Mark

I am new to this conversation but have read all 6 pages of discussions. It seems this debate has been going on all 53 years of my life. I think it is time we (the public) stick up for our rights. I just want to know what my rights are. There are gray areas - navigable stream (who determines that exactly), high water mark (again who determines that) - law enforcement don't want to make that call, elected county officials don't want to make that call, the landowner has his mind made up what are his legal rights, and the fisherman has his mind made up what are his rights. And no one knows or can make a case that can hold up in court who exactly is right or no one wants to spend the money to fight the case in court - so it goes on and on unresolved until the next confrontation, which always ends with law enforcement telling the accused that it is a gray area but to keep the peace will the accused just cease and desist from aggravating the landowner in the future. I have a feeling we will still be having this same debate in another 20 years.............

Thanks I wasn't aware of any of that info - of course being on Ozark Anglers Forum is hi tech for me!!!

Thanks Little Red Fisherman for some specifics. So what you are saying, other than the catch and release areas, powerbait can be used in all other sections? There isn't any artificial lures only regulations on any stretches of water besides catch and release areas? Are there gravel bars where a fella can pull over and roast a hot dog for lunch? Is it private property all along the river?

We' re planning a trip to the Little Red River in spring. It will be our first trip to the Little Red RIver but have heard wonderful things about it. I am asssuming it is not a huge river across like the White RIver. What are the fishing regulations as far as artificial lures only sections? We are strictly bait chuckers! HA Power eggs, minnows, worms, corn, and cheese are our modus operandi. I have a canoe with a 2.5 Mercury propellor motor. Would that be functional or would it be wise to rent a riverboat? Is it possible to get out at gravel bars and shallow shoals to do some wade fishing? I am not sure how much current my motor can take going upstream and wouldn't want to get caught downstream during generation and not be able to get back upstream. What size crowds can we expect on a March or April weekend? Thanks in advance for replies.

Where is KSHE - TWO on the radio dial?? I'm a regular KSHE listener and never heard of it. Glad to see there are LOTs of Ozark Mountain Daredevil fans on here. Standing on the Rock is the greatest bluegrass song ever written. And I second the motion to make Beauty in the River the theme song of Ozark Anglers Forum.

I was having the same problem with my little 2.5 HP Mercury - stalling out and not running at idle speed. I took it to my mechanic and he knew immediately what the problem was - ethanol gas will clog up the tiny fuel lineswith a gummy residue. Had repairs done and haven't had a problem since then. Figure I am just going to have to change fuel lines every couple years.

Sure sounds like a lot of fun while I'm stuck here at work. If you don't mind me asking, what stretch of river were you on?

A good true story from Michael Granda's book "It Shined - The Saga of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils". Early in their careers, they were playing the county fair circuit in Southern California. A local fast food chicken place was having a promotion and had a guy dressed up as a chicken at this one particular county fair. When the band started playing Chicken Train, the chicken began dancing around wildly with the crowd and the band getting into his act. The chicken eventually made it up on stage with the band as the crowd erupted. Well, the next thing you know, this guy in a chicken suit began showing up at other Ozark Mountain Daredevils events in the area aroung Southern California, and to the band's delight, the chicken would get up on stage during Chicken Train for his dance. It just so happened that his dance became so popular that local radio and television stations ran a segment on their news. The owner of the San Diego Padres, Ray Kroc, heard about the chicken and invited him to a San Diego Padres game. Sure enough, the chicken would dance and go crazy in between innings and the crowd loved it. Being the businessman that he was, Ray Kroc hired the chicken full time to perform at Padres games, and thus, the San Diego Chicken became the first mascot in profession sports, all thanks to the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and their song Chicken Train. One of the reasons the Ozark Mountain Daredevils never made it bigger in the music business was because of their agreement that they would not be on the road, and away from their wives and kids, for more than 3 weeks at a time and they always remained in SW Missour near their hometowns. They resisted moving to California and going on yearlong tours - which were both almost prerequisites to making it big time in the music business. They remained true to who they were at heart, simple country boys from the Ozark Mountains.

And I drive 3 1/2 hours to the Eleven Point River!!!

I have read that Gavin and some others are pickers and thought they would appreciate the Daredevils review. I would love to sit around the campfire with some of our readers and improvise on some tunes like the Daredevils play. Snap would love it with his harmonica. And He Who Fishes With One Sandal can pick with the best of them. Delvis could play some Yakkity Sax. That is what real country music is, not the Kelly Clarkson stuff that's played on the radio today. IMO

I know there are some music fans on here and wanted to share a review of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils show at Wildwood Lodge on Friday. The played most of the old classics. They were a nine piece band with 4 original members, I think. Started out with Standing on the Rock and Chicken Train, both outstanding. They played 23-25 songs on the night, 7-8 which were newer songs or older more obscure songs. Great versions of Homemade Wine, Black Sky, and Colorado Song. Great vocals, musicians, and great show, lots of old hippies, and old hippy babes!! Truly one of Missouri's outstanding musical acts. Wildwood Lodge is a great place to see some classic rocks acts. The tickets are a little pricey - $106 total for Daredevil's show - but worth it to see the bands up close and personal. Drink prices very reasonable. You can really tell they enjoy playing in such an intimate setting. They played for almost 3 hours.

Exotic wild pet owners remind me of the teenager with the Mohawk/pierced nose and lips that seems to be crying out "Look at me!!" Does any wild animal like being penned up all it's life just so some self gratifying moron can feel good around his friends.?

We had a great trip also. We had to work for the fish as apparently they haven't stocked lately. But that's OK, it isn't suppose to be easy all the time. Saw lots of eagles. We had a first timer along and he caught fish, so the trip was successful. Lots of good food and good beer. Wether was great!! And the Cardinals kicked butt Saturday night.

Interesting thread - I think we could all agree that the same people who litter, get obnoxious on the rivers are the same people who litter elsewhere and are obnoxious people yahoos everywhere. Let's not penalize everyone for the actions of a few. My guess would be better law enforcementon our rivers, which will probably happen when the Missouri Highway Patrol takes over the law enforcement on the rivers. BUT THEN I WON'T WANT TO FLOAT ANYMORE BECAUSE I MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE A BREATHALIZER FROM MY CANOE AS PART OF ANOTHER MONEY MAKING OPERATION AS WE LOSE MORE OF OUR RIGHTS, JUST LIKE I CAN'T STOP BY THE LOCAL WATERING HOLE ANY MORE. But I do like Al's idea of the bar/waterpark/whorehouse!

We would love to chew the fat!! We are arriving Friday afternoon and plan on just going to Whites Creek (just below Whitten) for the afternoon. On Saturday, we will be floating Turner to Whitten. I'll be the one with the square stern green Old Towne with a 2.5 Mercury on the back. The other guy has an older river johnboat - we'll be in a group of about 7 guys. Will you be in Turner to Whitten section on Saturday? We are now talking about the wilderness trip instead of renting a cabin. We have lots of "ifs" and "buts" right now and no firm plans because of our lack of knowledge of the BWCA. We really need to talk to someone who has been there!!! We are also staying at Sherri Hovis' Summer Cottages on Rt. AA. Stop by Friday or Sat. evening for a cold one!!

The crew is ready for a Friday/Saturday float. Time to man up and see who the real fishermen are. Look for a newbie as Scobbie Chief Touchdown is making his first trout fishing trip. His wardrobe is yet to be decided. Report to follow on Monday

Greetings - I've only made it to your part of the country once- about 30 years ago. Always wanted to return and go farther up the coast to Maine. Are the small New England streams fishable?? My bet is the landowners own the water!

St. Louis is getting a good soaking today (Tuesday). Forecast for Friday/Sat/Sunday looks good for our annual fall trip. I'm sure a little rain won't hurt the river this week. Just wondering if Alton area is getting any rain???

Have you guys tried listening for the fish? My buddy Delvis the Trout Whisperer from Memphis swears he can hear them!!

Welcome and hope to have the Rangers in St. Louis next week!!

Nothing like weathering an overnight storm on the river.

Thanks for the site - very helpful. Any fishing tips you would want to share would be appreciated.

I am printing information on fishing the area for a bunch of rookies who are planning a trip next June. We will probably be staying in a cabin on the Sea Gull River near the end of the Gunflint Trail. Lakes close by are Sea Gull, Saganaga, and smaller lakes near the cabin are Romance Lake and Gulf Lake. Any info on where specifically on lakes, how, what to use, what to look for, any fishing advice for some guys who will be making their first fishing trip to the Great North would be appreciated. I will print and share with the group. Hopefully, some of you veterans will share experiences and advice for the group. Thanks, Mark

Thanks Saluki, Very useful information. I will print and share with the group. You seem to know the area well. Maybe when you have some free time, you could share more information on where, what, and how to fish. We will be total rookies. We will probably be staying with Voyageur Outfitters at the end of the Gunflint Trail. Fishing areas close by that the owners supplied info on were Seagull River (which runs by our cabin) and acess to Saganaga Lake and Sea Gull Lake. The more information we can gather, the better our chances of success. Thanks a bunch!! Go Dogs - Salukis backup QB, Kory Faulkner, is from our town, Ste. Genevieve, MO.

we have about settled on the exact area you mentioned. Voyageur Canoe Outfitters has a cabin to our liking and on the Seagull River that connects to Saganaga Lake and Sea Gull Lake. You sound like you have firsthand knowledge of the area. We will probably hire a guide the first day, but if you have some fishing tips to share I will certainly print and share with the group. None of us have ever fished for walleye or pike. Tell us what to buy for each, how to fish, where to fish, etc. All advice will be helpful.