ColdWaterFshr

DNR has about 3 people chasing down a wide range of things. They are the biggest toothless tiger the state has to offer.

CHUNK!

Good times indeed! Many great times like that, though we never travelled much further than Branson, Pomme de Terre or Roaring River.

Nice report. The healingwaters programs sounds like it is a first class operation. Thank you for your service, you totally deserve a trip like that.

Having visited a couple of three National Parks in the last few weeks, I can't figure out WHY the ONSR isn't managed like the other National Parks. For RMNP it cost $20 per car to get in! To the Badlands it cost $15. Even Mt. Rushmore, they charge to park - may not be accurate on that one, but I think they did. And you sure as heck can go rip-roaring your ATV, bring your own horses, blaze your own trails or any other such nonsense in those places. To back-country camp you need a permit and pay a fee. Build a fire? forget it! Not saying I am crazy about all the rules and regulations or if they were to that extent here, or even the fees . . . but they DO serve a purpose. Missouri local yocals would scream bloody murder.

The spirit of Clark Griswald inhabited my entire body. If you've ever spent 2800 miles in a mid-size car with a wife and 3 kids over the course of a week, you start to lose your mind. I even had a Christie Brinkley moment with the gal that registered us for the New Belgium Brewery tour in Ft. Collins. I may have been imagining it, but she was wearing a bikini top and was quite attractive. My wife and kids had to reel me back in. Yes - we saw Crazy Horse, but it was $11 per person to go in so we took a couple pictures and did a U-ey and drove out, and them dam indians don't have the thing done yet and no estimated timetable for completion, so I refuse to contribute to their racket when I know good and well 10 out of 11 of those dollars go to their whiskey fund and casino play money. behold, the Corn Palace! the Badlands -- very cool and strange

Black Hills are spectacular. Rushmore is very impressive if you have never been. And even though the hike into the gorge of French Creek in Custer State Park was enjoyable . .. the streamside vegetation WAS primarily poison ivy. Almost armpit deep. The guide book was right. Good thing I brought my waders. Trout fishing for wild browns in a spectacular setting.

All of these stories are pretty sad, but I can't say I'm surprised. I swore off public campgrounds years ago. Even the better ones, with the most strict of campground hosts and frequent park ranger patrols, or even in late fall or very early spring, you think you have the place to yourself and then some jackhammer rolls in . . . . I just don't do it anymore. Its too much work and effort to have it spoiled by the very jackasses you are trying to get away from.

Well written article, but the title of it is a little bit misleading. I'm a fan of the rivers and I support the proposed management plans -- something needs to be done.

Wow, thats terrible. Good for you to be there and help out.

Hope you tear 'em up cowboy. Speaking of Colorado . . . the Dallas fam was just out there. Spent about 45 minutes fishing the Big T meadow water in RMNP after a disappointing hike to Cub lake to find it was all lilly pads and surrounded by burnt trees from last years fire. Anyway, regarding Colorado's new cash crop . .. had this mildly awkward moment explaining the significance of these, errr , founding fathers to my kids at the Chebu Hut sandwich shop in Boulder, this after 3 days prior visiting the real Mt. Rushmore in SD. Snoop Dogg, Willie, Garcia, and Bob - the "other Mt. Rushmore"

Paul Dallas used to be a regular lounge lizard at the ole Rock Lane Lodge Resort piano bar. Rooms were overpriced, the view always blocked by trees, the steaks were rubber, the hostess was surly, the concierge was from Nebraska . . . .and the Coors Banquet beer was always warm, and the women were always cold . . . ice cold. Except for the waitresses. mmm, the waitresses. And sweet Loretta . . . . she was . . . wore them 7's on her sleeve. Get a place near there. It had a vibe.

Good for you! Congrats

I'm going with the theory that anyone that publishes a certain stream is infested with poison ivy . . . or snakes, then it must be a great fishing stream that they're wanting to keep to themselves. Will let you know if this theory holds true.

Where's Janet Reno when you need her?

No kidding. Bit out of my price range for anytime soon. I'd be lucky to scrounge up the airfare. Do they rent out the woodshed for sleeping arrangements and can I bring my own booze?

Heading there soon. Staying 3 days/nights in the park at Sylvan Lodge and also Blue Bell Lodge. Was planning to hit French Creek natural area, but the reports of poison ivy have me freaked out a little bit. Any other good fishing spots, particularly creeks on the southern end of the park?

Baptist to Round Spring is 34 miles. Water levels are very low on the upper right now and this will likely continue for the next couple months. It takes a lot to blow it out above Cedargrove -- don't get me wrong, it can happen at any time, but it takes a LOT of rain. 34 miles is at least double the distance I would even remotely consider for a 2 nighter on the upper Current, and closer to triple. Unless your idea of fun is paddling and dragging and almost no fishing time. I would re-think to something more like 5-8 miles per day maximum. And you will have to carry your boat over the low water bridge at Cedargrove. Akers to Round Spring (16.5 miles), or Akers to Pulltite (9.5 miles), or Cedargrove to Akers (7.7 miles) -- any of those would be much better choices and more relaxing.

Good eye, joeD. i'm not buying the horsesh.t sentementality stuff either. After I re-tie my kids 4th or 5th snagged lure, clean up a dumped tackle box, hemo-stat a treble out of a forearm or an ear . . . thats it, I'm done. Daddy alone fishing time begins.

Oooh, that looks like a dandy. Really like the action. Where is the recipe to tie it?

Nice report. Been wanting to get to the Black River -- its been way too long.

LOVE IT. Got to remember that one.

Nice fish for sure.

Liar. C'mon. This much fishing prowess . . . we're talking about Greasy, Al, and you Mitch . . .not a bunch of amateurs or posers mind you, but bona fide heavy hitters . . . all of you convening in one campground every evening for 4 or 5 nights and days and this is the report you leave us with??

Well . . . .any other reports of this event? Wanted to make it but just covered up with too many kids ball games. darn, I'm needing a fishing fix, bad.