eric1978

Let's see if I can explain my position a little better. I would rather catch the type and size of fish that Mother Nature intended I catch in a given area than an artificially supplanted one, UNLESS there is an ecological niche that is not being filled, i.e. trout parks, Taney, farm ponds, etc. All those places need human assistance to become highly-productive fishing waters. The reason we have Northern Strain LM, smallmouth and Kentuckies instead of FL strain LM is because those are the species the planet decided should inhabit the area in which we choose to live. If you found some super-warm reservoir somewhere in MO that wasn't able to support high populations of quality Northern Strain LM, and some other species hadn't adapted to and inhabited that reservoir, I'd say go for it...but those reservoirs don't exist. That's why I mentioned power-plant lakes in another thread...how about a FL strain LM program in a place like that instead? Why tinker with already-established and highly productive MO reservoirs? As long as our fisheries are producing good numbers of mature fish (within size ranges according to the limitations of the species), I'm happy. I prefer to keep things natural. If I want to chase FL strain monsters, I'll drive down to Fork. Catching a 5 pound LM here in MO is just as satisfying to me as catching a 10 pound FL strain beast in a southern state. I don't need my rod to be bent in half to thoroughly enjoy catching a fish. Again, everyone likes bigger fish, but I'm not willing to sacrifice tens of thousands of years of natural selection to accomplish it. I'm all for improved creel regulations based on scientific data, as well as aggressive social regulations and laws to protect and improve the habitat of our native fishes. Let's start with that, and if there is still room for improvement, we can talk about radical genetic changes then. ...IMHO

Totally agree. They've always been there and they belong there. I don't really see a competition problem, and even if they were, well that's just too bad because they're native. And actually...I'm no expert on the White River reservoirs, but I think a couple of them are probably producing at the top of their potential. You TR pros should correct me if I'm wrong, but it sure seems like that lake is just phenomenal. Maybe you could make an argument that the spots are a little more of an impedance to LM on LOZ, but I really don't know about that either. Now the north-flowing streams on the other hand...just kidding

LMAO!!! That's classic!

Beats me. I'd probably take the baitcaster and the traditional spring lures. Jigs, Warts, Pointers, flukes, spinnerbaits. Maybe stick a Sammy in there just for kicks. If the water is up and off-color, the flies may be a little subtle. I'd try big, dark, heavier streamers if I was resolved to use the fly rod in those conditions.

I'd say that's just about exactly right. Everyone would like bigger bass, but I think you're trying to square a circle here Walcrabass. Florida strain largemouth just won't thrive up here. I'd really love to have Peacock Bass fishing here, too, but it's just not possible given the conditions. The best way to improve our fisheries is through the correct regulations and habitat protection and improvement. I'd suggest staying focused on those things, since they're really all we have any kind of control over. We're never going to see LM bass in the sizes they are produced in FL, TX, CA and Mexico. If you could find a place where the conditions were appropriate for FL strain bass, go for it...maybe in a power-plant lake or something. But introducing genetically incompatable species to MO reservoirs would just be a waste of time and money.

My guess for the bite this weekend would be "unpredictable," and I think the river may be too high with the additional rain coming. I'd say the smallies are transitioning out of their winter holes right now and could be in any number and combination of patterns. Anyone know what the Meramec looks like now? Good luck and report back.

I think you meant to say, "Wish you had voted libertarian?" And the answer is no.

George likes spicy chicken.

I can't give you advice on which stretches to float, but I can tell you if you want a sure-thing float, don't pick spring. It's the most unpredictable time for river levels, and if you're talking May, you could hit a spawning period that will screw with your productivity. You could hit a jackpot, or you could get skunked, or the river could be blown out and altogether unfloatable. We always have a Plan-B backpacking trip in our back pocket in case the rivers are screwed. Good luck to us all.

Not that you actually remember most of it though, right Kevin? Looking forward to listening to it. I expect to learn a lot.

That was Bush, remember?

It's ALWAYS been that way, not just the last 14 months. ALWAYS.

Which jobs are those again?

Very cool pics. Can't say I know that hike, but I've done a couple nearby.. I've got a float planned in April and we're looking for a back-up backpacking trip to for a Plan B option just in case the rivers are blown out that weekend. I understand if you don't want to, but I gotta ask if you'll PM me that hike...We are "leave no trace" hikers and I promise to keep it to myself.

Didn't know about them, but I will certainly check them out.

Forget it, ness. We're not gonna resolve this one. I see it one way, you see it another. That'll have to do.

Since when are GM vehicles a crappy product? Tell that to all the folks who worked their whole lives for a company then were forced into an "early retirement" and totally screwed. I know some, do you? It's not jingoism, it's loyalty. And again, I don't get where you guys think American vehicles aren't in the ballpark of "the best product." They are at least comparable. I think GM and Ford make great trucks...the cars you can make an argument for due to the poor gas mileage (in comparison to some foreign cars), and that's something American companies need to work on. But there are greater forces involved in the lack of production of fuel-efficient cars. Ever seen "Who Killed the Electric Car?" By the way, I'm not conservative, and I'm not a capitalist chest thumper. I think unrestrained capitalism causes a lot of problems.

Yeah, he said he'd go to Costa Rica...where they have SOCIALIZED health care. He's brilliant.

I think it does. In my opinion, protecting America's middle class workers is one of the most patriotic things you can do. Corporations are the problem in general, both foreign and domestic, but given the choice to keep my money in our country, or send it to another country, I'll opt to keep it here. Our motor companies have major problems, but to blame assembly workers for those problems is disgusting. Patriotism is not as easy as saying, "I'm patriotic," but rather behaving in ways that maintains and improves the quality of life of the citizens who are the very fabric of the country we claim we "love."

But the people who put them together get paid crap. I think they're fine vehicles for the most part, I just hate sending our money out of the country if we don't have to. We hardly make anything here anymore, so when I can buy American I almost always try to as long as we have a product that is comparable in quality and price...cars we have, reels we don't, that was my point.

No, but I don't know of any American reels that are on a par with Shimano, and I don't have any neighbors that I'll put out of work when I buy Shimano.

Way to buy American there JD...very patriotic. They are saying the accelerator problem is on later model cars, so your 4-Runner is not susceptible to it.

If you guys really think that our recreational fishing on Missouri's rivers and lakes is in any danger, you should check yourself into the nearest mental hospital. I suggest you think twice before you believe every scrap of propaganda you read.

Yep, I've had several similar experiences out there this year. I think I'm done with the trout lakes until November...I have a feeling there are very few fish left anyhow. I'm glad to hear an agent was checking people. I haven't seen anyone checked at all, and I'm sure many of those people were licenseless.

Howdy to you too! Whereabouts in St. Peters are ya? You know, you can make any stretch last however long you want...I've done 17 to Alley Spring in two days, but I could have spent a week on that stretch if I had the time to kill. It's a beautiful river...spend some time at Jam-Up and a bunch of time at the fishy-looking spots and paddle hard through the slack-water. You'll love it. Hope it doesn't rain around then...I got a float scheduled, too.