brownieman

J C...here ya go...www.nwk.usage.army.mil corps site...gives a daily report on what they are generating and spillway gates...mind you this is posted once daily and subject to change by 1 phone call. the lake is tough when the water is high, dangerous too...lots of standing timber...truman has ate up many a prop, motor and boat. Fishing the tailrace is a crapshoot...only gaurentee there is if your not there you ain't gonna catch em...just like most fishin...generally better when they are running some water. Running water brings the lake to life...all the rivers and creeks that created the lake flow again, just can't see it now. On a big draw down the weir turns from the dead sea to a honey hole from what I've seen. I've just been to the tailrace once this year...about the middle of may when the lake was like pushing 630 pool, all 4 gates were open, like 68,000 cfs...amazing, never had seen it like that. It was hard to keep all the trash fish off your line, thick...I did catch probably 15 real nice hybrids, 6 to 15 pounders but with the current and waves it was different to say the least. You know what an advantage a good current gives a fish...I had the weenie arm by the end of that day, lol.

Just my opinion...but... Design & Development / Capital Improvement...remember that privey in Yellowstone that cost like $160,000.00 or some sh*t, go figure, lol. Sub cotracting many of these so called improvements would get more bang for our buck and feed our infrastructure...win, win, scenario Adminstrative Services & Human Resources...well, we probably all agree on what this category consists of. We won't even get into land donated and the reasoning and purpose some lands are acquired...that's a whole other thread sometime... It's all in accoutability...if they don't get called on it...well...as with any type of tax generated entity the money is spent at just a fews discretion...imo it's up to the tax payers themselves to be the watchdog.

hey guys...just an idea back when I was younger Rockaway Beach was a hot spot, right. If I remember isn't the water warmer up around there? they have tried anything they can (gambling boats) whatever to revive rockaway... wouldn't it be a good new place for a "Party Cove" ...might even take a little pressure off LOZ sorry...had to try a couple of those emoctions or whatever the h*ll they are, lmao

hey guys...my 2 cents worth, trout are cold water species walleye are cool water species bass are warm water species I have learned that fish hang in the best environment suitable to them. Bass in taney, my opinion, look for structure, warmer water inlets and spots where they have the best forage. Seems to me if you can find a spot where any or all of these things are...fish the tar out of it with whatever you like to fish with. My favorite bait for big bass of any species are live big minnows or a minnow imitation. keep huntin em...they are there...hope this helps never have fished taney for bass so this is speculation not experience speaking, lol

Tightline...I am not familiar with the "News Leader"...what is it? JC...If memory serves me right, the Kerr Mcgee deal was down around the Current River watershed and raised a little stink...not sure but I think it had something to do with taking core samples, drilling rights, etc. Not sure about this though...that has been several yrs. ago and I was not close to or involved in the matter. JD...All the contacts you give shows the trend that disturbs me. JMO...most of these positions are desk jobs...most in urban areas. They are glad to help and should be (our tax dollars are their paycheck) when it comes to dealing with problems on various concerns. Free advice, suggestions, phamplets, etc....in most cases they probably will come right to your land and help troubleshoot whatever problems you have. This is all good...but...when it comes to lending a helping hand (whether it be manpower, equipment, whatever) little if any assistance is given. IMO...The bulk of the improvements I have seen is in and around high profile areas...Taney at the present time. Example, Busch Wildlife Area near St Peters...big fancy Nature Center, very nice and very costly. IMO they could use sub cotract labor (which they may in some cases, I don't know) and possibly lower the total cost of such things while at the same time pump a little money back into the infrastructure of the state. This would help us like we with the taxes we pay have helped them....sure would put a damper on their Design and Development Division though. I don't know if this is still right but they used to stock on a regular basis during the winter months a few lakes at Busch with catchable / keepable trout. I had relatives that lived in that area that made me aware of this. They wondered why this was (some of them enjoying trout fishing) the case when it's catch and release only during these months in the trout parks. I had no answer...made no sense to me. The only trout fishing where you can keep them during these months is the trophy areas and stocked areas of the streams which they were told were not stocked during these months. They passed this info on to me and I found it strange and have heard others make mention of this. To my knowledge their questions were never answered unless they failed to tell me about it. These things I say are just my opinion and we still have the right to that...for awhile anyway, lol If this program still exists I would like to know the reasoning behind this...someone please explain??

The MDC has established numerous accesses statewide...well kept in high profile areas and piss poor maintenance in rural areas. Our water levels in streams are falling and due to bad practices... what used to be waist deep water in now ankle deep...numerous reasons as you mentioned. There are MDC lakes with cement ramps so steep its's a hard launch...so covered with gravel your rig slings chat all over your boat trying to pull out...trash cans over flowing with trash, poor road maintenance within their areas, the restrooms have literally been burnt by locals, banks lined with trash and the list goes on. These problems exist mainly in the rural areas. They provide it...do not they have the money and manpower to take care of it?...just my opinion but these are things I have seen. I won't even get into some of the river accesses I have seen and had to TRY to use...disturbing to me...it appears on such accesses(some lakes and rivers) any mowing that takes place...well...if it cannot be reached with a riding mower, under fences, around posts and signs, etc...the grass is brown and dead...you know as well as I do what causes that...IMO no state employee is to fond of running a weed eater. I hate it for our grandchildren...at least during my time I sure HAD allot of fishable water and still have a little...but we are losing it at an alarming rate.

The "MDC Annual Report" posted for all to see...well, whatever...IMO, it's little more than a very well done "Cookbook"...and there is nothing rare about that.

Tightline... 1/8 of 1 cent was correct...you stated 8 cents from each dollar was what they received. Wouldn't break the bank but would help break our pocketbooks...if they got that much we would be feedin the monkey big time, lol The only money wisely spent is when it is your own...then it matters. If it's tax dollars on any level with no strict accountability...well...get out the lube, feed the monkey just to watch him s**t, lmao

Hey Bud, You are right on my friend ! Appreciate that one being sorted out, lol

Good info GF...makes ya almost scared to take a breath of fresh? air or take a drink of clean? water... thanks allot, lmao sorry, duh...good info bud, lol

Very well stated sir...the things you stated are not a consideration most have thought of or realize. You sir have a good understanding of how things really work...I agree with the things you say 100%...very good insight and thanks for your constructive comments.

I agree totally with the statements you make with the exception of the last paragraph. With the wealth the dept has...well...IMO they could and should do much more...what really goes on "Behind the Scenes"... IMO the general public has no idea. The director (as in any upper level position) is only as good as the people whom he surrounds himself with. Most regulations, laws, projects, etc. are subject to his approval but IMO there are other factions involved...big money factions. I don't know if it still even exists but there was/is the Conservation Commision. My understanding is this used to consist of 4 Mo. residents...IMO probably wealthy, influential or both...that were appointed to these positions. Not sure on this one, could be mistaken, but 2 were democrats and 2 were republicans...but mind you non political, lol. Most of the same agendas that are dealt with by the director were subject to their approval or it didn't fly. The commision was/is the only accoutability factor the dept. was/is subject to. The director acts in the same manner as the president...his actions are based on recommendations from his division chiefs. If this has changed in recent years I beg of any of you to enlighten us all...including me. The so called "Good Ole Boy Network" IMO is prevalent from small town America to the highest levels of government and exists in most of the business world.

The reference I make concerning air conditioned trucks...most know and I don't even know if you can buy a truck without air these days. I'm just saying it might get them out of their trucks and actually do something during the hot months...nothing to do with the cost of the trucks. Tightline...thanks but no thanks...don't care much for the taste of em, got kind of a pellet taste, lol...keep throwin em back... but by looking at those pics "The Meat Hauls" you don't need to keep any...your freezers probably gettin pretty full and those fish aren't costing us an arm and a leg to raise, lol. For the record also I have total respect for the agents that TRY to do their jobs. It appears to me most of the their time is devoted to PR, Hunters Safetey Classes, etc. They have little time to focus on poaching and violations in the state...which is where their efforts are SUPPOSE to be. Due to the dept. deer hunters do not even have to check deer in last year...just purchase a tag and call the kill in...that sure keeps a watchful eye on the hunters and methods...NOT. There are so many rules and regs (which we the taxpayer have no say so in) they can't enforce in a timely manner the laws that are already on the books...this is what I have been told and just the opinion I have come to. Each of us is entitled to that or are we even losing that freedom. IMO wealth has a way of creating greed and corruption...IMO this applies to every walk of life from local levels all the way to the top. My intent is not to put anyone down...these issues to me are a world wide concern, yes...we are fortunate to live in Mo. and even more so to live in a country that still enjoys a FEW freedoms...but they are becoming less...when does it stop or what does it take to turn it around and people to open their eyes. Man and our methods...well...we are our own worst enemy...humanity is slipping and imo we are on a path of self destruction.

my box would be ..#1...wise money management, #2...accountability #3... stop buying air contitioned trucks. lol Any of you get any advise that you can't find out for youself, lets hear it, any state employee that drops a little sweat on your land helping out, tell me where and when, if so...like I've said...thats some expensive sweat..."Private Land Services".. whatever...just the newest "money pit". A hike...a big-mac...give me a break!! Pretty judgemental low rent comments imo Better than sitting around eating big macs in idleing air conditioned state trucks...we have to pay for our own gas and burgers...our tax dollars are buying theirs, lol

Sounds like hog stick time to me... Don't get much better than that...imo...long as you can avoid the invasion, lmao

Bud, Danoinark, jcoberly, Well put gentlmen. The 1/8 cent tax is what enables the MDC to purchase land and give us the opportunities we have in this state. They are well respected nationwide and I assure you that other states agencies are envious of the wealth the MDC has. If other states had the funding that the MDC has it would enable them to offer more opportunities concerning outdoor activities...I would hope it would not create the same "money pits" for them as it has our dept. To me it is all in "no accountability"...pretty much self regulated, we as the tax payer have little if any say in how are tax dollars are used...makes little sense to me. IMO it's obvious that Al has close ties to the MDC...probably has been in a shocking boat or something of this nature over the years...Al, please correct me if I am wrong...have I not seen your name on artwork for the MDC? Please correct me again if I am wrong...were you (stricktly speculation) friends with Charles Schwartz? You appear to defend their actions...just curious... why? One thing I do not understand...at numerous nature centers, visitors centers, etc. they do provide lots of free pamplets and give Mo. residents a free magazine and I think that is great, but, at the same time Mo. residents have to purchase books, nic nacs, various items too numerous to mention. Our tax dollars have already paid for such items...why do we have to buy them again? If anyone can explain this to me I sure would be happy to listen

hey john...my old boat was an old aluminum 24' long 36" wide river jon with a motor jack and I ran either a 10 or 18 horse on it. just fixed it all up a couple of years ago...had sat for awhile, got to use it twice and some punks in a car smashed into it (had it parked along an alley by my house) and totally destroyed the boat and trailer...trailer was 28' long. I used that boat for about 30 yrs. and it broke my heart...i had it fixed up real nice again. all I have is pictures of the old boat...the last pictures i have of it....well, it's bent in half...had to sell it for scrap. Haven't been back down to Ark. since then...she sure was a dandy. later buddy

hey shawncat...memories for me too...bad and good, lol. when we had to drag my jon back down that river at least we got to see what we had to avoid when runnig up it so it was a good/bad thing all in one. If I remember right a couple miles up it the is a place (think the locals called it "The Hole") where there is a rock ledge that streches all the way across the river...place has torn up many a boat and motor so I was told by some of the local guides. My old river jon had a motor jack and an 18 horse on it...there was one spot that you had to shoot thru to get by that ledge...wicked spot...least I knew where I had to hit it at to make it thru due to our ignorance of the river (walking my jon 3 miles or so back down stream) aaah yes...thoses were the days later my friend

increasing the size of crappie...do you mean dumping forage, cover, etc. in lakes?...please explain. there have been good things accomplished...but many mistakes (hidden from the public) and some successes. Believe me...the public knows all of the good and little of the bad...on a scale it's going to be way out of balance if the truth were known. As far as reestablishing deer populations, yes they did. They bought 13,000 acres of land, planted some deer, posted and enforced NO HUNTING signs and let nature take it's course. Most of the major accomplishments by them was before the 1/8 cents sales tax existed. Talk with any retired or long time employee...the sales tax has been the demise of the MDC in many ways...the influx of revenue created so much money they had to start finding ways to spend it. At this time the MDC as it used to be (a team effort to improve, protect and establish better hunting and fishing opportunities) in the state changed. Now the MDC is several divisions...Forestry, Fisheries, Design and Development, Protection, Private Land Services, Operations, etc...there is no teamwork left for fear of one division stepping on another divisions toes. Good example...not sure on these figures but you'll get the idea. Years ago the hatcheries section employeed aprox. 100 to 120 employees who worked in the hatcheries, and there were about 10 biologists that were responsible for certain sections of the state,they delegated what was to be reared and where it was to be stocked. Now (I think) there are over 100 biologists to perform the same job that 10 did in the past. What does this trend tell you? I agree...there are good and bad aspects of the MDC...but which out weighs which, most will never know.

Just ask the MDC...they will probably tell you what they think you want to hear... By the way those brownie steps or whatever are the most un-natural looking eye sores...couldn't they use stone or something more natural looking? Not that they can't afford it ! Bet it would knock your socks off to know how many tax dollars that's costing us...oh well...high profile area, keep up the good work, lol There will be many erosion problems I bet...don't think the educated idiots have thought this one out very well...could be wrong, time will tell.

I agree Bud...but I have seen lots of these cat fisherman that fish behind Truman dam spend over $600 and the same for a reel to land these huge flatheads and blues...custom built hybrid rods and tackle, etc. There is more money spent on rearing trout than any other species due to the money generated by the trout parks, daily tags, trout permit fees etc. Trout fishing is a good source of revenue...big bucks.

Hey Donnie, I'd say they were hitting real good..."to catch them in a jig head"...how do you do that? lmao

You're right dutch...most these warmwater species are stocked at a very small size...pretty much forage, 2 to 4" Probably not 5% of that size walleye reach adulthood. According to stats, channel cats are the number 1 sought after fish in Mo. and are stocked in lakes statewide with some size to them cause they can be raised with fish food. The other fish you mention have to be fed live food...once they get past the plankton stage of growth they get expensive to raise...have to be fed minnows. Heck...no more money than they have, they can't afford that, lol I bet a few "certain people" have lakes with some good size fish in em.

I have just joined this site...been reading back thru some of these posts. A few yrs back I had (maybe) the same fish roll my plug...figured it at that time to go 15 or so. There used to be a huge rainbow around that area also...we caught her on a dead minnow one time. We didn't measure or weigh her, hate to take em out of the water...wasn't that long of a fish but man she was a real fatty...probably 13 or so...saw both these fish on the same trip. Hadn't fished the North Fork much at that time...learned a valuable lesson. We motored up from the confluence of the white and N. fork...didn't know to recognize how fast the water falls when they stop generation from the dam...had to walk a 24' river jon about 3 miles back down to where we put in...couldn't believe how fast the water level fell...learned from the old school of hard knocks...no better teacher, lol.

I've been told (don't know if there is any truth to it, stricktly hearsay)The MDC can make fly sh(t look like pepper on the books. They are excellent at making it look good to the public where our tax dollars go...best tools are the Consy Magazine and the Urban Nature Centers. They cater to where the majority of the vote is...this is where they try to show their money off to appease the public. If any native Mo. species of flora or fauna is deemed endangered and put on the list they create task forces, meet, study...over meet, over study...not at Econo Lodges either I speculate...use every tool at their disposal...best tax dollars can buy...and ensure to the public all efforts possible are being made to save this species. My opinion...if it's endangered, they will study it till it's extinct, lol