ColdWaterFshr

And the Cynical Post of the day award for the day goes to . . . . . goes to . . . . wait for it. . . . NESS! with honorable mention to Fishnwrench! Tell em what they've won, Ernie!

I think they've addressed and cleaned up some of the horse-poo problems on the lower end of the Jacks and Current, but I think there is still a ways to go on it. See horses all the time on the upper Current now and even camped last fall on a gravel bar with my family that was pretty well fouled by large, fresh "pies". Sure enough, the last morning of our camp, here came 3 or 4 horses through, tromping on trails that have long been used by horses, but probably not a technically legal horse trail by NPS definition. They were kind enough to give my daughters a free ride on their horses though, which was a thrill for them, and a very nice thing to do. Later that same morning here comes a jet-boat with 2 fishermen flying up -- not more than a mile below Baptist, river probably only flowing 125cfs. Nuts. Jet boats don't belong way up there or on the upper Jacks. Jacks Fork has turned into a zoo from the Prongs down to Eminence and further. ATV's everywhere, new roads, people driving up and parking their cars on the gravel bars and camping and partying right there. Thats the crap that irks me. Interesting little conspiracy theory someone whispered in my ear. One of the MDC commissioner's, name of Don C. Bedell. His brother owns 4 or 5 of the major sized outfitters on the lower Current. Certainly I am sure they don't want to see new federal rules that would hamstring their businesses, but it is interesting that US rep Jason Smith just introduced a bill, just yesterday, that would have the Feds give back the ONSR to the State of Missouri. Hmmmm Say what you will about the feds, and I don't like their heavy handed closing of the rivers last fall during the sequestration and some other things, but Missouri is in no shape financially to take back management of the ONSR.

People need to write their congressmen and senators. This Jason Smith guy is out of control and needs to be stopped. Check out the bald-face LIE he sent in a letter to the editor of the Post Dispatch about "all 3 plans ban camping on gravel bars" http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-to-the-editor/park-service-plans-limit-access-hurt-local-economies/article_ee7e38b4-9342-5b4b-a1c2-3db9e50bd017.html

Thats a nice looking property and I've had the same experience floating by -- it always looks pretty empty. I've called the place in the past, asking if we could use the resort as either a take-out or put-in, even with my wife being with me and she is a teacher --- the answer was "no", you have to be staying as an overnight guest. $320 for 4 is ridiculous.

Well stated, Al! I think that the type of anglers that regularly or even semi-occasionly fish Blue, Crane, Barren, LP, Mill, Spring, and some of the other SMALLER wild trout blue-ribbon creeks . . . . I think they would totally respect a protected spawn-season, even without enforcement, IF it were endorsed by the MDC, in a science based way, as showing to protect or improve the fishery. I know that as a winter-fisher, i prefer those places only late-fall through early spring, and I could easily alter or change my habits and work around a spawn if a period was fairly well known and established. Certainly, as these places become more well known, more protection will be needed if we have any ambition at all for sustaining wild trout fishing opportunities in Missouri. I don't see these places as meat-hunter destinations in the same sense as many of the regularly stocked trout locations, so I don't know that enforcement is even an issue. Tough to clean an 8-inch trout.

Yeah, definitely would be in favor of that on our wild trout blue ribbon streams, or at least those sections that are designated as blue ribbon only.

wow, what a picture

I think I knew the answer to the question when a biologist at a recent TU meeting told us the recent survey was something like a disappointing 8 trout per mile and she might have been fudging the # a bit, since 7 of those were in the first 1/4 mile below the spring branch.

Corb - how was the fishin?

I've always believe that a father figure is very important to the healthy and functional growth of a child. Mothers are important too, but fathers, yes, definitely.

You're right, generally they aren't shy about issuing citations for fishing or poaching or stuff within their norm. Wolves and mtn lions are so far outside their norm, and their track record on those critters is pretty much is they don't give a darn. I think they almost view them as not their jurisdiction and wish that they didn't have to deal with it, and especially anything involving a farmer and a big, bad wolf or lion. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Shoot first and ask questions later is perfectly acceptable in their mind. Sucks, but its true.

Would like to do that with you and Mitch. Sorry I missed you last night. I didn't have your phone # but I asked Gavin to text you and tell you we had a seat saved for you down in front.

is it legal to ford the river like that?

its an "old" ford? Does the guy in the jeep know this?

Is this a county road? Is the road that goes along the river from Cedargrove up to Parker -- is that a county road? The whole area around Cedargrove might as well be classified as an ATV park. I don't have any problem with ATV's on county roads, but when you see them on gravel bars and in the river and on the spaghetti-bowl network of trails that seem to be all over the place now--- that makes me crazy. And people camping at Tan Vat and big creek and driving just as far as their vehicle will take them. Its out of hand, don't you think? And there's no good reason for jet boats above Akers in my opinion. Or even above Pulltite. seasonal or not.

Wow. sure didn't seem like that many people at all. Were you one of the speakers? Maybe the big bearded dude wearing a tan shirt and pants? There was a couple of local-yocals that spoke that I sort've agreed with, and he was one of them. I tend to agree that enforcement is the big challenge with managing the ONSR and so any discussion of proposed changes when they can't even enforce whats already on the books, then whats the point? Another young tall kid from Salem said much the same. Would like to meet you too and share a beer some time. Big Piney is some good stuff.

There wasn't 1000 people there last night. I'd say closer to 300.

awhuber - are you an outfitter? and I'd like to hear your opinion on all the illegal roads, trails, and access points that have popped up over the last 30 years. And your opinion on jet-boats above Pulltite. And on ATV use around Cedargrove and Flying W and RV's setting up at Parker, and on the mass trail rides around Eminence. I honestly don't care if a Wilderness area at Big Springs happens or not, but the rest of the stuff I do care about.

It was pretty much a non-event, even though I'd estimate +300 people packed the house. As I arrived I thought it had the potential to get rowdy and contentious, but was disappointed. Cops were there, parking was tough to come by and the ingredients were all there for trouble. The NPS wisely, but disappointingly, to almost everyone in attendance, including the vast majority who had travelled considerable distance to make show of force (Jet boat crowd with their jetboats and trailers, locals and officials from Dent and Shannon Counties, and others) . . . . the NPS DEFUSED the whole dam thing by allowing ONLY commentary on the proposed Big Springs Wilderness tract of land, which comprises only 4% or so of the ONSR. So they allowed people who had signed up to speak, gave them each their little 2 minutes of uninterrupted speech their due, either in favor of that small tract of land or not being a wilderness area, and then no Q & A about the bigger scope of the whole Management options being proposed that were the essence of what really mattered to almost everyone there. Still, I'd say of speakers -- it was at least 5 to 1 in favor of Alternative A or a couple B's as compared to the No change or even more radicals who wanted the ONSR turned back over to state control. Even though that wasn't even on the table for discussion. It was a joke. A total farce and I felt duped and felt bad for everyone there. Though respectful and peaceful, there was rage there that needed to be let out. A large group of people assembled and didn't properly get to ask questions and vent. Commentary only on whether a small 3000 acres way down stream south of Van Buren should be made a wilderness area when it practically already is, and Congress (not the NPS) has to vote on it anyway to make it so . . . . .are you kidding me? Best part of it was enjoying a beer and a few laughs afterwards with Gavin and Hoffmeyer.

I will be there. Paul Dallas will be knocking some heads.

Delphi! Delphi!

Thanks for the link Spoondog. Just sat through about 15 minutes of a youtube video of some goofball on that website who is ranting and raving about the Delphi technique and draconian measures and yet he couldn't even come up with the word "baptism". Here is the link within Spoondog's link: https://www.facebook.com/ozarkstewards/posts/10152401161649881

Buddy of mine snapped this picture as he drove by it this weekend less than a couple miles from the Norfork dam. never surprised to see the stars n bars, but good grief!

Must've been some pretty tough gals to be throwin game wardens into the river. Thanks for posting this.

I'll 2nd what Siu says. Or consider a short tandem. Lots of good choices in 14 -15 range.