A Chilly Tuesday

It's cold today. Really, really cold. Can we just skip today and go right into tomorrow? Check out the forecast for the rest of the week. It looks much, MUCH nicer than today. Needless to say, there aren't too many folks around the dock today. I don't know if anyone will go fishing today, but fishing really has been good. Speaking of fishing, we're revamping our tackle aisle this winter - meaning we're going to be restructuring, adding and taking away some things. So, if you have any suggestions or ideas for certain things you'd like to see us carry in the future, please let us know.

Also, I wanted to let you know we have had some slips open up for this year. If you're interested in moving to a different slip, or if you know someone who is interested in an annual slip, please contact us. There are also a couple privately owned lifts on the dock for sale. If you want more information about those lifts, give us a call and we'll put you in touch with the owners.

Winter Hours

For those of you who don't know, Just Jackie's is closed through the end of this month. (She closed last January as well, so this is nothing new.) She will re-open Sunday, Feb. 1. From then until Memorial weekend she'll be open Friday nights, and on Saturday and Sunday. She'll open full time again on Memorial weekend.

Our office hours right now are 8 to 10 a.m. However, we're often here much later than 10, a lot of the time all day. So, if you need something, you're guaranteed to find someone here for two hours every morning, and very likely to find someone here throughout the day. Just give us a call: 417-679-3676.

Happy Friday!

2009 Fishing Permits

FYI: 2009 Missouri fishing permits are available now. If you have a 2008 annual Missouri fishing permit, it does not expire until Feb. 28. However, if you don't have one and you plan to get one for this year, you can buy it now, and it will be good through Feb. 28, 2010. (So, you actually get more than a year!) Good deal.

Rates are the same as last year:

$12 for Missouri resident annual fishing permit
$10 for Border Lakes permit (covers Bull Shoals, Table Rock and Norfork lakes; available to Missouri and Arkansas residents only)
$7 per day for non-resident daily Missouri fishing permit (up to 5 days)
$40 for non-resident annual Missouri fishing permit

A little tipsy?

I don't know about you, but it's driving me crazy that the picture of the Corps sign is crooked... (see below). It's my fault. I scanned it. Ahhhhhh!!

"Commercial Zone" Policy

CORPS ESTABLISHES ‘COMMERCIAL ZONES’ AT MARINAS

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Sept. 26 – In the interest of public safety and the security of visitor property, the Little Rock District of the Army Corps of Engineers has established ‘commercial zones’ around marinas that will restrict recreational activities within 50 feet of all marina docks.

Lakes that fall under the new policy include Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Norfork, Clearwater, Greers Ferry, Dardanelle and Millwood. Examples of prohibited activities within these zones are boating, fishing, swimming and diving. Commercial zones are being marked with signs and buoys.

Fishing beneath boat storage docks has created the most difficulties because hooks and lures sometimes damage boats or docks. People like to fish under marina docks because they act as structure that attract fish. One alternative for anglers is to work with local Corps offices to create fish attractors out of discarded Christmas trees or certain other materials. Many fishing clubs have long been involved with the Corps and state fish and game agencies in creating these.

Boaters sometimes obstruct operations around marinas by boating or fishing too close. Swimming or diving around marinas is always unsafe. Keeping recreational activities away from the docks will also help cut down on thefts and improve safety by reducing boat traffic.

Public access to recreation is still guaranteed at Little Rock District lakes. There are more than 256,000 acres, and the commercial zones constitute only about 1 percent of the total lake area.

It is not unusual for the Corps to restrict recreational activities in certain areas if a need exists. For instance, recreational activities are commonly restricted at locks, dams, spillways, powerhouses, swimming areas, and water intakes to help ensure safety and protection of lives and property. The commercial zones have the same intention.

Restrictions at marinas are not new. No fishing zones have been in place since 1986, and commercial zones have been in place since 2007. The new policy formalizes the commercial zones and establishes the means for Corps park rangers and other law enforcement officers to enforce the policy.

The 50-foot buffer will be used whenever possible to provide consistency from marina to marina. However, with a written request to the Corps that demonstrates a special need, a marina operator might be allowed to place some additional restriction on recreational activities that obstruct ingress and egress to marina docks. Posted signs will indicate an extension of the commercial zone.

Note: I know some of you already know about this new policy. Don't be surprised if you see signs (like the red and white one above) up at local marinas. These are official Corps signs. The Corps will be enforcing this policy. We really haven't had a problem with these activities taking place around our marina, so I don't foresee this being a big issue for us at Pontiac. However, we'd appreciate it if everyone would help us out and follow the rules. :)

Fast forward to spring?

Gorgeous weather we're having today in Pontiac. I'd say it's pushing 70 degrees. Break out the flip-flops! But, don't get too used to them. By tomorrow we'll be back in winter mode. That's the crazy thing about Missouri weather. You've just got to go with it. And try not to get sick. :)

The Countdown

Happy New Year, everyone! Now that the holidays are behind us, it's time to look forward to summer. Good news: There are just 141 days until Memorial weekend. Can you wait? I can't.

Skip and Angie sent me this picture. This fish was caught and released Dec. 23 out of Bull Shoals Lake. It weighed 8+ pounds! I haven't talked to them to find out all the details, but I thought I'd post the pic anyway. Fishing has been good lately. I hear they're catching bass and crappie. The weather is beautiful again today. Sunny and supposed to hit 60 degrees. I can handle this "winter" weather.

It's Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope your day is filled with family and friends and fun and joy! (And fudge.) It's a beautiful day in P-town. Sunny and mild. We're supposed to have unseasonably warm temperatures tomorrow and a chance of severe weather. We'll take the warm temps. But, strong winds and tornadoes... no thanks. I'll keep you posted.

Have a glorious day!

Weather Report

The weather has been gray and cold and ugly here today. The day started out with a glaze of ice on the roads. It was pretty slick until the salt trucks got out and about about mid-morning. This afternoon we had a couple of downpours, but by then the temp had gotten up above freezing, so luckily it was just rain, and not ice. I think there's a chance of a wintry mix in the morning, but by afternoon it's supposed to warm up and then be in the 40s the rest of the week. Good news for folks traveling this way or heading out of town for Christmas. Speaking of, the dock will be closed on Thursday. We will be around Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning from 8 to 10 a.m. We'll also be closed next Thursday for New Year's Day. Happy holidays, everyone! Cheers!

For Your Information

So, we were supposed to have the annual Missouri-Arkansas Marina Owners Association (a.k.a. MAMA) meeting in Harrison, Ark. today, but an apparent ice storm in Little Rock made it too difficult for the colonel and other officials from the Little Rock Corps office to get up here. So, it was postponed until sometime in January. I usually try to report back to you all about what is discussed at the meeting after it happens, and I will do that once this one is rescheduled.

In the meantime, I thought I'd tell you a little bit about why we have this meeting. Basically it's our once-a-year chance to talk to the colonel face-to-face, as a group, about issues we feel are important. For example, last year the primary topic was the encapsulated foam issue. I am sure most of you are aware of the encapsulated foam policy that was signed and sent out by the outgoing colonel last year. The policy stated that within 10 years all commercial and private docks must be completely converted to encapsulated foam. Encapsulated foam isn't cheap, and many dock owners feared it would put them out of business. Yikes. A lot of dock owners were not happy about that little farewell. So, at last year's meeting we shared our concerns with the new colonel, and that resulted in a new policy being written - one that was much more reasonable and one we could all live with.

We also discussed the Corps implementing a policy that would regulate recreational activities inside commercial zones - the idea being that such a policy would promote safety and also help protect docks and the boats and personal property within them. That policy actually took effect earlier this fall. What does this mean to you? Well, it means the Corps now prohibits swimming, fishing, scuba diving, etc. within commercial zones - a.k.a. the PCM cove and other marina coves on the lake. For years, we at PCM have posted signs warning against the dangers of swimming and fishing from or near the docks, as we have underwater fuel and electric lines running all over the place. So, really this is nothing new. It's now just an official Corps policy, and the Corps will be the ones enforcing it.

Questions? Ask me, and I'll try to answer them!

This is for you, Buck

Hey everyone. So, I know I haven't been very good lately about updating the blog. It's just difficult sometimes to come up with any news! But, I promise to be better about writing something... anything... more frequently for those of you (like Buck) who check this every day. :)

Just 10 days 'til Christmas. Are you done shopping?

Happy Monday!

654.0

It's official. We are now at normal pool! I'll try to take some pics and post them later... in case you forgot what this looks like! I heard on the radio yesterday that predictions for this winter are warmer than usual, but wetter. Sheesh.

Normal pool one week from today?

Today the lake level is 657.6. The forecast shows B.S. at normal pool by Wednesday, Dec. 3 - one week from today and almost exactly nine months to the day since the lake started going up. If you go back and read the post I wrote on March 4, you'll see a picture of the lake just starting to cross the lower road - much like the picture I took today. (Sorry this isn't the greatest pic - I didn't have my camera, so I took it with my phone.)

We should be able to re-open the lower road sometime next week after we wash it off and adjust cables. Until then, please do not attempt to drive around the blue truck on the lower road. Sorry for any inconvenience this weekend.

Remember, we'll be closed tomorrow for the holiday. Open from 8 to 4 Fri, Sat, Sun. Winter hours (8 to 10) start Monday. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

One week 'til turkey day

It's quiet and chilly here today. And I don't have much to report. I do want to give you a heads up that we will be closed next Thursday for Thanksgiving. However, we will be open from 8 to 4 Friday, Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving. Starting Dec. 1 our official winter office hours will be 8 to 10 a.m. (Such a hard life.) We do have several projects planned this winter, so even after Dec. 1 we'll likely be around throughout the day. The lake is almost back to normal now. Less than 7 feet to go.

VFD Hunter's Dinner this Saturday

The Pontiac/Price Place Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its annual Hunter's Dinner at 5 p.m. this Saturday at Station #1. Cost is $6 for adults; $3 for kids younger than 10. The menu includes turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry relish, rolls, dessert, coffee and tea. You can get meals to go if you'd like to pick up food to take home to your friends or family.

Closing at 4:00 today...

Ok, so we were planning to start closing at 4 tomorrow (Sunday), but it's just so chilly and yucky out today, and there are so few people around, that I'm going to close at 4 today. So, from now through the end of November we'll be open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Just FYI!

The Right Way

This morning, for the first time in MONTHS, I made the complete circle around the park! We still have cable issues, so you'll notice when you drive around the corner that the blue PCM truck is parked in the middle of the road. You can drive around it; just please use a little caution. Also, for those of you who don't know, the 800 dock is now connected to the shore, so you can park over in your usual spot again. Happy Friday!

The End of an Era

It's been a long journey. One that unfortunately came to an end today. This morning, we took down what we've all come to know as "the beaver tree." Between the high water and the beaver's incessant sawing, the tree did not survive. We believe it died about a month ago. And with the strong winds we've had lately, we were concerned that it could fall and hurt someone or cause damage to the dock or someone's vehicle.

Many of you have followed the beaver story all year, but what you may not realize is that the big, beautiful cottonwood was as old as the lake. Tim remembers when it was "just a little bitty thing" back in the '60s. But despite it's modest size back then, it was always in the way, he says. Years ago the docks were laid out differently, and during high water conditions they had to split the dock, push it past the tree and reconnect it between the shore and the tree. Numerous times they considered cutting it down. But for whatever reason, they never did.

He can remember twice it was struck by lighting - once about 20 years ago. That summer there were bad storms on three out of four consecutive Fridays. When the lightning hit the tree, Tim was in an aluminum boat pulling a steel cable across the cove. (Talk about a death trap.) Doc Klayman was also on the dock that day. He says it split the tree right down the middle, and fire was shooting out the top. Everyone thought for sure the tree would die after that, but it survived! As the tree continued to grow, the shade it provided also grew - Phil Peters and Roger Long always liked to park near the tree for that very reason.

I was sad to see it fall this morning. I know some of you probably are, too. Today, when Doc came in from fishing and saw it lying across the road, he said, "It's the end of an era." And he's right. It certainly looks different out there without that tree, and it's going to take some getting used to. We're planning to save a log from the base of the tree to make a bench, so we can enjoy a little piece of it forever and ever.

I guess in the end the beaver won. Or did he? Wouldn't you like to see his face tonight when he comes out and finds nothing left of his little masterpiece... but a stump? SURPRISE!

New Hours

Starting this Sunday, Nov. 9, we will be closing at 4 p.m. Our hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through the end of November. We'll cut back even more starting Dec. 1. I'll keep you posted as we near the end of the month.