joeD

Joe's right here, in your computer. I don't work for the county. I have nothing against county workers. I have no thought about how they are compensated. Let's say they are overcompensated and their payments to retirees are above the norm. Let's say they do take salary freezes, furloughs, reduced retirement packages. With that done, I still don't believe that those savings would be enough to make up for the county's budget woes. There aren't enough employees. So, with our salary discrepancy anger appeased, are we, as public area consumers, willing to buck up even more to support things we use?

Great pictures Mitch. And, no, I was not questioning Mitch's veracity. Hopefully, he took my BS the right way. If not, sorry. I just want to see pictures of big smallies. I'm obviously not fishing, so I want to see pictures of the bass studs who are. And they are studs. Very outdoorsy and masculine. Also, I was poking flyfishermen with a stick about their love of words, and their "professional" pictures of any and all fish (not to mention trees, riffles, rocks, sunrises, sunsets, etc) they catch. I'm try to recognize that bridge.

As a native Missourian, my initial answer is obviously NO. So, um, what was the question?

Mitch- Tell your friends to take pictures. Two of your SMA buddies caught personal bests recently. No pictures? In this day and age? Personal bests no less. Another friend tore them up walking the dog. No pictures? I don't get it. Fly fishermen will give us a thousand words on their trips, complete with scenery tableau and pictures of 8 inch fish. Why don't bass fishermen do the same?

As expected, judging by our small, but probably atypical, sample set, we (the public) would rather not pay for certain park services. Instead, let's punish those working for the county government. Obviously, county government workers are overcompensated in both salary and benefits, so, let's let them take the hit for budget shortfalls. It's only fair.

Yeah, a surplus of angry government employees. Yer messin' with fire there Mr. Gavin. I'm not saying your incorrect, necessarily, but...Whew. Good luck with that SpongeBob. PS: It is easy to spend other peoples money. Or tell them how to get along with less. PSS; "Peoples?" Should there be an apostrophe after the "s"?

As of now, there are NO parks being closed. That option (saving money for the county government) was tabled before the board meeting started. One of the council members began the meeting by stating that the issue of closing parks was not up for discussion and was unanimously opposed. The county government is still strapped for cash, so cuts ("savings" in business speak) will have to be made elsewhere. So, that brings up an excellent question, a "learning experience" as it were. There apparently was quite a negative reaction to the news that the county might be closing parks due to money shortages. As we all should know, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Therefore, the question is: As a user of governmental property, that is available to all, what are you(we) willing to pay to keep these parks open? Property tax? Sales tax? Liquor or cigarette tax? Government bond issue? The bottom line is, we have to pay to play. If it is reasonable, then I'm OK with it. Parks, museums, open spaces. They are vital to the health and welfare of a community.

You guys need to get your minds right. On one hand, you're decrying the selfish plutocrats who buy up streams and privatize them, either for profit or personal use. Your outrage over this subversion of public will is well justified. But, on the other hand, you get pissed off when people (other than yourself) start using public water that you mistakenly thought you had to yourself. Take a kid fishing you say. Expose others to the great sport of angling. Very admirable. Smallmouth fishing on our lovely streams is available to one and all due to the foresight and inclusive nature of our fish and game governmental management. Everyone shares in our natural bounty. Unless of course the general population decides to recreate in your favorite fishing areas. George Hanson → Oh yeah, that's right, that's what it's all about, all right. But talkin' about it and bein' it - that's two different things. I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. 'Course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em.

What's funny is that a rock station in Crestwood Mo (K-SHE 95) put the Daredevils on the map in the 1970's, and have supported them through the years, even though they (OMDs) really aren't a "rock" band. Ironically, if the OMDs were starting out today, their music would have zero chance of being played by K-SHE, regardless of their Missouri roots. For that matter, country stations wouldn't play them. I have not heard them on the bluegrass shows on KDHX either.

Please correct me if I am wrong. For some reason, I thought I had read or heard that the brown trout in that area of the Current (or any area for that matter) are actually sterile. They go through the motions of spawning, but there are no actual eggs produced. The population of brown trout is sustained by stocking. I feel somewhat sheepish for not knowing. As an aside, I do know that the house up the street with closed and shuttered windows and overgrown grass is the home of a convicted and paroled serial killer. Scouts honor.

I think Shakespeare said it best: " First thing we do, is kill all the lawyers." (from the play Henry VI) Just kidding attorneys and esquires. Sort of.

Yes, it will be interesting. 1. I would be surprised if the Cardinal management put a first year manager in. I'm not opposed to it, but my bet is they will choose a name veteran. 2. Dave Duncan staying on another year is more important than the managerial choice. 3. One thing that is a stone cold lock, is that John Mozeliak will, in the upcoming weeks, say "...at the end of the day..."

The playoff and World Series run (with attendant merch sales) put quite a bit of money into the Cardinal bank account. I think with the team relatively intact and Wainwright returning, Pujols will accept the DeWitts' offer. I would like to see Oquendo get the manager job. But, I think Terry Francona from the Red Sox is the front runner now.

I feel so guilty for even existing. Just think how awesome Earth would be if humans weren't around to muck things up.

Too far down. Like it's in the basement.

Gavin- "Surly?!" Me? I'm shocked. I'm offended. I'm shocked and offended. Just kidding. Unfortunately, my friends and family would agree with you wholeheartedly. As do I. More importantly though, I just like your use of the woefully underused adjective "surly." Excellent word. Gave me a chuckle. Cheers. PS: Would it kill Garcia to pitch more than four innings?

Yes, I am a hypocrite, the worse kind actually. I say one thing, do another, and then expostulate earnestly about something else entirely without regard to truth. Consider this an apology to "our" forum. "Our forum" being the give and take of opinions regarding fishing and its attendant "branches" of subjects regarding our treasured Ozark streams. And, as a person who has, on occasion, been less than charitable to those who want to "talk" about something else besides Ozark fishing. So... CARDINALS 3 RANGERS 2 YES! GO CARDINALS!

It is counterintuitive, but I believe the Mineral was better when Pat and Rivermont and that circus of a campground were in full bloom, with all of Jefferson County's finest availing themselves of the river, than now, with Kohner Properties buying out everything and restricting access to the river. One would think restricting easy and public access to a gem of a stream would have a positive fishing effect on the river. But it didn't. Why? My theory is that the Mineral Fork appeared on the radar (social networking definitely played a part) of many anglers who, up until recently, were unaware of its awesomeness. This happened just as Kohner began buying everyone and thing out.Among smallmouth anglers, the small creek then became known, popular, and then more pressured. Coupled with the catch and keep practices of certain, shall we say, less scrupulous fishermen, the Mineral began its gradual descent. We may have loved it to death.

Who gives a f*** about your sheepshead. What does it have to do with Missouri fishing? Oh. Sorry. You are from Missouri. Continue. We await with baited breath with regard to your next Gulf of Mexico fish. Oops. Sorry edmashburn. I've been told to be nice. Yes, of course we are interested with salt water fishing. That is why it's called the Ozark Angler Forum.

They will ship twin spins to you. No reason to make a trip.

Thanks Tim. Have a beer. Relax.

Unfair? Twaddle. I am speaking from experience. My son inhaled copious amounts of cereal after his frolfing sessions. Poor Cinnamon Life didn't have a chance.

20 years ago was 1991. I was married that year. DOH! So, what you're saying is, our distant past was the 1990s? (the 1990s! Really?) The 1980's (30 years ago). Good grief. Who cares about crawfish. What happened to my life.

It's a "sleeper" sport because of the amount of weed that gets smoked before, during, and, after it. After a good session in the woods and a bowl of Cap'N Crunch, you're ready for some "sleep" in your vomitorium.

This is 2011. There is no reason for you to be in an aluminum canoe. In the future, ask for the plastic (ABS, Royalex) Old Town or Buffalo canoes that most outfitters have now. They are lighter, more maneuverable, less hot, and quieter than their metal counterparts. The upper Meramec is a splendid area for catching smallies. There are also numerous, very large, largemouths up there too. I would advise not throwing little lures.