Chief Grey Bear

That is a pretty heavy stat! Boy I can't hardly wait for this info to be released. You know that thread going about what you're reading???? This is the stuff I love reading.

Did they happen to mention how many streams this was done on???

Hey Ron, check out the MDC Facebook page from time to time. I have been pleasantly surpised by the amount of non-hunters and non-fishermen people that pop on just to say thanks and what a great job they are doing. The people that you read doing the most complaining against the MDC is those that hunt and fish. Go figure.

I seem to recall something about this. Although my memory at the time was very foggy. \ Share the Harvest was started for hunters that hunt for the pure enjoyment of hunting. It created an avenue for them to legally dispose of the meat. No family will starve if this program ceased to exist. I think Missouri is on the lucky end of this trend currently. I had read that we and one other state(which escapes me at the moment) are actually recuiting more hunters than we are loosing. I want to say it was something along the lines of for every 100 we lost, 116 filled their shoes.

I'll take some pics this year and send them to you. There has been some pretty innovative stuff out there. One guy strung a heavy cable and hung panels off of it. And you are exactly right. Partnerships between landowners and us are very important to not only the stream but those that enjoy using the stream. All it takes is a knock on the door. And I am just as guilty of not knocking.

From what I have seen floating over here, more and more landowners are limiting cattle in the streams. And using a very low cost solution. Less than a half dozen T-post and some used cattle panels. This was one of the ideas I was hoping the MSA would possibly adopt and implement when we had discussions a year or so ago. It is a great all around win win for everyone. The land owner provides the materials and the MSA provides the labor. A couple of hours or so and done.

There has been a huge change in our eating habits. Beef, pork and chicken is in such abundence and so cheap, it would cost you more to eat wild game. And you are exactly right, we don't need to eat wildlife as we once did. I do because I enjoy all aspects of it and to pass on the traditions of yester year on to my youngings.

Not sure where the datat is going to come from for the MDC to use other than as you say strict C&R. But boy, talk about trampling your liberties. I think if you look at the record book, more records have been set in the last 20 years or so than at any other time in history in this state. That has got to say something about the fishing and how the MDC is managing it. It would be very hard to argue against those results.

That is spot on!!! Your whole post is my exact feelings on this. And thanks for the Fred Bear link...those are words to live by!!! We both have read pages and pages and pages, of stories and reports from the late and early parts of the last two centuries and looked at many, many photos from that same time period. We both know that large fish, although not uncommon, were not caught in multipules on a daily basis. And that any fish of any modest size was kept and eaten. Now we also have to concede that fishing technology has vasty improved. As well has the knowledge of fishing. And with that, we have also turned more to C&R than at any other time in human history. It is a well known fact that as we migrated across this continent, fish was a key part of the diet. It is also known that as we settled in the valleys, fish became common table fare to help families subsist this hard scabble life. So know we have to study the true amount of "pressure" the streams are receiving. Yes more people are fishing and using the streams. But as more and more practice catch and release, how are todays fish compared to those from 100 years ago??? You and I have both noted that today's fishing compares favorably if not more favorably than trips of yester year. And I think we can both agree that they are accomplishing that task.

I think you are missing my point.

I think we are on the same page. I don't have a problem with "trophy hunters" that hunt the quarry on natures terms. It is when they want regulations changed to favor their quest by producing an unatural amount of "trophies". I often wonder what Fred Bear would think of todays hunters. Or maybe Charlie Orvis. How would he view those today that use his equipment to chase "trophies" artifically enhanced by strict harvest limits designed to create said "trophies". You last sentence says it all. That is spot on!!!!!

Let me clarify a little on where I am coming from. When every buck in the state is a 150 class 10 point or better, every smallmouth caught 15+, every brown trout is 20+ and on and on, what do we do next?? Raise the bar some more???? Yeah, yeah, yeah, it goes without printing that you will still catch some fish that are below the mark. But how long will it be before we are bored with the new status quo??? Is it right to manipulate nature for our own selfish ego?? And really, isn't it an artifical satisfaction you are quenching???

I get about 3 yrs or so from mine. I had been getting the Converse Chuck Taylor high tops. Now the strings won't last quite that long. The last time I had to get a pair, I found a pair of Faded Glory that looked just like the CT's at Wally World for $15. They made it to the 3 year mark but that was it. I also like to put some Dr. Scholls in them. Makes a world of difference if you do a lot of wading.

Why is it that any and every time someone doesn't feel like they are getting the absolute best nature has to offer, whether it be trout, bass, deer or what have you, they want the rules changed to benefit their self esteem under the guise that it is the best for all???? Haven't we screwed with nature enough???? And I am not singling you out OTF, it happens all across the wide spectrum.

That is the exact key element. They enact regulations that tie together the resource, the resource user, and the maximum for both, And that is not easy to do. And why is the meat hunter the nimrod? Not everyone cares about the size of the rack. Most of them are, for all intents and purposes, scientist. They have dedicated their lives to this. And I know what you are saying about them knowing more about a given subject but, it may also be a case of them telling us something we don't want to hear and we don't want to except as the truth. Let us not forget that these folks are dedicated to what they do and have a passion for it that runs deeper than our weekly outings. I don't see the MDC ever giving that type of status to a non-native species. And I would have to agree.

What if you used astro turf??

The MDC may view that a little differently. You don't act blindy based upon personal agenda but think the MDC needs to be investiaged because LD has a personal agenda against them????? My concerns with the MSA have been well documented. I don't think we need to go down that road, or river , again.

Intesting comments. This attitude directed at the MDC wouldn't stem from them declining to force the river smallmouth fishing public of Missouri to abide by sweeping regulation changes developed by the MSA?? Larry Douchemont has had it out for the MDC since he graduated collage and they refused to hire him. He is the FOX news of outdoor writers. His credibility ZERO when it comes to printing facts. In fact, he has never printed any facts in the 20 years that I have seen his column. The easiest thing to do is toss out accusations. It is another to back it up with hard facts. I would love for him to show up here. He won't though. He can't control the conversation and would get pummeled with facts! Wouldn't surpise me though if buffresources was him or a close associate, testing the waters here. Looks to be a little choppy.

Great pic! My computer with all my pics shot craps this week, so I wasn't to post one this week. Thanks for picking up the slack!!!

I guess I missed the 4 schools that replaced those that left????

I agreed with you all way till you said this. Mizzou has said nothing but that they still want to continue the rivalry. Mizzoui has another rivalry on the other side of the state with the Fighting Illini. Seperate conferences made no difference there. Dry up KU and act like adults. If that is possible!

Conspiracy theory?? Did you forget about this: http://forums.ozarkanglers.com/index.php?showtopic=31600 I know you were just playing but, it is all kinda tying together.

This is somewhat typical of some SWMO streams that I like to float. This is one reason why good canoe handling skills are important. Yee Hawwwwww!!!

Hey, it was my pleasure meeting you, your kids and your fishing buddy. My wife said I was yapping like a nerd! The nerve of her! Anyway, eric is spot on. Build your box over a period of time. Start with a few key baits from each catogory, soft plastics, cranks, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, stick baits, and top water. Yeah, that can fill a box right there. But just get one key color to start and then build from there as you gain confedence in the bait and how to work and when to use it and where to use it. I think we can skip a lot of the how, where and when for now. I don't think this is your first rodeo. So lets take a look at soft plastics. As you have seen, they can take up a whole isle. But to simply put it a couple is all you need to start. As has been said, flukes, tubes, worms and craws all work great in the waters of this area. I personal toss 3in craws on a standing jig head, 6in worm texas rigged, and some grubs here and there. On the craws, I seem to do better on the green pumpkin color. The 6in worm...doesn't seem to make a big difference...I have caught them on about any color you toss. I would get on pack each of the craw and tubes to start. There are many manufactures so you will just have to look to see which one catchs your eye and your budget. Same with the standup jigs or any jig. There are a ton of cranks on the market too. I am a fan of many and carry many. But to start, again as stated, Wigglewarts are very good. I like a fire tiger or phantom craw. Rebel craws are a good choice also. Corndawg has a Rebel CrankR that is about the ugliest color of blue metal flake you have ever seen and it will produce everytime! I have a few baits that are of a chartreuse and purple that are really good producers. Remember what I told you about the water column when you start to choose a bait. When you venture to the buzzbait and spinnerbait section, if you haven't used them before, hit the $1 bait section. Most bait shops have new bait for only a buck that you can learn on without fear of loosing some of those $5+ baits. I am a fan of the hammered willow leaf blade on the spinnerbaits and sometimes even some colored blades.And with just a couple of easy modifcations, these $1 baits will work just as well. I mean the fish doesn't know how much you paid for it. Topwater baits are a lot of fun! Jitterbugs, crazycrawlers are couple of my favorites. I certainly don't dismiss the tiny torpedo's either. Those can be just killer!! Rember on thing about top water plugs...it dosn't matter one bit what paint scheme is on top of the plug...it is the belly that matters most. The fish can't see the top side. And don't forget the old standard Devil's horse. Made by Smithwick, it has been a producer for over a half century. Stickbaits for smallmouth and largemouth can be very deadly. My go to is a Rebel CD 7 Gold/Black. Another guy I float with was using a Cotton Cordell bait last year that I wouldn't have thought would be very good. But wow what action it had. I really liked it and saw quite a few fish caught on it. And any rate, if you would like to meet back up in Joplin next weekend, we can hit the plug section this time and see what we are all talking about. We can speak more of the where, when and how and what are some of the best applications.

What a great discussion! And the unity here is awesome!! I think at this point, I will schedule a meeting with the PA and get some clarification on some issues.