mike bogner

I have not been back to Hickory since before last years floods. While there was trash along the creek I still enjoyed the fishing. I only started flyfishing last year after getting fly gear for Christmas. I also do a lot of hunting on private and public areas. You will find trash at all of these places. I seem to always take a few of them home with me to dispose of properly. It will be hard to keep away all the trash as long as there are people who don't think that it is their responsibility (why should I when someone else will do it for me attitude). I don't consider people who hunt or fish and leave their bait containers, drink containers or shotshell boxes laying where they fall as true hunters or fishers. They are merely takers. Half of the enjoyment of the outdoor activities is the setting you are in. My wife and I went on a western trip last fall. I fished in Montanna, Wyoming and Colorado, caught a total of 6 fish and had the best time because the streams and rivers were in some very beautiful settings and I did get a few line tugs. I do enjoy coming to Neosho (1 1/2 hour drive) to fish with my son who lives in Webb City. Hopefully if there are people seining out fish they will see other anglers using fly or spinning gear and see the enjoyment and use that way to catch fish and be sportsman instead of takers. I am not sure if Missouri lets you sein for trout, if not maybe the MDC needs to investigate and catch these people or locals see them and write down their tag number and turn into authorities. I am sure the MDC would appreciate the help from the local people. I do plan on gong to fish at Hickory in the next couple of weeks and see if I can get any tugs. Mike Bogner Parsons KS