Gary Lange

If you think it's good now wait until you retire.

Sounds plausible to me. They had to get here somehow and I don't see them getting a ride on the Railroad. I thought somebody said we were in a Global Warming Period caused by to many cattle or to many people or something. I know Smallmouths were in Lake Michigan for quite some time but it seems they have really come a long ways since the Zebra Mussles cleared up the water. Chicago area has gotten some 5-6 pounders lately. Lower Lake Michigan is coming alive.

I was under the impression that the Ice age ended about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago and at that time it formed the Great Lakes and many other smaller bodies of water. I would imagine that the great rivers of North America formed at that time also such as the Mississippi and Missouri, the Illinois and its tribs also.

The Railroad been very, very good to me! Spent 36 years with the BNSF with the last 27 as a Senior Special Agent in Chicago.

Eric, You need to find out something that they like and do often. Like Golf or whatever and talk to them about regulating it and requiring permits and only play once a month. People that do not fish sometimes are the very people that vote or put the big stink on about these things. They have property that borders the river and they think they own it and everything in it. These regulations should be put to people that actually fish. Then still we have a lot of people that just fish for whatever they catch and think they can take anything and everything home. We turned in a guy in Illinois that had a cooler of water in his trunk and he would catch fish and take them to the cooler and put them in it then go back and fish some more and do the same he was way over the limit and most were to small to begin with and his fine was pretty hefty. I don't see many meat fisherman like there used to be but am sure they are still out there. Just like the guy driving the road and shooting the mechanical deer.

I really can't believe that you are going to get that many meat anglers to head out on Day one looking to stock the Freezer with Bass Fillets. I would imagine most are just wanting to get out and get a chance at catching a trophy or landing one over 20" rather then meat hunting. They would be better off going Crappie Fishing.

Interesting Read Al! I thought I was long winded sometimes but you give a great account of the Smallies movement and the influx of the Spotted Bass also. Thank you for your contribution to our knowledge base.

Well said Al! In the ISA we had the same experience that although we had a lot of members it was a choice few who gave time to the Organization and helped with the efforts. We did get more out for the cleanups and fishing afterwards but that is the way it is with any organization. The few do the work of many.

Eric, Is this the Regulations and Study you were talking about. http://www4.ncsu.edu/~tkwak/Waters_et_al_1993.pdf

The first one is the Indiana Smallmouth Alliance and they have a nice web site with lots of information and a forum to get people talking and together. http://www.indianasmallmouthalliance.org/ This is the Wisconsin Smallmouth Alliance and they work hard for the Smallmouth also. http://www.wisconsinsmallmouth.com/ These are two groups that are working hard to better Smallmouth habitat and to promote Smallmouth fishing and Catch and Release.

We want something to pass down to our kids and there kids. I understand what you are saying Chief. I see that passing the ability to go to the Stream and catch Smallies is something I would like to had down to my kids if I had some to had down to. With an Autistic Son I won't see him on the water but there are other sons and daughters that we can help and it helps us on the way.

Brownies, I like Brownies and that reminds me that the wife hasn't made her famous and very tasty Brownies lately. :rolleyes:

Matt, I don't like to do this but I am going to be very blunt and to the point. You have been in existence since 1992 which is longer then the ISA and I don't mean to toot the ISA's horn here so much as it is an example to be judged from. They have had a forum since I joined and that was back about 1999 if my memory serves me. They have always been very active in getting the word out and looking for new members. I spent many hours at Sports shows talking to people about the ISA and what it had to offer and what it has been doing for Smallmouths in the State of Illinois. I know you have at least one fund raiser because I attended in back in 2005 in Arthur, Mo. and it had a nice turnout. Your organization approached me at that time about starting a Southwestern Mo. Chapter but never pursued it after that. Your organization can't grow and make a difference without more members and without there voice being heard across the State of Missouri. I am not that familiar with the Smallmouth Streams here in Mo. as I have been fishing Table Rock and other lake since I moved here. I listen to the Chief and I see his point very clear that you don't provide much information as to what you do or what you have done. Most of the membership in the ISA which last I heard was about 550 members don't participate in the goings on. The do however acknowledge that the dollars they donate to the ISA go for Conservation, Education and Socialization. When I was the Chicagoland Regional Coordinator I set up about a dozen outings and several cleanups on various sections of rivers. I also started the Wed. Night Smallie Hunters and got people together that way to fish and see what the ISA was all about. This moved to Weekends as the Sun set to early in the fall and winter and we would meet for breakfast before going out on the water. I made it Sat. one week and Sun. the next so those that worked could come out and enjoy some friendly communication and some great Smallmouth Fishing. Looking at your site gives no incentive at all for anyone to join as Wayne pointed out. I see some very capable people here with a lot of passion for the Smallmouths and with a lot of knowledge about the Streams of Missouri showing interest in the Missouri Smallmouth Alliance but can't see what the advantage would be because they don't see what if anything you have done in the past. Why the secret about the number of members? It should have been we have about 230 members now and we are looking for more. Prospective members should be able to go to the site and see what this Conservation group has done and what they are trying to do. I'll say it again so it is clear and that is you have been in existence since 1992 as you said but have made very little progress in getting your organization known and that turns people off and makes them suspect. Like I said in the beginning I don't like doing this but I think it needs to be said and brought forward for discussion. I am 65 years old and joining the MSA is on my mind but it will take some convincing. I appreciate the comments from the members here in Ozark Anglers. I see them as perspective members and an asset to the MSA as they bring with them years of experience and knowledge of the Streams of Southwest Missouri. You all have given positive comments and all have been very valid points.

I understand now! Yes the site could use some work. It needs a Forum and something that shows what has been accomplished by the MSA and what events are coming up. It might just happen that someone interested in Smallmouths would be interested in attending one of the Clean-ups or other things you do. Do you set up a booth at any of the Sports/Fishing/Boat Shows to attract prospective members. Those were some of the things that I did in the past with the other group and it was very nice indeed. I did attend a fund raiser in Arthur, Mo. in I believe it was 2004 and it just so happened that the guest speaker was John Graham from my organization. It was nice to see him again and he is a dynamic speaker. How do you promote the MSA to other fisherman or persons interested in just promoting environmental awareness.

Interesting observation after looking over the MSA web site. I see a lot of words but I see no means with which the membership can communicate with each other or get together for outings or even to discuss fishing or pass along fishing reports. I am curious as to how the membership get acquainted with each other. Is there another web site that they use to keep abreast of what is happening.

Eric, these are great ideas and would be interesting to see how they would work if the MDC would pick up on them and implement them. There is no real way to determine if they are going to work or not until a sufficient time has been given them to actually show improvement or not. I suppose you could work up some mathematical program base on the numbers of anglers on a stream and and get some idea of that or a math program that eliminates 50% of the Smallmouths in a specific group or size class but those are all theory and may or may not be correct.

A sampling of what the ISA accomplished this year: 2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS ISA Grant Funding: Repair of Fish Bypass Channel at Harrington's Dam on Big Rock Creek Castle Rock Fishing Area and Boat Ramp Bank Stabilization Mackinaw River Erosion Control Projects Contributed to "H.O.M.E.S." legal fund to oppose construction of MegaDairy near Apple RiverCompleted IL RiverWatch trainingParticipated in Conservation CongressFox River Water Willow PlantingsAssisted with various IDNR river surveysHosted Stream Sampling for macro-invertebrates, Kankakee RiverExhibited at numerous outdoor showsAssisted in Illinois DNR stream shockingsHosted various river cleanups throughout the stateHelped fund 40 tons of rock for erosion control, Shabbona LakeInstrumental in helping to create "dangers of lead" state-wide educational program,revising a restrictive bill banning the use of leadParticipated in Sgt. Tommy's Kids Fishing DayHosted Kids Casting and assisted with Kids Fishing Pond, Northern IL Hunting and Fishing DaysJoined "No Child Left Inside" CoalitionFinancial contribution to Prairie Rivers NetworkThe Video: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/3920144/illinois_smallmouth_alliance_volunteers_2009/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------

I haven't asked them Tim! Give them a call and ask for Gary he can tell you what it is. 725-5714

Nothing ever gets done overnight and it takes a lot of work to get anything done. In Illinois we got the DNR to change the regs so that during the Spawning period the Smallmouths in all Illinois Streams were catch and release only. We are getting some really nice fish out of the streams up that way with some 20" fish coming along with all other class sizes. I think it has improved the fishery in Illinois. It takes communication and working with the MDC to bring about change and the need to realize they are in charge and to change there way of thinking.

When you join you get the satisfaction of knowing that your contribution went toward the improvement of Smallmouth Habitat in Missouri Streams. I see that having the MSA in it's present location is a disadvantage to the cause as the main purpose of the organization should be to Promote Conservation and Habitat improvement for all the Streams and Rivers in Missouri. I belong to the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance and live here in Mo. I belonged to the ISA for many years and continue to support there work in Illinois. Do I get anything out of it? Well I do get the Bronzeback Bulletin which is a fine publication and I can keep in touch with the friends I made while living in Illinois. We have many members in Illinois and only a few actually participate in the programs presented by the ISA. That is not a problem as the money collected is for conservation and education and if that is what you want from the ISA you receive a thank you and the Bronzeback Bulletin. It is the dollars collected that help the Smallmouth not the number of active members. You don't join a Conservation Group to obtain anything from it but to support its work by your contribution. You can't have the St. Louis Chapter and the Southwest Missouri Chapter locking horns and fighting between themselves as that would do nothing but alienate the MDC and they would view the group as unprofessional and discount anything they said or proposed. It must be a Team effort on behave of all streams and rivers in the State of Missouri and not east vs west. The MSA can only be as strong as its members and a SWMO chapter would make it stronger. However, the conservation of streams must be such that all are included and not just those in any one particular section. It says Missouri Smallmouth Alliance not Eastern Missouri Smallmouth Alliance or Western Missouri Smallmouth Alliance. It must be all Missouri streams and Rivers. Strength will come with membership and also from dedication and showing that you are ready and willing as a group to do what you can and show your unity. Remember United we Stand and Divided we Fall!

I am a member of the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance and live in Nixa, Mo. The South Western Missouri Chapter would be interesting and I am sure I could attend some of the meetings. When I lived in Illinois I was a very active member of the ISA and what they have done for Smallmouths in Illinois is awesome to say the least. They work very close with the Illinois Department of Conservation and in fact the Director of the Conservation Department is a long time member of the ISA and the Chief Speaker at the ISA's Blowout Dinner this year which is the ISA's biggest money raiser. If you want something from the MDC you have to give them something back and support them. Running head long into their face will get you nothing but a bad name. If you go to www.illinoissmallmouthalliance.net and look at what they stand for and what they have done you can see what can be done with a lot of hard work.

Studies have shown that Yamalube is one of if not the best 2 Stroke Oil on the Market. It has properties in it that make it better but I can't remember now what they were. I run a Mercury and use Merc. Premium Plus like the book says. I add Stabil and Quicklean to every tank and have had no problems with the motor. I have saved some Gallon containers and may start using the Yamalube since I can get it at HydroTec here in Nixa. There was study on the oils done a while back and it named Yamalube as the best. I would have switched then but I am a believer in running what the manufacurer suggests.

As far as Yamaha are concerned there is no place in the country better then HydroTec Performance Marine here in Nixa, Mo. Wayne and the boys in the shop know Yamaha's inside and out. If you need work on your Yamaha give either Wayne or Matt a call at 725-5714. Time the Cobra ran 77.5 last time out.

Our very own Terry Beeson makes the front page of the Nixa Xpress Newspaper and a fine article on this extraordinary man. http://www.nixaxpress.com/articles/2009/12/19/news/doc4b2a5147c02b0805097019.txt

Mike Edwards at Top Gun Marine in Nixa is a very good mechanic and will take great care of you and fix the motor right the first time. His number is 725-1887.