Mark

That was my intention all along - I wanted to set up camp one evening and float the next day back to my camp. I would gladly pay $10 per night to camp on the property owned by my labor organization. I would think that is what the property is for - the rank and file members and not a private resort for the highly paid administrators and union bigwigs. And I have no reason to think this other than a suspicious mind, but I wonder how many union bigwigs or local "good ol' boys" in general hunt on the property on a "wink, wink" arrangement with someone who knows someone from the union. I would think it would be prime deer and turkey hunting, and no one there after the first of October. Who would know, and if anyone asked, then they could just say so and so from the union gave permission? I just find it hard to believe absolutely no one gets on the 2,000 acres from the first of October until mid May. No accusing, just always suspicious about that sort of thing. Very easy for a few "in the loop" people to have their own set of keys to 2,000 acres owned by a entity and not an actual person.

I haven't been able to watch the video -even after registering with Vimeo. Suggestions?

The Missouri School Teachers Bunker Hill Resort is a 2,000 acres facility owned by MSTA for exclusive use by MSTA members that borders the Jack's Fork River. As a MSTA member, I called the resort last summer to check to see if I could access the Jack's Fork from the MSTA property. I was informed that access was limited to MSTA members who rented cabins. Cabins are rented for $80 per night per person or $125 per person for Friday and Saturday nights, including meals and the price is the same whether guests eat the meals or not. Children under 3 yrs old are free, 6-12 yrs. old are half price, and children 12 and over pay full price. So the price for a family of four with two teenagers would be $320 for one night or $500 for a weekend - quite a tab for a family on a teacher's salary. The facility is only open from Mother's day until October. I recently wrote to the MSTA Board of Directors to express my dismay at the cost of using the facility. I stated my opinion that many teachers could not afford the cost, many teachers would use the facility if camping was allowed on the 2,000 acre property, many of us are outdoorsmen and enjoy the outdoor experience of camping and preparing our own meals, and have access to the Jacks Fork on property that is owned by our organization. I also stated that there are many who enjoy camping in the spring and fall when the resort is closed, and would like to see the resort available for camping use in the offseason. I was pleased to get a reply from the Board of Directors that informed me that the Bunker Hill Resort operations were recently turned of to a committee called the Friends of Bunker Hill, and my email had been forward to the committee. The Friends of Bunker Hill are considering such options as designating a camping area on the property. As the reply did state, I understand that there are regulations that must be followed in accordance with Ozark National Scenic Riverways and the Forest Service. The Bunker Hill Resort cannot simply open up a camping and picnic area right on the banks of the river or allow vehicles traffic right up to the river bank. But surely a 2,000 acre property has room to set aside a camping area not on the river bank that would allow visitors to go down to the river for day use. I would encourage other MSTA members to voice their opinions. I have not been able to find a direct email address to the Friends of Bunker Hill but will suggest you write to the MSTA Board of Directors and request your opinion be forwarded to the committee. I have never been to the Bunker Hill Resort and, as the policy now stands, I cannot see myself ever using the facility due to the cost. Seriously, $320 per night for a family of four is out of the price range of most teachers. I would gladly pay a nominal camping fee. The reply I received stated that the organization is considering ways to better utilize the facility.

It's hard to imagine how tough life was 100-200 years ago with winter's like this one.

We got about 6" in Ste. Genevieve - temp in teens - near zero tonight. Luckily, we started school earlier than most this year. I'm guessing after this week's snow, we are looking at May 30 as our last day. This will put us over the magic number of 15 days missed - not required to make up over 15. Still, looking forward to spring!!

Roads are clear in Ste. Genevieve County but school was called off. Lots of gravel roads that must have some icing.

LMAO - fishing for 99% of us is a "hobby" and not to be taken so seriously. OAF is my favorite website and I check it almost daily. Part of the appeal is that it is usually all inclusive and even a "bait chucker" can be entertained and learn without being looked down upon. Thanks to all the more knowledgeable OAF brothers that have kindly replied to PMs every time I have asked for advice.

My favorite method for an intruder in my space on the river is to go set my rod down, get a running start, and dive into the hole, splashing around and making enough ruckus to ruin the fishing for both of us. It has to be summer time for my method. Plus I'm a pretty big boy.

That's the thing I don't get - aren't there enough places to ride horses without polluting the river with horse dung? I don't buy the tradition bull crap.

I feel the same as many of you do on many of the issues with protecting our ONSR. I just completed sending in my comments. It is very easy to do and let's keep up the campaign to encourage others. But I am afraid it will all be for naught, as others have stated, our legislators and overseers of the ONSR will never have the guts to do the right thing. Our only hope is to get enough people onboard with a campaign to make our voices heard. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD TO EVERYONE WHO USES THE ONSR TO SEND COMMENTS NOW.

Al, you do have a religion. One similar to Native Americans.

What are our chances of finding a good campsite within walking distance of wade fishing without reservations on the Frying Pan? The camping experience is equally as important to us as the fishing. Is there awesome scenery at the campgrounds? Is there some degree of solitude and a wilderness experience? I'm guessing that the area is in the national forest. I like the idea of having a bathroom and shower available, but don't want that feeling of being in a trout park like in Missouri.

thanks I am not well versed on flies.

Thanks all, I am now considering the Frying Pan. My biggest concern is the crowds at the Frying Pan and afraid my friends will be turned off by the crowds. It will be there first camping trip in Colorado and they are expecting a wilderness experience. The campgrounds appear to be clustered around Ruedi Reservoir. On the plus side, from the reservoir to Basalt, there is 8.5 miles of public waters and the feeder creeks are public as well. And the Frying Pan is loaded with fish. Catching fish and great scenery may trump any crowd issues. Anyone fished the Frying Pan? Is the 8.5 stretches of public waters wadeable water? There is 8 pull offs along the road with access but no clue if there is much wadeable water at accesses. How are the campgrounds? Do you get some privacy in the CGs? I fished the Crystal River and camped at Bogan Flats a couple years ago. Great campground and 7 miles of public water but man it was tough wading. We could wade maybe a half of mile from camp until water became too fast and cluttered with boulders. We spent most of our time at pull offs along the road, but again the wadeable water was very limited at the pull offs.

It seems that no matter how many fish are taken by the commercial fishermen, it will be a never ending battle that man cannot win. What a shame.

Has anyone fished the Taylor River? Seeking info - there looks to be plenty of campgrounds, public water, but don't know how wadeable the Taylor would be like in late July. Wondering if it gets crowded too. I have been reading about the area and there also seems to be lots of feeder creeks that some have suggested as well. Also wondering about the scenery as the area around Gunnison starts looking barren of trees, with eroded canyons and cliffs. I'm wanting to try a new area of Colorado.

Wouldn't work - Republicans would vote it down as they have vowed to do every piece of legislation proposed by Democrats - talk about childish!!! Maybe send Chaney with a bottle of Jim Beam and a shotgun

About 30 years ago, most of us would have been considered the wrong crowd. That is a great lineup of bands, would've loved to see some of them. Gotta admit, I loved the outdoor music festivals of my youth, such as a couple NORML concerts in the Ozarks, SIU Ed Riverfests, heck even quite a few local farm jams with $10 cover and all you could drink keg beer. Poor kids nowadays have to pay $100 to go see somebody like Lady Gaga. "Come gather round young men wherever you roam, and admit that the problems of this world have grown."

Hey Al, sent a PM asking for advice. Thanks, Mark

Oh I understand the overall experience of fishing in a mountain stream like the Rockies. I have done it several times, albeit not very successfully. Man, those streams are fast!! And tough wading and trying to walk the banks!! But I've caught a few trout in the mountains streams. I agree, the awesome scenery, solitude, and uniqueness is 99% of the experience. Heck , I would take a day on a mountain stream and getting skunked over a day on a Missouri stream, lake, or pond catching a boat load anytime.

I had always heard of trout fishing and knew it was a $25 meal in a fancy restaurant but never had the chance to fish for trout until 15 years ago. And it was exciting catching good fighters and trout are a beautiful fish. However, I never understood what all the fuss was about eating them. I would much rather eat crappie or bluegill. But I have fished predominantly for trout for the past 15 years, and I began to lose my enthusiasm in the past couple of years and only continue to trout fish because that is what my friends prefer. Though I realize the trout we are catching were placed there recently, were raised in a hatchery without natural predators, and were not natural or native species. I consider trout parks to be amusement parks for the same reasons, but at least river fishing for trout is sporty. My friends like to argue that some of the fish we are catching are stream born by natural reproduction, by reasoning that the meat is darker and no fins have been clipped, while I'm not always convinced of their theories. I think the vast majority are stockers and, as such, I have starting believing there is some fraudulent aspect to trout fishing in Missouri. It sort of reminds me of people who pay to have birds like pheasant released so they can shoot them. So I am starting to take more of an interest in smallmouth fishing. I am relatively new to it, and have had a few successes, but still haven't had trips to produce the kinds of number of fish that I have had on trout trips. But still, there is something more natural about smallmouth fishing. They are native fish, were born in the exact waters where they can be caught, have had to live and learn about predators from the first day of life, and they are a blast to catch with a helluva fight much more so than a trout. Still it's hard to get my friends to fish smallmouth waters. I am perfectly content with float fishing for smallmouth all day and if I catch 6 or 8, then that was a fun day. More often, I have caught less. There is a learning cure learning to use artificial baits. And I will always get the argument of how we could have catch more fish in our familiar trout waters and why waste time trying new waters and, God forbid, we don't have a great day with numbers of fish caught. But I have switched my preference to smallmouth fishing - at least I know they weren't planted there. Just seems more natural in Missouri to me.

I don't claim to know all the laws but aren't things like unauthorized accesses, ATV use, and horses in the river already illegal on the ONSR. Maybe we just need to crack down on existing laws. I have seen a difference in behavior since the crackdown on the drunken floatillas a couple years ago. Did it eliminate them? NO but I see fewer willing to risk getting busted.

Thanks Zarra = a little bigger than I am looking for - kind of have my heart on a fiberglass egg shaped model - light and perfect for one person.

Yes by all means - send pictures and info with asking price.

Looking for a small travel trailer. I really would like a fiberglass model - Scamp, Egg Camper, Casita.