bfishn

Nothing wrong with dedication to a good cause, but if you leave the impression of a hate-filled, foaming-at-the-mouth, pit bull, you're probably not doing the cause a whole lot of good. Stick to provable facts Resist temptation to stretch the truth (like calling a legal gigging season 'poaching season'). You lose credibility and potential interest. Realize that your poachers are just as likely to be driving a new Denalli as a tagless minivan.

There's actually a little substance to the rumors this time, but it's relatively old news. It stems from a Feb. 2011 USFWS news release (excerpt); National Fish Hatchery Operations – Mitigation ($6.3 million decrease) The FY 2012 request contains a reduction of funding for National Fish Hatchery Operations of nearly $6.3 million and 65 FTE. At several of its hatcheries, the Service produces fish to mitigate the adverse effects of Federal water development projects constructed by other Federal agencies. States depend on these activities to stock fisheries which provide economic benefit to local communities. The Service has been working to recover costs from the Federal agencies that built and operate these water infrastructure projects, and will continue ongoing reimbursement discussions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Tennessee Valley Authority, Central Utah Project Completion Act, and the Bonneville Power Administration. Of the 70+ USFWS hatcheries, the only ones under closure study are nine "mitigation" hatcheries, which includes Greers Ferry, Norfork, and Neosho. USFWS contends that the agencies responsible (USACE in our case, TVA in others) for the need for mitigation (dams) should foot the bill, which isn't an unreasonable position when money gets tight. But... at the same time they were considering the closures, we built a $3.7M visitor center at Neosho. The company I work for did the plumbing and the geothermal HVAC and I had some involvement in the design of the mechanical room equipment that supports the live displays. (If you haven't been to the new VC, it's pretty cool). While old news, it isn't over yet. The mitigation hatchery in Spearfish SD was slated to close this Oct 1. Just last week, the USFWS put that closure on hold. There's no logic in closing any of these hatcheries, as they're low budget operations, and they're proven money makers. Every dollar spent there generates from 25 to 95 dollars in local spending, which in turn generates over two dollars in federal tax income. On a marginally-related note, I suspect we'll come to regret our refusal of the BlueWay designation, which could have been significant leverage in keeping the local hatcheries funded.

ROFL! I can feel your pain

Dang, you got all 12 steps in one fell swoop. Welcome.

Someone once told me there are 2 things you can do about any problem; worry or take action. A reasonable man can rule out worry, you get no result and an ulcer for your trouble. Action is the right coice... well, there's actually three choices. It may prove impossible for your best effort to succeed. In that case, and only after you gave it your best shot, you're allowed to say F IT. At that point there's no longer a problem. I worked thru this a long time ago. There's something about bass that brings out the worst in a lot of us. I got sick and tired of being sick and tired about something I had formerly loved. Rather than quit fishing, I just quit fishing for bass, (breaking the advice I'd been given by skipping the action step). It was ultimately the right choice. The only fishing-related worry I have now involves dead batteries and no wind. I can live with that. Most of all, I just like to see all my bros happy and havin' a good time doin' what they love..

8 ft sturgeon have been on my bucket list for years, but I imagine I'll have to settle for the ~4 ft fish a little closer to home.

And the one thing that never... ever... crossed my mind while waiting for that bite was the hint of bitterness about some unseen poachers or giggers, or someone keeping a fish that I wanted to catch. If you haven't lately, try soaking some bait... you might remember that you actually like fishing.

Swallowed hooks seems to be the main objection, but in my own experience, I just don't see it. After 40+ years of live-baiting, I'd guess about 1% were swallowed (mostly by sunfish). Straight hooks mostly. I've even caught fish while I was dozed off that were all mouth-hooked. The efforts and joys of catching bait has gotten the nod from several, but no one has mentioned the less obvious reward (and probably the main reason I enjoy it). After all that work, once you actually get to fishing, it's all downhill. Reach for and rig a bait (seated of course). Deploy it. Repeat as deemed necessary (or legal). Sit back. Dink with the graph. Soak in the surroundings. Have a snack and a drink. Watch the bass boats trying to go somewhere. Take some pictures. Solve the world's problems, then forget them. Ohhhh Sh..... grab that rod!

I did some searching to see what AGFC had to say. What there was; Until recently, the only documented wild rainbow trout population in Arkansas was in upper Spavinaw Creek, a privately owned spring creek in Benton County. This population is currently protected under catch-and-release only regulations though no formal agreement exists with the landowners for angler access. From the Trout Management Plan Strategy 1.3.5 Create protocols and incentives for working with private landowners to allow for seasonal and year-round trout management for public fishing on private streams. Spavinaw Creek is the flagship for this objective. A trout management plan exists for Spavinaw Creek, but it contains no system for working with private landowners to allow public fishing. As human populations expand, and trout permit sales continue to increase, the need for more fishing opportunities will become more pressing. Private water is the main source of “new” water to expand fishing opportunities. AGFC needs to work with partners to provide incentives (money and assistance) to landowners in exchange for easements, leases, and fishing rights. Strategy 1.3.6 Purchase land for the purpose of expanding public trout angling in partnership with Wildlife Management Area (WMA) expansion or expansion of Watchable Wildlife programs, etc. Justification for buying land to gain control of spring creeks or streams for fishing is perhaps difficult. However, if large enough tracts of land are available, coupling expanded fishing opportunities with other resource uses would be a positive, efficient way for AGFC to serve the people of Arkansas, especially in counties where AGFC efforts have been low. Small tracts with creeks could be managed for fishing along with small game hunting (rabbits, quail, etc.), bow hunting, permit hunting, or watchable wildlife in the form of a trail along the creek. Again, Spavinaw Creek in Benton County provides an example for this new approach to management. From an old interview with Mr Bowman; "We haven’t stocked trout there or done any direct management in over eight years,” Bowman confirmed. “We planned to stock and regulate it and buy some land to gain public access, but land costs were high.” With folks moving to northwest Arkansas, snapping up land and building houses and businesses as if a gold rush were on, property values around the creek have rocketed into the $3,000-per-acre range. That harsh economic reality means the AGFC is going to need help — in the form of generous property owners, private organizations or outside sources of funding — for all Arkansans to be able to enjoy Spavinaw Creek. If Bowman allows his imagination to run free, he easily envisions a mini-wildlife management area designed for consumptive uses (bowhunting and fishing, for example) and non-consumptive activities such as wildlife watching on a walking trail. “If we could find willing landowners or groups to cost-share with us, Spavinaw could become something really special,” he said. “It’d be a great resource for the area.” As for the meager numbers of what they have stocked there... Hatcheries are often faced with small lots of fish that need gone to make room for others. a few hundred 4 inchers recovered on cleanout after loading trucks for net pens. Broodstock that has served its' purpose. Plenty of reasons. Spavinaw is the closest trout water to the CC Hatchery at Centerton by far. Makes sense to me to see what a few fish do over time there, before writing a check for a chunk of land. I think the smart money would be to plant the seed with the right WalMart people rather than souring the AGFC on something we might want their help with someday.

National Atlas recently launced a new online interactive map app called Streamer; http://nationalatlas.gov/streamer/Streamer/streamer.html Either my neighbors were streaming Netflix every time I tried it, or it needs some bandwidth to play well.

With all the bass and trout fisherman on this forum, I guess I should qualify that I never fish for them, just everything else.

I haven't seen a hellgramite in at least 20 years. Up in north Missouri on the Grand River, you can find (if you're lucky) what we called green river worms for lack of better identification. You only found them in layers of dead leaves that had been covered by flood mud on the shore. When you dug into some, you could smell them. Once you handled them you couldn't get the smell off for days. Halfway in size between a red wiggler and a crawler, a milky, grey/green. I've never seen one last more than a couple minutes without getting eaten, and everything in the river ate them. Added The only thing I've found around here with nearly that universal appeal is catalpa worms.

Eating the bait is occasionally an option. Back when I fished BV for cats I used giant live 'dads I caught right there. Many times I was tempted to just take the 'dads home, but when I could turn a few 'dads into some big cats the efficiency ratio won out.

Ditto. Yeah, catching and keeping premium bait is a lot of effort. I've little doubt that's the cause of the fall from grace.

"Good things come to those who bait" I have a confession. I'm a live bait fisherman. I'm not ashamed. First, the kid in me just loves catching bait. From 'crawlers & crickets & crawdads, to gizzards and kittens chubs. By hand, trap, net, whatever. I'm partial to rod-n-reel collection of sunfish or creek chubs. Then the rush of adrenaline when a bigun buries the rod and runs. Slip bobbers and balloons are a blast too. When you're drifting 2-4 8-10" lively baits with their "eat me" sirens blaring, anything can happen. With the welcome exception from the Truman gang, there's been very little discussion or even mention of rod-n-reel live bait fishing. If you've been hiding in the closet, it's time to come out. Or is live bait to go the way of other traditions deemed socially unacceptable?

While I share your frustration to a degree, I think your antagonism towards the AGFC is somewhat misplaced. As your own linked documents show, jurisdiction for the obvious streambed manipulation falls on the ADEQ (and to a very tiny degree the USACE), The only business AGFC has there is.. fish and game... not public access, and not stream alteration.

Just flash one of those Men In Black, mind-eraser gizmos in the eyes of all participants right before takeoff.

Walleye teeth often get likened to needles, and while they certainly hurt more, I believe a needle is actually a little bit sharper. And like a needle, the business is all at the point, the rest is conical & smooth. Unlike human teeth made for biting and chewing, walleye teeth don't mate point to point when closed as they neither bite off a piece of anything nor do they chew it. The only thing the points ever come in contact with is prey. As an excersise for the unsure, try to "bite off" a line in the tub with a handful of needles. Report back. But.... if the line gets past the end of the overhanging upper lip... and the moon is in the seventh house... and Jupiter aligns with Mars... oh wait... But.... if the line gets past the end of the overhanging upper lip, there's a gap waiting below the armored cheek plate, and the edge is like a razor (same disclaimer as the needle analogy). As an exercise for the unsure, run your finger along that edge... don't really... but if you do, don't say I didn't warn you. :-)

Sad news rps, my thoughts are with you and Chuck's family.

Shelbyville? Honeywell? Ma's family was from Bethel, still have some kin up there. Fished the Salt as a little kid a few times, grasshoppers & bullheads.

I've had several gar bite-offs, never a walleye that I know of, and have had hooks in plenty of 'em. I have, however, had walleye strikes, brief weight, then nothing left but line when a few inches of slack developed from a head shake and the line got cut by the gill plate. Next time you boat one, pull the line behind the sharp ridge halfway between the eye and the gill edge. Cuts it like a new knife. If an eye is moving towards you when taking a slow moving or stationary bait, it's common for a split second of slack before he turns and tightens. That's when the line gets behind the gill plate.

"in the premises"

If it was an FBI agent, federal marshall, or another federal agent in the Water Patrol boat, that could be correct, but a state agent like MSHP or MDC is only tasked with enforcing state law.

Awesome Jerry!

Crossbow. MS state record. Good story; http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/03/us/mississippi-prize-alligator/?hpt=us_c2