Lost on the Lake TABLE ROCK
Lake Lifestyle Magazine
The Summer of 2025
We made it ~ It felt like forever, but it is finally Lake Season! So, what will you do with this time of your life? Time near the water can be so therapeutic ... it heals me.
Table Rock Lake is reverred for its pristine water and tree lined shores. There is a place on the water for everyone. Whether you are into extreme water sports or you enjoy tying up with friends in a cove, you can find it here..
As our lake continues to draw more tourism and new residents, it is important to remember we all have the same goal, to have a memorable time and live our best LAKE LIFE!
I personally look forward to meeting more of you on the lake this season and sharing your memories!
Be Happy,
Myra Thornton
CREATIVE EDITOR
Myra Thornton
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
The Rogue Chef Tom Koob Brittney Smith
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
Creating Memories
SPRINGBass Fishing
Bass fishing on Table Rock Lake in Missouri during May can be excellent, as the bass are typ ically in or just coming out of the spawning phase. Here are some targeted tips to help you succeed this time of year:
1. Target the Right Areas
Spawning Flats & Secondary Points: In early May, many bass are still shallow. Look for flat, grav el-bottomed areas and secondary points just off the main lake.
• Post-Spawn Areas: As May pro gresses, bass begin to move toward deeper water. Focus on channel swings, bluff ends, and deeper brush piles.
• Shad Spawn: Early mornings in May can see a shad spawn. Fish riprap banks, docks, and chunk rock areas.
2. Best Lures & Presentations
Topwater Baits:
• Try walking baits like a Zara Spook, Whopper Plopper, or poppers during low-light periods.
• Soft Plastics: Use wacky-rigged Senkos, Ned rigs, or drop shot setups for finicky post-spawn bass.
• Jigs: A finesse jig or a skirted jig with a craw trailer works well near rocks and submerged timber.
3. Water Conditions Clarity:
• Table Rock is usually clear to stained. Go with more natural-colored baits (green pumpkin, watermelon) in clear water, and switch to black/blue or chartreuse in stained water.
• Temperature: Bass are most active when water is 60–75°F. May falls right in this zone.
• Swimbaits & Spinnerbaits: Great for covering water and mimicking shad. Focus near shoreline cover and points.
4. Gear Suggestions Rod/Reel:
• A 7’ medium-heavy rod with 12–17 lb fluorocarbon works for most bottom-contact baits. Use spinning gear for finesse setups.
• Electronics: Use your fish finder to locate brush piles, transition zones, and baitfish schools.
5. Timing & Weather Best Times:
• Early morning and late evening tend to be most productive, especially during shad spawn activity.
• Cloudy Days: Fish will often roam more, and reaction baits shine.
• Sunny Days: Bass will tuck into shade — target docks, brush, or deeper water.
May is an excellent time for bass fishing on Table Rock Lake, as bass are typically in or just coming out of the spawning phase.
Here are some areas to focus on:
James River Arm:
This area is known for its dense populations of bass, especially near brush piles and submerged wood.
Kings River Arm:
Offers excellent opportunities for both largemouth and smallmouth bass, particularly around rocky cont page 12
points and submerged structures.
Long Creek Arm:
Known for clear water and abundant bass, especially near the creek channels and adjacent flats.
*Beware of floating debris following storms.
For a comprehensive view of fish attractor locations, the Missouri Department of Conservation provides a Table Rock Lake Fish Attractors Map, detailing over 1,000 fish attractor locations, including evergreen and hardwood brush piles, rock piles, and stump fields.
Bait Shops & Gear Rentals
Stocking up on the right gear is essential for a successful fishing trip. Here are some local shops and marinas where you can find bait, tackle, and more: Bait and Tackle Shop at Long
Creek Marina:
Located at Long Creek Marina, this shop offers a specially curated selection of gear for a day on the lake.
Baxter Marina:
Provides live bait, tackle, fishing licenses, and can recommend guides for your fishing adventure.
Kings River Marina:
A full-service marina offering bait, tackle, clothing, and water toys, along with boat rentals and slip rentals.
Extreme Outdoors LLC:
Store selling live bait, fishing tackle, and outdoor clothing, as well as hosting tournaments.
Map Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/Table_Rock_ Lake_FA_Maps.pdf
Attracting Butterflies
To Your Garden
Article by Brittney Smith - The Butterfly Palace
Creating a butterfly-friendly backyard is a delightful way to invite beauty and biodiversity right to your doorstep. These delicate pollinators not only add color and charm to your garden but also play a vital role in a healthy ecosystem. With a few thoughtful choices, your backyard can become a haven for butterflies all season long.
Start by planting native nectar-rich flowers that bloom at different times throughout the year. Butterflies are especially drawn to brightly colored flowers like milkweed, coneflowers, lantana, and zinnias. Grouping the same plant species together helps butterflies spot them more easily. Additionally, provide host plants like parsley, fennel, and milkweed where butterflies can lay their eggs and caterpillars can feed.
Avoid using pesticides, which can be harmful to both butterflies and the plants they rely on. You can use organic gardening practices to create a safer environment for all pollinators.
Include shallow water sources like a birdbath with rocks or a butterfly puddle stone. Butterflies need water and minerals for hydration and energy. Adding flat rocks or sunny areas gives them a place to rest and warm their wings.
By offering food, water, shelter, and a safe place to reproduce, you’ll not only attract butterflies but also support their entire life cycle. In return, they’ll reward you with a fluttering display of natural beauty all season long.
cont page 18
At The Butterfly Palace, we use additional glass nectar dishes filled with orange powdered Gatorade mixed with water (2qt water to 1 scoop Gatorade) and a kitchen scouring sponge for a landing pad. This provides the butterflies with delicious nectar and electrolytes as an addition to your backyard garden.
For more ideas visit: www.thebutterflypalace.com
Get your Gear Together
Spring has arrived! Time to start getting your lake necessities together.
Here are some MUST HAVES:
• Small waterproof Box
• Boat Documents
• Fishing License
• Personal ID
• Air Horn
• Life Jackets
• Navigation/Radio Device
• Fire Extinguisher
• Visual Distress Signals
• Tow Service Membership
Large Items - Keep on Boat
• 1 or 2 anchors
• Small toolkit with basic tools
• Tow Rope
• Docking Bumpers
• Backup Battery
• Water Mat/LilliPad
• Fishing Gear
GET LAKE Ready
Small Items - Keep on Boat
• Phone Charger
• Baby Wipes
• Sunscreen
• First Aid Kit
• Hats/Hair ties
• Rain Gear
• Water Floats & Water Toys
• Trash Can
• Can Coozies
Grab & Go
• Snacks
• Drinking water
• Towels
• Cooler for drinks and food
• Grill
• Cash to tip dock crew
Lake Information
Provided by the USACE
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) manages Table Rock Lake in MO and AR, providing a range of recreational opportunities while ensuring the protection of natural resources.
Here’s an overview of key rules and regulations for visitors:
• Boating Regulations State Laws: Boaters must adhere to Missouri and Arkansas state boating laws.
• SafetyEquipment: A personal flotation device (PFD) is required for each passenger.
• Boating Education: Completing a boating safety course is recommended.
• Seaworthiness: Ensure your boat is in good condition before heading out.
• Navigation: Familiaize yourself with small craft navigation rules.
• Speed Limits: Reduce speed near docks, swimmers, and other boats.
• Obstructions: Be cautious of underwater hazards when approaching shore.
Camping & Day Use Areas Fees:
• Most developed recreation areas charge a $5 per vehicle day-use fee.
• Passes: America the Beautiful passes are accepted and can be purchased at the Dewey Short Visitor Center.
• Reservations: Campsites and picnic shelters can be reserved through Recreation.gov.
• Facilities: Amenities vary by location but may include flush toilets, showers, picnic areas, and boat ramps.
Swimming:
• Swimming is allowed only in designated areas.
• Safety Tips:
Never swim alone.
Wear a life jacket.
Avoid inflatable toys.
Supervise children at all times.
Hours: Varies by location; for example, Moonshine Beach is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the recreation season. Visit website for more info.
Financial FOCUS
Observe Save for Education Day with a 529
Whether your children are in grade school or high school, they’ll be leaving for college or trade school before you know it. With the cost of education rising, now is the time to prepare for that day.
Starting to invest when your child is born is often a great way to build a strong financial future. Even if your children are older, you can still make progress and potentially reap tax benefits by contributing to a 529 education savings plan. Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, accumulate with no federal income tax and can be withdrawn for qualified education expenses federally tax free.
Unfortunately, half of Americans don’t know what a 529 plan is, and fewer than a quarter have one, according to 2024 research from Edward Jones and Morning Consult. One way to keep a 529 plan top of mind is to recognize May 29 (5/29) as Save for Education Day.
Benefits of a 529 plan
• Tax Advantages. Your withdrawals are free from federal income tax when you use them for elementary or secondary school tuition — including vocational schools and some online courses and degree programs —
registered apprenticeships, and qualified higher-education expenses such as housing, books and more.
• Flexibility.
The variety of qualifying expenses may surprise you. For example, you can pay for off-campus housing (up to the cost of on-campus room and board), student loan repayments (up to a $10,000 lifetime limit), and computers and computer-related accessories, including printers, internet access and educational software used primarily by the plan beneficiary. You may even be able to roll over unused funds to a Roth IRA for your beneficiary, switch beneficiaries or roll it over to another 529 plan.
• Control.
As the account owner, you – not the beneficiary – control how the funds are used, as you planned and intended.
Strategies for building 529 savings
If you set aside money every month, it can make a big difference toward funding your child’s best educational path forward. So, how can you budget for a 529 for your child, when you have competing financial priorities?
• Save early and regularly. Consider setting up automatic transfers into a 529 account, even if it feels like a small amount. Taking a few minutes to set it up now can help pay for four years of your child’s education in the future.
• Increase over time. You could reallocate your day care expenses once your child enters school, which could be a substantial amount each month.
• Review your savings over time
Many things can change over time — your available dollars, education costs, investment performance, choice of college, financial aid options and the number of children you’re providing for. You have the flexibility to change your contributions.
Your financial advisor can help you determine how a 529 plan can fit into your overall financial strategy and navigate the various guidelines and limits – such as defining a qualified expense, changing beneficiaries and rolling unused dollars elsewhere.
A 529 plan can be a valuable tool for helping your family members afford the educational opportunities that can lead to a promising future. Whether you’re exploring this opportunity for the first time or reviewing your current plan, Save for Education Day on 5/29 is good time to do it.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC
Snakes of SW Missouri
Southwest Missouri is home to a wide variety of native wildlife, and among the most misunderstood creatures in the region are snakes. While many people fear them, snakes play a vital role in the ecosystem by controlling rodent populations and serving as both predator and prey in the food chain.
The region’s mix of forests, grasslands, and waterways provides an ideal habitat for over 40 species of snakes, though only a handful are venomous. The most common venomous snakes in Southwest Missouri include the copperhead, cottonmouth (also known as a water moccasin), and the timber rattlesnake. Despite their venomous nature, these snakes are generally shy and prefer to avoid human contact. Bites are rare and usually occur only when the snake is accidentally provoked or stepped on.
Non-venomous snakes, such as the eastern garter snake, black rat snake, and western ribbon snake, are more frequently encountered. These species are harmless to hu-
mans and beneficial to have around, especially in controlling pests like mice and insects. Black rat snakes, for example, are excellent climbers and can often be found in barns and attics hunting for rodents.
Snakes in this region become most active from spring through early fall. During warmer months, they can be found sunning themselves on rocks or trails. In colder seasons, they retreat underground or into rock crevices to hibernate.
Misidentification often leads to unnecessary killing of snakes. Learning to distinguish between venomous and non-venomous species can help reduce fear and promote coexistence. For example, the triangular head and elliptical pupils of a copperhead differ from the rounded features of most harmless species.
It’s important for residents and hikers to stay aware, especially in wooded or wet areas. Avoiding tall grass, watching where you step, and not reaching into unseen crevices can help prevent negative encounters.
Guide to Identifying Common Snakes in SW Missouri
GOOD SNAKES
Non-Venomous Snakes
Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
• Appearance: Greenish, brown, or black with three yellowish stripes down the back and sides.
• Size: 18–26 inches.
• Habitat: Meadows, woodlands, near water.
• Notes: Very common and harmless; may emit a musk if threatened.
Black
Rat Snake (Pantherophis obsoletus)
• Appearance: Solid black body with a white chin and belly; juveniles are blotched.
• Size: 3–6 feet.
• Habitat: Forests, farmlands, barns.
• Notes: Excellent climbers; helpful for rodent control.
Western Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus)
• Appearance: Slim with long tail; dark body with yellow stripes.
• Size: 20–30 inches.
• Habitat: Near water, marshes, grasslands.
• Notes: Fast-moving; often confused with garter snakes.
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
• Appearance: Varies in color, upturned snout.
• Size: 2–3 feet.
• Habitat: Sandy soil, woodlands. Notes: Famous for dramatic bluffing displays — flattening head or playing dead.
NOPE ROPES - Use Caution Venomous Snakes
Tips for Identification and Safety:
Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
• Appearance: Copper-colored head, hourglass bands on a tan body.
• Size: 2–3 feet.
• Habitat: Forests, rocky hillsides, leaf litter.
• Notes: Blends well with surroundings; bites rarely fatal, but seek medical help.
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
• Appearance: Dark crossbands on a gray or brown body, rattle on tail.
• Size: 3–5 feet.
• Habitat: Forested, rocky areas.
• Notes: Shy; will usually rattle as a warning before striking.
Western Cottonmouth / Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
• Appearance: Thick body, dark coloration, white mouth lining.
• Size: 2–4 feet
• Habitat: Swamps, streams, ponds.
• Notes: Semi-aquatic; opens mouth as a defensive display.
• Head Shape: Venomous snakes often have a triangular head; non-venomous have a more rounded shape.
• Pupil Shape: Venomous snakes in Missouri have vertical (cat-like) pupils; non-venomous have round pupils.
• Behavior: Most snakes prefer escape to confrontation. Don’t attempt to handle wild snakes.
Nick and Amy Morris
Licensed Insurance Agents
May Concert LINE-UP
Thunder Ridge Nature Arena
Memorial Weekend 2025 Alabama with Special Guest: Pat Green
Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Tickets: Starting from $39
Location: Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, Ridgedale, MO Branson.com
This performance by the legendary country band Alabama, featuring Pat Green, is set to be a highlight of Memorial Day Weekend. The arena’s stunning outdoor setting will provide a memorable backdrop for an evening of classic country hits.
Tickets and show information: Thunder Ridge Nature Arena 1901 MO-86
Ridgedale, MO 65739 (888) 737-8101
Black Oak Amphitheater
May 10, 2025
Hairball:
Silver Anniversary Tour
with Cherry & James
Doors: 5:30pm // Show: 7pm
$29 to $80
May 16, 2025
LEE BRICE
with Special Guest TBA
Doors: 5:30pm // Show: 7pm
$22.25 to $99
May 31, 2025
Buckcherry / Hinder / Paralander
Doors: 5:30pm // Show: 7pm $39 to $94
Tickets and show information: Black Oak Amp 1728 State Hwy H Lampe, MO 65681
Fresh Recipe The Rogue Chef
Heat and Sweet Skewers
Servings: 6 Time: 30 mins
Ingredients
• 1⁄4 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 3 T Double Concentrated Tomato Paste
• 2 T Soy Sauce or Tamari
• 1 T Wildflower or Whiskey Honey
• 1 T Pickled Ginger, finely chopped
• 2 Chipotle Chiles in Adobo
• 1 1⁄2 tsp Sweet Smoked Paprika
• 1 T Fresh Thyme Leaves
• Kosher Salt and Cracked Black Pepper, to taste
• 1 1⁄2 lb Chicken Thighs, cut into 1.5” chunks
• 3 C Fresh Pineapple Chunks
• Lime/Lemon wedges, Scallion Curls, and torn Thai Basil, garnish
Fire Kissed Sauce
• 1⁄2 C Mayonaise
• 1⁄3 C Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
• 2 T Soy Sauce
• 1 Small Clove Garlic, microplaned
• 2 tsp Fresh Lime Zest
• 1 T Pickled Ginger, finely chopped
Want The Rogue Chef to prepare this dish or any other meal for you? Contact us at www.TheRogueChef.com.
**Go Rogue by upgrading your plating. Serve deconstructed—charred chicken and pineapple off-skewer on a black slate or wood board, with sauce swooshes, micro herbs, and edible flowers. This will transform your dish from backyard bites to upscale private dining.
What Lies Beneath:
Stories About What Is Buried By Table Rock Lake
The Ozarks Johnboat © Tom Koob 2025
An early johnboat 1910
Prior to Table Rock Lake, the White River carved a corridor through the White River Hills of southern Missouri. The stream provided water, food and transportation for the inhabitants of a lonely and beautiful environment. The first settlers to enter the Ozarks found Native Americans plying the river in dugout canoes. New craft were developed to traverse the roaring rapids, shallow shoals and long, deep pools of the White.
Rafts, keelboats and later, steamboats carried goods and people up and down the river. Individuals used canoes and narrow gig boats to navigate the water and eventually developed the Ozarks johnboat. The johnboat became a critical element of the traditional Ozarks float trip.
One of many early boats used on
Ozarks streams was the gigging boat. It was a long, narrow wooden craft, usually tapered on both ends, with no seats. It was typically poled rather than rowed. W. H. Johnson describes one in his 1897 article “With Fire-Jack and Gig”:
“It is 24 feet long and 2 feet wide in the center. The sides are about 12 inches high, and each end is raised and narrowed so that it will navigate readily with either end as the prow. There are no seats in the boat.”
In his well-researched article, “What’s in a Name, like John Boat”, Lynn Morrow says the earliest use in print of the term “johnboat” he discovered was in a Federal report on the mussel industry written by Robert Coker in 1919. However, in his second major trea-
tise on the source of the johnboat, “True Sportsmen, Float Trips, & Ozarks Ripley’s Johnboat”, Morrow cites a much earlier use of the term related to the Ozarks. Morrow discovered an article by Horace Kephart in the Sportsman Tourist column of Forest and Stream August 3, 1895. In the article, Kephart says he acquired a “John-boat” at Poplar Bluff to float the Black River into Arkansas.
John B. Thompson (who began using the nom de plume “Ozark Ripley” in 1921) settled near Doniphan, Missouri on the Current River around 1892. Thompson was an outlander from a wealthy family, but he was also an avid hunter, fisher and dog breeder. He adapted well to the rural Ozarks and through his experiences and extensive writing made somewhat of a name for himself in the world of outdoor adventure. Thompson used the term johnboat in his writing in the late 1890s and early 1900s. The name became somewhat established in the Current River region, but did not gain acceptance on other Ozarks water-
ways for several years.
Lynn Morrow gives Charlie Barnes considerable credit for developing and building the flat-bottomed boats used on the James and upper White River from 1905 to the advent of the big lakes. Charlie built hundreds of these craft for his Barnes Brothers Boating Company and the Jim Owen Boat Line. But Barnes always called these boats “float boats”. Charlie admitted he had seen similar craft in the Current River country.
Ted Sare worked for four years as a guide for Jim Owen, renowned Branson float outfitter. In his book Some Recollections of an Ozarks Float Trip Guide he gives a good description of the johnboats he paddled down the Ozarks streams.
“The float boat was about twenty feet long, it was made from clear twenty foot pine lumber and the ribs were made of wagon tires, also called wagon rims. Wagon tires are metal, flat on the inside, convex on the outside
that covered the outer surface of a wooden wagon wheel. These pieces of wagon tires were shaped so that they ran from the top of the boatside down the side and across the bottom of the boat to the other side. The corresponding piece of the tire down the opposite side of the boat was done the same way so that the two overlapped side by side on the bottom of the boat but were not joined. All this was, of course on the inside of the boat, and maintained the proper shape of the boat.
There were several ribs in the boat since the shape of the sides were not the same throughout, the center flared more than the ends. The boats had some ‘rake’ in them, that is the front turned up just a little, the back even less. The back of the boat had an ample sized seat that filled in the back twenty-eight to thirty inches and was down from the sides about three inches and four and one-half to five inches below the top of the transom. Most guides folded up a canvas tent to just fit on the seat. That not only made a place to haul the tent, but raised the guide up a few inches which gave him a better view of the river. Our boats, that is the Jim Owen boats, had a small seat in the front, no doubt there to aid in the rigidity of the front shape, but also used as a seat or step. I have seen some boats without this front step in them.”
Hundreds of johnboats were built to support the float fishing trade. On land, they were heavy and clumsy, but on the water they could dance under the control of a skilled guide. They could haul hundreds of pounds of gear and still glide over the shallow riffles. Early on, the boats were crude affairs. They were often built on the spot quickly and used for one excursion. At the end of the float, the boats
were abandoned or perhaps sold. As the boats and trips became more involved, the craft were hauled back to the starting location by wagon or truck and eventually by railway.
Float boats were a key ingredient of the Ozarks float trip. They not only made the trips possible and enjoyable, they became a part of the lore of the Ozarks. Wooden johnboats were handmade. The boatmen made them using available materials and hand tools. Each was slightly different. Building an Ozarks johnboat can certainly be considered a traditional Ozarks craft. It might be a stretch to call them “works of art”, but they surely carry an aura of the simple skills and simple pleasures of Ozark floatin’. Today, there are still a few individuals who practice the craft of wooden johnboat construction, preserving the legend and reality of an Ozarks classic.
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.
