fishinwrench

Here's what I'm not clear on: WHY is DNR getting blamed ? What does DNR have to gain by withholding info ? Who's paying who here ? Anyone else catch that...or is it just me? I'm thinking the mindset is: Lets blame it on someone too big and too powerful to be held accountable.

Cool, thanks for the input.

Nobody suspected THAT, now did they ? http://www.ky3.com/news/local/50947427.html

I hear that ! My G/F is a sewing fool....but she says her machine won't handle canvas or heavy material Are those the blue and yellow ones that Wal-mart has ? I looked at one of those but it didn't seem big enough. I have this thing where I have to carry spares of all my hardbaits, plenty of hooks, jigheads, and 3 times more plastic than I'm likely to use in a day...if not for that I could get by with it I think. Minimizing is a tough one for me. Hu uh, Chest packs are out, I'm fat enough as it is Although some look like they can convert to a waist pack.

I can't seem to find a waist pack that I like for spin fishing Smallies, and I've just about worn out the one I've been "making due" with. The one I use for warmwater flyfishing is a BPS White river model that I really like, but it doesn't have the capacity needed for my spin fishing escapades. I normally carry one 9'x 4.5" box with hardbaits, 7 bags of plastics, and several assorted hooks, jigheads ect. I don't like the padded belt designs because I like to hang occasional other items like a water bottle, pliers ect. on the belt. I can't stand the Fishpond stuff cause they remind me of the gay-guy purses I've seen worn in the city, besides they are designed more for flyfishing. I just need a rugged 2 or 3 compartment waist pack with a sturdy belt/buckle system....but everything I've found so far is either too small, designed more for flyfishing (small compartments), or cheaply made with huge padded belts. Any suggestions or recommendations are welcome. Thanks, Wrench

I'm not saying they for sure aren't catfish. But I can show you a half dozen spots within 3-4 miles of the Gravois mouth where you will find groups of big fish marked deep like that (below thermocline) on the LCR....but if you vertical jig a slab spoon down there in their face for awhile, what you'll come up with (if you do catch or snag one) is more than likely gar. Catch a few and let us know.

Couple of questions, just cuz I want to see how y'all think and feel: 1. Many stream/creek/river(s) in the state have "MDC sponsored") "Stream Teams" assigned to them. MDC is obviously sponsoring "stream teams" on streams (and stream sections) that have not yet been "deemed" public waterways. Is this considered "ok" ? And if so... Why and How ? 2. Are the main tributarys of Missouri's impoundments (Lake Ozark, Truman, Stockton, Pomme de Terre, Table Rock, Mark Twain, ect.) considered public waterways ? If not...Why not ? 3. Are Landowners who call a sizable stream "their own" and "private property" held legally responsable for the effects they may cause downstream (past their property line) by dumping trash, dead livestock, poultry waste or other impuritys ? And wouldn't "deeming" all permanent rivers and streams as "public waterways" be a good move towards keeping such things in check ? (in other words... wouldn't it be an environmentally friendly thing for all states to put into effect immediately ?)

Yep, there were a few people fishing that hole when I decided to take a dip. Judging by the laughter I'd say they were good ol'boys and didn't mind at all. One time I was standing streamside re-rigging when a fella walked past pulling on a fancy briar pipe. When he opened his mouth to say "howdy" his hot pipe fell down the front of his high'dollar Orvis waders. He broke out into a cotton-eyed Joe then did the cha-cha slide right into the bluff hole. While he was floggin' the water and chokin' half to death I did what any good fellow angler trained in River Rescue would do....I made a desperate lunge for his Granger grass-rod, and guarded it with my life until it was obvious that he was gonna live. Hell, you can spend a couple Franklins in Branson and never see entertainment comparable to that.

I've swam there a few times. Did a awesome half-ganer backflip with a 3/4 twist into the weedbed at the highbank hole one late December. Very invigorating !

I love'em, and think they are a really cool craft. But, I would never operate one in an environment where everyone had to immediately stop what they are doing, get the kids to a safe spot, jump up on the bank, or quickly paddle to the nearest safe eddy and wait for me to pass, everytime they hear me coming. I couldn't enjoy putting everyone I come across through all that. I think it is RUDE and they definately do not belong on the Niangua. On rivers the size of the Osage they do not create any problems, or inconvenience other people at all.

Those huge schools of blips on the LCR, wAAAAY DEEP are usually Gar. They'll all move up and sip/slurp at the surface from time to time, then go right back down where they were. Those huge deep "arches" used to drive me crazy...until I snagged a few with jigging spoons. Can't say as I've noticed them 50-70, usually it is 30+ though. L.O. usually thermoclines at 22-28ft. on the lower lake during Summer. But there was one Summer back about '92 where 40ft. was magic in the dam area. A few teams that had it figured out were hauling in 20+ pound limits in little 3 hour jackpot tournaments, all Summer long.

Oh Man, I dunno. I'm a St.Croix fanatic all the way.....so it's hard for me to bash'em. But IMO the MoJo models I've checked out are about as close to tomato stakes as anything (at that price) that I've ever laid hands on. Talk about a dead lifeless blank. There will be plenty of MoJo's on Ebay real cheap by this time next year I'll bet.

Yeah they are a dandy bait, but darn those tiny hooks ! I gotta go with a worm, rigged accordingly you can do it all, top to bottom.

Now that's Awesome. And free delivery ! I wonder how heavy ?

LOWA Public Meeting E COLI: WHAT IS IT? HOW DOES IT AFFECT ME? Come Learn How E. coli May Affect Your Lake Monday, July 13, 6:30 PM Tan-Tar-A Crystal Ballroom Sponsored By LOWA Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance Come and Hear: Eddy Hendricks, Department of Health and Senior Services: "Understanding E coli and our lake" "Swimmers’ Safety Tips" -Dan Sabourin RN, MBA Lake Regional Hospital: "Infection Control Data" Earl Pabst DNR Deputy Division Director "Overview of LOZ 5 year Study" Steve Fischer US Army Corp of Engineers Kansas City District "Bacteria Testing Overview of Missouri Corp Lakes" BREAK COMMITTEE REPORTS ROUNDTABLE- An opportunity for your voice to be heard; join the discussion, ask questions, voice concerns, get involved. ADJOURN

Nice ! That 3rd fish looks to be a bit of a hybrid.

OTF, I didn't mean to imply that I had a problem with the way anyone fishes, cuz I don't. And I was just suggesting that maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for us to give the fishery a break for awhile...out of kindness. Ya know, kinda like helping a friend when he's struggling. I only included zone 1 and 2 in that suggestion....which would not effect your bait fishing at all.

You couldn't handle it "temporarily" until they got the numbers back up a bit ? aw c'mon.....catch some crappie, catfish, or buy some salmon or Mrs. Pauls cod sticks. Any of the above are just as tasty as a liver fed stocker trout.

True that !

Chris, Yes, but they are still reportedly stocking 2 /per est. tag. And I'm fairly certain that WAY less than 1/2 the people fishing are taking home a limit each day. If that's true (and I'm pretty sure that it is) then there should be an increase in fish density as time goes on. Think about it, if that many people were taking a limit every day the streambed would be covered solid in guts and heads, and everyone you saw would be attached to a stringer....but it isn't and they aren't. Personally I think there are plenty of fish in the stream regardless. No complaints here as far as being able to catch fish within Bennett Spring State Park. But bogus reporting and claims from government based agencys is a major pet peve of mine....and I suspect the numbers have always been questionable, even before the loss of Trout due to floods ect. What good are tax funded studies and reports if the resulting information is no more useful than a guess ? ya know, why even bother ? LOL If they are truly hurting for fish, then why not temporarily declare zones 1 and 2 catch and release only until they get back on track ? I doubt that the majority of anglers would have a problem with that.

I've suspected some "number fudging" going on for quite awhile, especially with what they claim to be stocking in the river. But even in the park if they stocked as many as they claim they do then there would almost be too many fish, in my opinion. You just don't see THAT MANY people carrying out stringers of fish. Some are being kept for sure...but not as many as they claim to be stocking. In all fairness I'd say that only 1 in every 10 people you see fishing at Bennett (on a given day) will have a stringer dangling off of him. So if they estimate a sale of 100 tags, and stock 225 fish, but only 50 fish get taken, and this pattern continues.....then you'd have a rapidly increasing density of fish in the stream. I may be totally full of crap, but this is what I see and percieve.

Too short ? Bennett has plenty of water for everyone: Zone 1 for those that don't wade so good and wish to be close to their car and a potty, Zone 2 for those that don't mind bustin' brush...and their butt for more natural settings, The Johnson county hole for those that want to socialize and catch 80 fish per day, Zone 3 for cheese-chuckers, And zone 4 for the hardcore skilled and adventurous types....and hardcore wannabes.

John is a super craftsman and a great fisherman/fly tyer. It's good to see some of his work here. Have you seen his "rotary crank" and portable light ? Pretty slick !

Hi Jim, Yep still kickin', thanks. Hope all is well on your end. Send a nice cooling thunderstorm this way will ya

There are a few dependable patterns that I know are working now: Deep cranking brushpiles early and late,or all day if there's cloud cover. (Norman DD22) Carolina rigged Zoom centipedes with a slow steady drag, on the long points and humps. (you'll catch a few catfish doing this also) Worming the 12-20ft. brushpiles at night. And my favorite... flipping and swimming big (10") worms in the shady spots in the backends of the bigger creek arms. (1/4 oz pegged texas rig, Tequila shad Culprit is my choice) shoot for the "impossible" places like between hoist arms, ect. Get 'em stuck and pinned quick, then go in a grab'em....or stick'em and swing'em. Pretty macho fishin'...but definately effective.