Chief Grey Bear

I am running late in reading this thread and as I have been reading it, I was thinking the same thing. I found one poster to this thread particularly humorous in that he flip-flopped as to what side of the argument he was on as to who's post he was responding to.

Well, that wasn't a complete list. There are still more areas that I could have listed but was just trying to make a point. Not sure I did though. Forgot to mention that you don't have to have a trout stamp to fish for trout. Only to if you want to keep them. So where are they generating these millions from trout you speak of?

Oh, I was under the impression that the MoDNR operated the trout parks and thus collected the monies generated from daily tag sales and soybean pellets. I can tell you though, at the following areas the MDC does offer trout fishing free of charge all year long. Well, free if you younger than 16 or older than 65. Other wise it will run about $10 bucks for a fishing license and $7 or so for a trout stamp. Not a bad deal. I could fish a different trout area every weekend for the better part of a year for less than $20. Barren Fork Creek Blue Springs Creek Crane Creek Current River Eleven Point River Little Piney Creek Mill Creek North Fork of the White River Spring Creek Meramec River North Fork of the White River Roubidoux Creek Capps Creek Current River Eleven Point River Hickory Creek Little Piney Creek Niangua River Roaring River Roubidoux Creek Stone Mill Spring Branch Kansas City Trout Lakes Coot and Plover Lakes St. Louis Winter Trout Lakes Columbia Jackson Jefferson City Sedalia: Liberty Park Pond

Interesting statement. Could you share your data? I would like to see what the profit margin is on this cash cow?

My mistake. I recall hearing that they were to do some work there. Please post some info when you get it. Thanks.

Are we speaking of the one being built at Wildcat Park south of Joplin?

Thanks for all the good info. I will put it to use.

No rumor. One is in construction just west of Neveda. I think near the intersection of highway 54 and 43. Not near any creek or river that I can recall being in the area.

I finally broke down and bought some Berkely Fireline. And so far I like. Boy, you sure can cast a lot farther with the same effort as mono. So do any of use it? How do you like it? How does it wear?

South of where? I don't know what area you are refering too?

Boy, good thing I ain't a fly fisherman. As far as I know, I haven't killed any either. But as in Bass Tournaments, who knows what happens in the day or two after we release them. I don't think so though. It applies to all waters in the state. The rule states something like this; The head, tail and skin must remain attached to all fish while on the waters where caught where length limits apply. Unless checked by an agent of the department.

That is pretty wild Brian. Talk about luck!! That is a good story brownieman! What part of the woods do call home? Just name the nearest trout park or good river if you want.

I know I am most likely gonna get in trouble with this post, but I have stayed silent on this subject so as not to get in trouble. But here goes. First let me show you a piece that I have copy and pasted from a web sight that was posted to this forum. "If you're searching for trout, our streams are all the further you need to look to find trophy rainbows and browns, with many exceeding five pounds. These spring-fed waters remain cold year-round. Since we limit the number of anglers on the stream, you'll find yourself fishing in peaceful seclusion, fishing at your leisure. All of our waters are strictly catch and release, allowing us to continue to develop our wild trophy trout fishery. With the diversity our waters have to offer, we can challenge the most seasoned angler while still providing the beginner a perfect opportunity for that first trout!" Now the problem I have is right in the very first sentence. It has always been my belief and always will be that nobody "owns" the waterways of Missouri or any state for that matter. I'll tell you right now that if I accessed that stream at public access point, meaning any public roadway or such, and I walked up or down stream and did not get out of the stream, in my opinion they have no right to demand that I leave. Now, with the help of someone here, I have a pic of a sign that posted along some waterways in Newton County. I have tried to post pics here and just can't do it. I would like to send this pic to someone that would it to this topic. I will tell you what the sign says: NOTICE Missouri Streams and Rivers are Public Waters State law enforcement agencies patrol this waterway for your protection and safety All laws are strictly enforced Then it has the logos of the MDC, Missouri Hiway Patrol and the State Sheriff Association at the bottom. Now I don't believe you can access someone property to access the waterway. If you don't have permission for the land owner, you must access from a public way. Here is another twist. Does the land owner own the land under the public roadway if he owns the land on both sides of the road?

I agree totally with that post. I haven't turned a blind eye, but I have not done anything about the directions some areas have taken. Did you read my post about the Prairie Chickens? I also know of some ponds on CA's that need to be rebuilt and restocked. These are not big ponds (less that 1/2 or 1/4 acre) but they used to provide some great fishing with some bass going as big as 3 to 4 lbs. These were old ponds when the MDC got the property and now usually dry up if a long dry season happens. Point being, I am not happy with eveything they do. But they sure have given us a lot too. Do you ever watch their program Missouri Outdoors that comes on during the weekend? I don't think that we are as far apart on this issue as it looks.

Hey Rainbow that reminds me of a similar time. As a kid we were camping on Center Creek in Jasper County and my father and I had floated down stream a little to do a little catfishing with some Red Wigglers that I had dug up. So we get to our spot, bait up, cast out and wait. In just a few minutes I'm screwing around and the line goes tight and the tip of my rod bends. I snap to attention and wait for him to try that again cause I got a surprise for him. I wait and wait and wait. Nothing. I guess he showed me. A few minutes later my dads gets a bite and reels him in. Lesson learned to always pay attention. As dad is reeling in the fish, my line goes limp. Odd!? Dad reels in a flathead of about 1 1/2 pounds that also has my hook in mouth! BTW did I ever tell you guy's about the time my dad and I were Crappie fishing on Stockton and I caught 6 Crappie with one cast?

Thanks. That brings up another question. How often do you think you may catch the same fish twice in the same fishing trip? I can only claim doing it once that I know of. I was fishing a farm pond in Oklahoma when I was a kid and caught a bass with the tail of a small flathead sticking out his thoat. As I fished my way around the pond I got back to my starting point and caught her again. If it wasn't for the tail sticking out, I would have never know I caught her twice.

When I got home from work yesterday I wasn't able to get on the forum. I thought it had crashed again. I checked every hour or so until I went to bed. I'm glad to see its operating today.

Thanks for the kind words guy's. Hey Thom - that is incredible! I have always heard that the hook will rust out in a couple of days or so. I have always been skeptical of that though. Caddis - isn't that just the worst feeling in the world? Ks. Fly Fisher - got a story you would like to share? I'll post another one in a few days if you guy's are interested. I'll share my version of the Mother's Day Massacre!! brownieman - I have lost plugs to fish in ponds before and gone back later to hopefully find them washed up on the bank. Never found a one! Dang it! Do you guy's use the "Finders Keepers.." when you get one of your buds plugs? Dano - That is now my most enjoyable part of life. Teaching my son what my father taught me. I have been teasing him here lately that when need to get our own local fishing show. He came up with a name for it the other day. It was simpe and to the point---Two Hillbillys.

I'm not looking for any fight. We are having a discussion that I feel is based on accusations. Even when some facts have been presented during this discussion, they are for the most part dismissed. Just because I question your action or inaction and offer a different point of view, does not constitute me wanting to physically combat you. I believe I have this on a more balanced concern level than some here merely because I have not already made up my mind that there is a scandal going on and we are being swindled out of millions of dollars.

I did something today that I have never done before and almost positive I will never do again. I'm just glad my 8 yr. old son got to see it. We went fishing on a small creek in Jasper County that I had not fished in 20 some years. It was great to get back to this little gem. It won't be 20 years before I fish it again. There is one stretch of water that is not more than about 3ft deep for about a 1/4 mile. I figured we would pick up a few small fries as we worked our through this area. Imagine my surprise when ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz. I was using my favorite Rebel Tenn. Shad floating Minnow that is not made anymore and extremly hard to find. If it gets hung up, I go swimming! Anyway back to the missile that just launched. I had seen her just ahead and called Dylan over to throw his Rebel Crawdad at her. I just knew she would latch on to that and it would be the greatest thing to see him battle the great fish. Well, she didn't seem to be in the mood for crawdads and moved on. We did the same and continued our slow journey down stream. We didn't get more the about 30 ft and I threw up towards the bank under a low hanging tree. And that is when the missile launched. She immediately head for the brush and hung me up. I was making my way over to her and was with in about 10ft when she busted loose with my favorite plug in her mouth. I was heart broke and mad at the same time. It wasn't that I lost a great fish, but that I lost a great plug that is impossible to find anymore. So after counting to 10 and then counting to 10 again, I still had a few choice words as I tied on a new plug. Yeah I had another one of those in my little box that I carry on my hip, but I wasn't gonna put it on. I used a different style Rebel minnow and Dylan and I resumed our trip. We fished for about another hour and just had a ball of fun. I kept thinking about my plug that I lost. The more I thought about it, the water depth, how she kept hanging in the same area, I just figured I would go back and see if she was still there. My thought was that if I could find her, I would try to snag her and get my plug back. Yeah I know, that ain't gonna happen. Who ever heard of such a crazy idea. Well, folks that is just what happened. On our way back to the truck, I stopped at the scene of the crime. I gently eased into the creek and made my way over to the other side where I had last seen her. And by golly the fish Gods were smiling on me today. There she was underneath some brush with my plug still stuck in her mouth. I tied on a Rapala sinking minnow. I eased it down toward her and took a swipe at the plug that I lost. I missed and she was gone. CRAP! OK so that not really what I was saying under my breath. I looked to the other end and there she was. This was her home. She felt safe here. I eased slowly about four steps toward here and got my rod ready. This time to have a little more control, I reeled it up all the way and stuck the tip down into the water. I don't know why but for some reason she would not leave even when I bumped her with the rod. She did back way from the tip and then I made my move and hooked the plug. She took off a gain and went to the front of the brush and got tangled up again. I yelled for Dylan to get over here and take my rod. He did and I was able to reach down into the water and get a hold of her and hoist her up. She was a solid 3 - 3/12 lb fat bass. I don't think I have ever been so lucky in my life. I removed the plug and let her go. I just had to share this with you guy's. I hope you enjoy this story. I thought it was an assume day fishing! Of course had I not got the plug back, it would had just been another day in the life of......me.

Do you feel you are getting your monies worth? How is the accounting reported to the tax payers? Do you get a complete accounting statement? Do you get a statement in the mail every year? What have you learned to watch for? What are some of the differences in the two departments?

I may have taken this quote from you wrong, but felt you were pointing, and possibly rightly so, your finger at me. I will agree there are about couple of us here that though we are not in agreement on this topic and it doesn't look like we will ever be and it appears that we are ready to go to fist city (haven't heard that term in a while have ya?)I don't believe that is anywhere near the truth. Now in an earlier post you said you like to bend a rod. That and bbqing are my passions. We should hook up sometime. jdmidwest- I guess I missed the post stating you were an employee of the MDC.

Oh my, a little finger pointing huh? The ol' "Not me". As CC said earlier even a slite effort in research could have yielded the information that Al so generously provided. GF- Last I knew agents started at $30k. Not bad. Then mutilply that by 1.5 and that should be in the neighborhood of the total annual compansation. "I am not anti-MDC I just wonder if they are really doing that good of a job. No doubt Missourians have it good because of MDC, the flip side of that is that MDC has it really good because of Missourians." Missourians are not the only ones footing the bill. All visitors to our great state also contribute. I also feel it is because of strict educational and continuing education standards that has made the MDC the great program that it is.

Now I will whole heartedly agree here. As I have stated before, I am not happy with EVERYTHING they do. But I do belive we are getting a good value for our money. I do think that a former director or two has lead the department in a direction that is something different than where I think it should have been going. I'm not in agreement with all of their practices, but I sure do enjoy the facilities they have for me and YOU to use.