jdmidwest

Seventy ish here yesterday. T Shirt and a hint of sunburn. We just hit the snow line here at noon today, rather chunks of ice in the raindrops. What a difference a day makes here in good ole MO.

I really don't have a dog in the hunt anyway. I have never really cared much for the Riverways anyway. Too many people, poor fishing, and poorly managed campgrounds. On an average year, I may only spend a few days there. I could easily enjoy myself somewhere else. What amazes me is that everyone seems to think it is such a money pit, a huge expense that someone else needs to spend money on. But nobody seems to think about where that money comes from that is being wasted. Nobody seems to think that it needs to be managed more efficiently. It still comes out of our pockets. That is, if you are a taxpayer.

That is the point, I have not seen any data on what revenue the Riverway generates, but I do know for a fact it does. The land and timber are a major resource along with the concessions. Everyone is quick to assume that it will be a big burden to take it over, but I have not seen any data that shows it will be. Just because there is a budgeted amount for improvements on the agenda does not necessarily mean there will not be money generated to pay for it. Nor does it mean the improvements are needed. What I fail to see in the arguement is why it would be bad for the State of Missouri to take it over. There has been no data produced that shows it will be a big debt liability if they do so. Pittman Roberts money should still come in on it. Revenues generated will stay in state. Missouri has a great State Park system and does a better job of managing them in my opinion than the NFS does. I can only see benefits and improvements it the state takes it over.

What makes you think the state could not afford it? The Riverways is a money maker. Thousands of acres of forest to be managed for a profit. Floater fees. Concessionaire fees paid by vendors at the campgrounds. Camping fees. Systems are in place now, it would just be a transfer of who funds them and where the income will be shifted. It should not cost the state any more to run the Riverways than the Feds, should it? Unless you are stating that the Riverways is a money losing waste of our tax dollars and only the Feds know how to run losing propositions.

They may just wear booties now and kick it down a trough.

Get used to them, Otter fur fell to about half of what it was last year. Demand is lower. Less trappers. This year was a crappy year for them anyway trapping wise. Most of the state was froze up all season and not much water trapping.

Ham's almost looks like a horny head.

Take one of Phil's Alaska trips and have some fun.

Creek Chub. They love flies too. They leave a fishy stink on your fingers when you handle them. I always try to shake them off.

Currently they maintain most of the ramps and parks along the Current and Jacks Fork (Feds). And they have their own law enforcement division. All of the campground buildings, toilets, probably the ferry at Akers, the mill at Alley, road system within the area and parks. Just think of all of the stuff they closed last fall. But, they collect fees from floaters and campers. They profit from the sale of timber and land sales. The Riverways is more about Missouri's Heritage than just being a big tourist playground. It should be managed by Missourians. Next, we can take back the rivers dammed by the Corps of Engineers.

Why? The state seems to manage its other public lands pretty well. And they don't close them when someone throws a little temper tantrum. The monies that go to the Feds now will stay instate instead of going to Washington to be distributed to all of the NPS. Has there been a study that shows the amount the Feds get from the Riverways system?

Crappie were biting at Kentucky Lake this weekend, 20 ft of water and on spider rigs. Not for me, but for my friends. I thought about getting out Sat, but there was a huge pile of snow in front of the boat and it started raining at 10. Did not feel like moving the snow again, it was froze pretty hard.

Not a gig, dam Heron missed.

And time changes tonight, don't be late. Actually, if you don't change the clock, you will be an hour early.

For years, Easter was the first big camping trip of the season. Out would come the popup and away we go. It is the best time of the year to shake off the winter blues and be outdoors. Kids are grown now and we have not been in a few years. It might be a good year to start that up again with the grandkid. I still remember one year it fell in March. It was about 20 and blowing hard, but sunny and dry. Picked out a spot at Sam A Baker and was halfway set up when the better half informed me that shower houses were still closed and no water or electric. So I packed back up and drove around for a while till I found a campground with open facilities. We needed electric for heat in the camper and she hates taking field dumps, so I was able to keep her happy and we had a great weekend.

Be careful and don't bounce one off a rod, it would do a number on the graphite.

If the stuff was froze as hard there as it has been here, there would not be tracks of any kind. I have not left tracks with the 4 runner once the sleet freezes back of a night, just travel on top of a sheet of solid ice.

That should work. Nice paint jobs. Care to elaborate on the methods of painting?

Gelcoat is an easy fix. And it looks like you found something to keep her occupied. She might even quit nagging about you going fishing all of the time. Just think of all the money you save by not having to take her out all of the time, probably enough for a new fish finder, some rods, a trolling motor, and plenty of new lures.

Take them along for a nice camping trip. Look for a church nearby and attend a sunrise service with them. Then pack them up and send them home Sunday Eve.

There was a neat little 1.5 Evinrude on Craigslist SE Missouri the other day. Don't know it it is still there. Would be perfect.

Sorry to hear about your loss. Looks like he lived a fine life and passed along great things by raising his kids well. I am sure his life was full of great rewards by doing so.

Its been a long winter and they are coming out hungry.

What is the deal with Easter Mon.?

I had the same reaction when all was jumping on the band wagon to ban the felts. It is a single cell organism that has been around since the beginning of time. When conditions are right, it thrives. But, it could be transferred from one area to another by many other mechanisms. It is a tough little critter that can survive a long time dormant till conditions bring it back. Instead of climate change, I feel that the otters are to blame. It showed up around the same time as they came back.