ozark trout fisher

Look, these people were effected by a fairly serious natural disaster. Just me, but I guess that sympathy might actually be an appropriate response.

Most national media outlets are based in either New York City or LA. So any major story at all that occurs near those areas are going to get plenty of coverage. It's not that the people out east or in big cities are more likely to be complaining in these types of situations, it's more that they happen to have a huge number of national media outlets to amplify those thoughts. Something we don't have in the midwest. It's not okay that a natural disaster will be considered more important near a major market. But I'm pretty resigned to the fact that this is how it's going to work. It's a lot easier and more obvious to cover a story like that in your backyard than to travel to Missouri or Kansas to do the same, and like others have pointed out the ratings of said coverage will be lower. It's sad but it's also reality.

It was that. I don't know how many more of those types of summers Missouri trout can withstand, and maintain quality fisheries anywhere except within a couple miles of the springs where the water will basically never get warm. One or two tough summers should be remedied in time. More than a few of those and maybe not so much. I'm really hoping that doesn't become a trend. If it does I'm going to need to become a year-round smallmouth fisherman. Last year even the usually reliable spring rains largely didn't come through, and that's part of what led us to the situation we were in by mid-summer. This year we're at least getting a good head start with plenty of spring/late winter precipitation, if drought does indeed coming this summer.

Oh well. It happens and you might as well get it out of your system somewhere where you have a good chance to recover gear.

Hard to think of it as anything but good, except in the short term. I feel bad for those who went down this weekend and largely had their fishing ruined.....but sometimes that's just how things fall. I know it's happened to me a few times. Even by early summer of last year those trout were really hurting........and it's effecting the fishing on that river (and most every other trout stream in the state) quite a bit. I wouldn't mind actually being able to go down there and fish in late June or July this year, so the more charged up those springs can get the better. Last year I decided to stay off the river for a matter of a couple months due to the horrible conditions and the fact that I knew the fish had to be stressed. I'm really hoping we don't have a repeat.

I get that, but I mostly fish small streams that don't have fly shops anywhere near them...I do try to buy at shops whenever I happen to be near them. It's just not often, that's all...

I am one of those people who would be thrilled to buy flies at a shop....If they even existed in central Mo where I live, or south central MO where I fish, I'd probably never buy from the online outlets or the big stores. But it's not a possibility, because there are none. So I have to be one of those people buying stuff almost exclusively online. I don't like it, but it's not really an option for all of us. Most of the streams I fish aren't ones with fly shops on their banks either. If I'm driving down 63 to Little or Big Piney the only place I can buy flies even close to along the way is bass pro..............

Yep. I camp there a lot. But there are only a couple decent spots to pitch a tent so it's very iffy as to whether there will be anything . Usually a 50-50 proposition on weekends. So if that's what you're doing have a back up plan.

Hate to see those campgrounds closing down. I can't stand the atmosphere in Montauk Park where you might as well be at Six Flags. If there are no other options I can deal with it, but it kind of ruins the experience for me. I rarely camp in campgrounds anymore, usually just camping along the river in the few places where there aren't no camping signs. But this will likely serve to crowd those areas further.

I went to the spring game today....if you watched it let's hope you are a fan of defense. The offense looked really crisp for the 2-3 possessions where James Franklin was in the game (given how he performed much better than any other QB and then was benched made me think that maybe the coaching staff had seen enough to consider him the starter, but I could be totally wrong.) But when Maty Mauk and Corbin Berkstresser were in the game it didn't look great. I think they had two picks each, Mauk's coming one right after the other. Mauk did show that he can really run. There weren't many QB runs because if a QB was touched he was down, but still Mauk broke off for a couple of 20-30 yard gains. He didn't look great passing it, though. He really has a tendency to throw it into tough spots where he can get picked off. Berkstresser had one really good deep pass, but like Mauk had two picks, though only one was his fault. But we've seen a lot of Berkstresser so I don't need to say much. He looked about the same as last year. He has a great arm and can make any throw, but the accuracy isn't elite and he isn't the runner that either of the other options are. I would be a bit surprised if he won the job. He could be a good quarterback, but I'm just not sure he's the best fit for Missouri's spread. Honestly, our defense looked good, but it was hard to know how much of that had to do with our offense. Like I said earlier, based on what I saw I'm guessing Franklin is the fairly entrenched starter. But I could be completely off. The other interpretation was that Mauk and Berkstresser played more because they are really the main contenders. I just don't think that's the case, though.

I think his concern (right or wrong) was that his draft stock wasn't going up any further. The draft next year will be much stronger. And with Mizzou losing its whole front court except for Tony Criswell, there aren't going to be as many experienced options to dump it off to in the post next season. In short, it sometimes hurts your draft stock to stick around through rebuilding situations (although as rebuilding years go, Mizzou should still be pretty decent next year.) As for Mizzou, it'll be interesting to see how this affects their prospects. It depends on Wes Clark and Jordan Clarkson who will have to step up. Also whether Tony Criswell and our other post options can improve quickly is pretty important. Mizzou can make the tournament if things go well. But there won't be as much margin for error as we're used to.

Haven't taken part in one of these debates in awhile....good to see they still exist:) I will say that I didn't read this whole thread, but here's the way I look at it....I don't keep smallmouth bass, because I get an inordinate amount of enjoyment out of catching them and in that case it seems really silly to destroy the thing that I love. It's partially based on sound, biologically reasons, but that's far from the whole story. I also understand that some other people don't feel the same way, and that's fine. There are places where keeping smallmouth is okay. Not ideal, but okay. There are a lot of Ozark rivers that are absolutely brim full with them and keeping a couple isn't going to be terribly damaging to the fishery. But there are other places, where in my opinion, it's not okay....legal, or not. I fish some streams where the native smallies are a fairly tiny minority of the population, depressed by invasive species or pollution or overharvesting. One should never keep a fish out of those streams. That said, I don't make a practice of calling out people who are keeping fish and are within their rights. Trying to embarrass someone when they're fishing is rarely productive and is more likely to turn them against your cause than anything else. Of course I only mean this in situations where a person is keeping legal fish, if they're poaching it's a different matter entirely. All you can do is try to spread the word, and hope for the best.

I agree with you in principle, but the problem is, it was one of those tough non-conference opponents that cost Mizzou a bowl game last year. While everyone else was playing cupcakes late in the season we had to schedule a tough Syracuse team instead, and lost a heartbreaker. So maybe scheduling tough non-conference opponents just isn't always the right thing to do, especially when your goal is probably more like 7-5 or 8-4, not winning the national championship. Plus, there are a couple teams on the schedule that should push Mizzou at least a little, especially Toledo and Indiana, and maybe against Arkansas State. If Mizzou doesn't come out and play well, any of those three teams could get the win. So it's not like it's four creampuffs and then the SEC. They'll be challenged early in the season, it's just that they probably shouldn't actually lose. Of course, anything can happen though.

A bit off topic, but I took my first real look at Mizzou's 2013 schedule. I like the way it looks, honestly. Unlike last season, we get all four of the non-conference games done at the start of the year-and there's a really good chance we'll be 4-0 at that point. The only really easy game is at home against Murray State, but you wouldn't think they would lose to Arkansas State or Toledo either. Indiana on the road is probably the biggest question mark, but they haven't been a bowl team in awhile. It's not inconceivable that it could be a loss, but I really think that heading into the SEC this team should be 4-0. But after that there's 4 straight games where Mizzou will probably be significant underdogs. And yes, that includes a road game at Vanderbilt-obviously not an easy win these days as they're coming off winning 9 games. That also includes South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, and I don't need much of an explanation there. It's just a terribly brutal way to open in the SEC. So unless things go fairly unexpectedly (and of course, there's a great chance they will, Mizzou would be 4-4, and 0-4 in the SEC. If that does happen, it's about whether the team can handle 4 straight losses and hold together. Because if they can, there would be plenty of opportunities to grab 2 or 3 more wins and get to bowl eligibility. Missouri is likely to be favored at home against Tennessee and on the road at Kentucky. A road game at Ole Miss will be tough, but unless their recruiting class is incredibly productive in year one, that should be winnable also. So if Mizzou stays healthy and doesn't let the rough midseason schedule get to them, they probably have a much better opportunity to make a little noise this year than last season. Bowl eligibility should be expected. I think that they will end up 6-6 or 7-5, but I do think 8-4 is possible if they can pull just one big upset. It's also (remotely) possible that they could get beaten down in October and never really recover. But I wouldn't count on that happening again-it's just not a trend for Gary Pinkel teams.

I agree that the Arkansas rivalry will be fun in basketball, but as much as the SEC folks talk about it, I'm starting to wonder if it will ever happen in football. Let's get it on the schedule, foks. They're our "permanent rival" but our first four SEC west opponents will be A&M (twice), Ole Miss, and Alabama. And no official word that the Razorbacks will actually ever be on the schedule. Really???? For all of the talk otherwise, I think it's looking like the Aggies are our real "rival" in the west. No offense to Razorback fans, but with Manziel maybe at A&M for three more years, I don't think I like that idea much.

I won't waste one single word talking about how I wish we hadn't moved to the SEC. It's not a thought that matters to me anymore, and honestly, there have been plenty of good things about Mizzou's new conference this year. I've legitimately enjoyed weird, random matchups against teams like Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Florida. It's kind of like playing 12 non-conference games a year in football, and 30 in basketball. The rivalries might not be there, but it's exciting enough, at least for now. But anyway, in terms of basketball and football, Missouri is done with with it's first year in the conference. It wasn't a disaster, but I don't think it went how any of us had hoped. Football of course was the worse of the two. I would say we swung back and forth from very competitive to total SEC doormat, depending mostly on who was injured that week. There were just enough glimpses of hope (especially when we were one stop on fourth and long from bowl eligibility against Syracuse) to make it really sting when the season ended 5-7. But to me basketball was actually more painful. That was when we were supposed to pay back all of the teams that had destroyed us in football, where we were supposed to win a conference championship or at least come really close. That this didn't happen had to be the biggest disappointment of the sports season for me, even including football. It really looked good too. 11-2 coming into conference play, wins over Illinois and VCU, as good as anyone in the conference. Florida looked like a threat, but Missouri looked better. But then Laurence Bowers went down against Alabama. We played poorly while he was out, but for whatever reason, Missouri never truly rebounded even when he came back. There were plenty of highlights, my favorite being the huge home win over Florida (probably the one that put this team in the tournament) but I don't think anyone saw so many road losses coming. By the time the tournament came around, I'm not sure even how disappointed anyone was with the first round loss, because after all, we were only a 9 seed. But to be ranked #7 early in the season (however unfair that may have been) and see that happen is something else entirely. And then to lose the vast majority of your team to graduation/NBA/transfer, well that doesn't feel great. So in short, I don't know how I'll remember Missouri's first year in the SEC. I guess we have to hope this was just a year of growing pains. I do think the football program will be fine, but I'm a little more worried about where basketball is headed.

Everything I've heard points to Josey getting at least somewhat close to the RB we were used to seeing in 2011. I agree, it will be interesting to see how he looks in the spring game. As bad as it probably is to say this, all of the injuries last season along our offensive line will actually make that position stronger this season. We have considerably more depth there now. The defensive line is what I'm really worried about. We have very little depth there, not a good thing in the SEC. I'm actually not worried about the quarterback position. I honestly have no idea who will start, but we are going to have 2-3 guys out there that are going to be capable of playing in the SEC. So while I want to stay away from injuries as that position (or any other) it's probably more survivable. I hear great things about how mobile Mauk is in the pocket. I'm kind of cheering for Franklin to keep his job, but I could think of worse things than Mauk taking over. Good problems to have. I'm cautiously optimistic. I really want Pinkel to stay, and I really think he'll get it done this year. We just need to see slight improvement. I think 7 wins would do it for now, we all want more, but I think that would be a significant step in the right direction.

He's probably a late second round pick, according to most sources. But he does certainly run the risk of going undrafted. But Haith's system just wasn't working for him last year, and I'm not sure his tendencies to try to take over a game would improve. And the draft will be stronger next year, with a lot of good freshman coming in to college basketball. So in short, good luck to him, and Missouri should move on and be fine. Next season might be a rebuilding year, but Haith is bringing in top 20 recruiting classes, so the longer term future looks bright. For 2013-14, I'd expect anywhere from 17-20 wins. Probably an NIT team if we're being honest. But if that leads to better things in the future, then I'm willing to be patient. That said, if our top recruits (Wes Clark at point and Johnathan Williams III at forward) can make an early impact (and they are highly rated, so there is at least a legitimate chance of that) the NCAA tournament is a very real possibility. Also, if Jabari Brown and/or Earnest Ross can become the next Marcus Denmon or Kim English, then we could be pretty good. It will at least be interesting. But I'm thinking football already, honestly. Missouri should be much better next year. Interesting quarterback competition between Mauk and Franklin (and maybe Berkstresser.) I'm thinking 3-4th in the SEC east and something like 7-5, though I'd be far from surprised if they really rebounded and ended up in the top 25. It's all about staying healthy, and the schedule seems a lot easier.

Nice pictures. My experience this year has been that the browns are doing okay....but not near as many rainbows as usual. Fine by me!

Well, all of the teams in our general area that qualified for the tournament (Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, Kansas, and Kansas State) are all out of the tournament..except for Wichita State, who is now in the final four. If you say that you saw that coming, you're lying.

Gulf Coast somehow made out of the first weekend, beat San Diego State yesterday rather convincingly. Lots of times when a 14 or 15 seed wins a tournament game, it's because of great three point percentage which can largely be a fluke. But Gulf Coast just dominates in the post and in transition, and doesn't rely on the three too much. They are just a really good team, and to be honest it wouldn't be all that shocking to see them win another game next weekend. Now the SEC is down to one team; Florida. Ole Miss almost made it through the weekend but couldn't quite close out their game against LaSalle. Still, they are the only team so far in the conference who has played better than their seed-line (though Florida is well on its way to that.) Unless Florida goes out and wins the national championship, it just doesn't look like the tournament is going to be the thing that saves the SEC's image this year. The league was dealing with a lot of new coaches and a general lack of talent. That hopefully will change in the coming seasons.

Yep, I'm cheering for a Kansas team. Go Wichita State. Beat Gonzaga today and will have an excellent chance to move onto the elite 8 against the winner of Ole Miss/LaSalle. In the meantime, I become one the biggest North Carolina fans around.

There were a lot of people who weren't giving a solid defensive effort. Actually, outside of Oriakhi and perhaps Bowers, I can't think of any of our main players that had a great defensive game. Negus Webster-Chan came in rather surprisingly for Bell but he played well. It was a weird decision to have him sit the second half, but defensively the match-ups clearly did not appear to be working for him when he was in the game. He was playing hard, but we needed to try something else defensively. It didn't really work, but I guess I don't fault Haith for trying. There's this narrative that Missouri's effort wasn't there. That's just not true, in my opinion. It's the tournament, not the NIT or one of the other postseason tournaments where a lot of teams really couldn't care less. Of course they wanted to win and were a lot more crushed by this loss than any fans. It was apparent in the post-game reaction. But this is not an elite defensive team, and they turned in arguably their worst performance on that end of the floor at the worst time. There are clearly issues with the postseason culture at Missouri (ever since the surprise elite 8 run in 2009) but lack of effort hasn't been the problem. mediocre defense, combined with seemingly not being able to get a bucket in the first 10 minutes had a lot more to do with it. And we are not showing Colorado State enough credit by just talking about what Missouri did wrong. There was another team in this game. Colorado State played well and I have nothing but respect for them. The took this game more than Missouri gave it away. That's what a nearly perfect offensive performance, hitting the glass, and making the vast majority of your free-throws can do. Let's face it; this team was not the top 10 team many of us thought they were early on. That was unfair for a team with so little experience playing with each other. I hate to be like this, but I said early on that I expected something a lot like what we ended up seeing this season. It's not really a disappointment. I don't think we exceeded my expectations, but we probably met them. And that's okay. We can't go 30-5 every season. 23-11 is a good year.

Missouri might be the best program in college basketball with so little tournament success. I think we are tied with BYU for most tournament appearances without a final four. Obviously I wasn't looking to change that this season, but it's definitely something that sums up Missouri basketball. We're a consistently good, borderline top 25 program that just can't seem to really break through. Whenever it looks like we're getting close, something like Norfolk State will happen. But I still love this team and will keep cheering for them even if it hurts. And next season might be interesting, to say the least. I don't think it will be a bad team though.Brown, Ross, Tulsa transfer Jordan Clarkson, and probably Pressey will return. Since they got to spend all season working on their chemistry this year (assuming Pressey stays) that could be one of the best 5 back-courts in the country. The front court is where I'm concerned. Criswell was solid this year and he should return to give us a decent (and potentially very good) power forward. Ryan Rosburg got some minutes this season, and he should see more next year, as well as Stephan Jankovic. We also have a very good recruiting class coming in, with a highly rated point guard and power forward included. That said, we're talking about one fairly experienced big man (Criswell) two guys who have played relatively few minutes (Rosburg and Jankovic) and then freshman. That could be troublesome. Haith could have the talent to get back to the tournament, but it's not exactly a given. The best case scenario is like 2011-12, where the backcourt is so good that the lack of depth up front doesn't matter as much as it should. But I wouldn't count on that happening again, and we could be a team that's struggling to win 20 or so games and make the tournament. It will be fun to see how Haith handles next year.

This has been a pretty exciting season all the way through, that for whatever reason never fully left ground. I'm not all that upset. These guys always seemed to play hard, they made the tournament, and I think we have a roster full of people that I'm happy to cheer for. That's all you can ask for. I'm a Missouri fan, so I always know nights like these are a strong possibility during the first weekend of the tournament. I think we'll all get through it and cheer just as hard for this team next year! It was sad to see Bell, Bowers, and Oriakhi go out like this. But Oriakhi and Bell both played key parts in what was a really fun season, and of course they have nothing to hang their heads about. As frustrating as it was at times, this team gave us some awesome moments like the Florida and Illinois game. As for Bowers, I have no idea what we'll do without him, and not just as a player. He was one of the more important pieces of last year's team amazing team, even though he couldn't play, and he helped us win a lot of games over five seasons.