Lost on the Lake TABLE ROCK
Lake Lifestyle Magazine
• Bass Fishing in June • The Pileated Woodpecker
Dock & Dine
Jumpinginto Summer
This summer, Table Rock Lake is reminding us that nature always has the final say. The shoreline looks more like a tangle of mangroves than the familiar banks of the Ozarks. On the water, things are quieter - fewer boats, less activity, and many docks still floating out of reach.
You’ve probably seen the now-classic photos of someone “touching the bridge”- and the frequent chatter about lake levels. For the record, yes - you can still safely pass beneath the bridge. Just stay to the north side. A real caution while boating is floating debris, be watchful. I also encourage you to be extra cautious around docks that no longer reach the shoreline.
In every season, lake life is about adapting to what the water gives us. This year is no different. While the start of summer may feel a little out of the ordinary, the water is warm, the sun is high, and the lake is calling. Boaters, swimmers, anglers, and sunset seekers - your Table Rock summer awaits.
As always, please boat responsibly and be considerate of your fellow lake lovers. You can check current lake levels here: [Table Rock Lake Levels]
We’ll see you on the water - high water line and all. Cheers to a safe and memorable summer!
Be Happy,
Myra Thornton
CREATIVE EDITOR
Myra Thornton
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
The Rogue Chef Tom Koob
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
The Rogue Chef Tom Koob
ADVERTISING SALES
Myra Thornton Find us on Facebook
Publisher
Myra Thornton
www.lostonthelake.us email: hello@lostonthelake.us Phone: 417-593-1167
Bass Fishing in June
High Water, Hot Action
As summer takes hold in the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake becomes a premier destination for bass anglers seeking action-packed fishing in one of the most scenic lakes in the Midwest. June is an especially productive month, as post-spawn bass are feeding actively and moving throughout the lake. But when late spring rains swell the White River and James River arms, the water level often rises well above normal. This seasonal flooding can transform the lake’s shoreline, creating both challenges and outstanding opportunities for those targeting largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass.
How High Water Changes the Game
During June, Table Rock’s bass are transitioning from the spawn to summer feeding patterns. But when the water rises rapidly, bass behavior shifts dramatically. Flooded vegetation, submerged trees, and newly
accessible shoreline cover offer bass fresh ambush points and cooler, shaded zones rich with insects, baitfish, and bluegill.
Rather than retreating to deeper water after spawning, many largemouth bass stay shallow— sometimes in water just inches deep—utilizing the expanded habitat. This means that shoreline structure that was high and dry just weeks ago can suddenly become a bass hotspot. It also allows anglers to fish areas that are often unreachable during normal lake levels.
High water levels benefit the fishery as a whole, too. Flooded cover protects fry and provides increased forage opportunities. For anglers, this often translates to more bites and bigger fish, if you can find the right approach.
Shallow Water Tactics: Work the Flooded Cover
When the water is high, head
straight to the bushes. Look for areas where trees, willow branches, or shoreline grasses are submerged. Largemouth bass, in particular, will tuck deep into these areas. Flipping and pitching soft plastics into tight cover is a proven method during this time. Use a Texas-rigged creature bait, craw-style plastic, or jig and pig combo, and don’t be afraid to go heavy on tackle—fluorocarbon line is often necessary to pull bass out of the thick brush.
Focus on isolated pieces of cover. A single flooded bush or log may hold a territorial fish, especially if baitfish are nearby. Keep your boat positioned outside the brush line and make
quiet, accurate pitches. High water often leads to shallow, spooky fish, so stealth matters.
TopwaterBonanzaintheEarly Morning
One of the most exciting aspects of June fishing during high water is the increased topwater action. As bass roam the shallows looking for an easy meal, they become highly receptive to topwater lures during low-light periods. Walking baits like the Zara Spook, poppers, and prop baits such as the Whopper Plopper are excellent choices around flooded wood and points. In protected coves or pockets with dense brush, a weedless frog cont page 10
or buzzbait can yield explosive strikes. This bite typically peaks in the first few hours of daylight, though overcast conditions or shaded banks can prolong the action. Some of the lake’s biggest largemouths are caught on topwater during high water in June.
Midday Adjustments and Finesse Techniques
As the sun climbs higher, smallmouth and spotted bass often move deeper. During the midday lull, shift your focus to secondary points, channel swings, and rocky ledges just outside the flooded zone. Use finesse presentations like drop shots, shaky heads, or Ned rigs with natural-colored soft plastics. Green pumpkin, watermelon red, and smoke hues match the forage and stand out well in Table Rock’s typically clear water.
Electronics become especially helpful during this part of the day. Look for baitfish activity on your graph, and fish just above or alongside submerged structure. Smallmouths tend to relate more to rocky areas and long tapering points, while spots may suspend near baitfish schools in deeper water.
Gear and Line Considerations
Table Rock’s clear water demands subtle presentations, especially when fishing deeper. Use fluorocarbon in the 8–12 lb range for finesse rigs and topwaters. In shallow, brushy areas, heavier gear is essential—go with braided line or 17–20 lb fluoro-
carbon for flipping and pitching into heavy cover. Matching your tackle to your technique ensures more hook-ups and fewer lost fish.
Navigating High Water Safely
Fishing high water isn’t without its risks. Submerged debris such as logs, root balls, and even man-made objects can become boating hazards. Always idle through shallow or unfamiliar areas, and wear a life jacket, especially near fast-moving feeder creeks. Keep an eye on floating debris, especially near the river arms after a rain. Using updated lake maps and GPS navigation tools can help you stay safe and find structure that’s now under several feet of water.
A Time of Opportunity
While some anglers may be intimidated by rapidly changing water levels, those who embrace the conditions can have outstanding success. High water doesn’t make the bass disappear—it just makes them adjust. Largemouths use the new cover to their advantage, while smallmouths and spotted bass find new ambush zones in slightly deeper haunts. With the right approach and a little flexibility, June can offer some of the most exciting bass fishing Table Rock Lake has to offer.
So load your tackle box, launch the boat early, and keep an eye on that shoreline. Because when the water is high, so are your chances of landing the bass of a lifetime.
Nick
The Pileated Woodpecker
The Pileated Woodpecker: A Bold Spirit of the Ozarks
In the heart of the Ozarks rugged hills and deep woodlands, a flash of crimson and the echo of powerful drumming often signals the presence of one of North America’s most striking birds: the pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus). As the largest woodpecker species in Missouri, this bird is not only an impressive sight but also a vital part of the region’s forest ecosystem.
Pileated woodpeckers are about the size of a crow, with sleek black bodies, bold white stripes running down their necks, and a distinctive red crest that gives them a slightly prehistoric appearance. Males also sport a red “mustache” stripe that distinguishes them from females. Their loud, wild-sounding call—a series of resonant “kuk-kukkuk” notes—often rings out through the hardwood forests, cont page 16
announcing their presence long before they are seen. These birds depend on mature forests, particularly those with plenty of dead or decaying trees. In Southwest Missouri, they are commonly found in the oak-hickory woodlands of the Ozarks, including Corp land surrounding Table Rock Lake.
Pileated woodpeckers are cavity nesters, using their strong beaks to excavate large, rectangular holes in dead trees. These nesting cavities not only shelter the woodpeckers but also provide critical nesting and denning spaces for other forest creatures, including owls, squirrels, and bats. Their primary diet consists of insects, especially carpenter ants and beetle larvae, which
they extract from wood using their chisel-like bills and long, sticky tongues. In winter, they supplement their diet with wild berries, nuts, and fruits, making them a year-round forager in Missouri’s forests.
Despite their current stability, pileated woodpeckers were once in decline due to widespread logging and habitat loss in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their resurgence is a conservation success story, highlighting the importance of preserving large tracts of mature forest. Today, seeing one is a strong indicator of a healthy woodland habitat.
Birdwatchers hoping to spot a pileated woodpecker should head out early in the morning, when the birds are most ac-
tive. Look for freshly dug, rectangular holes in tree trunks or fallen logs—telltale signs of their feeding—and listen for their resonant drumming, which they use to establish territory and attract mates.
Observing a pileated woodpecker in the wild is an unforgettable experience. Their powerful presence and undisturbed behavior evoke a sense of wilderness that is increasingly rare in the modern world. They serve not only as a symbol of the Ozark woodlands but also as a reminder of nature’s resilience when given space and time to thrive.
In the dense forests of Southwest Missouri, the pileated woodpecker remains a hidden gem—a living echo of the wild places that still exist if we take the time to seek them out and protect them for generations to come.
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Table Rock Marinas
Cape Fair Marina
Location: 1500 Shadrack Rd, Cape Fair, MO 65624
Phone: (417) 538-4163
Website: Cape Fair Marina
Overview: A full-service marina offering boat storage, rentals, fuel, and a lakeside restaurant, Stuffed & Pressed, featuring live music.
Hideaway Marina
Location: 1810 Hideaway Rd, Galena, MO 65656
Phone: (417) 538-2828
Website: Hideaway Marina
Overview: Established in 1958, this marina offers boat rentals, slip rentals, a ship store, and the Pizza World restaurant.
State Park Marina
Location: 380 State Park Marina Rd, Branson, MO 65616
Phone: (417) 334-2628
Website: State Park Marina
Overview: Missouri’s first “Clean Marina” with 650 boat slips, offering rentals, a boathouse store, and the Portsiside Pizza restaurant.
Long Creek Marina
Location: 1368 Long Creek Rd, Ridgedale, MO 65739
Phone: (417) 334-4860
Website: Long Creek Marina
Overview: Part of Big Cedar Lodge, this marina offers boat rentals, watercraft rentals, fishing services, and the “Goin’ Jessi” lake tour.
Bent Hook Marina
Location: 612 Devil’s Pool Rd, Ridgedale, MO 65739
Phone: (417) 338-2211
Website: Bent Hook Marina
Overview: Also part of Big Cedar Lodge, offering boat and watercraft rentals, fishing services, and the “Goin’ Jessi” lake tour.
Indian Point Marina
Location: 3443 Indian Point Rd, Branson, MO 65616
Phone: (417) 338-2891
Website: Indian Point Marina
Overview: A full-service marina offering boat rentals, slip rentals, and a convenience store.
Baxter Marina
Location: 4667 St Hwy H, Lampe, MO 65681
Phone: (417) 779-4301
Website: Baxter Marina
Overview: Offers gas dock services, a ship’s store, pontoon rentals, and boat storage.
Campbell Point Marina
Location: 1363 Campbell Point Rd, Shell Knob, MO 65747
Phone: (417) 858-6331
Website: Campbell Point Marina
Overview: A full-service marina located on the beautiful White River.
Kings River Marina
Location: 27504 Big Rock Rd, Shell Knob, MO 65747
Phone: (417) 858-6429
Website: Kings River Marina
Overview: Located on the quiet side of the lake, offering boat rentals and slip rentals.
Port of Kimberling
Marina
Location: 348 Nautical Circle, Kimberling City, MO 65686
Phone: (417) 739-2315
Website: Port of Kimberling Marina •
Overview: Offers bait, tackle, fuel, and boat rentals including wave runners and ski boats.
Big M Marina
Location: 26111 Big M
Campground, Cassville, MO 65625
Phone: (417) 271-3853
Website: Big M Marina
Overview: Provides a variety of services for lake enthusiasts.
Financial Focus
Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor
You should always be able to ask as many questions as you’d like when working with your financial advisor. So, before you have your annual review, think carefully about what you’d like to ask.
Here are a few suggestions: Are my goals still realistic?
When you first began working with your financial advisor, you may well have articulated several financial goals. For example, you might have said that you wanted to pay for most of your children’s college education, or that you’d like to retire at age 55, or that you hope to travel internationally every year during retirement. In fact, you could have many different goals for which you’re saving and investing. When you meet with your financial advisor, you’ll certainly want to ask whether you’re still on track toward meeting these goals. If you are, you can continue with the financial strategies you’ve been following; but if you aren’t, you may need to adjust them. The same is true if your goals have changed. You and your financial advisor will want to build a strategy to address any new or different goals such as emergency cash needs, having adequate insurance protection or estate planning.
Am I taking on too much - or too little - risk?
Put market declines in perspective. The financial markets always fluctuate, and these movements will affect the value of your investment portfolio. Suppose you watch the markets closely every day and track their impact on your investments. You may find yourself fretting over their value and wondering whether you’re taking on too much investment risk for your comfort level. Conversely, if during an extended period of market gains your own portfolio appears to be lagging, you might feel that you should be investing more aggressively, which entails greater risk. In any case, it’s important to consult with your financial advisor to determine your risk tolerance and use it as a guideline for making investment choices.
How will changes in my life affect my investment strategy?
Your life is not static. Over the years, you may experience any number of major events, such as marriage, remarriage, loss of a spouse, birth of children or grandchildren, changing jobs or illness leading to early retirement. When you meet with your financial advisor, you will want to discuss these types of changes,
because they can affect your longterm goals and your investment decisions.
How
are external forces affecting my investment portfolio?
Generally speaking, you will want to create an investment strategy based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. And, as mentioned, you may need to adjust your strategy based on changes in your life. But should you also make changes based on outside forces, such as interest rate movements, political events, inflation, new tax legislation or news affecting industries in which you have invested substantially? Try not to make longterm investment decisions based on short-term news. Yet, talk with your financial advisor to make sure your investment portfolio and spending strategy are not out of alignment with relevant external factors.
By making these and other inquiries, you can help yourself stay informed about your overall investment picture and what moves, if any, you should make to keep advancing toward your goals. A financial advisor is there to provide you with valuable guidance — so take full advantage of it.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial
Advisor.
Presented
by
our local Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Grant Beasley 417-739-5575
Dock & Dine: Your Guide to Boat-Up Dining
On Table Rock Lake
There’s nothing quite like a summer day on Table Rock Lake. Sparkling water, scenic Ozark hills, the steady hum of a boat engine - and when hunger strikes, you don’t even have to head back to shore.
Table Rock is dotted with lakeside restaurants and floating cafes that welcome boaters with open arms and open docks. From hand-tossed pizza and grilled fish tacos to fine dining and tiki bars, there’s a dock & dine experience for every appetite.
Ready to chart your culinary course? Here’s a guide to the best boat friendly dining spots on Table Rock Lake.
Casual Eats & Comfort Food
The lake’s many coves and marinas hide some fantastic casual stops where you can tie up the boat and grab a great meal in your swimsuit.
Big Buoy’s is a go-to for burgers, cold beer, and live music- the kind of place where boaters linger for hours. Nearby, Stuffed and Pressed serves up craveable sandwiches and pressed paninis, perfect for a quick lake lunch.
Pizza is practically its own food group on Table Rock Lake. Boaters love Pier 28 Pizza & Grill at Port of Kimberling, Sharky’s Pizza at Lazy Lee’s Resort, and even the waterfront Pizza Hut in Shell Knob. Pizza World near Indian Point and Portside Pizza at Campbell Point Marina have you covered.
For a taste of the tropics, float over to Shady Taco Grill, where tacos, tequila, and margaritas rule the menu. Goofy Goose and Ride
the Wave are lively stops for casual pub food and drinks, often paired with live entertainment.
Resort Dining & Upscale Options
Looking to elevate your lakeside meal? Several of the lake’s top resorts offer dock access and exceptional dining. At Big Cedar Lodge, boaters can enjoy the rustic elegance of Devil’s Pool Restaurant, or grab a quick bite from the Canteen at Long Creek Marina. Nearby, Chateau on the Lake Resort offers fine dining at the Chateau Grille, with stunning lake views. Lakeside Resort & Restaurant, near Kimberling City, is another favorite for comfort fare, served in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Floating Cafes & Family-Friendly Favorites
No boating adventure is complete without a visit to one of the lake’s charming floating cafes.
The Indian Point Floating Cafe and is an iconic lake stop known for hearty breakfasts and diner classics served right on the water.
Families love Watson’s on the Water at Shell Knob for its friendly vibe, live music, and lakeside eats.
At Bomber’s Bar & Grill at Big M Marina, boaters can relax with burgers, cold drinks, and lake views — an easygoing stop after a day of swimming or skiing.
Hidden Gems & Local Hangouts
Venture a little farther, and you’ll find a few more unique stops worth
exploring.
Cricket Creek Marina, tucked away on the Arkansas side, offers a peaceful dock with a small café and store — perfect for a quiet lunch break.
Rock Island Tiki Bar brings island vibes to the lake with tropical drinks and light bites, ideal for sunset sips. SS Dockside offers ice cream, snacks, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Tips for Dock & Dine Success
Call ahead: Some restaurants fill up fast or adjust hours seasonally.
Watch the weather: Windy afternoons can make docking tricky.
Plan ahead: Popular spots fill quickly on summer weekends - arrive early or late for the best shot at a slip.
Boat responsibly:
Always designate a sober captain.
• Quick Website Links
• Big Buoy’s
• Stuffed and Pressed
• Sharky’s Pizza at Lazy Lee’s Resort
• Pizza Hut (waterfront location)
• Pier 28 Pizza & Grill (Port of Kimberling Marina)
• Goofy Goose
• Ride the Wave
• Lakeside Resort & Restaurant
• Indian Point Floating Cafe
• Pizza World
• Portside Pizza (Campbell Point Marina)
• Watson’s on the Water
• Bomber’s Bar & Grill
Your Next Adventure Awaits
Dining by boat adds a whole new layer of fun to any Table Rock Lake adventure. Whether you’re chasing the perfect slice of pizza, craving a lakeside steak, or just looking for a spot to sip a margarita and watch the sun set, the lake’s dock & dine scene offers endless possibilities.
So fuel up the boat, grab your crew, and set a course for one of these delicious dockside destinations. The lake - and the menu - are calling.
• Devil’s Pool Restaurant
• Canteen at Long Creek Marina
• Chateau Grille (Chateau on the Lake Resort)
• Rock Island Grill
• SS Dockside
• Cricket Creek Marina Cafe
• Shady Taco Grill
Thunder Ridge Nature Arena
Stars. Big Skies. Big Views.
Summer kicks off with a bang at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, where the Ozarks’ most stunning outdoor amphitheater hosts a trio of powerhouse performances this June. Nestled in the rolling hills of Ridgedale, MO, the arena offers a one-of-a-kind concert experience where music meets nature.
Here’s your guide to the can’t-miss June lineup:
June 12 - Hozier
“Unreal Unearth Tour 2025”
Showtime: 7:30 PM | Gates: 6 PM
Hozier brings his soulful, poetic energy to Thunder Ridge for one night only. Fans can expect hits like “Take Me to Church” alongside material from his latest album, Unreal Unearth. Under the starlit Ozark sky, this promises to be an intimate and moving experience.
Vibe: Indie rock, folk, blues
June Spotlight
June 13 - Post Malone with Jelly Roll
“Post Malone Presents: The BIG ASS Stadium Tour”
Showtime: 6:30 PM | Gates: 5 PM
Known for blending hip-hop, rock, and pop with undeniable charisma, Post Malone is set to turn Thunder Ridge into a high-energy, sing-along party. With megahits like “Circles” and “Sunflower” on the setlist, this will be one of the arena’s biggest nights of the season.
Vibe: Hip-hop, pop, genre-blending
June
29 - Outlaw Music Festival
Featuring: Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, & more
Showtime: 5:00 PM | Gates: 3:45 PM
This all-day festival brings legends of outlaw country, Americana, and folk to the Ozarks. Expect vintage vibes with timeless artistry, as Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan share the stage with modern torchbearers like Nathaniel Rateliff. The rolling hills of Thunder Ridge will echo with the sounds of American roots music all afternoon and into the night.
Vibe: Outlaw country, folk, roots, Americana
Fresh Recipe The Rogue Chef
Elote Corn Dip
Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6-8 servings
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Ingredients
● 4 C Corn Kernels
● 1 T Olive Oil
● 1⁄2 C Mayonnaise
● 1⁄2 C Sour Cream
● 1 1⁄2 C Cotija Cheese, crumbled
● 1 tsp Chili Powder
● 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
● 1⁄2 tsp Garlic Powder
● 1 T Fresh Cilantro, chopped
● 1 T Fresh Lime Juice
● Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes or until the corn is lightly golden.
3. Add the cooked corn to the bowl and mix well.
4. Transfer the mixture into a baking dish (9×9 inch or similar size) and spread it evenly.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
6. Garnish with extra cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
7. Serve with Corn Tortilla Chips.
Go Rogue by adding sautéed shrimp to the dip prior to baking.
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2. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Stir until smooth and well combined.
What Lies Beneath:
Stories About What Is Buried By Table Rock Lake
Float Camps on the James © Tom Koob 2025
It was a clear, warm day in February as I drove down Blunk Road just west of Galena to meet with Gary Benham. Gary has lived in Galena throughout his life. He operated a campground on the James in Galena and outfitted float trips through James River Outfitters. Gary’s father and grandfather both guided float trips on the James in their time.
Gary welcomed me to his home on the high bluff overlooking Sweet Water Bottoms. The view looks out over a long straight stretch of the river. Off to the north, the James splits around an island. To the east, large sycamores with bare, white trunks line the river bank. The bottomlands are wide across the river with pasture slowly rising up to forested ridgelines. Off to the south, a bald eagle perches in its aerie, apparently protecting an egg or two. Below Gary’s home on the cliff
above the water lies Gentry cave, a labyrinth of passages and tunnels, snaking through the bluff.
We drove to town and picked up Buster Tilden. Buster was one of the last surviving original float guides of this area. He guided johnboats on the James and other rivers of the Table Rock area starting in the 1930s. At 91, Buster was quick of step and quick of mind. He climbed the riverbanks with two fellows half his age all afternoon and told stories the whole time. Buster knew the outfitters and the guides during the heyday of float fishing. He knew Charlie Barnes, Tom Yocum, Rollie Blunk, George Foster and Little Hoss Jennings. He floated, fished and camped with the best.
My goal for the day was to visit some of the old fishing camps on the James. I couldn’t have chosen a better pair to
Gary Benham and Buster Tilden at Camp Yocum
guide me. These camps are all either on or require access through private property. Through his outfitting business, his knowledge of the area and local residents, and his personable manner, Gary could gain access to
stories about what these camps were like decades before.
Our first stop was at Camp Echo about 4½ river miles above Galena. The camp is reached through a well-manicured horse ranch. Camp Echo was a stopping point and campsite. It never included cabins or amenities. The camp is on a peaceful bench with the James flowing serenely beneath an attractive white bluff on the eastern shore. There is an old well with a working hand pump on the site.
About a mile and a half downstream is Camp Yocum, reached by a decent county road with the final private portion a narrow dirt trail. Camp Yocum was run by Tom Yocum and his family for many years. Buster remembered Tom as a knowledgeable guide with meticulous camp habits. Buster said Tom Yocum would allow other guides to prepare meals, but he insisted on cleaning and carefully stowing the cooking gear.
long-term stays. Surprisingly, almost all these structures are still standing and some are still used. Gary Benham lived in one of the units for a while. These wood-frame buildings have survived weather and floods for at least eighty-five years. The camp is situated on a very level terrace about ten feet above the river. Hickory, oak and ash trees dot the shady bench. Buster reported that the river stretch past Yocum was a good hole for goggle-eye when Galena was the “Float Fishing Capital of the World”.
The next camp we visited was Limberlost. I found Limberlost a sad place. Too close to town, the camp shows considerable intrusion by people who don’t appreciate the history or natural beauty of this site. Limberlost once included a substantial lodge and cabins. The camp served as a fishing camp, vacation resort and community event venue. Gary and Ellen Benham were married at the lodge before it was destroyed by fire. Buster thought this was also the site of a ferry many years ago. All that remains now of the camp are some concrete foundation walls huddled against the hill slope. The river takes two attitudes here. A portion of the water eases into a shallow slough seeming to resign itself to stagnation. The rest of the river courses through a narrow chute, im-
Camp Yocum was a popular camp with a lodge and several cabins for The dam at Camp Care-Away
Camp Echo
patient to leave this place and find a more wild setting.
After leaving Limberlost behind, my guides took me past Bill Rogers Motel. Bill Rogers ran a resort and fishing camp at the Kimberling Bridge for many years before moving his service to Galena when Table Rock came in. Rogers’ motel and restaurant was a nexus of float fishing activity during the last years of the great float era. Gary Benham and Buster Tilden both remembered a long line of johnboats that Rogers and other outfitters kept tied up on the James just below Rogers Motel. The original Bill Rogers Motel sign still stands, but stares blindly at the concrete piers of the old wagon bridge that once crossed the river here.
Next back down Blunk Road past the old remains of Rollie Blunk’s house. It has been gone so long now, even my companions were unsure if this was the location for Arnold’s Lodge. To me it didn’t seem quite right. So we headed down to the river and drove right into the river bed and four-wheeled across the reasonably flat bedrock. Gary said this route was the old roadway along the river. He remembered the school bus using this path that ran several hundred yards before rising back up out of the valley. We drove as far as possible over the rock and then proceeded on foot. The dry por tion of the river bed was pocked with potholes and littered with small, col orful periwinkle shells. There were no mussel shells to be seen.
We walked back up the river bank, through cane and briars, back into the forest. Soon we came across an old dam at the mouth of a small hid den stream known as Medical Spring Hollow. The dam was well-built and well-designed, still in reasonably good condition. Gravel pushed down the hollow had completely filled the
streambed behind the dam, but a small flow issued from a conduit at the base of the dam and formed a small, clear pool. Buster said this was the site of
Camp Care-Away and I believe it was. But I now believe that this was also the site of Arnold’s Lodge which was later converted into Camp Cara way. The description of Camp Arnold just fit this location too well.
Camp Care-Away was opened by a wealthy oil man from Oklahoma as a summer camp for disadvantaged youth. Buster said the man was known locally as “Millionaire Jones”. Some maps identify this site as Jones Camp which may help explain its his tory or deepen its mystery.
Whichever, there are plenty of indica tions that a camp existed here. Above the dam, the creek banks are lined by stone walls. Buster said the dam and walls created a swimming pool. Farther up the hollow, there are substantial piers on either side, which Buster stated supported a dining hall suspended over the small stream. Scat-
Log cabin at the site of Long Camp
tered around the area were footings, foundations and partial walls indicating the locations of cabins. One particularly large foundation outline was the auditorium or main hall at Camp Caraway, Buster believed.
As we stood among these ruins, we looked out across the James, wider and deeper here, even under drought conditions. Buster pointed downstream. “Just around the bend was Tilden Hole,” he said. He explained that this was one of many named holes along the river that the float guides used to identify locations for fishing and camping. The Tilden family had homesteaded land across the river in the 1800s. Buster recalled plowing 200 acres of bottomland behind a brace of mules on this property as a youth. This section of the river carries his family name.
ture visible in the wide expanse up and down the valley- an old handhewn log cabin. Buster believed it was part of the old Long homestead.
To me, this site spoke volumes without saying a word. History seemed to exude from the ground. Tales of hard scrabble farming, of hearty meals in an old log cabin, of weary fishermen telling tales around a campfire. I could picture George Foster, veteran float guide, cooking pancakes over an open fire. Buster recalled George was a southpaw and his fellow floaters would sometimes request a left-handed flapjack. George’s reply would be, “They come in pairs, I don’t make just one.”
The river flows north here, up against a high, steep, white rock bluff dotted with red cedars. Across the stream, a large section of rock ledge had fractured and fallen into the water. Both Gary and Buster thought it was a recent collapse. The James seemed to forsake itself here at Long Camp. Backwater from Table Rock Lake comes up river this far. It’s not really a river anymore.
We visited one last camp that winter day- Long Camp. Gary guided us down a long gravel road that followed a steep, narrow hollow steadily down over a mile toward the river. We came out on a wide bottomland terrace. It was quiet. There was only one struc-
As the sun settled in the west, my companions and I headed out of the valley and back to Galena. You can still float, fish and camp at some of these sites. But remember what came before. Men like Buster Tilden ran these waters decades ago and helped develop these camps. Men like Gary Benham could still guide you to these sites and introduce you to the beauty and enjoyment of the river.
Tom Koob is a local author who has written several books about Ozarks history, including Buried By Table Rock Lake and On the River A History of the Ozarks Float Trip.
His work is available on Amazon books or by contacting him at: wolpublishing@gmail.com.
The James River at the site of Camp Limberlost
