My son and I drove from Texas to Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri for a fishing trip in August of 1996. It was a beautiful and scenic drive on Highway 71 through Arkansas. However, since I was unfamiliar with the winding road and the mountainous terrain, it was a slow and tedious journey when the sun set and the fog rolled in. The arrival at Big Cedar Lodge made the drive worthwhile, as it turned out. It is a beautiful hideaway fishing resort located about twenty minutes south of Branson and is nestled within the Ozark Mountains.

The fishing is done in Table Rock Lake and large mouth bass is the catch of the day at the lake. There are also perch lurking in the beautiful clear water.

During our stay, we visited the Bass Pro Shop. It is located in Springfield just a short forty-five mile drive north of the resort. This store is so HUGE that it would be a crime if you didn't drop in for a look while visiting in the area!

Here's a picture of me near Artists Point in Arkansas looking east across the upper end of Lake Fort.

My son loves to fish and has dreams of catching the "big one".