bkbying89

I received this in my mail a couple of day's ago Thank you to all those that wrote the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) regarding using flies that have rubber-legs/antenna and the like.. Your letters/emails and concern has paid off and the MDC has "changed" their interpretation of the regulations regarding what is a fly and what is a soft plastic lure. Here is their latest response to the interpretation of the regulation. Hopefully we can get them to write a new section of the regulation to be more clear but for now we will take this. Bill

Thats a good question. Everyone wants the answer to it. If you want to target big Browns I would huk streamers, Wooly-buggers and stonefly nymphs. Bill

A friend wants to fish the Little Red for Brook Trout but needs some suggestions on flies to use. Can he get a little help from anyone that fishes this tailwater regularly? Bill

I don't know how far back this rule goes but declaring the Protection division as "lawless" is a bit much for me. I posted an email address for members here to express their concerns not to attack. I and others are contacting the department over this interpretation. I hope to hear back soon. Bill

Remember his rules apply to any area that prohibits soft plastic baits. Not just the trout parks. If you don't agree with this ruling write, http://Mike Hubbard, Regulations Committee Chair, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, Let him know what you think of the ruling, Bill

A week! I had two responses on the same day. I keep reading the reg as meaning any rubber at all is prohibited. If you think about it, what's the deference between foam rubber and soft plastic? I have been looking up new ant and beetle patterns using deer hair. They may not be as durable but they aren't any harder to tie. Bill

Did anyone start to sing along with him? I know a few that would have. Bill

Johnsfolly, This was an employee at the MDC. The answer I received and the descriptions in the regs all lead me to more confusion over the intent of those regs. If you follow the logic that would mean that spinner bait skirts would be illegal in areas prohibiting soft plastics because the material "snaps back". Bill

Think of her as a department employee. Bill

I'm sorry that I deleted the reply's to my inquiry's to the MDC. I will send another to post here. While I agree with you, having a good number of rubber legged flies in my box, I also know what the department representative's reply was and that was that flies with any material that "snaps back" is not legal. I will still fish the ones I have as I don't think any MDC reps will be checking my flies. You all have been very helpful, thanks. Bill

This is taken from the MDC's "Trout Fishing Tips", Pay attention to (D). Allowed baits and lures vary by fishing area and season (A) Natural and scented baits—A natural fish food such as bait fish, crayfish, frogs permitted as bait, grubs, insects, larvae, worms, salmon eggs, cheese, corn and other food substances not containing any ingredient to stupefy, injure or kill fish. Does not include flies or artificial lures. Includes dough bait, putty or paste-type bait, any substance designed to attract fish by taste or smell and any fly, lure or bait containing or used with such substances. (B) Soft plastic bait (unscented)—Synthetic eggs, synthetic worms, synthetic grubs and soft plastic lures. (C) Artificial Lure—A lure constructed of any material excluding soft plastic bait and natural and scented bait defined in (A) or (B) above. (D) Fly—An artificial lure constructed on a single-point hook, using any material except soft plastic bait and natural and scented bait as defined in (A) or (B) above, that is tied, glued or otherwise permanently attached.

That is what I thought as well but that isn't what the description said. Flies with rubber are considered soft plastic baits. Bill

You can use those flies outside of the fly fishing only zones in the park. Just not in restricted areas or as I was told, in ribboned areas of streams, whether your fishing for trout or other species. Bill

Thanks TJM, No they didn't quote the definition of a fly. D) Fly—An artificial lure constructed on a single-point hook, using any material except soft plastic bait and natural and scented bait as defined in (A) or (B) above, that is tied, glued, or otherwise permanently attached. Doesn't the term "soft plastic" include rubber legs and or other body parts? Bill

According to the MDC spokesman I had a few e-mails with, last week, flies constructed with materials that snap back, like rubber,vinyl, and silicone, are illegal in the fly fishing only areas of the park streams, and the ribboned areas of trout streams. I didn't think it was right so I e-mailed the MDC and ask. According to them rubberlegs and antennas and vinyl ribbing is a no go. Bill