We’re so excited to bring the first issue of Lost on the Lake - Table Rock to this amazing community. We’ve been working hard to provide a Lake Lifestyle Magazine that fits the needs of the residents, the 2nd home owners and visitors alike!
Table Rock, being a vacation destination, is constantly adjusting to season at hand. The towns transition from the busy Spring & Summer craziness to the nature showcase of Fall and then straight into a Winter Wonderland. I always smile on the first day of November knowing we have entered the Holidays!
If you have a story idea, a photo to share, or a memory of life on the lake, please feel free to send to us. We want to become a part of your lake ex perience and create a magazine you are excited to read!
Happy Holidays~
BY: ERIC PREY - TRL Guide
Many anglers think winter is the time to pack up their rods, winterize the boat and start dreaming of catching fish in the spring. On highland reservoirs like Table Rock nothing could be further from the truth. Anglers that put on an extra layer of clothes and head to the lake will be rewarded with some of the best bass fishing of the year, it’s just a matter of knowing where to look and what to do as winter passes through the Ozarks.
Throughout the winter bass move from deep to shallow following and feeding on schools of threadfin shad. Finding schools of bait regardless of depth is critical to your winter fishing success. The adage of “find the bait and you find the fish” is never truer than in the winter. Here are a couple of tips to make your bait and fish search, more successful:
• Watch for birds: Loons migrate to Table Rock in November, if you find a group of loons swimming and diving in the lake there’s a good chance, they are feeding on Threadfin shad. Seagulls are also helpful if you see gulls diving in the water there will most likely be shad present.
• Go out deep: Deep channels will hold more shad than the shallows by the
bank. The center or guts of creeks, main river channels and bluff type banks will be where the big schools of shad will be. When you find the bait you’re halfway there, in the winter bass will not stray too far away from their food source, their metabolism is slowed due to cold water, they won’t expend a lot of energy to find the food they need.
Knowing winter bass follow shad through -out the winter, the general migration of shad and fish is crucial to your winter fishing success. Looking at that migration is the next key to putting more fish in the boat.
By this time the shad have moved into the creek arms, prior to December the shad have made a move from the main lake and schooled up towards the backs of creeks feeding on plankton that washes in during fall rains. As the water cools the school will move closer to the mouths of creeks but remain in large groups.
This is a prime time to target bass deep; spotted bass, largemouth and smallmouth will take advantage of the large schools of shad, suspending underneath the shad using them as cover and a food source.
• Look for loons and gulls you will find the shad and bass.
• Utilize your electronics and fish vertical with Jewel Scuba Spoons, Drop Shot Rigs, Rapala Jigging Raps and Damiki Rigs. Once you find the fish drop your lures directly in front or just above them. Your lure will mimic a dying shad falling from the school and trigger a bite. Pay attention to fish movement within the school of shad, if you notice fish feeding and moving on the shad you need
to get your bait to them while they are active.
A transition begins in January; shad will begin to break up and move toward the bank as water temperatures warm. Pay close attention to water temps and shad movement to stay with the fish and con tinue success.
There will still be bass deep just like in December, but you will start to see them chase shad shallower in the water column. Forward Facing sonar is an important piece of the puzzle once this begins, sitting over top of these fish chasing shad is difficult without spooking the fish. You can still have success fishing vertically, but as water temperatures rise casting to feeding fish becomes more important.
• Finding birds is still critical, look for loons and gulls and target those areas.
• While you can still catch a few fishing vertically, finding the active fish with forward facing sonar is the key to success.
• Casting Alabama Rigs, Jewel Scope Spins, Small Swimbaits and Small Dixie Jet Spoons in and around the schools of shad are the most effective tech niques.
• Watch for fish “Blowing Holes” in the schools of shad on your forward facing sonar and you will catch fish.
Water temperatures will continue to rise through February increasing shad and bass movement. Schools of shad can still be found offshore but smaller schools will break away and head shallower as the water warms. Some bass will follow
the smaller schools toward the bank and start suspending in standing timber and other cover less than 30’ deep. The biggest bass of the year are usually caught in February and March, so this is the time to do some trophy hunti ng on Table Rock.
• Birds will still be important; loons will tend to follow the shad shallow as gulls will stay out deep.
• Spotted bass will stay deep and can be caught both vertically and casting like December and January patterns. Largemouth and smallmouth will follow the smaller schools of threadfin and gizzard shad.
• Finding cover is critical when targeting largemouth and smallmouth; standing timber, docks, brush piles and rock piles are all important.
• Jerkbaits, Alabama rigs and swimbaits are the most effective presentations during this transition. Keep your lure close to the cover.
• Wind and clouds are your friends during this transition, anything that breaks up the sunlight in the clear water of Table Rock makes fish more a ggressive.
Following the migration of shad based on water temperature changes is key to catching fish in the winter. Table Rock Lake boasts some of the best winter fishing in the country with the opportunity to not only catch numbers of fish but an excellent chance at a true trophy largemouth or smallmouth. Learn to follow the shad, use your electronics effectively and put on an extra layer or two and you’ll find out that bass fishing isn’t just a summertime activity on Table Rock Lake.
For more Table Rock Lake fishing: www.tablerockfishingintel.com
Eric Prey has been a licensed fishing guide for over 25 years, building a reputation as one of the best in the area. From beginners to seasoned pros Eric’s clients are guaranteed to have one of the most enjoyable and memorable fishing experiences of their lives. With multiple tournament wins Eric knows how to locate and catch fish on Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals. Eric also operates www.tablerockfishingintel.com , the most comprehensive fishing website on Table Rock Lake.
NOV 19-20 - BRANSON MARKET DAYS
Branson Hilton Convention Center
A trendy craft show in Branson for the holidays www.bransonmarketdays.com
DEC 3 @ 3pm Kimberling City Christmas Parade 2022
Tree Lighting at the Port of Kimberling www.facebook.com/kimberlingcity
DEC 4 @ 5pm - BRANSON ADORATION PARADE
Branson Landing www.bransonchamber.com/adoration-parade/
Shepherd of the Hills Complex
Many festivities including a walk-thru journey through the ligh ts and more www.theshepherdofthehills.com
Branson Scenic Railway
Take a train ride based on the children’s book and meet Santa www.bransontrain.com/polarexpress.cfm
Showboat Branson Belle
Enjoy Christmas music from the 60’s to today performed by enter tainers while you dine www.silverdollarcity.com/showboat-brans
Wolfe Mountain Branson
Visit this synthetic snow tubing hill for fun year round! 400 foot long slope to ride down with friends www.wolfemountainbranson.com
Promised Land Zoo You can pet, feed and take photos with live reindeer www.plzoo.com/branson/lights/
SANTA’S WONDERLAND
Bass Pro Shop - Branson Landing
FREE Photos with Santa - Reservations recommended www.basspro.com/shop/en/santas-wonderland
Big Cedar Lodge
Ice Skating, holiday tram tours, visits from Santa & over 2 mil lion lights www.bigcedar.com/seasons/home-for-the-holidays/
OLD TIME CHRISTMAS
Silver Dollar City
With over 6.5 million lights and “Christmas in Midtown Light Sp ectacular” www.silverdollarcity.com
The Track Family Fun Parks
7,200 sq ft of ice skating under the Branson Ferris Wheel www.fivestarparks.com/branson-tracks
Love it, or hate it...cranberry sauce is always requested at our Holiday Table, so here is my recipe!
Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Servings: 9 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water 1/2 cup orange juice (from two oranges) 4 cups fresh cranberries (12 oz package) Zest of 1 Orange Pinch of Salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
Bring orange juice, water and sugar to a boil over high heat in a medium saucepan. Add the cranberries, orange zest and salt to the pan and return to a boil. Reduce to medium heat and boil gently for about 10 minutes, until most of the cranberries have burst open and are soft. You can mash some a bit with a spoon if you would like.
Transfer to a serving dish, cover and chill until ready to serve.
This can be stored in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Branson Scenic Railways creates a live action holiday experience for children and parents alike. Using the story book as a basis of the adventure, The Polar Express begins when checking in and receiving your golden ticket to ride.
The train is beautifully decorated and the crew is in full character throughout the journey. They share the book in each car while the story is read aloud and fresh sugar cookies and hot chocolate are served.
While riding along the tracks there is a brief glimpse of Santa outside the train, wait ing to board. He smiles and waves at the children as you pass. Shortly after, they announce that Santa has arrived and will be visiting each car.
Santa comes through with gifts for everyone and a brief opportunity for photos. Then as
quickly as he arrives, he’s gone.
The journey takes you along side of some lovely holiday lights and offers opportunities to make new friends.
If you have small children, I encourage you make reservations for this experience. I believe it sells out far in advance. I also recommend warm jackets as the evenings can be exceptionally cold while waiting for the train.
All in all, I think this is worth the price, but I do wish there were more opportunities for photos with Santa. I also recommend buying Premium over Coach, if possible.
Pricing ranges from $47 - $73 per person and schedules are Thursday - Sunday.
Visit: www.bransontrain.com
If you’re looking for a special holiday treat, drive along State Hwy 13, in the heart of Kimberling City. There you will find a rustic brick building tucked on the side of the road, down by the bridge. This building is filled with charm, character and delicious home baked goodness.
Simply Baked offers “baked from scratch” delicious food daily. Featuring Hand Pies which are a wonderful way to consume breakfast and lunch. And if you prefer, they offer a take and bake option to enjoy fresh baked at home.
And that’s not all! Owner and baker Chandler Campbell creates so many other baked goods. Featuring scones, muffins, giant cinnamon rolls, brownie s, pastries and more.
With seating inside or out, you are welcomed to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee & espresso and let the day begin.
Now, lets discuss the Holidays ~ Chandler bakes the most decadent PIES! The season is upon us and Simply Baked offers pies for all of your gatherings. You can pre-order for those special events and pick them up locally.
SIMPLY BAKED BY CHANDLER 12056 MO-13 in Kimberling City Call 417-527-1933 or visit www.SimplyBakedBC.com
• Spiced Pumpkin
• Bourbon Chocolate Pecan
• Apple Crumb
• Maple Rum Sea Salt
Most pies are offered in full size & mini! They can be Pre-Ordered by Phone or you can stop by for a last minute treat. Chandler and her family love being a part of your Holiday Celebration, bringing your family and friends together! Try something new this season. Served with Love.
The Ozarks are full of secrets and back woods stories and people have been distilling for ages. Unregulated and difficult to perfect we prefer to look to the professionals our spirits!
Copper Run Distillery, located in Stone County, is the first legal distillery in the Ozark Mountains since the prohibition ended in 1933.
The distillery was originally in Walnut Shade, and produced what Keith Hock felt was the best small batch whiskey in the Ozarks. So when he learned that the distillery was up for sale, he began to wonder would his favorite whiskey disappear forever? He knew he couldn’t let that happen, so his wife Lois and his friend Jason Iacobucci joined him in acquiring the distillery.
After some time they began looking for a new location to expand Copper Run Distillery and they found a new home in Branson West. They produce everything in house and everything is hand crafted, starting with processing raw in gredients. Being diligent about sourcing the best ingrediants close to home is an important part of keeping their footprint to a minimum.
At Copper Run Distillery, their artisan opera tion requires hard work and commitment to continually making the best tasting products right out of the still. As a small batch distillery, they are not about volume, but more about their passion to continually become the best they can.
by tradition and up and coming technology. The centerpiece of their operation is a 140 gallon, direct fire, copper pot surrounded by equip ment that’s been designed in-house to match the culture and style of their operation.
All production is run by experienced Distiller - GM, AJ Womack and along side him is Distiller Pat Gibbons. They manage everything in production, from distilling to labeling and bottling. The owners, Keith and Lois Hock man age in house operations and are very hands on, and Joe Abaecherli is re sponsible for Sales.
The tasting room is open Thurs. - Sat. from 1pm - 5pm. They also offer tours of the distillery, which I highly recom mend! You will learn so much about the craft and science involved. I was in awe of the lab and equipment on site. Distiller AJ likes to say “This is as close as science gets to magic, with out being illegal”.
Contact the office for information on small gatherings or group events. Visit their website for other info: www.CopperRunDistillery.com
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Copper Run Spiced Rum
1/2 oz Elderflower Liqueur
2 oz Cranberry Juice
3 oz Ginger Ale
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
3 Strawberries, cut into slices
Instructions:
Add strawberries and simple syrup to glass and muddle. Add elderflower liqueur, cranberry juice, and Copper Run Spiced Rum to gladd then add ice to combine. Top with ginger ale and, if desired, garnish with orange slice and whole strawberry.
Ingredients:
1 oz Copper Run Malted Barley Whis key
1/2 oz Irish Cream
1/2 oz Butterscotch Liqueur
4 oz Freshly Brewed Coffee
Instructions:
In a coffee mug, add Copper Run Malted Barley Whiskey, butterscotch liqueur, and coffee and give a light stir. Top with irish cream and, if de sired, allow whipped cream to melt over the top. Finish with a light drizzle of caramel syrup.
14720 Business 13 in Branson West Thursday - Saturday 1pm - 5pm 417-587-3336
If you have a love for all things pretty and whimsical, then you must visit SCOUT + PETAL.
Set in a cute little building adorned in string lights and quaint porches sits this hidden gem. Tonya adds her unique spin on everything she creates.
Whether you are looking for a quick winter pick-me-up or you have a special occassion to celebrate, she has something for you. Flowers, plants, wreaths, small treats/gifts and more. Stop in to see what she has on hand for the holidays!
“Love is like wildflowers; It’s often found in the most unlikely places.’
Ralph Waldo Emerson+
Quirky is a great description when it comes to Eureka Springs. Well, maybe eclectic is a better word?!
However you describe it, I call it fun. It is a great day trip, at under an hour away, you can get there and still have an entire day to wander.
I love the downtown vibe full of Victorian
buildings, steep stairways and ghost signs. Wandering is a perfect way to explore. There are many restaurants to choose from while in town. I recommend New Dehli Cafe on N Main Street. They often have live music and seating indoors or out. The menu has plenty of options which is a benefit when you go with a group.
Some things to see while in the area are Basin Spring Park, Thorncrown Chapel, Quigley’s Castle, St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Christ of the Ozarks & Onyx Cave Park.
For visitor information go to: www.eurekasprings.org
BASIN SPRING PARK
ST. ELIZABETH CATHOLIC CHURCH
ADOBE STOCK
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Branson Balloon is family owned and operated. Rodney is a commercial hot air balloon pilot, with 32 years of experience and a perfect safety record. Rodney has true passion for balloons and flying. It all started with a dream to be an astro naut and then evolved from that to wanting to fly in a hot air balloon. Once he took his first flight it wasn’t long until he purchased his own balloon and studied to get his pilot’s license. It began as a hobby as he had a “day job” back in the day so he would fly on weekends and during his vacation time. Soon that hobby turned in to a full-time sense of enjoyment. “If you do what you love you don’t work a day in your life!”
Melissa, his wife, is the crew chief, and their son, CJ, is crew! There are occasions when we are blessed to have friends wake up before the sun rises and help us on our morning adventures. Passengers are always welcome to help, but that is only if they want to. The more help the better.
Getting the honor of being a part of engage ments, anniversaries, milestones in someone’s life, or just marking an item off their bucket list brings us so much joy. The least favorite part of our job is having to tell people the weather conditions aren’t safe for their flight and that we must cancel. That part is always difficult.
Here’s a glimpse into our day, for those that wonder what we do! We get up before sunrise to get ready for the morning flight. We then leave to meet our passengers and take them to our launch site for the day. The morning air is calm and there is little to no wind. We see the sun begin to rise as we reach our launch spot. Inflation of the enve lope begins using a high-powered, gas inflator fan. The balloon starts to take shape as it fills with cold air to pack it tight. Next, the flames are lit, and the burner is on. The air inside the balloon heats and causes it to rise! Time to load up the passengers and away they go, quietly floating through the air. All you hear is the sound of the burner, which some describe as a “fire-breathing dragon”!
At this point the “chase” begins! Luckily, we live in a day and age where it’s easier to track the balloon, so it’s ok if you don’t always have your eye on the balloon. Apps like Glympse, Life 360 and many others help track the speed and direction of the flight path. These are helpful when the balloon is out of eyesight. Balloons travel the same direction and speed of the wind; therefore, you cannot feel the wind when you are in the basket, you are moving with it! There are other ways to “know” the location of the balloon: people will honk their horn, dogs bark, cows run away, people yell, and if you listen closely, you can hear the burners in the distance. Once the balloon is in sight of the landing zone, the crew is in place to either catch the dropline or put weight on the basket once they are safely back on the ground. Now…it’s time to take down the balloon and pack up.
Not many know this but for first timers there is a short, traditional ceremony to celebrate your first flight and your soft landing. You will learn a little about the his tory of ballooning, when the first flight was, and why it’s tradition to have a celebratory champagne toast after you hear the Balloonist’s Prayer. All in all, this makes for a magical morning – the sunrise, a hot air balloon ride, and a champagne toast (non-alcoholic for those that prefer) what a great way to start your morning!
We are often asked why we only fly once per day, early morning at sunrise. This is because the conditions for flying are more stable during the early morning hours, and this also makes for a beautiful flight. The balloon moves the same speed and direction of the wind. Seeing the sunrise in the Ozark’s is always spec tacular. From start to finish it is roughly 3 hours and the flight is generally an hour in the air, sometimes more. We pick you up at a centrally located spot and take you back to your vehicle once the flight is over and we are packed up.
We book out at least 2 weeks in advance. In Septem ber and October, our calendar fills up quickly as the fall is a beautiful time of year to fly. The hope is to have as many good weather days as we do passengers on the calendar! Having flexibility in your schedule allows more opportunities to get your flight in should we have
to cancel due to unfavorable weather conditions. Our goal is to always do our very best to get everyone in the basket for their flight, keeping in mind, SAFETY FIRST! Recently, we had one passenger who rescheduled 8 times, with work schedules and being weathered out, he was finally able to fly on his 9th try…he was so glad he was patient and persistent, he enjoyed every mo ment of the flight.
The scenery in Branson is beautiful. The laughter and ex citement are LITERALLY in the air! Flying in a balloon is a whole new way to experience the sights, the sounds, and the scenery of wherever you choose to fly. You won’t be disappointed. SO…what are you waiting for?
Branson
One of the best times to enjoy your outdoor space is when it’s chilly out. Hard to believe, right?
When professionally designed, your deck and yard can be utilized year round. Outdoor Rooms by Design has a team of professionals in the showroom that can assist you in planning your custom outdoor living area. They can provide design, offer custom fabric choices and have multiple manufacturers to choose from.
Family owned and operated, the showroom is friendly and welcoming, just like your space should be!
Some of my favorite choices for winter are outdoor heaters and
firepits. Properly designed your space will be warm and enjoyable throughout the colder months.
Then on those nights when you just need to relax and unwind, nothing works quite as well as climbing into your private hot tub. Even in the snow, actually, especially in the snow, a hot tub can melt all your stress away! You can create this retreat in your own backyard.
able to go outside and barbecue for your friends and family is one of lifes joys. And then you can gather around a firepit or fire table. There are so many different options when it comes to adding a fire feature to your yard. It doesn’t have to be either/or, it can be both!
Table Rock Lake levels are known to fluctuate through out the seasons. This year in particular we have seen some drastic swings.
In May we hit a high level of 927.5 when we received more than our share of rain. And in mid November the levels were down to 910.7.
At the highest point, we saw patrol boats positioned along-side of the Kimberling City Bridge, ensuring boats wouldn’t attempt to cruise under the too low end of the bridge.
Now we see long lost treetops popping out of the depths, causing tight navigation out of coves and an eerie graveyard-like appearance.
They say this is normal, and it will soon bounce back. In the meantime, it is interesting seeing the islands pop up, the beaches appear and the cliffs that are usually hidden away. Pray for Spring Showers!
