Branson Courier

Month: March 2005

  • Lake Taneycomo Fishing Report Mar. 30

    Editors General Comments: Mar. 30. Two Generators on, Taneycomo is at 707.5 and Table Rock is 912.5 Mar. 28 0530 Two Generators on, Taneycomo is at 707.8 and Table Rock is 912.8. Since the first of the year the days that the water has been off have been few and far between.Since Mar 23 the Tailwater level has not dropped much below 707 and has been as high as 711.



    Very little affects the fishing on LakeTaneycomo like the generation of power at the Table Rock Dam. Call 417-336-5083 for up to the moment information on generation and lake levels or click here.



    Trophy Trout Area: Special Regulations apply to the Trophy Trout Area running from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. Click here for an overview of these regulations.



    Fly Fishing Only by River Run Outfitters Mar. 30 – With the water staying pretty constant, the fish are holding up in the normal high water places. We have had trips on the water every day and fishing has been very good. 60 fish days and less, depending on how many “pick and rolls” we have or just plain misses! Majority of the fish are in the 13-15 inch range with a few 17-18 inchers each day. The zebra size 18 midges in rust and olive and the size 16 Red Tungsten Bead Head Midge, (see “Gary Big Four“) have been the best flies. We’ve had a few opportunities to throw a holographic crackle back or a size 18 dark olive soft hackle in the slack water areas and pick up a few fish on those. Monday, the hot pink micro San Juan worm was a good fly in the slough across from the KOA camp ground. It was overcast most of that day and they were picking up that bright color back there. Most of the folks at the outlets have been fishing tan or gray scuds, some with a worm or egg dropper, or vise versa and catching some fish that way. One of our guys from the shop was out yesterday morning at the outlets and caught five on the size 16 Red Tungsten Bead Head Midge. Mar. 23 Needless to say, with the water off, fishing over the weekend was very good. We caught fish on the holographic green crackle back, dark olive soft hackle, and when they stopped hitting the crackle back and soft hackle, went to either an olive or rusty size 18 zebra midge and finished up the day. Also caught some nicer size ones during the day with the orange flashback tan scud. Monday fished a bit slower. Had trips out Monday and they were catching fish on olive zebra in slack water and the size 16 red tungsten bead head midge. Yesterday they were catching fish on the tan (when the sun was out) scud, gray scud (when the sun went in) and red tunghead midge.



    Fly Fishing and Spin Fishing By Chartered Waters Guide Service and Fly Shop –Mar. 29…were using the 9′ Silstar spinning rods with #16 gray Razorbacks, tan #16 Mckenna Scuds, brown G-Bugs in #18, Marlins in #18 and #16 and a #18 rust Bit Scud was awesome today too. 5x Rio Fluoroflex Plus fluorocarbon tippet met the fly after 9′ 5X leaders. We fish about 10 – 16′ deep with 2 units running depending on lake depth and we were fishing about 14′ deep today. … switched the spin with the fly and back to the dam we went after a quick casting lesson. More great students with these guys and everyone picked it very quickly and they were quickly catching more fish with the fly rod than they were with the spinning if that was possible. Nothing topped Trey’s 20″er but many 16 – 18″ fish were caught today …


    Mar. 26 – I had 2 half days back to back with the same family staying at Trout Hollow. Grandpa Orvis set these up for his daughter and grandchildren and it was Anne (mom) and John (18) in the morning starting with 9′ spinning rods deep drifting #16 gray and black Razorback scuds below a float….Wind wasn’t too bad today and the action kept things warm. Some great fish were caught today. 17 – 18″ rainbows and so fat at the girth I’d guess them to be in the 4 -5 lb range. The afternoon trip included two lovely young ladies, Cassidy (20) and Katie (14).…2 units of water all day long (yet fairly deep…707+) made for a pretty deep offering of bugs under an indicator. The girls got the cold and windy end of the day but hung tough till the end. Good action kept the interest peaked … these fishermen hauled in rainbows pushing 18″ this afternoon using a new black/gray Razorback Scud color combo in #16’s and #14’s (16’s better). The brown G-Bug was back in a #18 with great results. A #16 gray G-Bug (I can’t remember the last time I fished a gray one) was smoking them great as was a #16 rust E-Razorback Scud. A #18 ginger G-Bug caught a few too. The # 18 “Marlin” was very good. … It seemed the grays worked better up by the dam and the browns better down toward Fall Creek? A few bigger fish were hooked and pulled out. Smaller hooks will do that to you occasionally but I’ll take the hundreds of bites vs the dozens using bigger flies.


    Gary’s Comments – Mar 29 – At 1200 with 2 generators and a lake level of 707.4 went out for an hour. In two drifts down from the Lookout Hole, the first big hole just downstream from the 21 mile marker, caught 9 Rainbows. Used a flyrod with s strike indicator set at about 7.5 feet, 5x Orvis Mirage and a size 12 Grey Scud pattern tied by Brett Rader. It was tied about 20 inches below a size 16 Red Tungsten Bead Head Midge. All the fish caught we caught on the bottom scud. Mar. 27 – At about 1200, as I looked out the window, I noticed a few fish rising down by the dock. Even though they were running about a generator, I though what the heck, and went down to the dock with the fly rod and fished from the dock. Because the fish were rising in shallow water between my dock and my upstream neighbor’s dock, I set up with a small foam indicator, Orvis Mirage 6 x tippet, and a size 16 Red Tungsten Bead Head Midge, from Gary’s Big Four, set at a depth of about 18 inches. Cast directly up stream to where the fish were rising and, as the midge drifted back stripped in line so I could maintain line control and set the hook on the strike. Caught about 8 in 35 minutes with three in the 14-16 inch range. Not being the best fly caster in the world, the wind blowing directly into my face made things a little more complicated than they probably should have been but, for the most part I just cast in between “gusts.” In any event, it was a blast and a great way to transition from the stress of reading the paper into nap mode.


    Guide Bob Klein: Mar.27 – Bob Klein, of “Bob’s Guide Service“ says that the water flow has been steady and the fishing good to excellent. From Fall Creek to Short Creek use night crawlers and minnows. From Short Creek to Branson drift bubblegum and white power bait or night crawlers. From Branson to Rockaway Beach drift bubblegum power bait. Remember limit is 4 a day – not 4 in the morning and 4 again in the afternoon!!!



    As always, the following standard default techniques are producing fish:



    Water Off Conditions (not generating power from Table Rock Dam) – Air injected night crawlers or Orange and Chartreuse Power Eggs, with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip. Fish them off the bottom with no heavier than 4 pound leader, size 8 or smaller hooks, and just enough split shot to cast. Place the shot so that the bait floats 12-18 inches off the bottom. Spin-A-Lures and Little Cleos have been working well.



    Water On Conditions – Orange and Chartreuse Power eggs with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip, white Power Eggs, bubble gum power bait, or inflated night crawlers bounced off the bottom using the standard “Lake Taneycomo Drift Rig.” which is readily available at all Marinas and most resorts on the Lake.



    Get Your Lake Taneycomo Questions Answered:Bob, Gary, Brett, and Stan will be monitoring the Outdoor Activities Forum on the Branson.Com Message Board . If you have any fishing questions on LakeTaneycomo just ask.Use the word “Taneycomo” in the Search Function and enter it in all your posts so they’ll show up.


  • The common thread from conception to eternity is cooperation!

    What happens to the body when the heart does not receive a constant supply of fresh oxygen enriched blood?” From an Ole Seagulls perspective, probably some of the same things that happen in an individuals life without cooperation, “very little that is good and a lot that could be really really bad.”



    Cooperation, working together toward a common goal, is a word that everyone uses and knows and, like the very blood that flow through our bodies to our heart, is taken for granted. Yet cooperation is as necessary to living life as the very blood that courses through our veins.



    From conception to death and on into eternity cooperation is the necessary common thread. Is conception a singular activity or is it a cooperative activity? How many have given birth to themselves without the cooperation of others? Even in death does it not take the cooperation of others to handle the corporal remains and comfort those remaining behind?



    For Christians, is not cooperation, working together toward a common goal, an inherent part of God’s plan for eternal salvation? Who could save themselves without the cooperation of Jesus with His Father and His sacrifice on the cross? Even then, does not God’s word indicate that the gift of eternal salvation involves the cooperation of those to be saved?



    It tells us that “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” It goes on to say, “Repent and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” If God requires our cooperation with Him to believe, obey, repent, and be baptized for our eternal salvation is it logical to believe that cooperation is any less important between birth and eternity?



    It’s cooperation within families, everyone working together toward a common goal that gets everyone up each day and off to school or work. At school it takes the cooperation of teachers, school administrators, and the taxpayers of the school district to provide the opportunity for learning to take place and yet, without the cooperation of the student, paying attention in class, doing assignments, etc. that opportunity can be wasted.



    Cooperation is a two way street. To an Ole Seagull, the word “together” in its definition, “everyone working together toward a common goal,” would be more consistent with what cooperation is if it were spelled “twogether.” It is impossible to have cooperation without two or more people and a common goal.



    The interesting thing is that getting two or more people is not normally the problem. The problem is on agreeing on the common goal. In school, work, and home, as individuals and nations there cannot be true cooperation with agreeing on the goal. How many relationships have failed and families broken apart because of the failure to cooperate in their preservation? How many wars have been fought over the failure of nations to cooperate? How many squander opportunities each day simply because they are not willing to cooperate with others? Sadly, in an Ole Seagull’s opinion, too many do just that.



    In most cases cooperation, like most of the important things in life, takes effort. To paraphrase the words written by someone a lot wiser than an Ole Seagull it could be said, “Cooperation is patient, cooperation is kind and is not jealous; cooperation does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hope all things, endures all things.”



    It has been said that “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” What kind of love can there be if there is not cooperation between the loved and the beloved? About the same as the quality of life one would have without cooperation with others. Now there’s a theme, “Life’s a lot fuller for those who love to cooperate with others.”

  • Scotty’s and boat ramp provide downtown Branson access to Lake Taneycomo

    For many years prior to the start of construction on the new Branson Landing redevelopment project on the Lake Taneycomo lakefront in downtown Branson, public access to Lake Taneycomo for those wanting to use their own boat or rent a boat was readily available. Such access was provided through three docks and marinas and two public boat launching ramps, all of which were conveniently located along the Lake Taneycomo lakefront.



    With the construction of the Branson Landing redevelopment project in full swing, the downtown Branson access to Lake Taneycomo has changed. It is still available but just not as prevalent and convenient as it used to be. But, with a little planning, it should not cause a major glitch in ones boating plans for Lake Taneycomo.



    Prior to Branson Landing, those towing their own boats had two public ramps to use for boat launching. A large one, including a shallow water ramp, located at the north end of the Branson City Campground near where Branson Trout Dock used to be and a much smaller one located at the south end of the camp ground. Like the Branson Trout Dock itself, the north ramp is but a memory. The only public boat launching ramp left in downtown Branson is the south ramp located at the south end of the camp ground just south of the new location of Scotty’s Trout Dock and Marina.



    The construction of Branson Landing has resulted in two of the docks previously in operation on the Lake Taneycomo lakefront, the Branson Trout Dock and Main Street Marina going out of business. The third , Scotty’s Trout Dock and Marina, was moved to a new location on the opposite side of town from where it used to be located and is conveniently located to the Branson City Campgrounds and the remaining public boat launching ramp.



    The simplest way to reach both Scotty’s and the boat ramp with a minimum of involvement with construction and other traffic is to take Business 65 to its junction with Long Street, a couple of blocks north of the Taneycomo Bridge in downtown Branson, turn east. Go down Long Street and across the rail road tracks into the Branson City Camp Ground. Scotty’s Trout Dock and Marina will be found on the lake front abutting the camp ground. The public boat launching ramp will be found on the lakefront off the south end of the camp ground.



    Scotty’s is a full service marina. It offers a full range of pontoon and fishing boats, stall rental, gas, bait, and trout fishing equipment and supplies. Of course with it all comes all the advice one could need on how to catch Lake Taneycomo’s Rainbow and Brown Trout and that friendly Ozarks service provided by owners Rich and Joni Milstead.



    An obvious consideration for those bringing their own boats and wanting to rent a stall is that with two of the three docks gone there will not be as many stalls available for rental. Although the Milsteads have plans to expand Scotty’s to better met this need the best way to insure that a stall is available that is conveniently located to downtown Branson and its camp ground is by making advance reservations either through their website or by telephone at 417- 334-4288.


  • The meaning of Easter – “So that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life!”

    On Christmas Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who was born of the Virgin Mary, in Bethlehem. It is both a commemoration and celebration of that first Christmas when “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”


    In today’s vernacular, what God delivered on that first Christmas was His gift of redemption and the promise of eternal life. What He did not deliver was a reason for anyone to accept that gift. If that first Christmas was all there was, there would be little reason for anyone to believe in Jesus and the promise of eternal life would be lost to all. But that is not all there was.


    God sent His only begotten Son, to single-handedly wage war with Satan for the souls of all mankind. Like many fathers before and after, who have sent their sons off to war, God was familiar with the horrible price of war. But, unlike earthly fathers sending their sons off to war, God did not have even the hope that His son would come home unscathed. He knew full well the type of world that He was sending Him into and the terrible price that He would have to pay to win that war so that “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”


    Jesus, as he lived and walked among men did so as a man. He faced the same temptations that all mankind faces, the same needs and desires, the same choices between good and evil, and had to deal with personal relationships and the other problems of simply being human. In the end it was His supreme faith in God, prayer, willingness to submit Himself to God’s will, and His love for us that led Him to the agony and humiliation of the cross so that “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”


    As He anguished in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” The “cup” was not the beatings, the crown of thorns, public humiliation and scorn, or His agonizing crucifixion on the cross. What was paining Jesus was the knowledge that He would be separated from His Father as He bore the burden of all mankind’s sins and sacrificed Himself for its redemption so that “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”


    If that was the end, that Jesus died a horrible and painful death for that in which He professed belief, most of His followers would have considered Him a hero and, like thousands of heroes and martyrs before and after Him, He would have either been lost in the sands of time or, at best, become a paragraph in a history book. But, that wasn’t the end and because it wasn’t “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”


    At various times during His ministry Jesus had predicted His suffering and death and that He “would be raised up on the third day.” The same political and religious power and clout that lead to His suffering and death on the cross went through great lengths to make sure that Jesus stayed dead and would become a distant memory as soon as possible. They sealed His body in a tomb with a large rock and placed Roman soliders to guard its entrance and, because they did, provided proof that “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”


    As Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early on the third day, she found the rock rolled away, the guards shaking in fear, an empty tomb, and an angel of God who said, “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.” In the following days His disciples and many others saw the living Lord, Christ, Jesus, the Son of God and because He lives “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”


    Praise God, we have a risen Lord who lives and yet, loved each and every one of us enough to pay for our sins, those of yesterday, today and tomorrow, by shedding His own body and blood on our behalf. All we have to do is accept His gift, for “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

  • Motor cycle helmets save lives!

    I would like to reply to Mr.Ellsworth from KS. and his view about Missouri’s helmet law. On March 12th my son road his bike into a rock bluff at apx. 50 m.p.h. If he would not have been wearing a good full face helmet I know he would not be alive today. And after 4 days in a Springfield hospital talking to his nurses I am now more convinced than ever helmets save lives. Not one nurse said anything negative about wearing a helmet, and one said that she had worked in the ER 15 years. Mr. Ellsworth, I am thankful that Missouri is a state with a helmet law and that my son is alive today because of it!!! Bill, Branson

  • Lake Taneycomo Fishing Report Mar. 21

    Special Note: As of Mar. 1 new regulations go into effect that impact on fishing Lake Taneycomo. A Trout Permit is required in addtion to a Fishing Permit to fish upper Lake Taneycomo between the Highway 65 Bridge and Table Rock Dam, the daily limit for trout has been reduced to four, and the total possession limit has been reduced to eight. See the article entitled “New Missouri state fishing regulations impact Lake Taneycomo” for further discussion.





    Editors General Comments: Mar. 21 1210 Two Generators on, Taneycomo is at 707.40 and Table Rock is 912.90. On the 19th they turned one on at 0630 and kept it on all day. Mar 19 0530 Zero Generators on, Taneycomo is at 701.5 and Tablr Rock is 913.0 Mar.16 0545-. Three Generator on, Taneycomo is at 707.4 and Table Rock is 913.4. Mar. 15 1610 One Generator on, Taneycomo is at 702.3 and Table Rock is 913.5. The water was off most of the day on the 14th and 15th. Very little affects the fishing on LakeTaneycomo like the generation of power at the Table Rock Dam. Call 417-336-5083 for up to the moment information on generation and lake levels or click here.



    Trophy Trout Area: Special Regulations apply to the Trophy Trout Area running from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. Click here for an overview of these regulations.






    Fly Fishing Only by River Run Outfitters Mar. 23 Needless to say, with the water off, fishing over the weekend was very good. We caught fish on the holographic green crackle back, dark olive soft hackle, and when they stopped hitting the crackle back and soft hackle, went to either an olive or rusty size 18 zebra midge and finished up the day. Also caught some nicer size ones during the day with the orange flashback tan scud. Monday fished a bit slower. Had trips out Monday and they were catching fish on olive zebra in slack water and the size 16 red tungsten bead head midge. Yesterday they were catching fish on the tan (when the sun was out) scud, gray scud (when the sun went in) and red tunghead midge.





    Fly Fishing and Spin Fishing By Chartered Waters Guide Service and Fly Shop – March 21th – Lloyd, Reid and Mark took a full day trip with us today on what could have been a little better weather wise. The fish didn’t mind as the boys caught a ton of them all day long. Both Lloyd and Reid got very good at Flat Line Casting and on a day with 25mph gusts with occasionally driving rain they made it work great in conditions that couldn’t get much tougher. Not to be outdone, Mark stuck some really nice rainbows with the spinning rig including some 17″ fish. A little over 17″ was the top fish caught and there were several of them. Wine/ginger SG-Bugs in #16 and #18 were very good as were of course that #18 brown G-Bug. A #16 black MK2 Scud was hot and I threw in a #18 rust E-Razorback Scud and that little bug was hitting them hard. I’m going to try that one more….


    Gary’s Comments – Mar. 19 Fished for about 30 minutes off my dock using bedtween 1815-1845 using a size 16 Red Bead Head Midge and the 100th ounce River Run Peach Furbug from Gary’s Big Four and a size 18 Olive Midge. Used a spining rod, 6 x Orvis Mirage tippet, and an indicator set at about 2 feet. No luck on Red but caught one on Olive, and three on the Peach Furbug. One generator was on at the time. Mar. 18 – Went out for about 30 minutes between 1230-1300 with lake level at 705.3 drifted down from Lookout Hole. Kept boat in about 4 feet of water with the indicator set at about six feet with a size 12 grey scud and 6 x Orvis Mirage tippet. Caught six and missed about that many. Mar. 14 – Fished for about an hour, 1200-1300, using a size 16 Red Bead Head Midge and the 100th ounce River Run Peach Furbug from Gary’s Big Four. The water was off, choppy, and very low and the sun was bright.. Drifted down the channel side about a cast off the bank. Had the indicator set at about 4.5 feet and used 6x Orvis Mirage tippet. It was kind of strange. Ffor about 35 or 40 minutes they hit the Peach Furbug then stopped. But did they love the Red Midge. Caught and released about eight trout and easily missed that number plus. Doesn’t say too much for my fishing prowness but what a great hour of fun!


    Guide Bob Klein: Mar.23 – Bob Klein, of “Bob’s Guide Service” indicates no change froim last report, Fishing is good. Fom Fall Creek to Cooper Creek – inflated nightcrawlers off the bottom and pink jigs under a bobber. From Cooper Creek to Bull Creek fishing is good to excellent using bubblegum and white power eggs or casting cleos or spoons. Lots of small fish being caught and remember the new limit is 4 per day.As always, the following standard default techniques are producing fish:



    Water Off Conditions (not generating power from Table Rock Dam) – Air injected night crawlers or Orange and Chartreuse Power Eggs, with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip. Fish them off the bottom with no heavier than 4 pound leader, size 8 or smaller hooks, and just enough split shot to cast. Place the shot so that the bait floats 12-18 inches off the bottom. Spin-A-Lures and Little Cleos have been working well.



    Water On Conditions – Orange and Chartreuse Power eggs with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip, white Power Eggs, or inflated night crawlers bounced off the bottom using the standard “Lake Taneycomo Drift Rig.” which is readily available at all Marinas and most resorts on the Lake.



    Get Your Lake Taneycomo Questions Answered:Bob, Gary, Brett, and Stan will be monitoring the Outdoor Activities Forum on the Branson.Com Message Board . If you have any fishing questions on LakeTaneycomo just ask.Use the word “Taneycomo” in the Search Function and enter it in all your posts so they’ll show up.


  • Those who wish to avoid paying taxes should leave the country

    Along with our rights and freedoms as Americans come responsibilities. Taxes are both a community responsibility and a patriotic duty. They represent an investment in our country, in our present, and our future.



    If past taxpayers had not performed their duty, we would not now have a highway system to enjoy. Neither would we have programs that protect our safety, our health, and our environment from unscrupulous corporations viewing our nation as theirs to pillage, plunder, and pollute. Without taxes we would not have fire, police, garbage collection, and medical services in many regions of the country. Without taxes, education would be available only to those able to afford it, science would be lingering in the backwoods, and technology would be nowhere. And of critical importance also, there would be no safety net for the underprivileged or folks who have fallen on hard times due to sickness or events beyond their control.


    Taxes are not a plague that we should avoid and evade at every possible opportunity; we should be grateful for living in a prosperous nation, and should welcome the opportunity to give a little back in order that our fellow citizens and future generations can enjoy what we enjoy. I resent my taxes being used for corporate welfare or to sacrifice Americans and Iraqis in the Bush War of Global Domination, and surely some programs could be improved, but overall taxes benefit us. Whether individual or corporate, those who wish to avoid paying taxes should leave the country. Alan, Cape Girradeau, MO.

  • Numbers, even Branson style, represent dollars, lives, years etc.

    The news abounds with numbers this week. The thing about numbers is that they generally don’t mean too much by themselves and it is only when they are associated with something else that they become meaningful, dollars, lives, years, etc.



    For example, the number “6” by itself doesn’t mean much. But, add a dollar sign and a few zeros, come up with $6 million, and you have quite a hunk of change. Take that $6 million and apply it to another number “465,” as in the highway number of the Highroad and the net result is that at least $6 million more is going into a road that over $50 million has been spent on thus far.



    “Seagull, what were the safety issues that lead to the building of the Highroad, on a priority basis, at the expense of improving the areas main north south route, U.S. 65?”



    “That’s another number, 0, nada, or zilch.”



    The number “1” is a low number and generally considered insignificant, unless of course it is applied to a human life. This week’s Taney County Times contained the headline, “One killed, two injured in crash.” The article went on to report that the person “was killed in a head-on collision Saturday morning, March 12 on U.S. 65, 10 miles south of Hollister.”



    “Seagull, how many have died on that portion of Highway 65?”



    “Don’t know for sure but, it’s not a stretch of the imagination to say a lot more than would have died had the same money and priority given to the Highroad been given to the improvement of the areas main north south highway, U.S. 65.”



    On a lighter note, the number “7” has significance in a game of Craps and when the city of Branson is trying to go back “7” years to collect taxes allegedly owed to them by Taney County. According to another article in the Taney County Times this week, the city of Branson has sent “Taney County a bill for $42,221.68 in back TIF taxes.” The bill goes back to 1998. Interestingly enough, according to Branson Director of Finance Deanna Schlegel, the problem wasn’t discovered until an internal audit of her department in 2004.



    “But Seagull, surely there were audits conducted between 1998 and 2004 on the city’s finance department. Why did it take so long to find it?”



    “According to the article Schlegel said, ‘Our staff is small and this problem was not known to us or to the state until that audit.’”



    From an Ole Seagulls perspective, with the hundreds of millions of tax payer dollars at stake, he would consider three more numbers. The number of personnel that would have to be added to the city staff to catch and resolve problems of this nature in a more timely manner, the number “3,” representing the maximum number of years in back taxes that the city should be paid for by the county, and, most importantly of all, the telephone number of another auditing firm.

  • Lake Taneycomo Fishing Report Mar. 19

    Special Note: As of Mar. 1 new regulations go into effect that impact on fishing Lake Taneycomo. A Trout Permit is required in addtion to a Fishing Permit to fish upper Lake Taneycomo between the Highway 65 Bridge and Table Rock Dam, the daily limit for trout has been reduced to four, and the total possession limit has been reduced to eight. See the article entitled “New Missouri state fishing regulations impact Lake Taneycomo” for further discussion.





    Editors General Comments: Mar. 20 0530 Two Generators on, Taneycomo is at 705.0 and Tablr Rock is 913.0. On the 19th they turned one on at 0630 and kept it on all day. Mar 19 0530 Zero Generators on, Taneycomo is at 701.5 and Tablr Rock is 913.0 Mar.16 0545-. Three Generator on, Taneycomo is at 707.4 and Table Rock is 913.4. Mar. 15 1610 One Generator on, Taneycomo is at 702.3 and Table Rock is 913.5. The water was off most of the day on the 14th and 15th. Very little affects the fishing on LakeTaneycomo like the generation of power at the Table Rock Dam. Call 417-336-5083 for up to the moment information on generation and lake levels or click here.



    Trophy Trout Area: Special Regulations apply to the Trophy Trout Area running from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. Click here for an overview of these regulations.






    Fly Fishing Only by River Run Outfitters Mar. 13 With the water off, fish have been hitting almost anything you throw into the water. Even with the high water earlier this week, had a couple customers come to the shop reporting a 24 inch Rainbow and a 22 inch Rainbow, and a couple of 20 inch or better fish.. Peach fur bug and olive woolly buggers were the flies on these fish. Tan or gray scuds, midges in rust or olive, and even some dries! Better get out there this weekend! Editors Note: Mar 12- Too late they’re running water again. Stan went out on Mar. 12 on a trip and caught a bunch using a size 12 yellow crackle back and the Miracle Scud, size 14, (Tan Flashback.)





    Fly Fishing and Spin Fishing By Chartered Waters Guide Service and Fly Shop – March 16th – I got a call from one of our good friends and fly customers Tim Dunbar yesterday giving us a report from his day of fly fishing down here this last weekend. Tim’s a counter and I can’t remember the last time he and his brother didn’t catch over 100 fish in a fishing day. The count Sunday was 138 and that was taking a couple of hours to experiment with the edges looking to snatch some of those trout sipping midges. He found a few takers but overall not very productive. We talked about that a while and I find the same results with more than 1 unit of water running. Zero to 1 unit of water and you can do some pretty good midge fishing on the edges but more water than that and it’s more casting practice than anything. You’ll get a few, but nothing great. Tim told me of a double they had with an 18″ brown and a rainbow that big or bigger. They were drifting over a nice little hump I’m familiar with and they both hooked up on the front side of that hump at the same time. It’s one of those places where you can drift it but you have to be ready to back your boat out to keep it off the shore when water (and wind) is pushing you the wrong way. He said it was a little crazy with those two big fish on while trying to back out of there but they boated both fish. I think it was black Razorback Scuds they took those on. They said pink and coral Soft Shelled Scuds with a wine/ginger SG – Bug droppers were best early catching half their fish on each then that died down and it was big, black Nitro and Razorback Scuds mid day


    Gary’s Comments – Mar. 19 Fished for about 30 minutes off my dock using bedtween 1815-1845 using a size 16 Red Bead Head Midge and the 100th ounce River Run Peach Furbug from Gary’s Big Four and a size 18 Olive Midge. Used a spining rod, 6 x Orvis Mirage tippet, and an indicator set at about 2 feet. No luck on Red but caught one on Olive, and three on the Peach Furbug. One generator was on at the time. Mar. 18 – Went out for about 30 minutes between 1230-1300 with lake level at 705.3 drifted down from Lookout Hole. Kept boat in about 4 feet of water with the indicator set at about six feet with a size 12 grey scud and 6 x Orvis Mirage tippet. Caught six and missed about that many. Mar. 14 – Fished for about an hour, 1200-1300, using a size 16 Red Bead Head Midge and the 100th ounce River Run Peach Furbug from Gary’s Big Four. The water was off, choppy, and very low and the sun was bright.. Drifted down the channel side about a cast off the bank. Had the indicator set at about 4.5 feet and used 6x Orvis Mirage tippet. It was kind of strange. Ffor about 35 or 40 minutes they hit the Peach Furbug then stopped. But did they love the Red Midge. Caught and released about eight trout and easily missed that number plus. Doesn’t say too much for my fishing prowness but what a great hour of fun!


    Guide Bob Klein: Mar.15 – Bob Klein, of “Bob’s Guide Service” indicates fom Fall Creek to Cooper Creek – inflated nightcrawlers off the bottom and pink jigs under a bobber. From Cooper Creek to Bull Creek fishing is good to excellent using bubblegum and white power eggs or casting cleos or spoons. Lots of small fish being caught and remember the new limit is 4 per day.As always, the following standard default techniques are producing fish:



    Water Off Conditions (not generating power from Table Rock Dam) – Air injected night crawlers or Orange and Chartreuse Power Eggs, with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip. Fish them off the bottom with no heavier than 4 pound leader, size 8 or smaller hooks, and just enough split shot to cast. Place the shot so that the bait floats 12-18 inches off the bottom. Spin-A-Lures and Little Cleos have been working well.



    Water On Conditions – Orange and Chartreuse Power eggs with the Chartreuse on shank of hook and the Orange on tip, white Power Eggs, or inflated night crawlers bounced off the bottom using the standard “Lake Taneycomo Drift Rig.” which is readily available at all Marinas and most resorts on the Lake.



    Get Your Lake Taneycomo Questions Answered:Bob, Gary, Brett, and Stan will be monitoring the Outdoor Activities Forum on the Branson.Com Message Board . If you have any fishing questions on LakeTaneycomo just ask.Use the word “Taneycomo” in the Search Function and enter it in all your posts so they’ll show up.


  • Branson is presenting inposters?

    I have always been in favor of everyone working to make a fair living, but when I hear and then see that Branson is presenting “Imposters”. Well I have to speak out and let it be known, The Platters-The Drifters-The Coasters-The Marvelettes that are being presented in some of the Branson Theatres right now and who shall be performing soon are not “original”.



    It’s time that the fans realize, that there are people out there stealing our history and taking credit for what us as the pioneers of the music industry have worked so hard for over the many years since we all came onto the music scene!


    I ask that the owners of many of Branson’s theatres, look out and check who they are booking and bringing in to entertain the many visitors to Branson.



    Do they know what they are facing, when they book an “imposter”? Trademark laws are hard on those who promote “imposters”, when the “originals” hold the trademark on a well-known and popular recording group from the 50’s/60’s era. Trademark infrigement on the federal level, will get you triple damages in any federal courtroom…and I am very serious about this legally and it’s happened several times already in the case of Herb Reed who is the holder of THE PLATTERS trademark and is an “original” member.



    Branson is a beautiful community, we don’t need for it to become known as “the capitol of imposters” do we?



    Gladys Horton


    Founder & Original Vocalist


    THE MARVELETTES


    Motown Records Artists


    1960-1970

  • A branding study, a promise, and Branson’s future

    At a time when other tourism destination cities, particularly coastal destinations, are recovering from the effects of 9/11 Branson appears to be, at best, level with its percentage of first time visitors continuing in a downward trend to critical levels. In an Ole Seagulls opinion, every person living in Branson and Taney County has a vested interest in reversing that trend because if it continues, and the sales tax revenues received from tourism drop enough, the residents of the City of Branson and Taney County will, one way or another “pay” to make up the difference.


    “Whoa there a minute Seagull, is that a threat or scare tactic?”


    “No, it’s the reality of the situation.”


    Recently, the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce issued a report on the “branding study” that was conducted at their request and funded by the City of Branson. It pointed out that those who actually come to Branson are impressed with what Branson has to offer “great shows, beautiful outdoor environment, a wide range of attractions for young and old and all at a great price.”


    “Ok, that’s the good news, what’s the bad news?”


    “There are a lot of people that will not come to Branson because they have the perception that Branson is “out-of-date country and western shows and nothing else.”


    The study refers to these people as “Resistors.” The scary thing is that not only are these people a large part of the “first time” visitors that Branson needs but they are so sure they are right that they don’t know they are wrong. The challenge is to show them why they should come to Branson and when they get here show them why they made the right decision to come.


    “Did the study say that Branson must change its image, shows, entertainment, or culture to attract them?”


    “Absolutely not, what it said was that the perception of the Resisters, as to what they believe Branson is, has to be changed to accurately reflect the reality of what Branson has to offer.”


    In fact it indicates that Branson’s tourism product, as it has evolved and is continuing to evolve, has the right combination of factors to satisfy the needs of both the loyal visitors, who have been coming to Branson for years, as well the Resisters. The challenge is to show the Resisters enough about what Branson actually has to offer so that their perceptions will change.


    Although, the study said, “it’s never easy to change perceptions through marketing,” it is clear that Branson will not attract the Resisters without showing them that Branson is “more than they expect.” To reach the “critical mass” required to change their erroneous perceptions in a given market will require increased marketing costs. The study recommends that this be done on a market by market basis as funding permits.


    Interestingly enough the study showed that the number one thing that people identified with Branson was “values.” It’s a term that means different things to different people but we all know it when we see it. In an attempt to capture the unique character and values of Branson, the study developed the “Branson Promise.


    Although, the study states that “values” and the Branson Promise alone are unlikely to change a Resisters perception, it is obvious that they will play an important part in not only that change but in the experience that both loyal visitors and Resisters will have while in Branson.


    “But Seagull it’s only a bunch or words.”


    “No, it’s a promise, the creation of an expectation, which if fulfilled in the Branson experience of each visitor can ensure the future success of Branson.”


    To an Ole Seagull, the Branson Promise and the commitment of every person who interfaces with our visitors to ensure its fulfillment is what will make Branson unique from all other tourist destinations. It is that “something” that they will want to experience again, that very “something” that a lot of us experienced when we first visited Branson and the reason why Branson is now our home.


  • Branson Landing to open Spring of 2006

    Construction on the new Branson Landing waterfront entertainment district redevelopment project on Branson’s Lake Taneycomo lakefront is well underway with completion scheduled for Spring of 2006. The waterfront entertainment, retail, and luxury condominium development will cover 95 acres and over 1.5 miles of waterfront along the lake shore.



    Branson Landing will have over 450,000 square feet of multi themed retail, entertainment, and restaurant space anchored by Bass Pro Shops and a Belk Department store. Food service at Branson Landing will offer everything from small intimate cafes and fast food to large themed restaurants.



    A large town square that can accommodate up to 4,000 people will be the center piece of the development and provide the most direct access to the 1 mile boardwalk that will run along Lake Taneycomo. The town square will be the gathring place for various outdoor events and concerts.



    It will be one of the best areas from which to view the spectacular water and light show that will take place multiple times each evening. The show and its fountains are designed by Wet Design, the same company that produced the Bellagio water show in Las Vegas.



    Branson’s new convention center and hotel will be conveniently located, to the Branson Landing entertainment district, in historic downtown Branson. Recently, the Branson Board of Aldermen made the decision to expand the size of the convention center.



    The entire convention center will be 213,000 square feet of which 23,000 square feet will be ballroom, and 50,000 square feet exhibit hall. The ball room can be divided into junior, mid size, and a grand ballroom. The combined ballroom and exhibit hall could accommodate approximately 379 exhibit booths.



    The stated purpose of the expansion is to make the new convention center more competitive with the ball room capacity of competing venues. The ballroom for The Chateau on the Lake’s Great Hall is 31,744 square feet and the University Plaza in Springfield has a ballroom of 21,600 square feet. Prior to the expansion the Branson facility had a ballroom of 18,000 square feet.



    The convention center is scheduled to open during 2007.

  • Persimmon Hill Farm, a homegrown taste of the Ozarks

    When Earnie and Martha Bohner planted their fields of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries, plums and more, they wanted to provide top quality berries and fruit in the scenic lakeside country near Branson, Missouri. The concept worked and tourists began flocking to the pristine you-pick farm where the blueberries hang like clusters of grapes from seven-foot tall bushes and the blackberries are huge – but thornless and in neatly trimmed rows.



    “Berry picking is a great family outdoor activity,” Earnie says. “You can bring the kids or the grandkids, participate in a family harvest experience together in our peaceful environment, and pick the ripest, most delicious berries you’ll ever put in your mouth, plus you can eat all you want while you’re picking.” The berries are not sprayed with anything and sampling them right off the bush is encouraged – one of the reasons many people enjoy picking their own berries.



    Blueberries ripen first, usually around June 1, then gooseberries and blackberries. The farm is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. The farm provides buckets and bags, everything visitors need to pick. Come early for breakfast before you pick, Earnie suggests. The farm bakes huge Blueberry Thunder Muffins, and guests can enjoy coffee and muffins hot from the oven on the shaded porch overlooking the blueberry field. Additional farm specialties available daily include fresh-baked cobblers, whole or in individual servings with ice cream, and frozen “Blueberry Sleet” drinks.



    Already picked berries are offered as well. The Bohners suggest calling to check on availability before driving out.



    Since beginning the farm in 1983, the Bohners found fresh berries to be a hit, but the challenge was to come up with something to take the business year-round.



    Earnie and Martha started with blueberry, blackberry and raspberry jams so full of berries and rich berry flavor that the products gained an immediate following. When the couple added Shiitake mushrooms to the foods grown on the farm, they enlisted the aid oflocal Chef Bob Nicol to develop a signature product, their Shiitake Mushroom Sauce, a flavorful sauce for chicken, beef or pasta. Then came their Blueberry Barbecue Sauce, a tangy sauce which garnered first place in the American Royal International Barbecue Contest in Kansas City in 1994. A spicier Raspberry Summer Sauce followed, a rich apple butter, a sweet Blackberry Glaze for grilling, “Croutakie” mushroom toppings, and more awards for their products, including two more first place ribbons in the American Royal.


    In 1999, the farm added Strawberry Rhubarb Jam, a Gooseberry Walnut Jam and a combination blueberry, gooseberry, black walnut jam the couple calls Nutty Blue Goose. A delicious Blueberry Syrup was added, and then Blueberry Amaretto Syrup.



    Today, the farm’s food products, made in the commercial kitchen the couple built adjacent to the blueberry field, are shipped all over the United States. A huge picture window on the porch of the farm’s store lets customers watch as Earnie and his crew make the delicious jams and sauces, hand poured, with great attention to quality given to each jar. Summer visitors can also see the gigantic Blueberry Thunder Muffins and cobblers being made. The couple’s daughter Savannah, 14, helps in weighing berries, filling to-go boxes of muffins and cobblers, stocking the shelves and ferrying customers’ purchases to their cars.



    “What we like most is providing our customers with the best products that can be produced,” Earnie Bohner said. “We’re a small farm operation using an old-fashioned system – farm-fresh, top quality ingredients, top quality taste and individual service.”



    Persimmon Hill Farm offers mail order packages of jams, sauces, dried mushrooms and more in attractive wooden gift crates during the holidays (as well as year round). A Shiitake Mushroom log kit, inoculated with the flavorful Shiitake Mushrooms and ready to grow, is a unique and productive gift. Also available during the holiday mail-order season are a half-dozen Blueberry Thunder Muffins, fresh-baked and shipped in a muffin tin – a great change from fruitcake.



    The farm’s fresh-baked specialties can be produced at home with The Persimmon Hill Farm Cookbook. The cookbook has recipes ranging from the farm’s signature Blueberry Thunder Muffins and Crunch-top Cobblers to Raspberry Ice Cream Pie, Jam-filled Scones and Berry Cheesecake Tarts.



    Products and information are available on the farm’s web site, www.persimmonhill.com.For a mail order brochure, call or write Persimmon Hill Farm, 367 Persimmon Hill Lane, Lampe, Mo. 65681; (417) 779-5443.

  • Not in favor of motor cycle helmet law

    The seat belt law is a good one and I buckle up each time I get in an automobile. What changed my mind? It was explained to me that if I were involved in an accident that the seat belt would hold me in the drivers seat so that I would have a chance to regain control of the vehicle. This means that wearing a seat belt would protect the lives and property of someone else. Our laws are in place to protect the right, the lives and the property of someone else. This makes sense therefore I agree. The motorcycle Helmet law has no similar advantage.



    On the contrary it works just the opposite. I have ridden motorcycles for a better part of 30 years. When riding with a helmet my vision is impaired (peripheral vision), also my hearing is not as keen as without a helmet (even ear plugs allow better hearing than a helmet). With out these two essential senses working at their optimum efficiency there is a possibility I might not see the child darting into the street to retrieve a ball, or I may not hear the 18 wheeler that thinks it is cute to creep up behind someone on a motorcycle and blow his horn.



    There is the argument that more riders are injured when not wearing a helmet than those who are. This is slighted because when an accident is reported and the rider is not wearing a helmet it is front page news. When the rider is wearing a helmet no one wishes to mention that fact. If facts are going to be stated then lets state all the facts.



    We have the issue that when someone is injured and left disabled when riding with out a helmet and the state is left holding the support. I would like all the facts brought to light on this issue. It is a FACT that the helmet is extra weight on the head and many times neck injuries occur that wouldn’t have occurred if the rider had not been wearing a helmet. How many riders are disabled that WERE wearing a helmet? I don’t have this data but I can promise you that if you took the time to gather this data the argument that riders with out helmets do not constitute for more than riders with helmets.



    The bottom line is this. Should an adult over the age of 21 have the right to decide whether they should wear a helmet or not? I believe it is the riders right to make that decision. Wearing a helmet does not in any way protect the rights, the property, or the life of anyone except the individual making this decision.



    I ask you respectfully to reevaluate your states laws in regards to helmets and motorcycles. The revenue generated by riders from all over the country that would like to visit your state is waiting your decision.



    Thank you very must for your time. Bob Ellsworth, KS.



    Editors Note: I attend a weekly prayer meeting with a man whose son was involved in a motor cycle accident just last weekend.I personally held the helmet involved and would feel very safe in saying if the damage that had been done to that helmet had been done to his head he would not still be alive.Praise God he did have a helmet on and he is alive and well.

  • New Table Rock Lakeshore Trail along Branson’s Table Rock Lake

    Thanks to the combined efforts of The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Herschend Family Entertainment Corp, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and an investment of $500,000 visitors and residents alike can enjoy a new 2.2 mile multi use Table Rock Lakeshore Trail. Completed late in the fall of 2004, the trail provides easy access to areas of Table Rock Lake that most have not seen before and runs from the south side of Table Rock Dam, at the Dewey Short Visitor Center, to the State Park Marina..

    The eight foot wide paved trail is available for both hiking and biking, has restrooms available at various points, and meets the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. That coupled with the relative flatness of the trail and convenient entry and egress points makes the trail available and useable for the enjoyment of those who might not normally be able to experience the natural beauty and grandeur of the Ozarks outdoors and Table Rock Lake.

    The trail goes through woodlands, over wet weather creeks, and has long stretches that run close to the Table Rock’s shore line. Those traveling on the trail can expect to see native fauna, animals like an occasional deer, and birds of all varieties. One of the neat aspects of the trail is that it makes areas of the Table Rock Lake shorelines that were previously inaccessible to most accessible to all.

    The trail passes through or within viewing distance of the White River Landing, the home of the Show Boat Branson Belle and the Table Rock State Park, camp grounds, marina, and boat launching ramp. In the state park the trail provides convenient access to its public use and picnic area.

    The trail is open from dawn to dusk to foot traffic, bicycles, skateboards and scooters. The only motorized vehicles permitted on the trail are motorized wheelchairs. The trail can be conveniently accessed from three, trailhead, locations: the Dewey Short Visitor Center, the Showboat Branson Belle (during seasonal operating hours) and the picnic area at Table Rock State Park.

    Originally Published In the Branson Courier on Mar. 15, 2005.

  • Insurance for fly fishing Branson’s Lake Taneycomo in heavy water

    The best advice that anyone can give someone who has not fly fished Lake Taneycomo for trout, water running heavy or not, is to get advice from those who have. On line advice is available in the Branson Courier’s Lake Taneycomo Fishing Report found in the “Outdoor” section. Both on line and phone advice is available from these sources with which this writer has personally fished: River Run Outfitters, 877-699-3474 or Chartered Waters Guide Service 866-862-1928. (Note: River Run Outfitters has recently moved from its downtown location to a location closer to the dam at 2626 State Highway 165 in Branson. Although this writer has not fished with anyone out of Lily’s Landing, 417-334-6380, it is another source of reliable fly fishing information.

    Lake Taneycomo, running near and through, Branson, Missouri, is perhaps one of the most prolific trout fisheries in the United States. Yet, because of its “tail water” status at the foot of Table Rock Dam it posses unique challenges for the fly fisher. When the dam is not generating it provides excellent and accessible wade fishing from the dam to about 2 miles down stream however, the situation changes drastically when they start generating..

    How drastically? The water raises very rapidly from the normal no generation level of about 701.5 to elevations in excess of 710 or more with a current velocity to match. “Don’t scorn the horn,” when it sounds get out of the water immediately! Let the water stabilize then make the decision whether or not to reenter.

    Many a day this writer has sat in the fly shop and heard fly fishers lament because they had traveled hundreds of miles to fly fish and couldn’t because of the high water. When they are generating more than one generator at Table Rock Dam, and even one if they are running it hard, except for limited space near the chutes by the hatchery, wade fishing is difficult and becomes increasingly more so as the number of generators increases.

    Although one can call 417-336-5083 and get the latest information on what is currently being generated that could change ten seconds after the call. Many is the morning that this writer has called and got the report that the “number of units generating at Table Rock Dam is zero” only to get in his boat, head up the Lake and have one or more generators on by the time he is ready to fish some 15 minutes later.

    Based on fishing Lake Taneycomo for over 30 years and living on her banks for just about 20 of those years, this writer feels confident in saying that there is absolutely no way to know with any certainty what the generation status will be five minutes from any given point in time. No big problem for those living in the area but quite a dilemma for those who are traveling great distances to fly fish.

    In the opinion of this writer, the only way a fly fisher can be just about guaranteed that they will be able to fly fish on a certain day during a certain period of time is if they are fishing from a boat. Boats can be rented from Scotty’s Trout Dock in downtown Branson 417-334-4288 or from Lilly’s Landing, 417-334-6380.

    Although a boat makes fly fishing possible, fly fishing effectively under high water conditions is another matter. What to use, depths, lay ups, seams, and the many other variable that come into play under high water conditions present a daunting challenge which is further compounded by trying to control a boat in the fast moving water.

    The best advice that anyone can give someone who has not fly fished Lake Taneycomo for trout when they are running the water heavy, is to fly fish from a boat with an experienced fly fishing guide. This solves three major problems, accessibility to fishable water, boat control issues, and the expertise necessary to catch fish while fly fishing under high water conditions.

    From personal experience, one could not go wrong with either River Run Outfitters or Chartered Waters Guide Service. River Run Outfitters uses the classic style “western” drift boat float, rowed by the guide, with no motor, and Chartered Waters Guide Service uses a motor powered bass boat.

    Speaking from personal experience in fishing with them, Stan and Carolyn Parker and their “lead guide,” Jim Lund, from River Run Outfitters and Brett Radar of Chartered Waters Guide Service are some of the best fly fishers on Lake Taneycomo. The guides of River Run use, primarily, the classic fly fishing approach. Brett, from Chartered Waters uses some additional techniques that he has refined for high water situations, such as “flat line casting,” etc. In either case expect a great fishing experience.

    Originally Published In the Branson Courier on Mar. 3, 2005.

  • Powder Keg Silver Dollar City’s new 0 to 53 MPH in 2.8 seconds super launch coaster

    The Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, Missouri is presenting an all-new super launch coaster for Spring 2005 that shoots riders into a thrill zone within seconds of climbing aboard, launching them from 0 to 53 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds.Constructed around and within the forests of the Ozark Mountains and winding down a hillside, Powder Keg is a family thrill ride unlike any other in the history of the park. It combines launching speed with spiraling turns, negative gravitational or “G” forces, and “floater” hills to create a thrill ride of great magnitude. In addition, it’s packaged in an environmentally sound design.



    “An air launch system like this is amazing – there is great launching speed yet virtually no impact on the environment,” said Stan Checketts, founder and CEO of Powder Keg manufacturer S&S Power of Logan, Utah. S&S is the world’s leading manufacturer of compressed-air rides and the largest ride manufacturer in the United States.



    Checketts said Powder Keg is one of only three like it in the world that uses clean, compressed air technology for incredibly fast and energy-efficient acceleration. “Unlike fuel-driven systems, this technique runs cleanly and the ride runs smoothly while soaring through the trees at speeds up to 64 miles per hour.”



    A $10 million project, Powder Keg takes riders from the initial big blast up a lift to a 110-foot drop, into spiraling and dragonfly banked turns, through a wave of floater hills with negative G forces, giving riders the experience of weightlessness above the trees. As required by Silver Dollar City policy, only those trees that had to be removed were, with three additional trees planted elsewhere for every one removed.



    In keeping with Silver Dollar City’s internationally-awarded commitment to bringing the colorful history of regions to life, Powder Keg is themed to the memory of the miners of the great Marvel Cave, of which the park is built atop. The history-based glory days of the miners were in the late 1880s when tons of nitrogen-rich bat guano were hauled, via archaic pulley system, from the cave’s massive sinkhole and taken by stagecoach and railroads to powder mills. The mills, located in various parts of the country, including southern and central Missouri, then made the valuable black powder needed in post-Civil War America.



    “Powder Keg begins in a powder mill amid barrels of nitro-explosives that rock and tip.As the nitro ‘explodes,’ the cars blast out of the building with special effects of fire and smoke shooting through the roof!” said Brad Thomas, general manager of Silver Dollar City. “While this ride offers a thrilling adventure, it has been designed to accommodate families. Anyone over 42 inches in height can ride, which is roughly a six year old,” said Thomas who cites customer research that resoundingly requested a family thrill ride as the reason for choosing Powder Keg.



    A trip on Powder Keg lasts nearly three minutes and spirals around six acres on 3,500 feet of track. The ride carries more than 1,000 people per hour with 16 passengers per train. Silver Dollar City’s Corporate Development team and the Maintenance & Construction Division are handling theming and construction.



    Silver Dollar City, an 1880s theme park located in Branson, Missouri, brings to life the history and heritage of the Ozark region. The park offers rides, entertainment, signature foods, and five world-class festivals during its operating season, April through December. For tickets and information, call 1-800-831-4FUN, or visit the web site at www.silverdollarcity.com.


  • 13th Annual Bransonfest April 5-9 2005

    The American Bus Association recently announced its annual “Top 100 Events in North America” including the spring season kick-off event, BransonFest, for the second straight year.


    “BransonFest is the opportunity to spend a season in one of America’s most popular vacation destinations in just five days,” according to the ABA’s Top 100 Committee. The 13th annual season kick-off festival set for April 5-9, 2005 at the Welk Resort provides visitors with a sample of the kinds of entertainment, food, art, and vacation experiences they can expect to find in the Branson area throughout the upcoming year.


    “We consider this ABA designation a tremendous honor. For BransonFest to have been chosen out of all the events reviewed in 44 states and 11 Canadian provinces is definitely something this community can be proud of,” said John Richardson, chairman of the BransonFest Committee for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB, and director of marketing for Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show.


    BransonFest 2005 will showcase the talents of more than 500 world-class performers. Each of the daily shows inside the Welk Resort Theater will feature at least 10 different Branson headline acts performing segments from their 2005 season shows. Details of the show roster are still in the works and will be released later this year.


    Shows inside the Welk Theatre start at 7:00pm on Tuesday and at 2:00pm Wednesday through Saturday. Tickets are $29.50 per show or $130 per person for all five shows. Special discounted rates are available for groups of 20 or more.


    Throughout each of the five days, the Real American Entertainment Tent will feature the talent of area singers, dancers and musicians performing a variety of music and dance styles including jazz, pop, bluegrass, rock n’ roll, country, gospel, classical and show choir.


    New in 2005, an exclusive “Student Performance Showcase” including dance troupes, choral groups, flag corps, special demonstrations, and costumed characters will feature entertainment especially for kids and will enhance the overall ‘streetmosphere’ throughout the Welk Resort festival grounds.


    “We’re always excited about adding new elements to BransonFest,” said Ross Summers, executive vice president of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB.”In 2004, Al Roker shot footage for his show on The Food Network which will air on November 7, 2004. In 2005, we’ll have lots of exciting things going on throughout the tent area making it a real attention -grabbing event for kids.”


    More than 70 booths inside the Hospitality and Business Expo tent will offer a sample of Branson’s finest attractions, businesses and theaters. The Expo area will house autograph sessions, giveaways, contests and more.


    The spotlight is on Ozark Mountain culture and heritage at the Arts, Culture and Heritage Expo tent. Visitors will have the opportunity to view and purchase the art of nationally recognized Branson painters, sculptors, jewelry makers, fabric artists, and writers among others. Each day, a different artist will be on hand to visit with guests and sign autographs.


    Inside the Taste of Branson Food Tent guests can sample traditional Ozarks cuisine and watch as recipes are prepared by celebrities and chefs from several of Branson’s finest restaurants.


    For ticket information and reservations, call the Welk Resort Theatre at 800-734-5515 or 417-337-7469.For group information and reservations, call 866-337-5454 or 417-337-9200.

    BransonFest 2005 is sponsored by the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau. For further information on Branson’s shows and lodging call 800-590-0155 or click here.

  • Is the city of Branson being “serviced” out of millions of dollars in tourism taxes?

    IIma Loyal was on her way back to Columbia from a trip to Tunica, Ms. As she drove north out of Tunica she decided that she would make an impromptu stop at one of her favorite getaway locations for the night, Branson, to relax and see a show. Having been to Branson a number of times before, she made her lodging and show reservation directly with the motel and show and did not use a “reseller,” such as a ticket agency.


    Her room rate was $100 and her show ticket was $25. The total $125 is subject to, among other taxes, the four percent Branson Tourism Tax. Ima paid $5 in Branson Tourism Tax.

    On exactly the same day, Ira Resister, a salesman was driving south out of Springfield on highway 65, saw a barrage of billboards that reminded him of the great Branson ads he had seen on cable TV the night before and decided that he would spend the night in Branson and see a show. Not having been to Branson before he went into the store of one of the many “resellers” authorized by the various shows and lodging establishments in Branson to resell their tickets and lodgings.


    Ira ended up staying in exactly the same hotel and going to exactly the same show as Ima did. His room rate was $100 and his show ticket was $25. The total $125 is subject to, among other taxes, the four percent Branson Tourism Tax. Ira paid $4.25 in Branson Tourism Tax.


    “Now hold on Seagull, are you saying that Ima paid $.75 more in tourism tax than Ira did for the same thing?


    “That’s exactly right.”


    “That doesn’t make any sense at all, same lodging price, same ticket price, same Branson, the amount of tourism tax paid by each should be the same. Why isn’t it?


    “If an Ole Seagull were going to hazard an opinion it would be because the resellers don’t collect it and pay it and the city lets them get away with it.”


    “Resellers” buy tickets and lodging at, what most people could consider, whole sale prices, add their markup, and then retail them to the public. In the vast majority of cases, the four percent Branson Tourism Tax is only collected on the wholesale price that the reseller pays for the product. The rationale appears to be that the difference between the whole sale price paid by the reseller and what they sell it for at retail is a “service charge” and is not subject to the tax.


    “But Seagull, what’s the difference between the local “Walkmarget Store” buying widgets at wholesale, adding their markup, and then retailing them to the public? Isn’t the amount of tax due based on the retail price charged? “In order, the answers appear to be ‘none’ and ‘of course it is.’”


    As written, the state law regarding this tax says that it applies to the price “paid or charged” to any “transient person” for, among other things, hotel, motel, and condo rooms in Branson and to the price paid or charged for any admission ticket to or participation in any private tourist attraction. The net result of the way this law is currently being enforced by the city is that, potentially, millions of dollars in tax revenues, that would be available to the city for infrastructure and marketing, are not currently being collected by the city and have not been for years.


    "Do I have this right Seagull, the tax applies to the price that is charged not to who is charging it?”    “That’s the way it appears to read.”


    “Is a reseller a ‘transient’ person?” “Not normally.”


    “Then why doesn’t the city require the tax to be collected on the full price that the resellers charge?” “That’s the million dollar question!”

  • BransonFest 2005, Apr. 5-9

    Branson, dubbed the “Live Entertainment Capital of the World” kicks off its new season of family entertainment with its biggest bash of the year-Branson Fest. Branson Fest celebrates a new season of entertainment with five days of great music, luscious food and Ozark Mountain arts. Branson Fest 2005 will be held April 5-9 at the Welk Resort Theatre in Branson, Missouri.



    This five-day event kicks off on Tuesday, April 5th. Activities begin at Noon on the grounds with the first show on the Main Stage at 7:00 pm.



    Indoor Super Shows featuring a variety of legendary performers will be held inside the Welk Resort Theatre, Tuesday concert – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday – Saturday – 2:00 p.m. Main Show Daily – See highlights of 10 shows each day. Click here for information on the Super Shows, tickets, and who will be appearing.



    The Hospitality and Business Expo features representatives from area theaters, attractions, businesses, plus several area civic organizations on hand to answer questions about the various shows and entertainment at their venues or provide information. Visitors will get the chance to visit with their favorite Branson entertainers during special autograph sessions. Visitors can also pick up free information, prizes and give-aways at the Hospitality and Business Expo.



    The spotlight is on Ozark Mountain culture and heritage at the Arts, Culture and Heritage section of the Expo. Visitors have the opportunity to view the art of nationally recognized Branson artists, and autograph sessions allow visitors to meet the artists with a featured artist, author or musician daily.



    The Real American Entertainment Tent holds a stage where festival visitors can see a variety of performances from local shows and organizations.



    Branson Fest “Streetmosphere” will be featured throughout the festival outside the Entertainment Tent. Dance troupes, choirs, flag corps, special demonstrations, and costumed characters will be sure to entertain visitors during the warm spring days of Branson Fest.



    Taste of Branson – Inside the Taste of Branson Food Tent, guests can sample traditional Ozarks cuisine and feature some of the best fare from several of Branson’s finest eating establishments.

  • BransonFest, Apr. 5-9, 2005 Super Shows

    Branson’s 2005 season kicks off with one of its biggest festivals of the year, BransonFest, at the Welk Resort, April 5-9, 2005.This five-day event provides fans with the chance to visit with Branson entertainers, get their autographs, and participate in a variety of entertainment and activities.

    A unique part of BransonFest is the “Super Shows.” Each show contains performances from some of Branson’s top shows and performers with previews of their 2005 shows. Although the vast majority of BransonFest activities are free there is a charge for the Super Show tickets of $29.49 per show. For information or reservations call 800-734-5515.

    Although current as of Mar. 12, 2005, as with any schedule they are subject to change. Each show will have a celebrity host but, for whatever reason, as of this date they have not been announced. Any schedule changes or host announcements will be made to this page. If the date of this page is other than Mar. 12, 2005 a change has been made. All subsequent changes will be in underlined.

    Tuesday, April 5 – 7:00 p.m.

    Stuck on the 70’s, Starlite Theatre

    Delene, The Hughes Brothers Celebrity Theatre

    Braschler Music Show, Hamner-Barber Theater

    Les Brown, Jr. & His Band of Renown, Mickey Gilley Theater

    Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Welk Resort Theatre

    The Lennon Sisters, Welk Resort Theatre

    Comedy Jamboree, Grand Country Music Hall

    The Yearys Music Show, The Musical Palace

    Toni Roi’s Elvis Experience, Music City Centre

    Wednesday, April 6 – 2:00 p.m.

    Baldknobbers Jamboree, Baldknobbers Theater

    Jim Owen, Country Tonite Theater

    Grand Jubilee, Grand Country Music Hall

    Ronnie Prophet, The New Shanghai Theatre

    Country Tonite, Country Tonite Theater

    Doug Kershaw, Moe Bandy Theater

    Dalena Ditto, Mickey Gilley Theater

    Magnificent Seven, White House Theater

    Larry Stewart (of Restless Heart), The Grand Palace

    Thursday, April 7- 2:00 p.m.

    Red Skelton, A Tribute by Tom Mullica, Music City Centre

    Spirit of the Dance & Broadway!, Branson Variety Theatre

    The Platters, Starlite Theatre

    The Haygoods, Music City Centre

    Red, Hot & Blue, Grand Country Music Hall

    Dino Kartsonakis, Tri-Lakes Center

    Roy Rogers, Jr. and the High Riders, Happy Trails Theater

    Barbara Fairchild, Hamner-Barber Theater

    Friday, April 8 – 2:00 p.m.

    Pierce Arrow, Pierce Arrow Theater

    Legends In Concert, Legends Family Theater

    Neil Goldberg’s Cirque, Remington Theater

    Siegfried & Roy present Darren Romeo, Welk Resort Theatre

    Riders of the Circle B, Circle B Chuck Wagon

    Doug Gabriel, Jim Staffort Theatre

    Paul Harris, Caravelle Theater

    Saturday, April 8 – 2:00 p.m.

    Lost in the Fifties, Starlite Theatre

    Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express, Caravelle Theatre

    The Brett Family, Legends Family Theatre

    Number One Hits of the Sixties, The Musical Palace

    The Lowe Family, Welk Resort Theatre

    Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mansion America

    Celebrate America, Mansion America

    The Duttons, The Duttons Family Theater

    Mickey Gilley, Mickey Gilley Theater

    Ticket and other information on Branson may be obtained by calling 800-590-0155 (toll free) or on line by clicking here.

  • Branson is full of surprise in 05

    Guests visiting the area in 2005 can expect to see new shows, attractions, special events, festivals, restaurants, lodging amenities, retail shops, outdoor recreational activities and more as the Branson/Lakes Area continues to grow and expand its wealth of vacation amenities.



    This year marks a record in new development for the Branson/Lakes Area with the addition of Branson Landing, now under construction in historic downtown Branson. The New Shanghai Theatre opens in May and a historic event to welcome home Vietnam veterans is scheduled for June. For updates throughout the year, call the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau toll free at (800) 214-3661 or visit, www.explorebranson.com to sign up to receive the Chamber’s monthly e-newsletter.



    Shows


    · Andy Williams and Petula Clark perform together at The Moon River Theatre in the spring and fall.


    · David Copperfield at The Moon River Theatre June 13-16


    · The New Shanghai Theatre on Hwy. 165, Branson’s newest theater, opens May 15 featuring the New Shanghai Circus.


    · The Branson Variety Theater presents Bobby Vinton in concert with Vinton family members and a live orchestra.


    · The Welk Theater hosts Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers with Pam Tillis (Sept – Oct), and Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers with the Lennon Sisters (Nov – Dec). Siegfried & Roy Present Darren Romeo, The Voice of Magic runs April – December.


    · Circle B Chuckwagon Dinner & Show opens at the newly renovated Dinner Bell Restaurant across from The Grand Palace.


    · Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express opens at the Caravelle Theater.


    · Les Brown’s Band of Renown with Les Brown Jr. performs at the Mickey Gilley Theater.


    · George Jones, Bill Engvall, Merle Haggard and The Von Trapp Children join the Biggest Concert Series at The Grand Palace.


    · John Wayne and America’s Yodeling Sweetheart perform at the Nova Theater


    · The Yeary’s Music Show and “Act of God” join #1 Hits of the 60’s at the Musical Palace.


    · Neil Goldberg’s Cirque show appears at The Remington Theatre.


    · The Sons of the Pioneers perform their chuckwagon dinner show at The Shepherd of the Hills Pavilion Theatre.



    Location Changes


    · Acrobats of China featuring the New Shanghai Circus mark the opening of their 8th season in Branson with a new theater on Hwy. 165, the New Shanghai Theatre.


    · Buck Trent, in his 14th season, opens his show at the Grand Country Music Hall.


    · “From Patsy to Present… ” plays at the Branson Mall Music Theater.


    · Doug Gabriel opens his show at the Jim Stafford Theatre.


    · River Run Outfitters fly fishing shop has recently moved from its downtown location to a location closer to the dam at 2626 State Highway 165 in Branson



    Attractions


    · Silver Dollar City presents Powder Keg, a new $10 million explosive-launch roller coaster that launches riders from 0 to 53 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds and hits speeds up to 64 miles per hour.


    · Silver Dollar City presents a salute to the American cowboy during their Festival of American Music & Craftsmanship, September 8 – October 29. Performances by Riders in the Sky, Michael Martin Murphy, Buck Taylor, Roy Rogers Jr., and the palomino-riding Sons of Tennessee along with a tribute to John Wayne are part of the entertainment, along with hundreds of musicians playing bluegrass, string band, country and gospel. Visiting craftsmen demonstrate coppersmithing, stone masonry, and Best of Missouri Hands juried artists demonstrate pewtersmithing, pottery, weaving, watercolor and bentwood furniture making.


    · Silver Dollar City’s Bluegrass & Barbecue festival, May 21- June 5, features the upbeat sounds of American bluegrass music along with the aromas and flavors of an all-American barbecue, with Kansas City-style, Memphis favorites and Texas traditional barbecue. Sample 300 barbecue sauces and visit the Barbecue Expo for the latest in grills, demonstrations and tips from the experts. See regional bluegrass artists and rising stars including Blue Highway, NewFound Road, Rarely Herd and the Chapmans.


    · The Branson Balloon offers passengers a 15-minute ride 500 feet into the air over Shepherd of the Hills Expressway offering a bird’s-eye view of the Branson landscape. It is the largest tethered helium balloon in the U. S. at 200,000 cubic feet.


    · “Titanic… The Legend Continues” opens on Hwy. 76 at the former site of Thunder Road Amusement Center. The attraction will feature re-creations of first class staterooms, third class austere accommodations, the Grand Staircase, plus an interactive area for passengers to experience the touch of an iceberg. Visitors can view over 200 priceless artifacts and historic treasures, and will be able to share the personal, heroic and tragic stories of its passengers.


    · Playtime Pizza is a 30,000-square foot complex with indoor go-kart track, 2 levels of arcades, prizes and shops. The dining area seats 520 in individually themed party rooms and private group rooms.


    · A new entertainment complex on Hwy. 76 also opening in 2005 will include a state-of-the-art live entertainment theater, The Belair, featuring Rock Legends of the 50s and 60s. Grammy Award-winning and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and several other artists will perform. The complex will house “57 Heaven,” a 32,000-square foot exhibit that takes visitors on a walk down memory lane through lifestyle exhibits displaying the mood and spirit of 1957, including an unparalleled museum-quality collection of classic cars, all vintage 1957. There will also be a themed restaurant and gift shop.


    · The new 2.2-mile Table Rock Lakeshore Trail connects the Dewey Short Visitor Center with the Showboat Branson Belle and the Table Rock State Park. The paved trail is open each day until dusk.



    Museums


    · The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas presents the Biblical account of early history at the Museum of Earth History and a new Holy Land exhibit.



    Events


    · BransonFest, April 5-9, held at the Welk Resort Theatre will feature a sampling of Branson’s finest entertainment, food, arts and culture in ’05.


    · The Mid America Gospel Music & Singing Convention will be held May 13 -15 at the Tri-Lakes Music Center and feature choirs from all across the country as well as gospel music groups such as The Dixie Melody Boys, the Florida Boys Quartet, The Hoskins Family and Christian comedian Aaron Wilburn.


    · Mardi Gras in Branson, June 2-4, will feature new musical groups, more food, more vendors and more fun. This Cajun/Zydeco festival celebrates “La joie de vive” Cajun-style with a touch of the Ozarks.


    · Operation Homecoming USA, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, presents Welcome Home… America’s Tribute to Vietnam Veterans June 13-19. The homecoming entails numerous events throughout the Branson area including military demonstrations and displays, banquets, a fishing tournament, a golf tournament and a 10-hour outdoor concert on Saturday night featuring some of the biggest acts in the entertainment industry including the Beach Boys, the Fifth Dimension, Creedance Clearwater Revisited, Ann-Margret, the Doobie Brothers, Yakov Smirnoff, the Supremes with Mary Wilson, the Oak Ridge Boys, Tony Orlando, Les Brown’s Band of Renown with Les Brown, Jr., and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.



    Shops


    · Boyd’s Bear Country opens on Hwy. 76 behind the Nova 4 Movie Theater and offers whimsical and ‘folksy with attitude’ gifts and collectibles. Guests can shop, and adopt and stuff their own bears.



    Developments


    · Chateau On The Lake opens the $2 million, 10,000-square foot full-service Spa Botanica in June.


    · College of the Ozarks offers the grand 97,000-square-foot, 4-story Keeter Center, which houses a new restaurant, meeting and conference space, lodging rooms, classrooms and more.


    · Pointe Royale Condominium Resort Golf & Conference Center has a new clubhouse and meeting facility for members and guests.


    · Top of the Rock Golf Course is opening a new Arnold Palmer-designed signature practice facility.


    · The City of Branson is developing a new Recreational Center including a 7,500- square foot fitness facility, two basketball courts, volleyball courts, a 12,249-square foot swimming pool, baseball/softball fields, soccer fields and a 1.5 mile asphalt walking track


    · Chateau On The Lake developer, John Q. Hammons Hotels, announced plans in 2004 to build Charlevoix, a five-star, 18-story luxury hotel next to Chateau on the Lake in 2007.

  • Silver Dollar City’s World-Fest

    When representatives from 14 countries around the world from Zambia to the Philippines gather in Branson in April, it won’t be to discuss foreign policy or international relations – it’s all about world-class entertainment. World-Fest, which takes place at the Silver Dollar City theme park April 7 – May 15, brings in over 200 performers from five continents, all enthusiastic about presenting their country’s artistic heritage.



    “Whether it’s folk dancers from the Philippines, a brass band from Russia or acrobats from Kenya, these performers love to entertain,” says Rex Burdette, Silver Dollar City’s World-Fest coordinator for 11 years. “And World-Fest brings in varieties of performance arts that most Americans have never seen before, performed by those who are among the best in their countries.”



    Groups with such unique entertainment include the Russian Cossack dancers who perform athletic leaps and choreographed sword-fights that send sparks flying as part of the dance, and the Italian flag throwing teams who throw their colorful flags high in the air in precise arcs.



    New this year, the park presents German dancers who perform on stilts, an Irish Celebration with five distinct shows from Irish Celtic music to Irish dance, an a cappella vocal group from Zambia, a Philippine dance troupe, a Honduran choir and a Czech brass band. A new flag team from Italy and a new steel drum band from Trinidad also perform. Major shows include Bulgaria se Artistka with Olympic-style “eurthymics,” a blend of acrobatics, folk dance and classical dance; and the high-energy Russian Cossack National Dance Company. Each evening, the Kenya Safari Acrobats showcase their skills in a show in Echo Hollow Amphitheatre.



    Not-to-miss events are the noon parade, where the World-Fest groups parade around the Square in their colorful costumes, and the closing activities, where each night before park closing, a featured group jams on the Square. Then guests join the World-Fest performers for a song and dance ceremony that draws performers and visitors together in an international circle of friendship.



    Food takes on an international flavor too, as the park offers a pavilion of specialties such as Jamaican jerk chicken and Caribbean barbecue ribs, Italian calzones, Mexican fajitas, oriental platters, and Greek pies, salads and gyros. International desserts include French crème brulee and Italian tiramisu with chocolate and espresso.


    World-Fest runs April 7 – May 15, with the park offering Family Spring Break Days on select dates in March and early April. During World-Fest, the park is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays. For festival information, schedules and tickets, call 1-800-831-4FUN.

  • Lake Taneycomo Fishing Reports moved

    As of Mar. 13 the Lake Taneycomo Fishing Report will be found under “Outdoors.”

  • Special Trophy Trout/Artificial Area Regulations


    Trophy Trout/ Artificial Area Regulation Overview



    The Trophy Trout/ Artificial Area, on Lake Taneycomo, runs from Table Rock Dam to the Mouth of Fall Creek, a distance of about 3 miles.Within this area no “bait” fishing is permitted, all fishermen must have s Trout Permit whehter they are keeping their fish or not, and there are special “slot limits.”



    The term “bait” includes, “natural baits,” such as worms, grubs, corn etc,; “soft plastic baits,” all scented baits, and ” Power Bait” eggs and pastes,etc.



    The “slot limits” cover all Rainbow Trout between 12 and 20 inches and all Brown Trout less than 20 inches.These fish must be released, unharmed, back into the water immediately after being caught. The only trout that may be kept are Rainbow Trout under 12 inches or over 20 inches and Brown Trout 20 inches or over.In addition, all normal “possession limits apply.”



    Violations of these, or any other regulations, may be reported to the Conservation Department Enforcement Agents through 1-800-392-1111.Calls may be anonymous.



    The baits prohibited within the Trophy Trout/ Artificial Area are permitted, the 19 miles, downstream from Fall Creek’s junction with Lake Taneycomo.Although we recommend catch and release, there is no slot or size limit on Rainbow Trout outside of the Trophy Trout/ Artificial Area.The 20 inch minimum size limit on Brown Trout DOES APPLY to all of Lake Taneycomo not just the Trophy Trout/ Artificial Area.



    For any addtional informtion please contact either River Run Outiftters or Chartered Waters Guide Service through their web site.


  • Good Taneycomo Fly Patterns To Start With

    Good Patterns to Start With-“Current favorites” aside, River Run Outfitters suggests that the following will generally work as a starting point:



    Night:



    Black Bead Head Wooly Bugger, in size 6-10 (weighted).



    Day:



    Tungsten Bead Head Midge, Size 16 in either Red or Black


    Chamois Leech size 12. Deaddrift it either under an indicator just off the bottom, or straight line with a size 6 or 8 split shot about 10 inches above the Leech.


    Olive Wooly Buggers size 10 or 12.


    Gray/Olive & Tan Flashback Scuds size 14/16


    San Juan Worms, both the small red and the natural brown.


    Peach colored Egg Pattern (Glo-Ball) fished below an indicator.


    White or Black Grub (Thread Jig,) 1/100th oz, fish dead drifted under an indicator.

    Copper L’il Easy, size 18

  • KIS Midge fishing on Branson’s Lake Taneycomo

    In researching for an article on Midge fishing on Branson’s Lake Taneycomo, things got a little more complex than my actual experience fishing the midge indicated they had to be. So here’s the Ole Seagull’s take on KIS (Keep It Simple) fishing of the midge on Branson’s Lake Taneycomo.

    Particularly on Lake Taneycomo’s upper five miles, the midge, of the insect order Diptera and the family Chironomidae, is a major part of the Rainbow and Brown trout’s diet along with the scud. Simply put, if you not fishing midges as part of your fly fishing or fishing repertoire you are ignoring Lake Taneycomo’s primary “hatch,” as midges are constantly “hatching,” on Lake Taneycomo just about every day of the year for a large portion of the day.

    From an Ole Seagull’s perspective, although there are arguments to the contrary, “Emerging” is a better term to use than “hatch.” Of the four major stages of a midge’s life cycle, egg, larvae, pupae, and adult, it is as the midge emerges from its pupae stage and is transitioning into the adult stage that the fisherman has the best opportunity to use midge imitations to catch trout on Lake Taneycomo. Although there are some skilled fishermen who fish size 26 and smaller larval imitation very successfully and some who fish adult imitations most fishermen will have the best results as the midge emerges from it pupae state and transitions into its adult stage.

    As the midge emerges and transitions, it rises through the water column, from the bottom to the surface, where it completes its transition into adult, flies, off, swarms, mates, lays eggs, and dies, usually within about 48 hours of mating. It is as the midge gradually travels up the water column that it is at its largest sub surface size, presents the best target to trout, and, in the opinion of an Ole Seagull is easiest for both trout and fishermen to catch.

    One can drive themselves crazy worrying about matching sizes and patterns but, from a midge fishing KIS perspective, on a day to day basis, the Ole Seagull has settled in on what he calls “The Ole Seagulls Small Five.” The Zebra Midge patterns, Copper Dun, Primrose and Pearl, Rusty, and Ugly in size 18 and the Red Tungsten Bead Head in size 16 have provided all the midge trout fishing excitement this old man could ask for. These patterns, their “recipes,” and other fly fishing information is available at River Run Outfitters located on Highway 165 near the Table Rock Dam.

    Except for very early morning, the two must use midges every day are the Ugly and the Rusty. Only if they don’t work will I try another pattern. In the very early morning hours just after sunrise to about an hour after, I will start with the size 16 Red Tungsten Bead Head and transition over to the Ugly and Rusty as things “brighten” up or if there is no success with the red. It should be pointed out that there are others, and probably better fishermen than this poor Old Seagull, who use different flies and techniques but that’s what makes fishing the wonderful experience that it is.

    Presentation is extremely important. The vast majority of my fishing on Lake Taneycomo is done under an indicator. I have standardized on the size 5/16 th Lightning Strike Ball Indicator for the size 18 flies the 3/8 th size for the 16s. Others use the Palsa or twist on foam indicators with great success. For what’s worth, in midge fishing, as in all of his fishing, I have the best results using the smallest indicator possible.

    The “emerging” midge does not rise straight up to the surface, it gradually rises vertically to the surface as currents, winds, etc. are simultaneously moving it horizontally. I try to keep the drag to a minimum so the horizontal movement is as natural as possible. Although trout will hit the midge anywhere in the water column as it transitions, my theory is that they are more likely to come up for it than go down for it. Obviously, those who feel different will fish deeper. I use 6x Orvis Mirage Tippet down to the fly and generally set the depth at between one foot and four feet depending on the water depth. Typically when fishing in 5-8 feet of water I set it at four feet and forget it. As the water depth gets shallower the depth is adjusted accordingly.

    With the small hook size expect to pick and roll and miss a lot. In my experience for every hook up I get there is, on average, a miss, pick and roll, or a break off but that is, not only fishing, it is excitement in itself. I love to throw the midge into water that is being rippled by the wind or through which a boat has just gone.

    I must confess that I also use spinning tackle to fish midges and small jigs and that even when fishing with a fly rod, my rigging and lob and bob casting would make a classic fly fisher lose their breakfast but it works for me most of the time in the area that I fish. The important thing is that if you remember nothing else from this article please remember that if you not fishing midges as part of your fly fishing or fishing repertoire on Lake Taneycomo not only are you ignoring one of the primary food sources for trout but you are missing out on a lot of fun.

    (Note: The vast majority of the time he fishes the Ole Seagull fishes under water off conditions or no more than generation than 703.5.)

  • Branson’s “Bikings,” pillage and plunder and then ask school district taxpayers, “What’s in your wallet?”

    In a recent television commercial for a major credit card company, a band of marauding Vikings pillage and plunder until they are stopped by a consumer with the right credit card in their wallet. Every time he sees the commercial the Ole Seagull is reminded of the “pillaging and plundering” of Branson’s school district by the “Bikings.”



    “Bikings” is a term the Ole Seagull uses to describe the Branson Board of Aldermen, City Administrator Terry Dody, and what he believes are the disrespectful, irresponsible, and uncooperative actions they have taken that place the quality of our children’s education at risk. Oh, they dress better and clean up nicer than the Vikings but let there be no doubt about it, their pillaging and plundering of the tax revenues available to the Branson School District could adversely effect the quality of our children’s education if something doesn’t change!



    What is the apparent rationale for these Biking actions? Is it their apparent paranoia about having to have a “new” Branson or their almost psychotic preoccupation with preventing big box stores from going anywhere else but in Branson? “You know Seagull some could say that it is you that has the paranoia and psychotic preoccupation regarding the Branson Board of Aldermen and Dody.”



    That’s fair enough and just like an Ole Seagull they are entitled to their opinion. To the best of his ability, the vast majority of the columns he has written are about actions taken, or not taken, not about people and personalities. “But Seagull, isn’t it people who either act or don’t act?” That’s true but, in the final analysis, whether it’s a President, an Ole Seagull, alderman, or city administrator, it is the action taken, or not, that creates accountability and reaction.



    From teachers to programs and facilities, just about everything involved with the Branson School District provides a quality education for our children. It is that way because the school district has been blessed with school boards and people in administrative positions who have had the vision, commitment, administrative ability, leadership skills, community trust, and financing to make it so.



    That said however, unless an Ole Seagull misses his guess, the foundational element upon which the educational experience of our children depends is adequate financing. It is financing that enables the school district to hire and retain quality teachers, provide programs, maintain facilities etc. Each year, from local revenue sources, the school district must raise about $5,000 per student.



    Unlike the City of Branson, who receives a lot of revenue from the retail sales tax, the majority of the local funding for the school district comes from residential and commercial real estate tax, with the lions share coming from the commercial side. The Bikings, in spite of repeated warnings and requests by the Branson School District not to do so, legally confiscated the vast majority of the school district’s commercial real estate tax revenue generated by Branson Landing and the Branson Hills redevelopment project for the next ten years and beyond. But wait, it gets worse.



    Even as the Bikings are confiscating revenues needed to run the school district, the projects they are building, and the thousands of “Branson average” paying jobs they will offer, will bring hundreds of new children into the Branson School District, virtually at one time. The school district doesn’t have ten years to wait; it must provide and pay for the education of these new children from day one, at an average of $5,000 per student per year. Yet the Bikings have confiscated, and appropriated for their own use, a substantial portion of the school districts revenues that could be used to meet this increased challenge.



    Does it take a Solomon to see that the short fall for the school district will add up quickly and could, without additional funding, result in a deterioration of the quality of the educational experience that the Branson School District provides? It will be a gradual insidious thing, larger class sizes, cutting of programs, reducing preventive maintenance on facilities, gradually losing quality teachers and administrators etc. but, in an Ole Seagulls opinion, it will happen unless additional funding is provided.



    From an Ole Seagulls perspective, the Bikings, the Branson Board of Aldermen and City Administrator Terry Dody, have created the problem through their one sided actions and are accountable for its solution. Would it be inappropriate to ask them, “What’s in your wallet, and what are you going to do to correct or mitigate the problem that you created?”



    Better yet, why not do it in an open and public meeting including representatives from the Branson School District and the Bikings? Unfortunately, the Bikings solutions for the kids and taxpayers of the Branson School District will more than likely be the equivalent of saying, “We know what’s best for everyone and besides, we got what we wanted, what’s in your wallet?”

  • An historic legend carries on – Devils Pool at Big Cedar Lodge

    What should a world class resort include? If your list includes the tranquility and peace of gentle rolling hills, pristine creeks, deer running through open fields, waterfalls cascading over multi tiered rustic roadways, wild flowers gently swaying in the breeze, and the wind blowing through the trees, Big Cedar Lodge, located 10 miles south of Branson, Missouri, off of Highway 86, on the shores of Table Rock Lake, just might be for you. In addition to its natural wonders, Big Cedar Lodge has all the services, activities, and amenities one would expect of a world class resort of its caliber and has a rich history that has become part of its present.



    Every world class resort has a world class restaurant and Big Cedar Lodge is no different. What is different is that it is located about a stones throw from where, centuries ago, the Osage Indians found a spring they believed was so deep that it flowed down to the Devil himself. They named it Devils Pool, and that name that has stuck for centuries.



    In the late 1920s, businessman Jude Simmons and railroad executive Harry Worman bought 300 acres of forest to build upscale resort homes at Devil’s Pool. Simmons constructed a log mansion, and Worman built a stone and stucco house. In 1947, Real estate executive Dan Norris purchased the property added a lodge, swimming pool and stable and called it Devil’s Pool Ranch.



    Bass Pro Shops’ John Morris acquired the land in 1987 and, as part of building Big Cedar Lodge, restored the original Simmons and Worman buildings. As part of this restoration the former Simmons house was renovated and is now the houses the resorts world class restaurant.


    When the White River was dammed up in 1958, forming Table Rock Lake, its waters overflowed Devils Pool. It is now clearly visible only on those few occasions when the lake levels in Table Rock Lake drop significantly. However, the water coming up from Devils Pool causes a slight color differentiation in the lake water overflowing it. Under certain lighting conditions, if one looks very carefully, from the lakeside of the swinging bridge that is located not a stones throw away from the front door of the resort restaurant bearing its name, the Devil’s Pool Restaurant, the source if that name can be discerned.

  • Is the city of Branson on the hook for up to $52.5 million and climbing?

    A recent column entitled “Australians did not get $5 million and other Branson Landing Info” contained, without editing or comment, four specific questions that the Ole Seagull had sent to Branson City Administrator Terry Dody and his response. Click here to view that column.



    In his answer to the question relative to how much the city had spent on the project as of Nov. 30, 2004, Dody replied “the total spent by the City as of November 30, 2004, is $52,527,101. This number includes everything: land, financing costs, permits, feasibility studies, legal fees, professional services, demolition, capitalized interest, lobbying, etc., etc., etc.” The next question asked “Of that amount how much is the city of Branson and its citizens not legally obligated to pay?”



    Dody responded, “The city of Branson and its citizens are not legally obligated to pay any of the above stated amount.” In substantiation he quoted the standard legal “boiler plate” language appearing on the approximately $77.3 million in bonds authorized thus far for the project by the Missouri Development Finance Board. The language quoted said that the issuance of the bonds is “not an indebtedness of the State of Missouri” or “the City” and “shall not obligate the State, the City or any other political subdivision to levy any form of taxation therefore or to make any appropriation for their payment.”



    “But Seagull, doesn’t that substantiate that the city of Branson is not legally obligated to pay on the bonds?”



    “Well, not really, but even if one took that position the ‘devil is in the details’ and, as Paul Harvey might say, ‘Now, here’s the rest of the story.”‘



    When the issuance of the bonds for the project was being discussed back in 2001, at a public meeting, Dody said words to the effect that with the type of bonds being used to finance the project that the city of Branson and its citizens would be under no legal obligation to pay them because the investors assumed all the risk. Those words had scarcely been spoken when David Queen, an attorney from Gilmore and Bell, the city’s bonding attorney, very quickly pointed out the practical reality of the bond market.



    Queen said that, although not legally obligated to do so, from a practical point of view, the city might very well want or have to assume some liability, such as an appropriation pledging payment on the bonds. As the Ole Seagull recollects, his rationale for such action was, among other things, to get a lower interest rate on the bonds, to make the bonds more marketable, etc.



    “OK Seagull, let’s see if I have this straight, although the language of the bonds themselves doesn’t ‘obligate’ the city to make any appropriation for the payment of the bonds the city could do so if they wanted to for whatever reason, a lower interest rate, to make the bonds more attractive to investors, etc.?”



    “That is exactly right.”



    Although there was no legal requirement to do so, at a meeting held in conjunction with the initial bonding for the project, the Branson Board of Aldermen, for what the Ole Seagull believes was good reason, agreed to use appropriations to guarantee the payment of the bonds. Said another way, if the project doesn’t generate enough revenues to pay off the bonds the city will pay them from other revenue sources.



    A Feb. 28 memo from Gilmore & Bell, presented as part of the public record for a meeting of the Tax Increment Financing Commission of the City of Branson held on Feb. 28, confirmed the fact that the City has assumed “debt obligations for the project based on the bonds that have been issued and will be issued.” The bonds that have “been issued” are the approximately $77.4 million in Series 2003A and 2004A bonds referred to by Dody in his response. Among the bonds yet to be issued is approximately $76.7 million dollars of Series 2005A bonds for which the same city obligations will more than likely apply.



    “Wow Seagull, how can anyone say that the city of Branson is not legally obligated to pay any of the $52,527,101 spent on the project as of Nov. 30, 2005? If it looks like an obligation and has to be paid like an obligation isn’t it an obligation?”



    “An Ole Seagull would think so. It reminds him of the old adage attributed to Abraham Lincoln, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.”


  • The grave site of the man Branson is “kind a named after.”

    A lot of the individuals and families that come to Branson never get to historic downtown Branson and that’s a shame. Interestingly, those that come on guided tours or by bus will almost always get to historic downtown Branson. Why? The professionals guiding those tours don’t want their clients to miss it’s old time atmosphere, collection of local restaurants, such as the Farm House, Clocker’s, Branson Café, and The Shack, unique shopping, and “Dick’s Ole 5 & 10 Store” because they provide an Ozarks experience not available anywhere else in Branson.



    And of course, there is the reason it is referred to as “historic downtown Branson.” Everything that Branson is today, including its rich family entertainment tradition, has its roots in historic downtown Branson.



    Although it’s kind of hard to put a handle on who the “founder” of Branson is; it’s not to difficult to determine who the city of Branson is “kind a named after.” That would be Ruben S. Branson.



    Ruben S. Branson, a store keeper and school teacher in his late twenty’s, started a general store near the mouth of Roark Creek and the White River in 1882. The general store had a post office and, you guessed it, it was called the “Branson Post Office.” Ruben moved to Forsyth, a scant four years later in 1886, but the post office kept its name. Thus the “kind a named after,” because Branson is actually named after its’ first post office, which, for obvious reasons, was named after Ruben S. Branson.



    Each day hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of people, most unknowingly, drive past the grave of the man whose name the city bears as they travel to, from, and through historic downtown Branson via Okalahoma Street. The grave site may be conveniently viewed, without actually entering the cemetery, from the northwest corner of Oklahoma and Commercial. Just look for the large grey rectangular headstone with the name of “Branson.” It marks the graves of Ruben and his wife Mary.