KCRIVERRAT

I see... I'd bet you and Chief Greybear could have some great conversations concerning the railroad. KC

Well, some of the weather guys here in KC ended up cryin' wolf just a bit. At least as far as the possible 13" report! I'd guess 6" at most. Hard to tell with all the drifting. Got a two to three foot drift the length of the driveway I've got to shovel to get the vehicle out of the garage. MERRY CHRISTMAS! (I guess?)

That's a good idea Wader, especially for people who like to eat bass (meaning spots). I am not big on eating freshwater bass. Better tasting stuff within' our state, whether it be fish or game. Any bass I catch of legal size in the state of Missouri, whether it be a smallmouth, largemouth, or spots, goes back in the drink. Wader... you got a state or government job keeping you on those honeyholes? KC

Thanks Dutch... hope your barn is heated by a wood-burning stove! That's my dream hangout. Along with a referidgerator and freezer. In the ozarks of course... KC

One local station has us possibly receiving 13" here in KC. Sleeting hard now at 5:00. Gonna get my wife out of the hospital one way or another tomorrow. Best Christmas present I could ask for if I had to ask. Hope all of you are being safe... KC

Catch and release Smallmouth man... C'MON! That's it... my little rant.

Just asking, but is there really an over harvest of the Neosho strain? There are a lot of streams in SW Missouri that harbor this strain that I believe aren't overfished. If I'm questioned about this, I'll go back to my sources...

Should've dammed the Meremac and not dammed the White. darn if you do, darn if you don't...

Wrong forum... sorry. One of you moderaters please move this.

If anybody gives a hoot about me, they could find me by clicking on to my username in the past. I prefer the other forum... for now.

Guys, there are people on this forum who do plenty of volunteer work on the western Missouri streams. I believe we all know that. Wished I could help out, but my situation does not allow me to. I'm an MSA member and after joining realized they're kinda concentrated in the eastern part of our state. That's fine with me, I just can't get over to the St. Louis area to attend the meetings. I don't think the K.C. area is a hotbed for people who dedicate themselves to smallmouth fishing. Maybe I'll catch some heat for that! A chapter in southwest Missouri would be great. From what I've read here, there would be a lot of different angles on preservation of the smallmouth species compared to the eastern watersheds. In the end, the MDC's Stream Team program to me was one of the best things they've ever implemented. I know one team in southwest Missouri that I'd like to help out. I know they've got my back and I'll do what I can. Let's remember... the future of our streams and their preservation lies with our children and their's. I'm friends with a guy on this forum who has taught his boy (and I believe his little girl is informed) so much about what he knows about everything there is to know about fishing and the tangibles that you learn with it. His boy already could outfish... well, I'll just say alot of guys or gals on this forum. KC

Carefull there bud... those conservative trout guys here are licking there chops!

You two suck... KC

WHOOPS! Need to reiterate my second paragraph. I'm proud of what the MDC's done. Wondering if there are any other states that have done better as far as smallmouth conservation, especially streams. Just was saying also that their Big Buffalo Creek SMA was a major mistake. KC

Al knows Kevin and I'm sure Al's following this. Seems like Al could talk to Kevin about OAF's concerns and intentions. He started this thread right? Heck... ask, or tell Kevin what OAF's thinking about doing. Better yet, tell him WHAT OAF's gonna do. Then ask him if OAF's barking up the wrong tree. If so, who does OAF direct their concerns to? Sorry Al... but you seem to be an informitive voice and you're an OAF contributor. On another note, is there any other conservation or wildlife and parks department in any state that has done any more, at this point, than MDC has for our states smallmouth? Arkansas, Tennesse, or any other state have designated areas for special smallmouth management areas like our MDC has implemented? Years ago when MDC designated Big Buffalo Creek down there by LOZ, I was all over that. Thought I'd have a place close to K.C. I could catch some big smallies besides Stockton at that time, and from a stream! WHAT A JOKE! Creek was darn near dry. Headed over to Cole Camp Creek and caught a few small ones but that creek had potential in my book. Sure, I'd love to see a STATEWIDE 18" (one fish) creel limit. Regardless of the cheaters, I think it would result in bigger fish statewide. After floating past a guy (an old timer) beneith the Eminence bridge on the Jacks Fork three years ago and asking him how he was doing, he proudly held up a stinger of at least 10 smallies. Believe me, not all were 12 inches. Yes... an enforcement issue to be argued again and again, but an 18 inch, one fish limit WOULD help in my mind. Maybe not with him, but maybe others. I'm done... and I'm ready to help our smallmouth. KC

Regarding the Current River, I (like OTF), would much rather see a SMA on the Current somewhere above Two Rivers. Too many jet boats creating havoc from Two Rivers down to Donophin.

OTF... I'm guessing "sunnies" are longears, sunfish, punkinseeds? Eastern Missouri jargon vs. Western Missouri jargon...

Wayne, I'd bet there's 5 pounders out there somewhere in our streams. I may be wrong... or more than likely forgetful, but hasn't Al Agnew mentioned he's caught them? Maybe I'm dreaming.... actually I do! But I hope to someday land a smallmouth of that size from one of our streams. I've caught 3 pushing 4 pounds over the years and man was that awesome! By the way, the guy who caught that big smallmouth on the James that posted his pics... was he on the James River arm of Table Rock or the lower James River? Probably on the Rock I guess...

My father-in-law caught a 17" crappie at the island where the Kings runs in (Table Rock). He caught it on a minnow. Not a fake one... a real live minnow! Should I say "God forbid!"? I think not... His fish was not a state record, unlike Scott's. But if his crappie was a record, would we be having this conversation on a predominantly trout forum? Anyway, I love this forum... you guys are full of #1... gumption, and #2... info! KC

Ness, where's the big crappie pics? I know you do... Shawnee? Or do you fish for them? KC

I know what you're saying Glory Daze, but in the heat of the moment, It'd be hard to not bring that fish back to be SURE if it was a record fish. It might of died after the fight anyway... who knows? Like some of the other posts stated, it was an old fish... and there's bigger browns waiting to be caught in Taney. Strictly a matter of preference, but if I ever do catch that 5# smallmouth out of ANY Missouri stream... it's replica will be on my wall. KC

Brian, when I come to the 11 point, I'll be contacting you. Happy B-day! KC

That fly has got stink written all over it... Beautiful fish Dylan!

Used to float and camp overnight on Bryant. It is a great stream. Used "Abandoned River Ranch" back then. The couple who owned it were great people. I remember his name (cause it's mine) Jerry... but I can't recall hers. Kyle Kosovich here on the forum informed me she passed on from cancer.

Wanted to add... there's a spot from Hebron down to Twin Bridges that holds some really big smallmouth. Cattle are involved... go figure.