Fishing and country music, two American favorites. Finding both in the same area is reason enough for the country music loving fisherman, or woman, to head to Table Rock Lake, Missouri. Throw in the breathtaking scenery of the Missouri Ozarks and a family oriented atmosphere, and it's a vacationer's paradise.

Six miles south of Branson, Missouri, Table Rock Lake is more than 52,000 blue acres of fun with over 800 miles of shoreline for those who just want to relax on the bank and wait for a nibble.

1. Bass is the fish of choice here, but crappie, sunfish, catfish, walleye, and bluegill also heavily populate these waters. Boats of all sizes are available for rent at dozens of marinas around the lake, along with any supplies that were overlooked, including that Missouri fishing license. Table Rock Lake's clear water is an open invitation for swimming, skiing, and scuba diving.


2. Music is king in Branson with over fifty theaters offering live shows at almost any hour of the day. Country Music Boulevard, otherwise known as 76 Boulevard, is where you'll find five miles of music venues to suit any musical taste. From Andy Williams to Mel Tillis, the Lennon Sisters of Lawrence Welk fame, comedy, gospel, Broadway, and just plain corny, it's all here. And it's all family rated, you'll find no x-rated stuff in Branson.


3. Some people travel just to shop. In historic downtown Branson's 100 independently owned stores, you'll find antique shops, flea markets, and even a 5& 10 store. The Branson Mill Craft Village is the place to watch craftsmen show their skills in woodworking, glassblowing, oil painting and other fine crafts. For name brands, there are four outlet malls where you can shop till your feet fall off.


4. Land based activities do exist. Amusement and theme parks, golf, historic sites, caves, go carts, horseback riding, and parasailing, bumper cars, and museums are just a few things to choose from when you're not on the lake or in a music hall.


5. Festival madness! Every month of the year has a festival in the Table Rock area. Hot rod shows, fishing and golf tournaments, bluegrass festivals, ice cream socials, boating events, veteran's and holiday parades, and don't miss the Cape Fair Annual Oinklawn Downs Pig Races.

The Table Rock area wasn't always so busy. The story is that a Harold Bell Wright, a Kansas minister, was told by his doctor to find a climate more conducive to his consumption, Being a fisherman and having heard that this part of the Ozarks had great fishing, he headed down and settled west of Branson. When he wasn't fishing he wrote a book that turned out to be a best seller. Shepherd of the Hills was published in 1907 and brought visitors flocking to the Ozarks to see the scenery described in the book and they've been coming ever since. It should be noted that the Table Rock Dam project wasn't started until 1954 by the Army Corp. of Engineers, primarily for flood control.

The Table Rock Lake area is active all year long. Summer temperatures average 85-90 degrees, with winter being fairly mild at ranges of 42-47 degrees, supposedly good crappie fishing temperature. The folks who live there are down home friendly. Resorts are everywhere along the lake, rates are reasonable, and children are welcome.

Table Rock travel advice provided by our midwestern marvel, Marjorie Wise.