night when most of the world is sleeping. The bite might not be that good, but you better your chances at having the whole place to yourself.

[crappiefisherman]

The fishery has improved due to the high water.So how many still disaprove of new higher lake levels>?????

[Phil Lilley]

Not up in my backyard!!

[Jason Essary]

Speaking for the guys like myself, that dont get to get out but once a week if that, and maybe for only 3 to 4 hours, I want to thank everyone, especially the pros on here, for all the info that is released. We all realize that not 'every' good spot is posted, and not to be expected, but this forum has helped me learn by leaps and bounds on areas and techniques.

So Thanks from me, and keep them coming......applause.

P.S. others in my postion should show some love, or it all might be lost.

[crappiefisherman]

Sorry Phil, i mean the corps wanting to raise Bull shoals...I think it can due nothing but improve fishery

[Phil Lilley]

I agree... just jesting.

[duckydoty]

I agree... just jesting.

Did you try some "Rolaids"?