June 2024 Issue 16

Lost on the Lake TABLE ROCK

Lake Lifestyle Magazine

INSIDE:

• Shore Fishing

• Dragons & Damsels

• Jarcuterie

• Rogue Chef

• What Lies Beneath

• & More

Hello Summer!

Is it just me or does the sun feel different on the lake? The sunsets and suntans make me feel rejuvenated...awake and alive from the slumber of winter and the very wet spring!

It‘s officially time to soak up all the moments and create those memories. Whether we are fishing, floating or tied off in the back of our favorite cove, our mantra is THIS DOESN‘T SUCK!

If you live here, I hope you are reminded why you settled here in the first place. And if you are visiting, welcome to the lake! We are so glad that you can relax and appreciate the peace that lake life brings.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, please share your photos and stories with me at hello@lostonthelake.us.

Be Happy,

Myra Thornton

Jumping Into SUMMER!

CREATIVE EDITOR

Myra Thornton

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Eric Prey

Julie Blanner

The Rogue Chef

Madeleine Herschend

Edward Jones

Tom Koob

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Eric Prey

Julie Blanner

Darrell Hornick

Tom Koob

ADVERTISING SALES

Myra Thornton Find us on Facebook

Publisher

Myra Thornton

Fishing TABLE ROCK

Shore Fishing on Table Rock Lake

By Eric Prey - Focused Fishing Guide Service

Just because you don’t have a boat doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy fishing on Table Rock Lake, Corps of Engineers ramps and campgrounds, community boat ramps and Table Rock State Park all offer landlocked anglers’ ample opportunity to walk the shore and catch fish.

Access to the shoreline is one of the keys to your success as a shore angler. The Corps of Engineers has multiple parks

throughout the lake that have miles of shoreline that can be walked and fished. Most of these parks do charge a day use fee to enter the park but once you are in the park you have access to all the shoreline the park has to offer. Some of the larger parks with a lot of fishable shorelines are:

• Old 86 Park

• Moonshine Beach Park

• Indian Point Park

• Mill Creek Park

• Aunts Creek Park

• Cape Fair

• Baxter Park

• Campbell Point Park

• Big M Park

• Eagle Rock Park

• Viola Public Access

Please note that most of these parks have swimming areas, do not fish in the swimming area even if no swimmers are present, also fishing around the marina docks is strictly prohibited.

Another great option is the Table Rock State Park, entrance to the park is free and it has several miles of walkable shoreline. Due to the large number of tournaments that use this access there almost always bass released from the tournament to be caught.

The Port of Kimberling also has water access around its campground areas, much like State Park there a large number of tournaments that use the Kimberling access replenishing the fish population on a regular basis.

Some lesser-known access points include:

• Shell Knob Public access, at the HWY 39 bridge in Shell Knob

• Bridgeport Access at the HWY 76 Bridge in Cape Fair

These are smaller access points but still give anglers a chance to reach the water and fish.

cont. page 12

Timing is Key:

Fish will be shallower and more aggressive early and late in the day during low light conditions. Often bass and other fish will push schools of shad and other bait fish against the bank first thing in the morning and just before sundown. Planning your trips to capitalize on peak feeding behavior will always increase your catch rate. Knowing seasonal patterns is also helpful, fish will be shallower and more aggressive in the spring and fall when water temperatures rise and fall. In the summer flowing water in the rivers will tend to keep fish more active.

Techniques and lure selection:

If you’re bass fishing, fan casting a location is your best technique; from the shore make your first cast parallel to the shore either to your left or right, then make each successive cast working around a half circle until you get back to parallel. This allows you to cover multiple depths and hit any cover that is in the water. Points and pockets along the shore give you additional angles to fish the area, use them to your advantage to cover more water. If you’re fishing for panfish pay close attention to any brush or cover, you can see from the shore. A single brush pile can hold several

bluegills or crappie so targeting brush is important.

Lures for shore fishing should be kept simple, since you’ll walking the bank, you don’t want to overload yourself with tackle. A couple of topwater lures like a Zara Spook or Pop-R are great options when fish are chasing shad on the surface early and late. Swimbaits and single tailed grubs fished on a ball head jig is another must have; both will mimic shad and shore minnows and can cover water relatively quick while walking the bank. Finally, bottom bouncing baits like shaky heads, jigs, Texas rigged worms and Ned Rigs do a great job of working the bottom and tend to be fairly snag free. Working lures along the bottom can be a little tricky, it can be difficult to know where snags are and retrieving snagged lures is impossible. One thing that can help is using the lightest lures you can fish comfortably; lighter lures won’t settle into rocks and snags as much as heavy ones plus they are usually easier to free from snags than heavy ones.

Live bait is another option if you’re fishing for catfish or panfish; nightcrawlers, crickets and minnows will catch just about anything that swims. With live bait you’re better off setting

lines and waiting for the fish to come to you versus making several casts. Floats will keep your bait above snags around brush and other cover and are a great option for targeting panfish. A simple float, split shot and hook rig with a worm, minnow or cricket will get you bit. If you’re looking for catfish, the bottom is the place to be and a heavier bottom rig with nightcrawlers or prepared bait is the way to go.

Table Rock is a great fishery and with the large number of access points provided by the Corps of Engineers and the Missouri Department of Conservation it is easy to fish from shore and catch a variety of fish. Go early or late in the day, travel light and be prepared to walk a little bit and you can have a great time.

Eric Prey is the Owner/Operator of Focused Fishing Guide Service on Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals lakes.

To book a trip or contact him: www.focusedfishing.com

www.julieblanner.com

Jarcuterie is the cutest spin on the ever-popular charcuterie boards that are forever loved by families and party-goers across the world! Charcuterie Jars make for the most delicious way to entertain.

Instead of a board or platter, charcuterie elements are served in individual containers or jars.

It’s the best kind of self-serve appetizer, and it might just be the cutest hors d’oeuvre you’ll ever see!

What is jarcuterie? Jarcuterie are personal charcuterie boards wrapped up into a jar for easy grazing!

They’re packed full of all of your favorite fruits, cheese and

crackers, meats, olives, herbs and even fruits and veggies. The options are endless!

It’s a beautiful starter that can easily be enjoyed as a meal in and of itself! It’s well balanced, wholesome, and such a deliciously beautiful opportunity for creativity.

Why You’ll Love these Charcuterie Jars:

• Easy to serve, easy to enjoy!

• Pretty

• Individual servings

• Can be prepared ahead

• Customizable cont page 18

on page 18

Ingredients and Substitutions

The options are endless, but these are some amazing suggestions to make it your own!

• Cheese – A beautiful wedge, cubes on a skewer or a miniature brie

• Meats – Cured meats including genoa salami, prosciutto, capicola, soppressata, calabrese, mortadella, pepperoni and more.

• Fruits – Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, dried orange or apricots are beautiful options. You can even include an individual fruit skewer for a beautiful and festive touch.

• Olives – it’s so easy to get creative with a variety of stuffed olive flavors!

• Gherkins

• Crackers

• Breadsticks

• Crostini

• Pretzels

• Herbs – Rosemary and thyme are beautiful and versatile.

• Nuts – Almonds, pecans, walnuts or candied nuts are all great options.

How to Make Jarcuterie

First, fill the base of the jar or cup with nuts and fruits like grapes.

Next, add crackers, crostini or breadsticks in the back.

Add fruits, cheeses, cured meats, olives and or gherkins to skewers and place in front at varying heights.

Garnish with fresh herbs for a pop of color and fragrance.

Tips

1. Keep it small, these are intended to be personalized servings

2. Vary the height to create visual interest

3. Add a variety of colors and textures

4. Garnish with an herb

5. Use skewers as needed

6. Add an edible flower for garnish for spring and summer occasions

How to Store

Room Temperature – Most of the items in charcuterie boards and jars can be left out at room temperature for up to two hours while serving.

Refrigerator – After serving, store the leftover cheeses, fruits and meats from any remaining jars for up to 2-3 days in the fridge.

Julie Blanner and her family enjoy visiting their Table Rock Lake cottage home throughout the year!

For more ideas visit: www.julieblanner.com

Dragonflies & Damselflies

Dragonflies and damselflies are recognizable for their delicate wings, brilliant colors, and daredevil maneuverability.

Dragon or Damsel: Despite the fact that many people consider dragonflies and damselflies to be virtually similar, they differ in some important ways.

Generally, dragonflies are a little bigger and have larger eyes that touch or are close to touching. Damselfly eyes are separated on

the sides of their heads. The dragonfly holds its wings horizontally when it is at rest, while most damselflies hold their wings together when they’re taking a break.

Dragonflies are also more robust navigators with larger, more broad-based rear wings. Dragonflies are capable of operating each wing independently. Damselflies’ smaller wings are the same size and a teardrop shape. This causes their flight to be a

little more irregular.

Fearsome Predators: In flight, dragonflies use their legs and feet to form a “basket” to catch prey. Flying at speeds up to 30 miles per hour, they can hover and make 360-degree turns to capture prey and avoid becoming prey. Mosquitoes and other flying insects are no match for their manuverability.

A dragonfly’s eyes are made up of nearly 30,000 optical units, or ommatidia, allowing them to target the slightest movement in all directions at once, adding to their hunting prowess.

cont. on page 22

Although dragonflies have hinged jaws that open as wide as their head, they are no threat to humans. This enables them to clamp onto prey and shred it, sometimes eating in mid-air. Their order name is Odonata, derived from Greek, which means “toothed”, referring to the drag-

onfly’s serrated teeth.

https://mdc.mo.gov/magazines/conservationist/2020-06/dragons-damsels

https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/fieldguide

https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/487933

https://sites.wustl.edu/monh/dragonflies-and-damselflies-of-missouri/

Installment Loans

Before figuring out the loan process, take a close look at your finances. Calculate your budget, including how much you can comfortably afford to spend on monthly loan payments, insurance, maintenance, and other associated costs.

Before shopping for an RV or boat, consider getting pre-approved for a loan. Pre-approval not only gives you a clear idea of your budget but also gives you negotiating power when dealing with sellers.

Speak to your loan officer about any aspects of the loan if you need a bit of guidance.

RV and boat loans come in various forms, including traditional loans from your bank, financing through dealerships, and specialized lenders. Each option has its own terms, interest rates, and requirements, so it's essential to research and compare them.

Be prepared for down payment. While some lenders offer zero-down financing options, having a down payment can lower your monthly payments and show your commitment to the lender. Aim for a down payment of at least 10-20%.

Your credit score plays a significant role in determining the terms and rates of your loan.

Insurance is a non-negotiable expense

when owning an RV or boat. Consider including the cost of full coverage insurance in your budget, get quotes from multiple insurers to find the best coverage at the most competitive rates.

Owning an RV or boat involves more than just loan payments. Factor in expenses such as storage, maintenance, fuel, and registration fees when budgeting for your new purchase.

Speak to your loan officer about any aspects of the loan if you need a bit of guidance.

Julia Fokina Installment Lender

NMLS# 2509163 417-696-1040

Julia.Fokina@centralbank.net

Apply for your Loan at: www.Centralbank.net/loans

This article is intended for general information and should not be used as sole requirements for a loan. Loans are subject to credit approval. Visit www.centralbank.net/loans for more information or visit with a local lender for specific requirements. Member FDIC. Central Bancompany NMLS# 407985.

EXPLORING The Cave State

Missouri is commonly known as the cave state for a very good reason; there are nearly 7,500 caves in the state with new caves being discovered every year. There are an additional 2,500 documented caves in Arkansas. Of these thousands of caves, Missouri and Arkansas offer 24 caves that are open to the public for tours. Each cave offers a unique sight to be seen and story to be told to the adventurer who wants to explore it. Plan your adventures through the caves of Missouri and Arkansas and earn your Explorer’s Club patch through Missouri Cave Association! All you’ll need is a Cave Passport,

which can be picked up at any Missouri Cave Association Cave. Take the Cave Passport to each of the caves that you visit, and get it stamped. After visiting at least 3 caves, you will earn your Explorer’s badge and become an official member of the Explorer’s Club.

All within a one-hour radius, you can see more ‘Show Cave Tours’ than any other similar area in the United States. These caves include Talking Rocks Cavern, Cosmic Cavern, Smallin Civil War Cave, Crystal Cave, and Fantastic Caverns!

cont page 32

Just a short 10-15 minute drive from the Kimberling City Lake Area is Talking Rocks Cavern. Talking Rocks offers beauty above and below ground and activities to match. Below ground offers a one hour guided cave tour of Talking Rocks Cavern where pristine cave formations are viewed from concrete walkways as knowledgeable and entertaining guides share about the history and geology of this unique vertical cave. Above ground offers a variety of activities where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Ozarks while having family fun!

About 20 miles south of Talking Rocks Cavern is Cosmic Cavern. Cosmic Cavern boasts, The only show cave in Arkansas listed in “THE TOP 10 GUIDED TOURS IN THE STATE”. On the hour and half cave tour, you can view a 9-foot soda straw, the longest known in the Ozarks, and 2 bottomless cave lakes. It is the perfect temperature no matter what season of the year you choose to visit!

cont page 34

A short fifteen minute drive from Crystal, you will find Fantastic Caverns. Fantastic Caverns offers America’s only ride-through cave tour. Board a tram and enjoy the beautiful geological formations that time has carved into the caves at Fantastic Caverns.

Take a break from the lakes, and spend a day, or two, exploring all the natural beauty the Ozarks has to offer!

More information about gaining your Cave Explorer’s Club patch can be found at mocaves.info.

Happy Exploring!

Article by: Maddie Herschend Talking Rocks Cavern

Fresh Recipe The Rogue Chef Chile Lime Shrimp

Rice Bowls

Ready in 30 minutes

Serves 4 people

Ingredients

● 1 lb 31/35 shrimp, peeled and deveined

● 2 tsp Old Bay

● 1 tsp Pepper

● 1T Cilantro, chopped

● 1⁄2 Red Onion, finely diced

● 2T Canola Oil

● 1 Avocado, diced

● 4 tsp Red Chile Sauce

● 2 tsp Fresh Lime Juice

● 2C Long Grain Rice

● 3C Low Sodium Vegetable Stock

Instructions

1. Season shrimp with Old Bay, pepper and red chili sauce.

2. Add stock and rice to a medium saucepan.

3. Bring to a boil.

4. Turn heat to low and simmer for 20 mins. Set aside.

5. Add oil, seasoned shrimp, and diced onions to a heated saute pan.

6. Cook until the shrimp is pink. Approximately 5-7 minutes

7. To assemble: place 1 cup of cooked rice in a bowl, add 1⁄4 of the avocado diced and 1⁄4 of shrimp. Top with a squeeze of lime juice and chopped Cilantro.

**Go Rogue by spicing it up with 1 or 2 Thai Chilies.

If you want Chef Jeff to make this delicious meal for you, contact him at www.TheRogueChefBranson.com

Financial FOCUS

Don’t let investments take a vacation

Summertime is almost here — and for many people that means it’s time to hit the road. But even if you decide to take a vacation, you’ll want other areas of your life to keep working — especially your investments.

So, how can you prevent your investments, and your overall financial strategy, from going on “vacation”? Here are a few suggestions:

• Check your progress. You want your investments to be working hard for you, so you’ll need to check on their performance periodically — but be careful about how you evaluate results. Don’t compare your portfolio’s results against those of a market index, such as the S&P 500, which tracks the stock performance of 500 large U.S. companies listed on American stock exchanges. This comparison may not be particularly valid because your own portfolio ideally should include a range of investments, including U.S. and foreign stocks, corporate and government bonds, certificates of deposit (CDs) and other securities. So, instead of checking your progress against a market index, use benchmarks meaningful to your individual situation, such as whether your portfolio is showing enough growth potential based on a compounding

rate of return to keep you moving toward a comfortable retirement and other long-term goals.

• Invest with a purpose. When you work intensely at something, it’s usually because you have a definite result in mind. And this sense of purpose applies to investing, too. If you buy a stock here, and another one there, based on “hot” tips you might have seen on television or the internet, you may end up with a jumbled sort of portfolio that doesn’t really reflect your needs. Instead, try to follow a longterm investment strategy based on your financial goals, risk tolerance, asset accumulation needs, liquidity and time horizon, always with an eye toward where you want to go in life — how long you plan to work, what sort of retirement lifestyle you envision, and so on.

• Be strategic with your investments. Over the years, you will likely have a variety of competing financial goals — and you’ll want your investment portfolio working to help achieve all of them. That means, though, that you’ll likely need to match certain investments with specific goals. For example, when you contribute to an IRA and a 401(k) or similar plan, you’re putting away mon-

ey for retirement. But if you want to help your children go to college or receive some other type of post-secondary education or training, you might want to save in a 529 education savings plan, which allows tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses. Or, if you want to save for a shortterm goal, such as a wedding or a long vacation, you might choose an investment that offers significant protection of principal, so the money will be available when you need it. Ultimately, this type of goals-based investing can help ensure your portfolio is always working on your behalf, in the way you intended.

When you take a vacation, you will hopefully be more relaxed and refreshed. But if you let your investments stop working as hard as they should, the results could be stressful. So, be diligent about your investment strategy, monitor it regularly and make those moves appropriate for your situation. By doing so, you can’t necessarily guarantee a long day at the beach, but you’ll have a good chance of enjoying a sunny outlook.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

What Lies Beneath:

Stories About What Is Buried By Table Rock Lake

@Tom

Koob 2024

The White River carved a torturous path through the Ozarks Highlands. Mostly tamed by high dams and spanned by high bridges today, the White was once both a means of transportation and an impediment to travel. All along the White River, the stream was once crossed by ferries.

Following the Civil War, Joseph Philibert and Nathaniel Kimberling helped develop a rough road that eventual-

ly ran from Springfield, Missouri to Berryville, Arkansas. The Wilderness Road crossed the White River between Fisher Creek and Schooner Creek, just upstream from towering White Rock Bluff. The Mayberry family operated a split-log ferry at this location.

Willian Wesley Kimberling and Henry Thomas purchased the Mayberry Ferry in 1870. The Kimberlings operated the ferry until a bridge was built across the

Kimberling Crossing cont on page 44

Ferry at Kimberling Crossing 1957

White in 1922.

Originally called Mayberry or Maybry, the river location took the post office name Radical around 1874. The actual location of Radical moved around depending on the most convenient site for the local postmaster.

In the 1920s, renowned folklorist Otto Rayburn lived near the Kimberling Crossing in a shanty he called Hideaway. In his book Forty Years in the Ozarks, Rayburn described the river community:

“On one Fourth of July we had a picnic in the Fisher Creek Valley near the two stores and I helped Hammers operate a lemonade stand. There were two dance platforms on the grounds and plenty of moonshine likker to keep things lively. “Little George” Baize was one of the fiddlers and he knew how to get music out of a fiddle. The most exciting event at this picnic was when

the boys had a battle royal with Roman candles. I sold out our entire stock of fireworks in a matter of minutes after the fight started. The crowd scattered like a flock of quail in a barrage, taking refuge behind trees and rocks to escape the fire. No one was injured seriously, but a few of the boys got their shirts burned full of holes.”

Radical remained an important junction on the Wilderness Road. The route was improved as Highway 43 with the construction of the White River Bridge in 1922 and further developed as Highway 13 by 1930. Radical was a White River stopping point and campground with float fishing outfitters like Bill Rogers and Carroll Massey supplying johnboats, supplies and guides. Many of the float trips from Galena down the James and from Eagle Rock or Shell Knob down the White stopped at Radical for supplies or overnight camping. This float stop was called Camp Thomas. A camp on the south side of

Original White River Bridge c. early 1950’s

the White at Kimberling Crossing was called Kimberling Park.

The first White River Bridge at Kimberling was washed out by a flood in April of 1927. The Crane Chronicle reported, “Witnesses who saw the bridge go out said the heavy steel girders floated and bobbed up in the stream like they were of wood, then disappeared from view. It was considered remarkable that the heavy girders did not quickly sink from sight, but the flood water was of such force that they were carried away. About half of the bridge was washed some 300 yards down the river and a great deal of the long approach was also washed out.” The bridge was rebuilt by December 1927 reconnecting the populace on either side of the White.

The construction of Table Rock Lake in the 1950s forever buried Radical beneath tons of water. The reservoir project included a new bridge at the Kimberling Crossing. At one point

Kimberling Bridges 1958 during construction of the span, high water conditions necessitated the use of a ferry to maintain access across the valley. Although sold for scrap, the old bridge was never completely removed. The old White River Bridge still stands, slowly rusting away below the new 1900-foot Kimberling Bridge spanning the lake.

In 1959, John Q. Hammons built the Kimberling Inn on the bluff above the new Table RockLake and registered the town as Kimberling City, a fitting name honoring the family who committed so much to this important, historic Ozarks site.

Tom Koob is a local author who has written several books about Ozarks history. His work is available on Amazon “new” books or by contacting him at wolpublishing@gmail.com.