jdmidwest

MDC employees Biologists that monitor stream populations of fish and other species. When they set a season, they are pretty sure it will not affect the population of the stream in a negative way. A few years back, MDC tried a age old method of fishing called Grabbing or Hogging. At the end of the first season, they determined that too many large, mature catfish were being taken with the method and the season was discontinued to preserve the population. I have never gigged a fish and have never wanted to gig a fish. If there are poachers taking illegal fish, then it needs to be stopped, but gigging is a valid sporting method that provides entertainment and nourishment to a group of sportsmen. I don't bow hunt any longer and I know alot of deer are crippled by bow hunters each year. This may affect my gun season, should I get on a high horse and campaign against for my interests only? I don't snag paddlefish and am sure game fish are caught and harmed by that method also, should I campaign against that? NO. Just because you don't understand something does not make it wrong or odd or incorrect, it just means you lack the ability to reason and learn about them before you cast judgement. I don't have any links or papers that show actual data on the matter, I just trust the MDC to do the research for me. If you want, google "gigging effects on missouri streams" and see what pops up or do a similar one on the MDC site. Or, if you are really bored, call a fisheries biologist and ask him to provide some statistical data on the subject.

I was just fishing for the reason he wanted to purchase the rod. But you are right, he needs to try to buy.

Don't forget about Obama causing the Oil Spill.....

Its a legal sporting season, set by the MDC, monitored by the MDC, and enforced by the MDC. The rules and regulations are on the MDC website, in the fishing handbook, and the MDC handbook of rules and regulations. Surely you can figure that out or do you just like dumb questions????

It is a genetic mutation caused by a lack of a certain pigment in the skin, I think melanistic is the term. It was explained to me by a biologist as we floated the Norfork stocking Brown Trout one time. Several of the stockers were almost white. If they are totally white it is albanism or albino. It is not the Golden Trout breed from out west.

A sportsman should never complain about another LEGAL sporting method like gigging, a long standing tradition here in the Ozarks. Just because you don't understand it or do it, its legal and some enjoy it. Just because you think they may take an bass or two you want to outlaw it. I would guarantee there are many more tickets written for undersize and over the limit bass fishing than there are gigging violations. If we were to use the same analogy and a gigger got on his high horse about people attacking undersize bass based on a few poachers he saw on the stream, he would want to abolish bass fishing. Enforcement of existing laws is what we need, call the 1-800-392-1111 and report the poacher instead of complaining about a legal fishing method that does not affect the fish population. Complaints are fuel for the fires of Anti Sportsman groups like PETA and others.

Make it about politics, shut it down....

Do you fish Dry Flies any?? If you don't, then you will probably need to stick with the 5 or 6 wt.

When I buy a rod or have one built, I look for a Light Action rod. Ultra Light is too limber and Medium is too heavy. I usually toss 1/4 to 1/6 ounce lures with 4 or 6 lb test when spin fishing. I have had some built with St Croix Blanks and really like them. 5 1/2 to 6 foot lengths are preferred as most of my fishing is done from a kayak or canoe.

Obama caused the oil spill! He was trying to pollute the Heron wintering grounds so they will not stab the smallies!

Mine is doing good also. Picking 2 qts of strawberries a day off a 6x6 patch. Lettuce has been plentiful. Corn is looking good. Squash and tomatoes have been slow, too cool. Replanted last week and beans, okra, more squash, cucumbers all starting to come up fine. It needs the warm weekend we are about to get.

There was a nice bar 2 summers ago a few holes down from Riverton where we spent the night. If you are running a jet, you should have no problems finding it from Riverton. Of course, why not just camp at Riverton? Mike only charges a few bucks and supplies slab wood and a shower. As far as Smallies, I would run up to Halls Bay and fish down from there. I pick up alot of smallies in the stretch. I have only been thru from Riverton to the Narrows one time many years ago. That stretch of the river is better to run the jet on. The access at 142 is a bad place to leave a shuttle car with anything in it. I think the HP limit is from the State line up, as is the Smallmouth management area.

There was a big rattlesnake on the Whitewater last year during spawning season, maybe we should start gigging rattlesnakes.

I have seen fish with holes in them in May and June in a few of the local streams. There are usually a few frogs with legs missing laying in the holes also. Of course, it is before the official start of frog season, so I have no doubt that a frog poacher may attempt to gig a game fish also. Of course, I do scare off a heron from time to time, do they only eat the frog legs and spit the rest out? We can only assume based on observations....

Good deal, can't wait till the weekend.

A few pictures may help sell this item....

Frog season is almost upon us again, you should start seeing a large number of smallies with gig marks on them again. Funny how it coincides with the blue heron migration in the spring.

Float season kicks off this weekend with the annual pre-Memorial Day Float on the Spring River. Anybody been lately????

In small streams, even wading near smallmouth beds will spook off the guardian fish and minnows or longear sunfish rush in and dine on the eggs. I have observed this and target longear sunfish specifically on their beds in response to the brutal onslaught of a prime gamefish. That, and the redbelly's taste good too. Thus, I turn the balance of nature in favor of the smallies by controlling the longears.

My Dad did not fish! They were so bad they would eat all of the leaves off the trees, so he sprayed them one year. Before, all you had to do was climb up, shake a limb, and pick up a gallon jug of the worms, then go fishing, with my Uncle.

Here in MO, your tow is insured for liability only if it is attached to an insured vehicle. If you want replacement or Comp, otherwise known as "full coverage" on the towed item, you need to purchase separate policy. There are some states that are starting to require a liability policy while the boat is floating on the lake I believe. Once again, if you are going to operate a Motorized boat in another state, you need to check the ON THE WATER RULES for operating a boat. That would be available on the States Water Patrol site or Dept. Of Revenue. And, it has to be licensed, titled, and stickered in at least some state in a current year for operation. Same applies to the motor, trailer, and possibly the trolling motor in some instances.

I run across some on the Castor River last summer. We sprayed our trees one year at the farm and have not had a problem with them since. I have one coming along nice here too, I need to find some moths to get it cultured. They are great trees, the ones at the farm have been there for 60 years or better. Mine was one that sprouted up in a flower bed at the farm. The main tree at the house on the farm is mostly hollow and home to squirrels and a screech owl from time to time. I believe they were transplanted from Arkansas along with a Mimosa tree that died out many years ago.

Crickets worked great last Sunday at a local lake, we caught a nice mess of Redear, a few Bluegills and one Channel Cat. Heading back tomorrow if the weather holds out.

Looks like most caves will be closed again this season for fear of the White Nose Disease. That is a bummer for those who like to explore the caves, something I have never really gotten into. But they are an interesting ecology that is a part of our MO outdoors that many enjoy. Over the past few years, I have seen alot of Bat Boxes go up in public places. I wonder if there is any connection between the two or it is just an observation? Caves Closed

Boating laws should be the same, but you could check the KY waterpatrol website or the KY Dept of Revenue to find more details. Registration should be good, years ago, KY did not even license trailers.