As quietly as possible you load your tackle box and gear into the boat. There are no other sounds as you walk from your cabin down to the dock. The chirps of a cardinal off in the trees or the sounds of ducks landing on the water don’t disturb your silence. Far removed from your usual hectic morning routine, it would take more than these sweet sounds to break your concentration. There are bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish cruising beneath the dock and along the nearby shoreline. You’ll want to fish your way out of the cove!

Branson, Missouri, is one of the most popular fishing destinations in the country. Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo offer fishermen not only great angling but also some magnificent scenery and an extraordinary variety of accommodations. From a basic cabin or regular motel room to luxury lodging, Branson has it all, with more than 100 resorts adjacent to its pristine lakes.

A fishing vacation to Branson has everything fishermen and women want. There are secluded places to fish, but you are close to all the other things you like when you are away from home: a comfortable place to stay, good food, fun, shopping and entertainment. And remember: What happens in Branson . . . becomes a treasured memory – whether it is the new fly rod you bought, the photos in your album, or a trophy fish on your wall.

Lake Taneycomo flows through historic downtown Branson and right by the new Branson Landing. The Powersite Dam on the White River created Lake Taneycomo. And with the completion of Table Rock Dam in 1958, which turned Taneycomo into a coldwater lake, it has become one of the best trout fishing areas in the United States. Nearly one million trout are released each year from the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery into Lake Taneycomo.

This narrow lake winds through the hills and hollows of the Ozarks in Branson; and water coming from Table Rock Dam creates a current, making it seem more like a river than a lake. Fishermen go for record rainbow and brown trout, using bait as well as artificial lures. The upper portion of Lake Taneycomo is favored by fly-fishermen and waders.

River Run Outfitters, owned and operated by Stan and Carolyn Parker, is located on Highway 165, just about one-half mile north of Table Rock Dam. In the spring of 2007 Orvis awarded River Run Outfitters with the 2006 Orvis Endorsed Outfitter of the Year. The presentation was made at a rendezvous of Orvis guides and outfitters held in Cody, Wyoming. The Parkers have fished rivers and lakes in this Ozarks area for more than 30 years. Their shop offers fly-fishing equipment for men and women, as well as everything for every angler’s fly-tying needs. For a unique experience in the Ozarks, they offer guided fly fishing trips in western-style drift boats.

Lake Taneycomo is lined with resort motels and cabins, cottages, as well as bed and breakfast inns, with accommodations for every taste. If you are staying at or near Branson Landing, you’ll be close to the new Bass Pro Shops. It is a paradise for fishermen and has absolutely everything you need for fishing on Lake Taneycomo or Table Rock Lake, from bobbers ‘n’ bait to boats.

Table Rock Lake is more than 52,000 acres of clear water, with more than 800 miles of shoreline. Table Rock was designed, built and is still controlled by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Any building along the shoreline is restricted. This means fishermen and boaters on the lake enjoy unspoiled views of Ozarks wildlife, rock bluffs and hundreds of varieties of trees. You might share your cove with a family of raccoons having a bite to eat along the water’s edge or maybe spot deer swimming across the water ahead of you.

Table Rock Lake is famous for its bass fishing and plays host to many fishing tournaments each year. Largemouth, smallmouth, white bass and Kentucky spotted bass can make a fisherman’s dreams come true. And some anglers also love fishing for crappie, bluegill, catfish and paddlefish. The submerged timber makes a wonderful environment for the fish. Table Rock State Park Marina and other commercial boat docks provide fuel, supplies, and boat and equipment rentals. Along with advice about “what they’re bitin’ on this week.” Guide services are available, too, on both lakes.

If your fishing trip to Branson includes some non-fishermen (but who doesn’t like to fish?!), there are plenty of activities to keep them happy, from morning ’til night. Table Rock Lake temperatures range from an average of 42°-47° in the winter to 85°-90° in the summer. Boating, swimming, skiing, parasailing, scuba diving and snorkeling are popular water sports here. Back on land, the shopping, shows, theme parks, family attractions and dining will entertain all of you.

The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama and Silver Dollar City have attracted visitors to Branson for more than forty years. Celebration City is the newest theme park. They all offer daytime and evening fun for “kids of all ages.”

The Live Music Capital of the World offers visitors more than 100 shows. Tap your toe to your favorite style of music or laugh it up with a great comedian, Branson has entertainment for everyone. And you certainly won’t go hungry! Enjoy cuisine from fine dining to all-you-can-eat buffets and everything in between.

Branson resorts have a wide range of amenities and services. Big Cedar Lodge on Table Rock Lake offers guests rustic elegance, with accommodations that include log cabins and Adirondack-style lodges, a spa, several restaurants, boat dock and marina, as well as horseback riding, special activities for children, and more.

Indian Point on Table Rock Lake is another popular spot for fishermen and other visitors to Branson. Resorts, motels, campgrounds, RV hookups, marinas, cruises, restaurants and shops are all available. Many of the accommodations on Indian Point, and other lodging around Branson, include kitchens so that you can enjoy a meal out on your deck – before heading out again to fish!

It was in 1907, 100 years ago, that Harold Bell Wright’s The Shepherd of the Hills was published. People started traveling to Branson to see the beautiful Ozarks country he wrote about in his best-selling novel. Many things have changed over the years, but the wonderful hospitality of the people that live here is still the same!

Great fishing, naturally beautiful scenery, wonderful accommodations, family attractions and Ozarks hospitality . . . Branson has it all!

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