I agree with what others have said, if you don't think you have been watched at the parks, you are very mistaken. The only reason you don't know is because most of us don't do anything to get confronted by MDC/DNR. Agents are fishing next to you, checking your tag, counting fish on your stringer throughout the day and watching your vehicle. They do all of this to make sure that EVERYONE who goes to missouri parks has a great experience.
Also, I believe that BSSP is a public park. It is a public place, if that camera was pointing down the river onto private property, I would see a problem with that, but it isn't it is in the middle of the park. A park that you must get permission to fish on. You are not guarenteed a right to fish in missouri. There are many ways you can have that privilage taken away, remember that when you are enjoying your day on the stream. I don't like large crowds anymore than anybody else, but if this webcam sparks more interest into the park I am all for it. More people means more tags sold, more money, more interest. All of this is a great for those of us that enjoy trout fishing, be it at the parks or on other waterways in the state. More fish, bigger fish, better facilites, extended catch and release times will not come with a lower turn out to the trout parks. We are going to see dramatic changes in state government in the next few years. There will be no program or department that will not be completly evaluated as to effeciency and utility, and those programs that are the strongest will remain while others will be gone.
I spoke with a park official about the possibility of a cleaning station and they told me there were concerns with the parks lagoon if that was in place. Now I don't think that is a very good reason, but that was what I was given so I will take them at their word, at least they are aware and responding.
I know there are some that will not fish in the parks with this, and that is your choice, I fully respect that. I for one will encourage my friends to look for me when I go, show them the pics of the fish I catch and the beauty of the park, and encourage them to join me the next time. I love to fish and I really enjoy BSSP, if this camera sparks more interest and will help the growth of that, I am all for it, for me fishing is as much about community as it is standing by myself in the middle of nowhere catching a monster fish, getting my heart racing and releasing it for someone else to enjoy. I know many of you will agree, otherwise you wouldn't join a messageboard and share in on the great times. I think this webcam is just another great part of that community. So look for me on the cam, I'll most likely be the one with their fly line tangled in their stringer....
