Lake level update

The lake level is currently about 671 and rising (17 feet above normal pool). It was at normal pool on Friday (just four days ago). The good news is: no rain in the forecast for today! More rain tomorrow; but, it's supposed to be dry, sunny and 70s on Thursday and Friday. Too little, too late?

SUNDAY MORNING


MONDAY MORNING


TUESDAY MORNING

Rain, rain, GO AWAY!

Well, folks. We aren't dry anymore. The rain is relentless, and the lake is on the rise... fast. It has risen about 8 feet since yesterday morning, and it's still going. The USACE predicts another 15 feet by May 5, according to the lake level forecast, which may or may not be accurate. It all depends on how much more rain we get, of course. The good news is that the weather forecast predicts Tuesday, Thursday and Friday will be mostly dry, with more rain just on Wednesday this week. I'll try to keep you updated and post pictures soon.

Verne D. Cubbage Tournament Results

First Place: Russ Silvio (Isabella, Mo.) and Jerry Cubbage (Wildwood, Mo.), 14.48 pounds ($750); Big Bass - 4.64 pounds ($250)




Second Place: Brandon Williams (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) and Brad Welsh (Festus, Mo.), 13.54 pounds ($500)





Third Place: Reggie Stanifer (Ava, Mo.) and Steve Heinlein (Ava, Mo.), 13.31 pounds ($380)





Fourth Place: Tommy Skinner (Protem, Mo.) and Bobby Comstock (Protem, Mo.), 12.38 pounds ($260)





Fifth Place: Mark Sanders (Ava, Mo.) and Ronnie Curry (Ava, Mo.), 12.32 pounds ($110)






Young fishermen: Gavin Broderick (Gainesville, Mo.) and Trey Schroeder (Crestwood, Mo.) (not pictured: Caleb Hathcock, Washington, Mo.)

Verne Cubbage Tourney

Just a few of the boats in the tournament this morning, waiting to take off. We had 25 boats. Weigh-in is at 3:30 p.m. on the 500 dock. Come down and watch!

Fishing is Good

It has been a good year for fishing (and catching!) on Bull Shoals Lake this spring. We've been seeing more big bass come out of the lake than we have in recent years. Matt caught a limit of bass yesterday - these two both weighed 5 lbs, 6 oz. He also had a 5-pounder, one that was nearly 4 pounds and two smaller fish. He released all the big ones after the photo was taken.

Nice Catch

Steve Powell (St. Louis) caught this 7 lb, 6 oz largemouth when he was fishing out of Pontiac yesterday. He released it after the photo was taken.

Blessing shirts are here!

Long-sleeve navy shirts with white printing on front, back and down one sleeve. $25 each. Sizes small, medium, large, extra-large, and XXL. E-mail or call to reserve yours today! And don't forget the BLESSING IS MAY 7!

What's New

Hey all! Hope it's warmer where ever you are. Bitter old man winter decided to make one last appearance before letting spring completely take over Pontiac. We went from 80 degrees and sunny on a Sunday to freezing temperatures and precip by the following Friday. Yuck. Sad thing is all the trees and shrubs are blooming - hopefully this little cold snap didn't do them all in.

Couple of things to tell you about!

We moved the main fish cleaning table to the east side of the building that houses the marina store. It's sort of a long story why we did it - if you'd like to hear it, stop in and ask. In a nutshell it has to do with a new regulation the USACE (the Corps of Engineers) passed banning submersible pumps, which is what we used to feed water to our fish cleaning table. Anyway, I think the new set-up is pretty neat. It might take a little getting used to, since the same table had been in the same place for about 25 years. When you use the new table, please keep in mind we will be extending a roof out over it for times of inclement weather. Just be patient with us. :)

Also, the Verne Cubbage Memorial Bass Tournament is coming up on April 9. Entries have already started to roll in. You may sign up right up until the morning of the tournament, but you can also pre-enter to guarantee your take-off position. Cost is $110 per boat, which includes $10 for the Big Bass pot.

Just Jackie's is currently open from 3 to 10 p.m. Fridays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. She will be open full time - 7 days per week - beginning Memorial weekend.

Also, don't forget to mark your calendars for the SIXTH ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE FLEET ON MAY 7. The blessing will take place around 2 p.m. Picnic and entertainment in the park starting around 4:30 p.m. We hope to see you ALL there.

And finally, stop by the dock to check out some of our new merchandise - the shelves are beginning to fill up!

Proposed striper fishery on Bull Shoals to be discussed at open house meetings

The Missouri Department of Conservation is holding two public forums to discuss a proposed striped bass fishery on Bull Shoals Lake. The first open house is Tuesday, March 29 (tomorrow!) from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Taney Center in Forsyth. Address is 20130 U.S. Hwy 160. The second is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, at Gainesville High School, 160 Bulldog Dr.

A beautiful day at the lake

Nothing too new to report from PCM. Today was sunny and 75+ degrees. Sure felt like spring! The dock was hopping with activity today. Several folks were out fishing, some just boat-riding, and one group of college boys went wakeboarding (they must be a little bit crazy). The dock is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily now. We're pumping gas and stocking the shelves. Sure wish this little one could pump gas and count minnows... oh, maybe in a couple of years. :)

Winter Blues Blast!

The Winter Blues Blast is coming up on Saturday, March 5, at the Pontiac firehouse. Music starts at 3 and goes until 9 p.m. We'll be selling food throughout the day as well as souvenir cups. A portion of the proceeds will help fund our annual fireworks over the lake, this year scheduled for Sunday, July 3. Come out and listen to some great local live music. Let's blast away those winter blues! Spring and boating season are just around the corner!

Boat dock hours

We are currently "officially" open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday; however, we are often around during the week, and if you catch us there, or call ahead to meet us there, we'll be happy to assist you. In just a couple more weeks we'll be opening full time again - starting March 5 we will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. March 5 is also the BLUES BLAST. (See previous post.) We hope to see you there!

Verne Cubbage Memorial Bass Tournament

The 5th Annual Verne Cubbage Memorial Bass Tournament is Saturday, April 9. Entry fee for a two-person team is $100, plus $10 for Big Bass. Entries will be taken up until 6:30 the morning of the tournament. Entries will be numbered, and boats will take off in the order in which they signed up. Cash prizes will be awarded as well as a Young Fisherman Award to a fisherman under the age of 16. Take-off is at 7 a.m.; weigh-in at 3:30 p.m. at Pontiac Cove Marina. Questions? Call us at 417-679-3676.

Oh, happy day!

Quite a few inches of snow fell on Pontiac yesterday. Not nearly as much as some counties in northwest Arkansas, thankfully. We're all getting pretty tired of the cold, wet stuff. Local schools have had so many snow days... they'll never get out for summer! But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Today the sun is shining, and the snow is beginning to melt. Next week's forecast looks pretty fabulous. Now, this I can live with: Click here.

Winter Blues Blast

There's no better time to start thinking about blasting away those winter blues than during a blizzard! We lucked out here in Pontiac - we hardly got any ice or snow. But, it's still bitter cold, so it's time to start thinking warm thoughts.

Don't miss our second annual Winter Blues Blast on Saturday, March 5, at the Pontiac firehouse. Assuming the weather cooperates, bands will be set up inside and outdoors. A small cover charge will be collected to cover fees for the bands. Proceeds from food sales and souvenir cups will help fund our annual fireworks over the lake this July.

The best part of the event is the musical talent - bands include Revolver, Traced, the Bull Shoals Blues Boys, Lija (pronounced Leah) and more.

Revolver

Traced


















Bull Shoals Blues Boys

Lija

Storm of the Century?

That's what they're calling it! Yep, we are under a winter storm warning right now in Pontiac. Counties to the north and west are under a blizzard warning. A blizzard? In Missouri?? So far we've gotten mostly rain, and it has just switched over to freezing rain and sleet in the last half hour. We're also predicted to get 3 to 6 inches of snow on top of the ice. I'll keep you posted as the day goes on... assuming we still have power. Hope it's warm(er) where ever you are!

Since it's too cold for swimsuits...

Event Schedule Changes

A couple of changes to our event schedule for 2011...

The Blues Blast will be March 5. More details to come.

The BLESSING OF THE FLEET (originally scheduled for April 30) will be MAY 7! Please make the change on your calendar. More soon!

Snow

We got a little dusting of snow overnight - about a half inch. It must have been enough to make the roads slick this morning, because Gainesville did not have school today. It was super windy on Friday, but all is well at the dock. Nothing too new to report down here! Quiet and cold. We're counting the days 'til spring!

Blues Blast postponed until March 5

The Pontiac Blues Blast will be on March 5. We had originally scheduled it for Jan. 15, with a back-up weather date of Jan. 22; however, we decided to postpone until March and hope for a pretty weekend! March 5 is also the weekend we will officially re-open the dock full-time. Please stay tuned as I'll post more details in the coming weeks. Happy new year to all! Cheers!

'Tis the Season

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas out there. High in the 30s pretty much all week. Brrrrrrr! As you can imagine, life at the lake is pretty quiet these days. We had some ferocious winds over the weekend - and by some miracle, we didn't suffer any major damage at the marina. The top blew off our big pontoon, and that's really all we found. We had more damage at our home! One whole side of our backyard fence blew down. Pretty crazy.

As you know, we're only officially open now from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and Sundays. With Christmas and New Year's Day both falling on Saturdays this year, we will plan to be closed all weekend both weekends. So, we will be open this weekend (Dec. 18-19) from 8 a.m. to noon and will re-open again Jan. 8. Remember, if you need assistance (get gas, pay a bill, etc.), please call a day or two ahead, leave a message, and we will call you back and make arrangements to meet you at the dock.

Thank you, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours! Cheers.

Happy weekend!

Looks like we're in for another beautiful November weekend here in Pontiac. Temps pushing 70 and sunshine. Is this typical pre-Thanksgiving weather for southern Missouri? Not exactly. But, the cold is coming, so get out and enjoy it while you can!

We are currently open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. We will be closed Thanksgiving day; however, we will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving. Starting the Monday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29) we will not have regular office hours through the week. If you need something through the week (pay a bill, get gas, etc.) just call ahead, and we'll be glad to make arrangements to meet you down there. We will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday (starting Dec. 4) through the winter. If you have any questions, give us a call!

Cheers!

PCM closed this Wednesday

FYI, we'll be closed this Wednesday, Nov. 10. Sorry for any inconvenience!

I'm Back!

Sooooooooooo... in case you're wondering where I've been... I've been busy taking care of this little one:

Lola Morgan Wade has been keeping me pretty busy, and I've been neglecting the blog. Sorry for the hiatus. I'm going to try to be better about posting regularly - one post a week is my goal. Might be a little lofty. Maybe you'll just get to see pictures of Lola. We shall see. :)

The marina is currently open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the end of November. Occasionally you might find us closed early during the week. I apologize for any inconvenience. We're a little short-handed this fall, as I've been pre-occupied with Lola, and Matt has been surveying quite a bit. Josh is also around, and he's been working on the projects around the dock. Sadly, Justin is no longer with us. He moved to Mountain Home back in the summer. He's taking classes at ASU this semester and is also working in Mountain Home now. We miss him, but we wish him well!

Check back toward the end of November for information about our winter hours. We're typically open from 8 to 10 a.m. in December, January and February. I'm not sure if we'll keep those same hours this winter. We might have weekend hours only and be available through the week by appointment - meaning, if you need fuel or anything else during the week or at any time this winter, just give us a call, and we'll be happy to meet you there. 417-679-3676.

And, finally, here's a recent picture of Lola. She's 2 months old today. Notice her onesie - scuba mask and snorkel. Think she'll be a water baby?

Breast cancer awareness stamps for sale

Breast cancer stamps are available at the Pontiac Post Office this month - they're actually available year-round, but because October is breast cancer awareness month, our postmaster, Micky, holds a month-long drive to sell as many stamps as possible to raise money for breast cancer research. A sheet of 20 stamps is $11, with $2.20 from each sheet going to breast cancer research. If you haven't bought yours yet, go get them! The post office is open from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed 12:30 to 1:00 for lunch), and 12:45 to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Call 417-679-3440 for more info.

500 Posts!

THIS is the 500th post of the PCM blog. Woo-hoo! Just thought I'd share that little tidbit with you and take the opportunity to say THANK YOU to all of you who follow the blog, post comments and have mentioned to me that you're a reader. I love hearing from you and knowing that you enjoy reading it!

On that note, I haven't written as much this summer as I would like. As you probably know (and if you don't, see below), we had a baby on Sept. 3, so the pregnancy and business as usual at the dock took up a lot of my time over the past several months. Now that she's here, I'm probably going to have even less time! But, I will do my best to keep you posted on what's happening at PCM over the fall and winter. So, don't give up on me!

For example, we changed the hours AGAIN!

Sunday - Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Questions? Call us at 417-679-3676. Cheers!

PCM Hours: Sept. 13 - 19

Monday thru Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Questions? Call 417-679-3676. Cheers!

Hours this week

Today (Labor Day): 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday - Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Stay tuned, as it'll likely change again in a week! Happy Labor Day!

Meet the newest PCM crew member

In case you're wondering where Matt and I are this holiday weekend, someone decided to make her appearance 3 1/2 weeks early! Lola Morgan Wade was born at 4:14 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3. She weighed 6 lbs, 4 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. Someone made the comment that she'd always get to celebrate her birthday with a three-day holiday weekend - we laughed and said, "More like she'll always have to work on her birthday weekend!" Before you know it she'll be pumping your gas and counting your minnows. (Well, hopefully not too soon.) Hope you're all having a fun and safe holiday weekend on Bull Shoals Lake! (And I hope those boys are holding down the fort for me... they better be! Now they have two Morgan-Wade women to answer to.)

The Last Hurrah

We at PCM are gearing up for the last BIG weekend of summer. Can it really be? In case you haven't checked, the weather forecast for this weekend looks fantastic. Sunny and mid-80s. Just perfect! The last time I checked we still have boats available on Friday and Monday, but I believe we're booked on Saturday and Sunday. (Call 417-679-3676 for the most up-to-date availability.)

We will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We'll be closing at 7 p.m. on Monday.

The shelves and walls in the store are getting pretty spotty as the season winds down, but we are having a sale on lots of stuff this weekend - from t-shirts, shoes and bags to skis, wakeboards and tubes. Stop in and check out what we have left!

Just Jackie's is open daily this week and through the weekend; however, her hours will also change immediately following Labor Day. I'll double-check with her, but I believe she will close through the week right after Labor Day and be open on weekends only after that.

Hope you plan to join us on Bull Shoals Lake this weekend for a fun and safe holiday weekend! Cheers!

New Hours

Starting today we'll be closing at 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. We'll continue to be open until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Labor Day weekend. After Labor Day, the hours will change again. Stay tuned!

7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday
7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Better late than never!

Only about five weeks later... here are the first and second place winners in the catfish division of our annual spearfishing tourney. First Place: Chad Dismang (Boynton, Ok.) - 27 lbs, 7 oz. Second Place: Heath Dismang (Haskell, Ok.) - 11 lbs, 13 oz.

Brostock 2010

I'm not sure who this rider is, but are those some Pontiac boats in the background?? Somebody help me out! From what we've heard, Brostock at Bull Shoals was a big success, and they hope to return next year. We'll keep you posted! Do you have some good pics from the event? E-mail them to info@pontiaccove.com.

Ready, Set, GO!

Carmen Mason getting a “lift” from her Dad, Matt, on July 4th at Bull Shoals Lake.

Miss Campbell enjoying July 4th festivities at Pontiac Cove... who doesn't love sparklers!

The Big Winners!

These are the winners of the July 4th raffle...

Ben Becker - $500 PCM gift certificate
Schlicht Family - $100 Just Jackie's gift certificate
Len White - 2 nights lodging at Cactus Ridge
Joe & Shirley Bator - 2 nights lodging at Pontiac Lodge
Greg Harbin - 2 nights lodging at Roo-B-Doo
Gary Peterson - 2 nights lodging at Lost Cove Resort

Congrats to the winners! And a HUGE THANK YOU to all for your continued support of the Pontiac Fireworks. (And to Bill Bauer for doing all the legwork.) This year was the best show ever!! Cheers!

BROstock

BROstock 2010 - Bull Shoals - July 9th - 11th, 2010 from Liquid Force on Vimeo.

Bull Shoals, here they come!

Yep, that's right. BROstock 2010 - an international wakeboarding competition - will be at Bull Shoals Lake this weekend, July 9-11. Twenty-five of the world's best riders will be competing. Bull Shoals Boat Dock is the host marina, and the course will be set up in the mouth of Little Sister Creek. The contest begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. Finals are at 3 p.m. A new wakeskate element has also been added this year. For more information, click here.

WANTED: Your pictures!

Send me your pics from the 4th of July weekend on the lake, and you might just see them posted here on the blog! E-mail photos and captions to info@pontiaccove.com. Cheers!

July 4th Celebration!

Join us Sunday, July 4th starting at 7 p.m. on the dock for...

*Pulled pork sandwiches
*Drinks
*Hats
*Koozies
*Glow necklaces
*Souvenir Cups
*Temporary tattoos
*Beads... and more!!

FIREWORKS STARTING AROUND 9:30 P.M.

Spearfishing Tourney Results

We had 50 divers in the annual Pontiac Spearfishing Tourney this year. Great turnout and great weather! We awarded prize money and door prizes on the deck at Just Jackie's - Trent Uchtman won the spear gun (his third time winning it!!) Revolver played live music on the deck, and Jackie did a pizza buffet for the divers and their families.

Nearly a week and a half later... here are the results:

Catfish
First Place: Chad Dismang (Boynton, Ok.) - 27 lbs, 7 oz.
Second Place: Heath Dismang (Haskell, Ok.) - 11 lbs, 13 oz.
Third Place: Jeremy Manier (Highland, Ill.) - 11 lbs, 1 oz.

Rough Fish
First Place: Tim Fallon (Lake Saint Louis, Mo.) - 10 lbs, 5 oz. (carp)
Second Place: Bert Benton (Flipplin, Ark.) - 9 lbs, 13 oz. (drum)
Third Place: Don Heskett (Centerview, Mo.) - 9 lbs, 11 oz. (carp)

Biggest Walleye
Bob Van Daley (Edwardsville, Ill.) - 2 lbs, 12 oz.

Pictures coming soon!

Spearfish Tourney Weigh-In 1-3 p.m.

Just realized I posted that the weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. It actually begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 3 p.m. All divers must check in with the tournament director (me) by 3 p.m. to have their fish weighed and qualify. THANKS! See you Saturday.

Band at Just Jackie's this Saturday night

Just Jackie's will have a band (Revolver) on the deck this Saturday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The spearfishing tournament prizes will be awarded on the deck prior to the start of the band... plus, a pizza buffet will be offered to divers and their families for $10.99 per person. See you there!

Tidbits

Starting this Thursday, we'll be open until 9 p.m. through the week. We have been closing at 7 p.m. through the week and staying open until 9 p.m. on weekends; however, it'll be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily starting this Thursday. Woo-hoo!

The annual spearfishing tournament is this Saturday. Registration begins at 7 a.m. Take-off at 8 a.m. Weigh-in is at Hollingsworth Cove in Arkansas, starting at 3 p.m. Even if you're not in the tourney, head on down to Hollingsworth to see some big fish weighed in!

The Pontiac Fireworks are Sunday, July 4. Celebration on the dock beforehand - stop by for food, drinks, glow necklaces, hats, cups, etc.

The lake level is going down - it is predicted to be back to normal pool by Friday, July 2.

Fireworks on the Fourth!

The Pontiac Fireworks over the lake are set for Sunday, July 4. As always, fireworks begin at dark (9:15-ish). A celebration on the dock (much like last year) is planned for that evening - we'll be selling food and drinks, glow necklaces, beads, temporary tattoos, hats, souvenir cups and other fun stuff. Plan to stop by as you make your way out to watch the fireworks light up the lake! A big THANK YOU goes out to everyone who supports the Pontiac Fireworks by attending events, buying raffle tickets, t-shirts, cups, etc., and simply making donations. We definitely could not do it without you! Cheers, and see you on the 4th!

More Memorial Day pics...

Jared Whitehill having some old-fashioned fun on a paddle boat over Memorial weekend.

Hang on!

Another great shot of kids having fun on Bull Shoals Lake over Memorial weekend... this is (from left) Caroline (11), Cole (3), and Sara (8)... (Butch and Pat Williams' grandchildren.)

Fun on the Tube!

Jack and Sam Michel (Arnold, Mo.) having fun tubing this Memorial Day weekend!

Send me your pics from Memorial weekend!

I'm looking for some photos to post on the blog of folks having fun on the lake this glorious Memorial weekend. E-mail them to me at info@pontiaccove.com, and you might just see yourself on the blog! Wasn't the weather just fantastic? Hope you all had a fun and safe holiday weekend. And safe travels as you head home (if you don't actually live here). Hope to see you again soon. Cheers!

Gearing up for Memorial weekend!

Everyone around here is busy getting ready for the holiday rush this weekend. A lot has been going on at Just Jackie's lately... she installed new windows and carpet, and she painted the interior of the restaurant - it looks great! Today, she has a whole crew helping her clean, clean, clean. We are doing a lot of the same at the dock this week... cleaning, stocking and organizing the store, getting the rental boats ready for action, and bringing back our summer staff (all of whom are coming back from last year... hurray for that!) Even the Corps has a project going on: At our request, they took a look at the stairs going from the upper road up to Jackie's over the winter, and they agreed that they were treacherous. The crew they hired works fast! They just tore the old steps out yesterday, and today they're pouring the new ones and an additional slab that will go to the top of the hill. It looks SO good.

Memorial Day Weekend!

Is coming right up! Just a quick FYI... we still have rental boats (pontoons and tritoons) and a few boat slips available for Memorial Day weekend. If you are still making your plans, give us a call! 417-679-3676. Cheers!

Spearfishing Tourney

Just a quick FYI... the annual Pontiac Spearfishing Tournament will be Saturday, June 19. Take-off at 8 a.m. from the marina (note: this is an hour earlier than in the past). Weigh-in at 3 p.m. at Hollingsworth Cove. Absolutely NO late exceptions will be made at weigh-in. If you're not in by 3 p.m., you'll be disqualified. Don't make me do that to anyone! Be five minutes early! :)

Entry fee is $25 per diver. Categories are as follows: first, second and third place catfish; first, second and third place rough fish; biggest walleye. Cash prizes and door prizes will be handed out on the deck at Just Jackie's at about 4:30 p.m. Pizza buffet to follow for anyone interested. Cost is $10.99 per person.

Questions? Call 417-679-3676. Fins up!

Quick Update

The wind blew like crazy last night, but, all is well at PCM this morning. Lots of leaves and a few branches down in the park is all that I saw.

Speaking of the park... the grass finally got mowed last week! Hallelujah. It looks great. More and more campers are coming in, especially on the weekends... summer is near!

The lake is about 3 1/2 feet over normal pool. This is nothing compared to where we were sitting this time last year, and the year before. It looks like they're dropping it slightly each day; of course, that will depend on how much rain we get this week. Hopefully we can get this lower road opened back up really soon.

We're still taking reservations for all holiday weekends this summer... if you haven't already made your plans, give us a call! Remember, we have two brand new tritoons for rent this summer, both set up with ski tow packages for pulling skiers, tubers, etc. They are super nice! See our website for pricing and more details.

All is well at PCM

PCM survived the crazy tornadic weather last night (thank goodness - we totally lucked out!), but our neighbors across the border in Arkansas and in other parts of the county weren't so lucky. I've heard of several homes damaged and lots of trees down from an apparent tornado path. Thankfully, as far as I know, no injuries have been reported.

And the storm season begins.

Blessing Photos

I didn't get very many photos this year... this is most of the boats that were blessed (I know I missed a couple...), and I didn't really get any at the picnic, because we were dodging rain, and I didn't want my camera to get wet! It was a crazy day, but it didn't keep everyone away. Check out that sky behind them... wicked! You guys rock!

Blessing T-shirts!

I have some Blessing tees leftover... size large and XL. They're long-sleeve, $20. If you want one, please let me know asap, and I'll set it aside for you. I am also planning a re-order, so if you want a different size besides large or XL, let me know!! Call 417-679-3676 or e-mail info@pontiaccove.com.

Cheers!

Blessing is ON!

A couple of people have asked me if we're rescheduling the Blessing due to possible rain tomorrow, and the answer is NO. At least not right now. We will have the Blessing regardless of weather, and we will have the fish afterward regardless of weather. (We'll move from the park to an indoor location if necessary.) So, don't cancel your plans to come down. Plan to join us for a GREAT kick-off party, rain or shine!

Blessing of the Fleet this Saturday

The fifth annual Blessing of the Fleet is just three days away! It's time to fire up your engines and have your boats blessed for the season. Blessing ceremony/boat parade begins at 2 p.m. That means you should be in your boat outside the breakwater by 2 p.m. Father Paul will offer the blessing via VHF radio (if you have one, be sure to turn it on; if you don't, try to tie up next to someone who does). He will be stationed on the 5:00 Somewhere (houseboat) on the end of the 800 dock. Afterward, join us in the park for a fish fry and live music, starting around 5:30 p.m. We'll be selling long-sleeve Blessing tees, food, beer cups, raffle tickets and more. We encourage you to decorate your boats and/or dress in costume for the boat parade, if you want to! It's optional, of course, but lots o' fun! (See pic, above left.)

Fishing Tournament Results

Matt Wade and Johnna Morgan with professional fisherman, Roland Martin. Roland and his partner, Ronnie Curry, of Ava, took second place in the tournament.

Twenty-six teams fished the fourth annual Verne D. Cubbage Memorial Fishing Tournament out of Pontiac on Saturday. Twenty teams weighed a total of 98 fish—a total weight of about 220 pounds. A surprise celebrity appearance by professional fisherman, Roland Martin, of Naples, Fla., brought lots of excitement. He was apparently in town to turkey hunt this week. He fished the tournament with Ronnie Curry, of Ava. After the weigh-in, Martin signed autographs and took pictures with anyone who wanted them.

Cash prizes were awarded to the first five teams overall. All six kids under the age of 16 who fished in the tournament took home a $50 savings bond from First Home Savings Bank, donated by Verla Cubbage. The first three places in the Youth Division Big Bass category were awarded trophies.

Twenty percent of all entry fees will go toward Gainesville High School's extracurricular activities programs. The following is a list of all the winners:


Alex Abrams, winner of the Youth Division Big Bass with his dad and partner, Keith Abrams.

Youth Division, Big Bass
1st Place - Alex Abrams, West Plains, 2.76 pounds
2nd Place - Caleb Hathcock, Washington, Mo., 2.75 pounds
3rd Place - Trey Schroeder, St. Louis, 2.21 pounds


Phillip MacFarland and Michael Welch won first place overall with six fish and 22.60 pounds. They took home $750.

Overall
1st Place, 22.60 pounds, $750
Phillip MacFarland (Lakeview, Ark.), Michael Welch (Tecumseh)

2nd Place, 19.25 pounds, $500
Roland Martin (Naples, Fla.), Ronnie Curry (Ava)

3rd Place, 18.67 pounds, $400
Josh Barnum, Bob Barnum (both of Ava)

4th Place, 16.76 pounds, $300
Mark Sanders, John White (both of Ava)

5th Place, 14.64 pounds, $130
Brandon Williams (Cape Girardeau), Brad Welsh (Festus)

Fishing tourney this weekend

It's not too late to sign up for the Verne Cubbage Memorial Fishing Tournament this Saturday. In fact, we'll be taking entries Saturday morning until 6:30 a.m. Take-off is at 7 a.m. (or first safe light). Weigh-in is at 3:30 p.m. Even if you're not fishing, come down and join us for the weigh-in. Cost to enter is $100 per boat (two-person team), plus $10 for Big Bass pot. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners as well as lots of door prizes. Pizza buffet at Just Jackie's afterward. Questions? Call 417-679-3676.

Interesting Catch

Bill Adams caught a goggle-eye (rock bass) this morning... not something you see every day in Bull Shoals Lake. He said it's only the second one he's ever caught in this lake.

Hours This Week

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Thursday
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Complicated, I know. :)

Busy, busy!

Business is really picking up around the dock! There have been lots of folks around this week, and can you blame them? The weather is absolutely gorgeous... a bit windy, but not nearly as windy as predicted. It's well in the 80s and sunny today. Looks like a pretty spring weekend is ahead for Easter. Chance of rain Saturday morning, but hopefully it will turn out to be a nice day.

The park is officially open, and the park attendants have moved in. You might recognize them from a couple of years ago - Wanda and Tom. Very nice folks. You'll notice the "cones" are out, which means we now have to drive around the gate house when we drive into the park. Please be mindful of that and your speed as you enter the park.

We'll be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday this weekend, and until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Check back next week, as our hours could change again.

Just Jackie's is open from 3 to 10 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The Verne Cubbage Memorial fishing tourney is coming up April 17; the Blessing of the Fleet on April 24. Shirts are here! If you want to pre-buy your Blessing shirts, stop by and see me.

Cheers! And, Happy Easter!

Final Fish Fry at St. William's

St. William's Catholic Church in Gainesville is hosting the last of three benefit fish fries from 4:30 to 6:30 this Friday night. All of the proceeds from the fish fry will go to Haiti earthquake relief. Cost is $7 for adults and $3.50 for children. Call Chris Hoefle at 417-679-4019 for more info.

Benefit for Larry Wallace March 28

Larry Wallace recently lost his home in a fire, and friends are gathering at the Grapevine (MO/AR line) on Sunday, March 28 for a benefit. Larry has played at many PCM events, and you've probably heard him at Just Jackie's, too. The benefit, including silent auction, starts at 2 p.m. Larry Wallace and the Outlaws will play from 6 to 10 p.m. Baked goods, donations and silent auction items are appreciated. Call 417-679-2177 for more info.

Stocking Up!

Just a quick note to let you know we've already starting getting in some of our new merchandise. I just unpacked four big boxes of new shirts - short-sleeve tees, tanks and hoodie sweatshirts. Matt went to a tackle show a couple of weeks ago and bought some new stuff for the tackle aisle. You'll also notice he totally reorganized the tackle aisle, and it looks so much better!

We're currently open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., so stop in next time you're around and see what we've done so far. Much more to come!

Friday Fish Fry for Haiti

St. William's Catholic Church in Gainesville is hosting a benefit fish fry from 4:30 to 6:30 Friday night. All of the proceeds from the fish fry will go to Haiti earthquake relief. Cost is $7 for adults and $3.50 for children. Another fry is scheduled for March 26, same time and place. Call Chris Hoefle at 417-679-4019 for more info.

Has spring sprung?

I've been waiting for the weather to turn sour again, but so far, it looks like the warmer temps might be here to stay! We are officially open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. We're working on stocking all the shelves again, so you should be noticing some new things in the store in the coming weeks.

The Winter Blues Blast was a hit! The weather was awesome, and we had a great turnout. Good music from five different bands, great food and friends... you can expect this to become an annual event! Thank you to everyone who came out and bought food and cups and donated to the fireworks. We are well on our way to putting together another spectacular show for you on July 4. (We hope. We're still waiting for approval on the date, but it is tentatively set for July 4.)

We are taking reservations for boat slips and boat rentals for the 2010 boating season. Give us a call at 417-679-3676. We have two brand new tritoons for rent this year. They are super nice and are set up to pull skiers and towables! I'll post pictures and more details soon.

Schedule of Bands for Blues Blast

3 to 3:30 p.m. TRACED
3:45 to 5:45 p.m. REVOLVER
6 to 7:30 p.m. BLUE PLATE SPECIAL
7:45 to 8:15 p.m. BULL SHOALS BLUES BAND
8:30 to 9:30 p.m. BLUE PLATE SPECIAL
9:45 to 10:30 p.m. REVOLVER

New Hours

Starting this Friday, March 5, we will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Winter Blues Blast this Saturday!

Finally, the first-ever Winter Blues Blast at Pontiac is Saturday, March 6. Four bands will alternate jamming throughout the day and evening. There is no cover charge, and everyone is welcome to come out and spend the day listening to some great live music! There will be food for sale throughout the day, including hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, pizza by the slice and beverages. Proceeds from food sales and souvenir cups will help fund the 2010 Pontiac fireworks. Questions? Call 417-679-3676 or e-mail info@pontiaccove.com. We hope to see you there!

A new addition to the line-up, the band Traced will open for the event at 3 p.m. Traced is a young group, all students at Gainesville High School, including Abbi Harlin on drums, Robert Voss on lead guitar, Chris McKinzie on bass, and Davy Peter on keyboard. The group covers a variety of rock artists, from classics like The Who to current indy groups, such as Muse. (Note: You might recognize the lead guitarist... he works at PCM!)


REVOLVER is the premier band in the region specializing in rockabilly music. The band's show includes a musical tour of the early days of rock and roll including Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis,Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and others. Band members are Mike MacPherson (vocals and rhythm guitar), Tom Cline (lead guitar and vocals), Paul Moses (keyboard), Mark Smith (bass guitar) and Bill Bryan (drums).

Blue Plate Special has been together for nearly a decade. They play blues, classic rock and original music at FireFall, Winter Blast of Blues, and various other venues throughout the Springfield area. Their home-base is now Lindberg’s on Historic C-Street in Springfield. Band members are Vern Morgan (guitar and vocals), Cliff Jacobs (guitar, harmonica and vocals), Pete Stephens (keyboard, congas and vocals), Jim Sieber (bass guitar), Lynn Barbour (drums and vocals) and Carl Yendes (trumpet).

Chuck Ellis, Iron Mike Norton and Craig Mincke have been jamming together for about a year and a half. They practice weekly - all three play guitar, and Chuck also plays the harmonica. They primarily play blues, but that's not all. You're bound to hear a little bit of everything, from Metallica to George Jones.

Fish Fry Tonight for Haiti Relief

St. William's Catholic Church in Gainesville is hosting a benefit fish fry from 4:30 to 6:30 TONIGHT. All of the proceeds from the fish fry will go to Haiti relief via Father Rahab (formerly from St. William's). Cost is $7 for adults and $3.50 for children. Two more fish fry's will be held on March 12 and March 26, same time and place.

The Pontiac Ladies Club and the St. William's Ladies Council will host a community benefit spaghetti dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 9. Fr. Rahab will be in attendance and show pictures and discuss the progress in Haiti. Cost for the spaghetti dinner is $6 for adults, $3 for children. A pie and cake auction will follow the supper.

Sailing in February!

The sun is shining, and the weatherman is calling for 50 degrees here today. Hallelujah! I wish I could say that spring has sprung, but I'm not going to go that far just yet. However, I was delighted to see Dick Jackson here this morning. Dick and his wife, Julie, operate Lifelines Sailing School out of Pontiac and also on Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana. Dick is taking a student out for a beginner lesson today. It's a rather calm day, but a gorgeous one, nonetheless.

Dates, Dates, Dates!

Mark your calendars...

MARCH 6: First ever Winter Blues Blast at Pontiac
Live music from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Pontiac/Price Place fire house. Food and drinks for sale.

APRIL 17: Fourth Annual Verne D. Cubbage Memorial Fishing Tournament
7 a.m. take-off; 3:30 p.m. weigh-in. Cost is $100 per boat (two-person) team; plus $10 per boat for Big Bass pot. A portion of the entry fees will go to support Gainesville High School's extra curricular activities. Raffle at weigh-in. Pizza buffet at Just Jackie's afterward.

APRIL 24: Fifth Annual Blessing of the Fleet
Blessing ceremony around 2 p.m. Picnic in the park with live music starting around 4:30 p.m. Ticket sales, t-shirt sales... All for the 2010 Pontiac Fireworks!

JUNE 19: Pontiac Spearfishing Tournament
Calling all divers and spearfishermen and women. The date for this one-day tournament is set. Times, entry fee and details to follow.

JULY 4: Pontiac Fireworks
This date is pending approval. Confirmation and more details to come at a later date.

Questions? Call 417-679-3676 or e-mail info@pontiaccove.com.

Winter Blues Blast - March 6

Mark your calendars! The Winter Blues Blast has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 6. The details are the same (see previous posts for all the details and photos of the bands). Music will start around 3 p.m. and go into the evening. Location is the Pontiac fire house, next to the Pontiac post office. Hope to see you there! Questions? E-mail info@pontiaccove.com or call 417-679-3676. Cheers!

A little too much snow...

Tim, Josh and Matt had to shovel a few of the docks yesterday afternoon and this morning. The snow was over this morning, and all is well at PCM.

Snow, snow, snow...

It's still coming down, but lightly. We probably have a couple of inches here. Not nearly as bad as what they were predicting; however, it's supposed to keep it up all day. So far all is well at PCM. I have a feeling it's going to be a pretty quiet day... :)

Blues Blast POSTPONED!

Well, folks, this winter weather forecast isn't getting any better. So, in the interest of the safety of all of our band members, travelers, friends and guests - and anyone else planning to show up this Saturday! - we have postponed the Blues Blast until further notice. In my previous post, I mentioned that the back-up date would be Feb. 6, but that is not accurate. The back-up date is being determined. A date in early March is being discussed. As soon as I know for sure that the new date has been set, I will let you all know what it is! Please spread the word to all of your family and friends and anyone you know who might be planning to drive down this Saturday. Questions? Call 417-679-3676.

Blues Blast is on, weather permitting!

There is some "winter weather" predicted for southern Missouri and northern Arkansas later this week, and if it were to cause a real mess down here, the Winter Blues Blast could be postponed to the following Saturday, Feb. 6. However, that's a big IF. As of right now, the Blast is on for THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 30. The weather for Saturday looks to be okay - fairly cool, but sunny! So, keep your fingers crossed, because this is shaping up to be a pretty awesome event! Hope to see you all there!

Blast away those winter blues in one week!

Sorry, folks, if I've been a little MIA... I've been on vacation. But, I'm back, and I'm super excited for the first ever Winter Blues Blast in Pontiac ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! I hope you're all planning to join us that afternoon and evening for food, drinks and some fantastic live music from three different groups. (See previous post for more details on the musicians.) In the midst of all the fun, we're hoping to raise a little money for the 2010 Pontiac Fireworks, which is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, July 4. We'll be selling food and souvenir cups to raise money. Location for the Blast is at the Pontiac firehouse, next to the Pontiac post office. Call 417-679-3676 or e-mail info@pontiaccove.com with questions.

In other news... the lake level is inches away from normal pool!

Cheers!

Winter Blues Blast at Pontiac!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Jan. 30. The first-ever Winter Blues Blast at Pontiac starts at 3:00 that afternoon at the firehouse. Three bands will alternate jamming throughout the day. There is no cover charge, and everyone is welcome to come out and spend the day listening to some great local live music! There will be food for sale throughout the day, including hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, pizza by the slice, soda and water. Proceeds from food sales will go to the Pontiac firework fund. We'll also be selling souvenir plastic cups to raise money for the fireworks. Questions? Call 417-679-3676 and leave a message, or e-mail info@pontiaccove.com. We hope to see you there!

REVOLVER is the premier band in the region specializing in rockabilly music. The band's show includes a musical tour of the early days of rock and roll including Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis,Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and others. Band members are Mike MacPherson (vocals and rhythm guitar), Tom Cline (lead guitar and vocals), Paul Moses (keyboard), Mark Smith (bass guitar) and Bill Bryan (drums).

Blue Plate Special has been together for nearly a decade. They play blues, classic rock and original music at FireFall, Winter Blast of Blues, and various other venues throughout the Springfield area. Their home-base is now Lindberg’s on Historic C-Street in Springfield. Band members are Vern Morgan (guitar and vocals), Cliff Jacobs (guitar, harmonica and vocals), Pete Stephens (keyboard, congas and vocals), Jim Sieber (bass guitar), Lynn Barbour (drums and vocals) and Carl Yendes (trumpet).

Chuck Ellis, Iron Mike Norton and Craig Mincke have been jamming together for about a year and a half. They practice weekly - all three play guitar, and Chuck also plays the harmonica. They primarily play blues, but that's not all. You're bound to hear a little bit of everything from these guys, from Metallica to George Jones.

Bitter Cooooooold Weekend

As cold as it is this morning, we aren't opening the dock this morning. However, if you need something, please call the dock and leave a message. We'll be checking messages later today. I'm fairly sure no one will be out fishing today! I hope not anyway. How many days until spring?

Yep, it snowed!

Close to 5 inches in Pontiac. Temps in the 20s. The only two people crazy enough to go fishing (that I know of) were my husband and his friend, and they caught a mess of fish. The lake is dropping, but only slightly. Office hours will be 8 to 10 a.m. through the end of February. If you need assistance at other times, please call ahead to make arrangements for me or someone to meet you. 417-679-3676. Happy new year! The countdown to summer '10 is on.

Holiday Hours

PCM will be closed Thursday and Friday for Christmas. The office will be open from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Next week we'll be closed on Friday for New Year's Day.

Merry Christmas everyone, and happy 2010! The days are getting longer... Summer is drawing closer every day! Cheers!

Striper Sunday

Last Sunday was a day for striper catching, as Kirk Mitchell caught this nice fish the same day as Doc and Bill (see their picture below).

Fishing Report

Doc Klayman (left) and Bill Allen caught these four big stripers on Sunday. The biggest one weighed close to 30 pounds. They also had some nice walleye.

Is it windy where you are?

Man, it's windy here. And frrrrreeeeeeezing. The sound of the wind woke me before daylight this morning. It was the kind of wind that makes you worry about the docks. We arrived to find (almost) everything in tact, save for one minor detail...

It's the walkway to the 100 dock. The guys are working on it now. Which one of them should walk the plank? (Just kidding.)

Brrrrrrrrrrr...........

A cold morning at PCM...