Places to go......

[RyanLane]

Hey guys,

New to the forum, lots of good info here. Been here for a bit but just now registered.

My pops and I have always did a lot of duck hunting. He is getting close to 60 now and the duck hunting is not easy on him, or anybody for that matter. We have always done a lot of river fishing, and lines. But that also is a little tough on him nowadays.

So just this year I got rid of the duck rig, and got a bigger flat bottom boat that can serve the purpose of duck hunting and fishing as well. We really enjoy fishing the lakes now and learning how to catch walleyes, white bass, etc. He has never taken a trip of any kind, just talks about it all the time. Every year it is, "We should do this or that". We had a trip planned to Colorado for some fishing, but some details fell through so we are not going now.

It is over Labor Day weekend, and I still want to plan a trip of some sort. I live in Kansas City, and he in Central Kansas. We would like to hit a lake or two over that long weekend and catch some walleyes, white bass, or smallies. Anybody got some advice on what I should plan. We/I am not opposed to traveling 5-6 hours away. I thought about Lake Oahe in South Dakota, I have read a lot of good things about it. We are kind of inexperienced when it comes to this type of fishing so traveling that far to a large lake might be a little over our heads to be somewhat successful.

I read about Harlan County lake, and it seems like a possibility. It is in the distance I am looking for and seems to have a lot of good fishing opportunities. I am also not opposed to going with a guide for the first day also.

Any input/advice would greatly appreciated.

Thank You

[rps]

Come down to Table Rock or Bull Shoals. On Table Rock, hire Bill Babler for the first day to show you what to do. On Bull Shoals hire Mike Worley. The money spent will insure a very successful trip of 3 to 5 days.

Both lakes are solid bass and walleye lakes. In addition, the small lake between them, Taneycomo, is a outstanding rainbow and brown trout factory. Babler will guide there as well.

While here, take Dad into a show at Branson and stop by Bass Pro in Springfield on the way for an experience.

[Holland]

Hey Ryan, whereever you go you will have a great time fishing with your dad. RPS is right, TR or BS would be great destinations. You mentioned hitting a couple of lakes, you could stop at Stockton for a day of two on your way south to fish walleye (whites and smallies), or Pomme De Terre to try to catch some muskie. For a guide on Stockton I'd call Bob Bennet, not familiar with any on Pomme. There is some pretty good walleye fishing near you in Kansas as well, however I've "heard" some of their lakes are having some green algea issues, so do some homework. Lots of Kansas guys on here that will surely check in. As far as Nebraska, I've heard Red Willow might be better than Harlan, I'd use Steve Lytle as a guide on Red Willow. If you were gonna drive to South Dakota, you might hit Francis Case or Sharp. Still on the Missouri River chain of lakes and quite a bit smaller than Oahe. So many places to fish and so little time! Best of luck in your decision.

H

[RyanLane]

There are plenty of lakes real close to me that offer good fishing. I just want to go somewhere new.

I've been to Lake of the Ozarks but never Bull Shoals or Table Rock. My boat is a 18' Lowe FLat bottom. I believe it was called the Hulk. The guy I bought it from did a lot of scuba on Bull Shoals and that was his home lake. So not knowing that lake or TR, are they like Lake of the Ozarks with the big off-shore speed boats?

I kind of thought we would head north for the type of fishing I wanted to do, but I know those lakes you guys mentioned are great places, and great scenery with great fishing to boot.

I may look into TR, or Bull Shoals.

[Gale Johnson]

South Dakota can get pretty nasty for a rig like yours, you could leave the boat at home and hire a guide (there are lots of good ones up there) the fishing has been good at Oahe, Francis Case has been good also, with limited access because of high water.

Sharpe should be good also, not much traffic at this time because of the high water( i think Farm Island has a ramp open)


Stockton would have the least recreational traffic i would think, Pomme de terre you can stay out the wind pretty easy

Southwest NE has been pretty slow for walleyes after a good spring, the white bass and wipers have been going strong

[rps]

TR is more developed than BS, even though BS is older. Both are corps lakes so no down on the water development. Compared to LOZ, fewer big a$$ boats at TR and none at BS.

Your boat will be fine at either.

I still say you would enjoy a long trip much more if you fish out of a guide boat the first day. Labor Day can be very tough on White River lakes - clear water, hot water, etc. BTW, if the fishing is tough, think about Tanneycome. It's a trout lake in between the two. I can recommend Lilley's as a place to stay on that lake.

PM me for another board to check on the three lakes I have mentioned.

[RyanLane]

rps - Thank You first off.

I got the trip setup today. Pops and I are headed to Bull Shoals. I talked with Mike Worley who seems to be a great guy, and got setup to fish on Friday before Labor with him for the full day. We will then try it out ourselves Sat. and Sun. We are staying at Wagon Wheel Resort in one of their little cabins. The lady at Wagon Wheel was very nice and gave us good advice for the trip to.

Can't wait. I will report back and let you know how it goes.

THANK YOU