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My wife and I are trying to plan a vacation for later this summer. We have narrowed it down to two lakes and Bull Shoals is one of them. Mainly because of the oportunity to visit the factory in Mountain Home and the other attractions in the area. Can any one recommend a good place to stay on Bull Shoals where I can have the boat close to me? ( I would feel better putting it on the trailer everyday instead of a slip) My wifes main concern is that she can see the lake. As you can imagine, as long as I have the boat I could care less, but getting her to agree to a fishing vacation is a victory in itself so I want to make her comfortable. Thanks
Pardon our dissertation! Though here is a summary for you. The Mountain Home (Chamber link) and Baxter County (NCARED Site also) area has changed drastically in the last 30 years. The prior years were not that different, as the small town culture continued. Though since the late 1970s, there has been an evolution. Recently the WalMart Supercenter and Home Depot have started a tremendous boom to the economy. Lots of our BCB Family have retired here, and more will follow. The close proximity to Branson and Springfield also helps, as numerous country stars and concerts are within the 80 mile drive. Branson offers everything from shopping to traffic jams in the Ozarks atmosphere. And quaint Hardy is only 50 miles to the East of Mountain Home. Flights out of Little Rock and Springfield are a few hours away, though not bad considering traveling waits on airlines today. Then there are Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas airports also withing a few hours drive. All with good small service. The lakes (Bull Shoals and Norfork) are moderate in producing good Bass catches. If you have time during the right seasons and weather changes, they can be phenomenal! The Walleye on either is superb, and the Stripers on Norfork can be fantastic! The White and Norfork Rivers are among the finest in the world for trout. Buffalo National River (second Buffalo Site) and Crooked Creek are great to good smallmouth fisheries. Here is a link to Ozark Mountain Region for some other information. The F & S article mentions lots of outdoors attributes, calls it underdeveloped and more. It does not expand on the mention of the close access to hundreds of thousands of US Forest Service properties. The Sylamore National Forest (map) and Ozark National Forests (Blanchard Caverns) are within an hour of Mountain Home. Norfork River, Bryant Creek, Blairs Bridge area and more are just north of Mountain Home in Missouri, less than 30 miles away. The Gainesville area offers some unique sight seeing and canoing with a trip to what was the Amyx families Rockbridge and the old grist mills in southern Missouri, everyone enjoys that trip. Then there is Mountain View to the south about 50 miles. Plus many Arkansas State Parks within a few hours of the area. Mountain Home has a five (5) star golf course in Big Creek, a fairly good city course in Twin Lakes Golf Course . Then there is the 600 Family member Twin Lakes Gun Club (TLGC) with Sporting Clays, Skeet, Trap, Archery, Pistol and more. The Baxter County Regional Hospital has one of the few Cancer Radiation Therapy Institutes in the state, and everything from Emergencies to Heart operations are performed there. The facility is nice, and the Ambulance Service was recently rated as #1 in the USA. Land was a fair value in the late 90s and early 2000 years, though it has escalated at this time to more of a market level. The tax base in Arkansas is a bargain in comparison to California or other higher tax areas. Though that could change in time with the amendments that were passed by referendum. The area is undergoing some tremendous developments, and once the economy settles again it will begin all over again. Since we all get to travel almost all over the country, we find this a friendly atmosphere. Overall this is a great place to live and work! We have had several decide to retire here, or close to here, within the past few months. If you make that decision, we hope you enjoy it as much as we do! BCB
Wow, excellent dissertation BCB. No need to apologize for that one! I believe the article actually said Number Two (2) on the Top Ten List of Best Fishing Cities in the U.S., something to be proud of indeed. I read into that Number Two (2) on the Top Ten List of Best Cities to Retire to! Amazing how our minds read into things what our objectives are sometimes. Seriously though, still a high acclaim for everyone from Mountain Home, Congratulations Again! It is beautiful country you guys get to enjoy every day!!!
Actually the Wall Street Journal placed it as #7 we believe for a retirement area. Other smaller publications have also marked Mountain Home as a prime location as well. All in all, they are targeting Mountain Home and North Arkansas as a prime location for retirement. BCB
We dont know about your boat, though it is probably on target. As for the fishing trip, there are some options. When, which river, the location desired and more. Most prefer the Norfork River for wade fishing. Let us know! BCB
Thanks for the feedback. Im starting from nothing here, so river isnt as important as having a good trip. I dont really care whether were wading or if we go by boat on a float trip through some of the beautiful country that is in the area. I have done some research online, but there are too many options to know that what I am booking will be a good trip. Honestly, I would be OK with a float trip using some Spinning Equipment, maybe with a shore lunch/dinner, as long as it is a good memorable trip that will live forever in us. I was thinking maybe The White River, but that is because I have heard/read so much about it over the years. It is supposed to be a fly fishing trip, simply because my oldest Sister thinks that she wants to know how to fly fish, me too for that matter, but my other two Sisters wouldnt know whether we were fly fishing or not, , we could put a cane pole with some worms on it and they wouldnt ever know the difference. So as you can tell, I am working on a daunting challenge, trying to put together a trip for some Novices to your land there. I will appreciate every bit of information you can offer with where to stay, I am thinking of a house, available and reputable guides, and any other day trips you might can recommend where we can maybe fish one day, hike one day, boat trip maybe one day, nature watch, etc.
We actually like the Norfork area and there are a few class resorts there. Plus drive down to Reds Landing and grab a bite at PJs while your in the area. The trout hatchery is pretty cool, plus walk down Dry Run Creek and watch those big browns for fun. That is a barbless under 16 age limit fishing area. This is home to Wapsi Fly and the National Flyfishers Enclave. Plus the Dablemonts are here for Fly Fishers and they had a local school at their home a few miles from the shop here. You can go to the Lakeview area and Gastons Resort, of Jim Gastons family, which is Internationally known. Visit the Gastons Visitor Center over Bull Shoals Dam and just enjoy that area. Ron is the manager there at Gastons and you can get more help from that staff or him. The restaurant is very cool and has antiques galore with dining out over the river. Here is a link for more help on resorts locally. The Chamber of Commerce is a mostly volunteer staff and while you can get some information they wont help you near as much as others. Going direct to one of the suggested people will do you best. Talk to Bob or Larry and see if htey can help. They have only owned the fly shop a couple of years, though they are pretty much in sync. Blue Ribbon Fly Shop, Inc. Mountain Home 1343 Hwy 5 South Mountain Home,AR 72653 870-425-0447 http://www.blueribbonflyfish.com Contact: Bob Cooke or Larry Babin (Missy) Email: blueribbonflyfish@hotmail.com Fishing Guides and Supplies If you want to do south Missouri, then we would suggest a trip to Rockbridge and Rockbridge Trout and Game Ranch, http://www.rockbridgemo.com/ They are full service and while offering less amenities have a humble little place. Offering everything from brook fishing to food service and lodging. Hope this helps! BCB
Another vote for Gastons Resort ! We used to make an annual pilgrimage there before the boys got too old to be seen with us ! First class resort with knowledgeable guides and will exceed all youre expectations !
Thanks BCB, I knew you would have some good recommendations, as always! My boat will be fine, as always, whenever it is ready, it will be a welcome addition to my garage. Im mellowing in my older age, or maybe its that entire stroke thing that I went through/still going through for the past year and a half.THANKS!!!
In the Bull Shoals area we suggest two options. Either Gastons White River Resort or rent a houseboat at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock. Those are your best options. There are some cabins aroundLakeviewtt are newer as well as other options close the the river. The small resort options are many as well if you are looking for cabin style resorts.
might give beeman realty a call (870) 431-5252…they are located in lakeview and might know of some vacation type rentals that are available with what you are looking for. Tony Taylor or Gary Stubenfol are two there that i would suggest talking to.
Gary has a home he owns himself and rents on the river, down by Gastons. Tony doesnt have any homes they rent from the office at Beaman.
Bass Cat Boats wrote:Gary has a home he owns himself and rents on the river, down by Gastons. Tony doesnt have any homes they rent from the office at Beaman.The house on the river has clean carpets!!! http://maps.google.com/m/…l_result&ved=0CHAQ4gkwAQ This is a neat place that is well kept…no lake view but has a great location for lake access and some really nice countryside views. Used to be a drs house and had a wine vineyard on the property.
GASTONS White River Resort,,,,,hands down great experience !
Plus the barbeque ribs at Gastons arent too shabby.
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