MOPanfisher

Why would it need an asterisk since during the month of July and August it applies to every fisherman, tournament or not. And I did not know you could only cull one fish either. But I don't fish tournaments.

A couple comments on population sampling. When sampling, consistency is critical, samples are not taken randomly all over the lake. Locatons are selected and sampled as nearly as possible at the American time/conditions to get an overall trend of the population dynamics. If conditions are drastically different you don't use that data lest it skew the overall data. Also thing like creel survey results provide data that is utilized. Knowing and having assisted a couple of biologists I will say to a person they have been very dedicated to their job, they fish, they know the lake and population dynamics, but you may have noticed that when a bad reproduction year happens there is nothing they can do.

The high water year of 2011 is what created the large population of 15 inch bass (4 yr olds) right now. Those fish will likely live no more than 8 years regardless of whether or not they are caught by fishermen. Habitat, reproduction, and food base is way more important. Bass are a number 1 sport fish because, they are relatively easy to catch, they reproduce easily and under most conditions, they grow fairly quickly, and get big enough to be fun. Right now Table Rock is on an upswing for numbers and size, probably next year may be even better with more keeper fish, then it will likely slide back a little until another big year class grows up.

I don't remember if I have seen it on this forum or others, but several times I have seen folks wanting to reduce the length limit on Spots/Kentuckies to 12", on the basis that they are overpopulating and crowing out the LM, which grow faster and bigger. The only reason to reduce it to 12" is so more could be kept. All the lakes are very cyclic in that from year to year it varies a lot on how the population and fishing is for different species. The water level, timing of level changes and how it affects the spawn, how much cover/habitat is available in the lake, and what and how robust is the prey base have a lot more to do with it that folks keeping fish to eat.

Nice fish fry material.

We have not heard anything yet, Truman is still rising, untill they catch it, unlikely that we will increase. Hopefully by weekend we can at least begin to lower, but no guarantees. Nick, you are correct in that Truman would not even notice our releases, however there is always more to the story. The Resevoir Control Center works hard to try to "balance" the resevoirs as far as releases, inflows, lake elevations etc. Since Truman has such a large uncontrolled inflows down the osage and grand rivers they don't generally allow us to release flood storage unless we are extremely high or Truman has begun to fall. Also they take into consideration the river levels in the lower basin below Bagnell and all the way past St. Louis. Also once we have released water into Truman we cannot get it back. I know it is always a pain for dock owners, campers and us as well, since we have to close roads, campsites etc. however that is the primary reason for the lake, Flood Control, most years things work out, the rest of the time we just have to do the best we can until releases are authorized.

Oddly in a way its like hanging around a small local bait shop. There are always some folks there who will talk and bluster, scream and holler, but when it comes down to it, they will help you out with whatever you need. Now tomorrow they will be back at that "shop" haranguing everyone again.

That's why I love gravel bar camping. Usually we get up before daylight. One will go to the nearest riffle and throw a buzz bait. One or two will go to the nearest good hole and fish jigs for gogglers, greenies, etc. for supper fish, and one will sleep in and then build up the fire and start getting breakfast ready. Comw back to camp wet and chilled to the smell of coffee perking. Seldom do we hit the river floating again until 9 or 10. But yeah some of the dog days and faster water can provide some stellar smallmouth fishing.

More than likely as conditions at Truman allow our releases will be stepped up to 2800 or so. As you noted will pull around 6" or so per day depending upon current elevation. Unless we do get a major run off event I don't see any danger of 852.00 the rise is almost flattened out now. Additional rainfall changes all the calculations.

Yes a 1000 CFS release would begin to lower the lake, albeit very very slowly. Higher releases would pull stained water further down, but without additional rain will clear nicely. Upper end at Bolivar Landing is pretty stained and a lot of floating debris, with the level still slowly rising and no good strong winds to blow the drift to the banks it is still floating around. There was a gentleman who launched at Bolivar this morning, he was also pushing the bigger floating logs out of the way. So if you are brave enough I guess you can, still wouldn't want to boat very fast with all the debris. Water wasn't as bad as I expected, is apparently settling/clearing some. Down to Lightfoot Landing area it was stained but not muddy, and by the time you get to Wheatland it was normal. Lindley side, looked stained but not muddy at the Nemo Bridge as I went over. Once we start to drop and get a good wind some folks will wind the drift wood lottery, likely the same locations that seem to get dovered up 80% of the time. But lots of cover for the various fry to hide in, should be a good hatch year hopefully.

Bluegill fillets, hit the hot oil and floats up. One of my favorite fish to eat.

I should have named my son Ned, then he would be awesome.

Lake level is 847, 8 feet above conservation pool, although normal until June 15 is 841. Upper ends will be muddy and likely lots of debris depending on wind. Since we haven't been releasing much, the muddy water hasn't been pulled toward the Dam. Not sure exactly where the line is between muddy and clear is right now.

Timing is everything on letting the door shut on your buddies, can't teach it, you either have it or you don't. Just right will knock their case of beer or soda out of their hands making it undrinkeable for a little while.

Currently the boat launch ramp at Bolivar Landing is unuseable. There is a large drift of logs and debris extending 20 yards or more out into the lake. It will either require a considere drop in the lake level or a shift of the winds to a good strong south wind to clear it out, likely some of both. FYI currently looks like we won't be releasing anything above current outflow of 250 CFS for another day or two, until Truman stabilizes. Hopefully weather and river conditions cooperate and the Missouri and Arkansas lakes can work on getting back closer to seasonal norms.

Thank you!

Definite turn in the topic, but I like it. Several years ago while deployed in Florida on a Hurricane recovery I stopped at a local gas station like I did most morning for a coffee. One of the older ladies working there was just coming inside from a smoke break. Out of habit I stopped, stepped aside and held the door, she said go ahead you are a customer. I explained that my father would come back to life and kick my backside if I did. She laughed and said something about there being a few gentlemen left. BTW if she was working when I stopped in from then on she would not let me pay for coffee. My son at 17 is fairly good at remembering to hold doors for ladies (and others) and is good about taking an umbrella outside (at church) on sundays when its raining and covering the ladies as they walk towad the entrance. Seldom does it keep them dry but it is most makes you feel good when someone comments on what a hard working gentleman your chld is.

This will sound lame, but I honestly tried a search on Yahoo to find what a Ned Rig looked like, specifically I wanted to see what the "correct" jig head looked like, unfortunately they show every type imaginable. someone please post a pic of just the jig head so I can see what it is supposed to be.

If the vast majority of anglers do not keepbass, whether, smallies, kentuckies, or largemouth, how would a slot limit provide larger fish? I would think the amount of prey base and growth rate is going to have far more effect on size/population than the length limit.

I went to a slightly heavier rod and will sock the steel to them when they hit. I lost more boatside than any other way, they get to splashing on top and you cant keep the pressure on them. Seems odd that that many razor sharp hooks can slip out, heck if I try to pick up a shad rap I invariably draw blood. Good fishing buddies who know when and how to net are a good thing, otherwise by the time they are ready I am already swinging them over the side. I have had them throw the lure hard enough to stick it in my leg 4 feet from where they are. Muskie on the other hand are my nemesis, they seem to have a vendetta against me and my crankbaits. A couple times I have had big ones up to the boat, before they flip me the proverbial fin, bite down and leave me cussing and stomping at another lost Rapala. Oh well still beats mowing the yard. Looks like more rain coming, will likely be next week before we are allowed to release any water so up into the bushes it goes. Wish I was out there.

I for one do NOT take my fishing "Seriously", if I did I would fish tournaments but I refuse to turn something that is fun and I love doing into a Job. I fish hard and at times work at it, but thats about as close to serious as I get. Fishing is still very similar to how it was when I grew up, crappie fishing was certainly not a fish the best spots all day and see no one, heck everyone we knew was there. When you start taking fishing too seriously is when things like cutting people off by sliding in 50 yards ahead of them and fishing the bank for a few minutes them tearing out to go somewhere else. Where I see the biggest changes are in ramp etiquette and number of pleasure boaters. I honestly think that many people have never considered how much of a back up it causes on the ramp when they back down and then begin all their loading and prep work. Pleasure boaters, well they paid for their toys the same as I did and are welcome to use the lake as well. What I need now is some new wheels for my boat trailer, Agressor1988long, where are you launching/parking at now. Just teasing, I don't even take the forums very seriously.

Beautiful coachwhip. They tend to be a little high strung, meaning they will bite when you mess with them but they are non-venomous, and pretty darn fast when they want to be.

Heck I might be able to by an old beater car for less than the camera system and just leave it unlocked.

If I caught that fish it would totally depend on my mood whether or not I kept it, and whether or not I had enough cajun seasoning to make it taste good. Otherwise I am sure it has reproduced more than once in its life, thus the genetics are still out there. Nobody seems to be upset when someone keeps an 8lb walleye, or 15 inch crappie, its just a fish.

Hell it could have been an acccident, somebody else entirely and not the guys that you saw. More than likely a Ned Rig Fisherman.