Common Sense ....

[Phil Lilley]

If they're running more than 2 units, stay on plane and in the middle -- you shouldn't have any issues in any kind of boat.

[Gatorjet]

"Another major concern is the kayaks, these people are dangerous, because they have no idea what they are up against. I don't understand why the outfitters will rent a kayak in the fog, but most resorts will not rent a boat to go out until the fog lifts. Kayaks should not be allowed above Scottys trout dock, PERIOD."

I agree with the concerns about the kayaks, but don't like to see restricted "areas" for anyone.

I do think the outfitters are putting $$$$$ ahead of safety however. They should not be launching on the lake when the fog is heavy, and rhey need to educate their customers to keep along the edges of the lake.

I would like to see a flag, or even better, a flashing light on the kayaks for better safety. We have to have flags on off road vehicles in the parks, and we have to have the big orange triangle "slow moving vehicle" signs when we are legally on county roads. What would be the problem with some sort of safety identification on kayaks?

[Gatorjet]

If they're running more than 2 units, stay on plane and in the middle -- you shouldn't have any issues in any kind of boat.

Except for the people who insist on drifting down the middle!

[Fly Fishing Pete]

I ran up just past fall creek when fog had lifted but was leery about going any further with a fiberglass boat.

I do it all the time in my fiberglass bass boat. As long as the lake level is about 706' or higher, you have nothing to worry about, all the way to the dam. There are rocks around and above the first boat launch below the dam, but as long as you don't get too close to shore, you'll be fine. At 704-705', you can easily make it to the boat launch and you can make it to the dam, just be careful at the bar at outlet 3 as it's shallow at that level.

For what it's worth, I've spent a little time correlating the lake level with the amount of FULL units running (I have called the dam to verify flow in CFS and lake level). Of course, this is absent flood conditions or a drawdown. 1 unit = roughly 704.5'; 2 units = roughly 707'; 3 units = roughly 708.7'; 4 units = 710'+.

[oneshot]

The fog and and current make things tough. When it is like that, I will fish near Cooper Creek or the resort that I'm staying at. There is always fish around to be caught in those areas anyways. I'll save the run to the trophy area for when the fog burns off.

I always fish Cooper Creek when I'm in Branson. Found I rather fish on down by Forsyth.

Use to fish Taney by Branson back in the 60's in Boat and Loved it but things have changed so much.

oneshot