knuck

Hello!!!!!!!!! Is anyone out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some buddies and I are looking for any info we can get on fishing conditions for the long weekend comming up. I know the water level has been dropping steadily and might be around 842 or less by the weekend. Has anyone out there been fishing, catching any bass or even crappie. Have not seen many posts lately and any reports would appreciated. Thanks, Knuck

Trav, I agree, we anglers should wield some clout when it comes to fisheries and water resources around the country and for the most part I think we do. Missouri's conservation department is a good example. I would like to see our power in numbers used against those individuals or corporations that abuse our natural resources for their own self serving interests and destroy one of a kind or delicate ecosystems in the process. I am not anti-business but believe there should more oversight on the ecological front. Some examples: PCB's and assorted heavy metals in the Hudson river, Salmon streams lost forever in the Northwest, forests and lakes being destroyed by acid rain in the Northeast and massive amounts of habitat being lost to urban sprawl. As Phil said, most people that fish may only do so once or twice a year, they may not have the passion for the issues discussed on this forum as we do. Regarding fuel costs someone mentioned, We The People, the american consumer should be able to affect some change as to how we are treated in these United States. The American consumer drives the world markets!!!! When American consumer confidence weakens, markets around the planet shudder. You would think our buying clout would gain us some advantage in the global marketplace for fuel, food, healthcare, etc. O.K. I am now stepping off my soap box.

Hey "Geezer", This is Knuck from St. Louis. My buddies and I have several trips planned for late April early May and are following lake level reports constantly. We have been down several times in the past when Pomme was 10-15 feet high and chocolate milk colored. Takes some of the fun out of fishin. Will be following your reports and hope the lake gets back in shape fairly quickly. Seeya, Knuck

Hello everyone, My name is Steve and live in St. Louis. I go by Knuck on OAF and must confess I get some enjoyment from the controversial topics discussed, up to the point where the conversation gets a bit too heated. I have been a lurker since May of 06. I only get to enjoy Taneycomo 1 or 2 times a year and must confess will throw most anything when the bite is tough. Some friends started up a little tournament on Taney 27 years ago come January. We moved it to Phils in 91, Phil and his family have been wonderful hosts. I think it is fantastic how many fishing opportunities are represented here, along with the multitudes of people that contribute to the site. I hope to utilize it to its fullest. Thanks again Phil.

Ditto to what Gonefishin said but """"""HOLY TROUT""""" this topic will have to go down in the Ozark Anglers topic hall of fame. Phil it is fantastic you have as much passion for the great outdoors to spend this much time and effort(and money I'm sure) to get this site up and running. It is nice to see a volatile topic can be discussed without anyone going completely ballistic. I only hope the other fisheries get the same volume as Taneycomo does. If I can coerce my family into skipping Florida this year, I will be spending many evenings in June between 8PM and 2AM hunting the monster LMbass that threw my Culprit PW 2 years ago. Talk about some awesome C@R fishing. There is nothing better than fishing under a full moon on a beautiful summer night. Now back to that ferret, did anyone mention a cooking time...

Hi Phil, I am curious about the above photos, were they taken from Lookout Hole looking across and down stream. Just checking the memory banks. THANKS, Steve

I hate ferrets!!!!!!

Great reply Phil. jscheetz it is amazing how quickly a persons hackles can be raised over conservation issues as the above mentioned. I will concede the fact there was not a direct link between the two. From all of porochi's posts I have read he seems like a conscientious fisherman,my take on his comments were that he would prefer not to confront slob fisherman directly.but make a simple phone call to the proper authorities. There was a correlation made between fish taken legally and the extinction of a species ,or else we totally jumped topics somewhere. I believe anyone that takes the time to become a legal fisherman/hunter etc. and learn the rules and regs. has the proper "attitude". After reading some of these posts it just sounds like there are those who believe they stand on higher moral ground than most. How about we just enjoy the fishing and play by the rules.

" YA GOTTA BE KIDDING ME " Post"31" is comparing the decimation of passenger pigeon flocks to the act of keeping legal fish as deemed appropriate by the MDC. There is one major differance, around the turn of the previous century there were no hunting or fishing regulations. The so called "sportsmen" and market hunters took what they wanted in excess with little regard for their fellow fishers/hunters. The state of Missouri has a long and successful history of resource management with research ,education and application of regulations. I am a C@R fisherman probably 85 to 90% of the time, but when I catch lunker ,legal fish it is my MDC right to do what I want to with it!!!!!!!!! Without a lecture or eyeballin. The people you hold so little regard for. support this resource as you do. Concentrate your angst on the slobs that don't purchase licenses or tags and could give a darn about limits are other regs. "Purists" have to remember that the entire resource is possible only by the huge amount of money spent by tournament/trophy/recreational/meat fisherman. LIVE WITH IT.

This discussion is exactly what I was hoping for. A bit of back and forth between regulars at Taney and fisherman who may only get to this this fantastic tailwater once or twice a year. This fishery pits anglers and boaters against each other like no other place I have fished. Except maybe for our trout laden float streams,which then puts me on the other side of the argument, howling about jet propelled boats flying up a stream that might be 30 yards wide at best. My typical course of action is running full tilt when there are no other boaters or waders present and then attempting to slow to a reasonable speed when others are approached, mostly out of respect. However, when making a run to the dam in anything bigger than a 18 foot boat when they are running only 1 or 2 turbines it is probably going to be a bit unpleasant for waders no matter how a boater operates.If I can,t fish a decent portion of my trip from the cable to lookout hole it is a dissapointing trip indeed. There is nothing worse than waking up to calm water and high skies!!!!!!!!

Hey Phil, Many of us coming down for the Boswell tournament are starting to talk the talk,and getting fired up about the upcoming event. Something on everyones mind is the new limit reg and how it might affect our weigh-in limits. Also would like to get youre thoughts and any other regulars ideas about boat traffic between Fall creek and youre place on busy weekends, it reminds me of a few of our St. Louis highways at rush hour. It seems no matter how a boater tries to navigate up there(stay on plane/drop off plane etc.)they are going to get eyeballed are maybe have a few choice words thrown their way. Been this way a long time Im just curious what other boaters think about.