fishinwrench

Yikes, that sucks. But hey, if it ever happens again there will be video evidence....so you can file suit!

rugulo, I think you missed the train The streaming webcam at the dam is just the only one being linked to the internet. Why not link up the rest of the cams along the stream, and at the parking areas, campground, outhouses, and swimming pool, so the rest of the world can watch all that activity as well.

I guess I routinely mingle with a different caliber of people, because everyone that I have heard speak about the video surveillance within the state park at Bennett, Taneycomo, and the other "trout parks", has been disgusted and totally against it. They may or may not notice it on their books at the end of this year, but I know for a fact that quite a few people will forget that the trout parks even exist because of this. The minor turn offs have always been the crowds, and fish that were "too easy", so fishing in the park has never been what you could call "real fishing". Now when you add in that your every move is being watched and recorded, you have the straw that breaks the camels back, for a few at least. Those of you that like that sort of thing may enjoy some extra space from now on.

Jack, Hows the Snaggin' trips going ?

Table Rock Inn

The thing about deep diving jerkbaits is not that they go deeper, but rather the action that they have. They can really pay off when the water is below 46 degrees because you can fish them slower. When you're giving the baits little 10 inch "lazy pulls" the deep divers act more alive.

I haven't even fished one yet, just made several variations and played with them in the tub. The ones I did with a little lead between the fold (emphasis on little) seems to be the best ones. Without a little weight they are almost too light, I think, but I'll give them all a try and let the fish decide. They flash and flutter like crazy on a series of short pulls and pauses, and amazingly don't twist the tippet like I thought they might (not in the sink or bathtub, that is). Back in the days of carefree existance, before it became a major unmentionable act to do such a thing, I remember tossing beer and soda tabs in the lake and watching the fish nip at them as they fluttered down. Does anyone know which cans are gold on the inside ? I know I've seen some but can't think of which brand it would be (MGD or Hamms maybe ? )

It's deadlier than a clouser on the cast . This crazy thing is like a flying razor blade. If I can keep from severing a major artery long enough, I think the White bass will love it.

Just in case you needed a reason to drink a beer....... Flutter Fly Hook: TMC 9394 #8 Tail: silver crystal flash over white calf tail. Body: cut from aluminum beer can, folded over & epoxied. Eyes: stick on, or painted.

Essox, Does your feeder creek have a power plant discharge ? 57 is incredibly warm for this early. Be careful around those momma beavers this time of the year.

It can't be concidered "trespassing" whether there is water over it or not. If it weren't for the vertical bluffs you could walk around the whole lake without getting your feet wet, right now. Of course you'll have to step over dock cables and duck under the walkways if you want to completely avoid touching private property. In places where there aren't too many docks a dirt bike or 4-wheeler is handy.

Brandon, With the lake at low levels, like it is now, you can walk the shoreline almost anywhere you want to go and cover planty of water. Just stay below the seawalls and out of peoples yards, and don't trip over the dock cables A pair of hip boots or waders are handy if you have some.

If hatchery trout are so precious that they have to be guarded with 24/7 surveillance, like the Hope diamond, then maybe we should ease up on them....Even though we are the ones paying for them. Nope, any surveillance done within BSSP is not going to be about "protecting the trout" it is about generating revenue by way of any and all infractions. Someone will see to it that the surveillance system and those who operate it are worth every penny. And I'm betting that it won't generate much revenue through violations of fishing rules. Opinions will change once a few fines and court costs are paid for things like riding on the tailgate of a truck (or worse yet: allowing your kids to do the same), having a beer with your lunch, or unintentionally flashing your butt-crack while putting on your waders within sight of the playground! FYI, you'll need a good lawyer to defend that one. My money says that 98.9% of those that say they "don't mind being watched closely", aren't as squeeky clean and proper as they think (or say) they are. And that's about the end of what I plan to say...about that.

Just for kicks I roughly estimated how much I spend annually between Charlie Readings shop and the wooden bridge, (what I consider the boundaries of the "Bennett community") and I'm almost too ashamed to post it. It's amazing how it adds up, just for one small family.

I doubt that anyone is concerned about which alphabet group the surveillance systems belong to. The concern is whether or not they exist, or will soon exist. And it seems that they do, or will. MDC, DNR, LCSD, DCSD, MADTF, MADD, PETA (LOL), or whatever. It all boils down to the same intention, and outcome. You mentioned deciding not to do the infrared thing (whatever it was) because of public concerns, so apparently someone other than the few here on this forum are hollering about it. No ?

You ain't a woofin' they do....

So the ones at RR and Taney are MDC's systems ?

Well I hope you are "unoffficially" correct. When talk at the park meeting (off the record) regarding surveillance within the state park gets overheard, then a forum member reports seeing a surveillance camera at Crane. Then all of a sudden we have a live streaming webcam. That's an interesting coincidence... I don't want to split hairs or anything, but, is there anyone that can "officially" confirm that there is no remote video or audio surveillance attempts being done, or planned, either onstream or within the campground areas ? Phil, no surveillance at Taney either ?

As evident by a few email forwards I've gotten, walking into Wal-Mart looking all crazy has become a a way to distract the surveillance cameras there pretty good. So, who's gonna be the first to put on a thong and a mullet, and fish off the dam ? C'mon Cricket

Huge difference ! Regardless of how confident and relaxed you are when driving down the interstate, tell me that it doesn't effect your mood to have a trooper behind you for 20 miles....much less the whole trip. To be surveilled when fishing (or doing anything in your free time) is like having an unfriendly jackass in a uniform standing behind you, arms crossed, silently observing you....all.....darn....day. And yeah, I'm pretty sure there is (or will soon be) more than just the online streaming webcam, and if it's anything like I think it is they are capable of zooming in and reading tag numbers. My almost-inlaws place is set up like fort knox and I've played with their system alot (actually helped set it up) and you can count the whiskers on a squirrels nose at 100 yards. The inlaws system has 6 wireless remote pods and cost less than 3500.00 (less installation) to buy. I'm sure the system at Bennett (and probably Montauk and Taneycomo as well) is at least a 80k system (using their estimate for a fish cleaning station as a reference). I bet there wasn't any surveillance onboard the Rangers truck during the Beagle shooting, or if there was I'll bet it has been edited out. BTW that's another feature my inlaws cheapo system has. Just food for thought. And I hear that they even have a system set up at Crane.

It has definately made Me "think twice" (about going somewhere else besides Bennett from now on). I bet they really have a ball surveilling the campgrounds. Personally I like to have a say in who tags along with us on fishing or camping trips. Recently I used my bank debit card to purchase some stuff that is "out of the ordinary" for me (scrapbooking supplies for my daughter) and the purchaes were not made ONLINE, they were made at stores in Osage Beach and Jeff city. Now suddenly I am getting spam ads through my business email for this type of product, which is a first. This new age data-mining crap might not bother the new generation....but it bugs the crap out of ME

Gavin, I know where your coming from. It's all that "wild McCloud" hype man. It's being churned into a mini-Patagonia, even the Water Moccasin propaganda can't keep'em away. Once everyone scratches the itch they'll ease up on it I think. I know if I lived closer I could certainly piss an afternoon away catching dinks on drys with a 3wt.

Sorry I didn't notice this post earlier. Here ya go, just select the month and year. http://server.odd.net/waterlevel/index.php

Thanks for the report Creeky. Those Illini bass must like it cold, the fish in my area haven't wandered away from the winter holes yet. Wiggle Warts are amazing, even after all these years.

BRB, You are talking about a revolving spool baitcaster, right ? "InLine reels" are antique'ish trolling equipment (they mount on the bottom of the rod and retrieve like a fly-reel but you swivel the housing sideways to cast, or let line out, like a spinning reel).