Justin Spencer

Maybe so, that sure would make things easier, why worry about didymo or zebra mussels and we all know that fossils were put here by the great bugaboo down below to test our faith. Dig that coal, burn that oil it's all part of a plan, lots of wasted effort stopping that oil leak just fed those microbes anyway, now what will they eat?

Smallie get your head out of the sand the world is changing whether you choose to believe it or not. Give ME a break!!

Well said Ness, with limited time it can be tough to not make it about yourself. I try to think back on how sad I was when my dad would go on his "adult" float trips without me. We all need our outdoor times without the kids but when I have the option (whether I really want to or not) I try to take them if they want to go. I didn't kill a deer with my rifle this year because Eli wanted to come each time we went. Could have killed one spike, but all the does spotted or heard us rustling around in the stand before they stepped out for clear shots. Good learning experience for the boy, and while I still need some meat I really don't care much about the killing so the hunting was some of the best of my life. Sad but true. With this in mind I think we should all try to shop the smaller businesses in our small towns this Christmas season. We won't hurt the big boys like Wal-mart (who we unfortunately rely on to help our counties and towns) but we can make a difference to the small town businesses that rely on this time of year to stay in business. Since most of us are men we don't know what we're doing when it comes to Christmas presents anyway we might as well spend our money where it can help others.

Nothing ground breaking here that people in the diving community haven't seen first hand over the last few decades, but a good article that sheds some light on how global warming is effecting the oceans. Wish we could find a way to make the global community take heed of the warnings that "mother earth" has been giving us for decades. Guess it will just have to wait until the economy improves. Frustrating, if Al Gore couldn't get things going what can we, as hillbillies do to help. Any suggestions. Check out the article, and get to your local reef while you still have a chance. If you have never snorkled or dove on a coral reef it is an experience that as water lovers you owe to yourself. The Florida Keys are your closest bet, or find a cheap cruise from New Orleans to Cozumel and get out and do it, I think diving is the closest thing to flying that there is and the most beautiful scenery in the world is found just a few feet under the surface of the ocean. Even if you don't care about the reefs this article explains how global warming really isn't about the atmospheric day to day temp. give it a read.My link

Here in Dora hunting and fishing are still a big deal. The Monday after opening of deer season is always a day off of school, and alot of the big bucks are killed by the kids during youth season. We don't have soccer, gymnastics, football, debate, etc. like the kids in the bigger towns have. Most of the kids here live on a few acres or more where they have hunted and fished with family members since they could crawl. My 7 year old cried when I told him I wouldn't let him deer hunt this year. He was sad because so many of his first grade classmates were killing deer (girls included). I compromised and took him out armed with a bb gun (no way is he ready to shoot a big gun), and even watched him stalk within 30 yards of a doe, where he got off 3 offhand shots before she spooked. He fly fishes and really enjoys the outdoors, while at the same time spending way to much time messing around on the computer teaching me how to edit pictures and videos. It comes down to what the parents want to emphasize and unfortunately hunting and the outdoors take a backseat to other activities where the kids can just be dropped off and picked up later.

My first attempt at a video, I have included a link because there is a bad word in the song I used and wouldn't want to offend anyone. Learned alot editing my first video, need to do alot of things different, but still kind of neat if you want to see what Bryant Creek is like.

I've never had the priveledge of fishing where they are native and there can be no comparison as that is the only "true" trout water. But our state as a whole allows all types of fishermen with all skill sets the ability to catch trout fairly close to home. From a Zebco 33 to a custom made bamboo rod people of all means and demographics can go catch trout if they wish. The state evidently thinks this is a good use of resources and I can't argue with that. The urban trout program kind of levels the playing field including the entire state instead of limiting access to areas that are for the most part remote. I'm going to stick to one of the rare areas where rainbows reproduce on their own, but by no means think they should stop any of the other programs. I've never fished a mountain lake with trout in it, but wouldn't you fish these similar to how you would fish for them in a stocked pond?

Can't wait till our boys can row the driftboats, then it's on! When I took Eli to Dry Run he said that "if I didn't get tired I could do this all day" We have to get the boys together for an outing, then when they get tired they can entertain each other and we can fish. Give it a few years and there will be a few new "young gun" guides on the NFoW. Fantastic video, keep them coming!

Helps when you have a father that can pop and lock like you can. Would like to see him end with the robot breaking down or the batteries running out.

I think Wrench finds plenty of places to fish! It doesn't bother me how or where people fish as long as it is enjoyable to them, who gives and eff what others think. I just got the feeling a few were stuck in a park rut (not that there's anything wrong with that), thinking that if they ventured outside the parks they might not catch fish. That is a true worry, and if you are limited in time to fish (most are) and don't want to risk a poor catching trip then the parks are the place to go. Hopefully the state can make it look natural at Bennett without messing up the hole (look at Dry Run creek) this is a fake river with outlet pipes and a boulder lined shore, but is super cool. Hopefully the state can continue to make neccesary "improvements" without changing the feel of these streams. I think as Missouri trout fishermen we are maybe the luckiest trout fishermen in the country with any type of fishing available to us. No matter what kind of fishing you want to do we can all go fish for and catch trout within a half day's drive from home.

2/10 May not know them but I sure can catch the SOB's

Caught the Willie Nelson show in Mountain Home last night, saw a few of the fly fishing elite there as well (don't deny it). Willie is old a little overweight with pants pulled up just under his nipples, but still one cool cat. While he still sings great he really rocks his guitar, which has a hole in it where his fingers would normally hit below the strings (that's tough). Maybe the most impressive (and disturbing) thing was the number of women (none too young) that made their way to the stage throwing panties and trying to get Willie's attention for a little after party. Looking at Willie I think his only after party was going to be him and his herbal friend. Altogether a great show and at the end of the show he spent a long time signing anything and everything people would bring to him which was very commendable.

I would be disappointed and would bitch, but I wouldn't act as though they were messing up a pristine stream and act like there is no other natural water to be found. You can come down and hand me my butt anytime, glad to learn from you. But I still won't give up my bobber, unless you can show me I can catch fish without it! I'm too lazy to be that good a fisherman, too much slack in my line. I know you don't need to be in a park to catch fish, but I need my bobber to catch them.

Talking to our floaters we don't seem to have a shortage on the NFoW. Love the less devoloped areas of the state. I have seen probably a dozen different species of snakes here including some really cool ones like a speckled kingsnake and coachwhip.

Seems like you are doing the same thing with the bucket sitters. I agree that it stinks when things change in a way I don't think is an "improvement" but even the natural streams are not immune to change. Every time it floods different holes fill in and others are scoured out making some areas easier to fish and some great areas harder to fish. Sounds like you are wanting the natural experience but think you need to be in a park to catch fish. It doesn't take any effort at all to find good natural water in the state with the parameters you mentioned. Yesterday caught 6 fish in an hour right here in front of our campground, you can fish here all day (many times by yourself) for $5. Riverside on the NFoW also has a great stretch to fish, and there are several other public accesses here that are good. This is just one stream, look at the others on this site and I'm sure you can find one close to home. I think many of you are "wild trout" people but are afraid you will have No Luck catching fish if you venture from the parks. If you can cast and mend and aren't consumed with having 20 fish days everytime you go out I think you will find the rewards of catching fish outside the parks greater than catching 30 stockers in an afternoon. Parks are great, I grew up fishing Roaring River and Bennett, and still go back from time to time, but once I figured out how to catch fish on the NFoW I seldom venture elsewhere.

Best thing I've heard about this program. Some of the first trout I ever caught were out of Gunn Park lake in Ft. Scott Ks. Could have been playing Nintendo or watching TV, but instead went out to catch fish that weren't available to us any other time of year. Plenty of other fish to catch in the warm months so the chance to catch a beautiful hard fighting fish out of lakes like they do in Colorado spurs young and old alike to get out and do something. If you don't hunt or hike and there is no snow for sledding cabin fever can be overwhelming, this program helps alleviate some of that boredom and might even get a few kids outdoors instead of staying on the couch or typing on some silly forum. By the way just came in from the river caught 6 bows in an hour + most on egg, 1 on zebra midge (still was rigged from my trip to White), lost a few others, good fishing no blue pipe!

Great to meet you. A little disappointed that wasn't you in the picture with the tiny boat!

No matter what kind of water you like to fish we are lucky to have it all in this state. Some like the winter trout program and that's fine hopefully it will always be an option. Some people like the trout parks, they are great for having a fun day catching fish but regardless of pipes or not it is not natural to see lots of fish swimming around in a stream. If natural is really what you are after go down below the parks or try some of the other trout waters in the state that have been less disturbed by man, if catching tons of fish is the main goal then you are going to lose the natural feel as the state "improves" the hatcheries and parks.

Had a friend break his ankle on Spring river got his foot caught between some rocks and was unable to move for 30 minutes or so until someone came along and freed him, kind of scary! My best dunking came during winter here on our place at fantasy island. Waded below the island on the gravel point below it fishing to both sides and turned to go back upstream and found I couldn't move. Current was too strong to go back up as I had ventured above my waist. After a five minute stalemate I did the only thing I could do which was to jump in and float to the back downstream. Cold and ashamed I started to make the cold trip back to the house when I discovered I hadn't reeled in yet and to add a little salt to the wound I was hung on the bottom and had to break off my fly.

Purchased our tickets as well, will have a few couples making the trip to the big city with us. Should be fun, see you there if not before.

My birthday's on the 3rd, so guess what I'll be doing on the 5th. See you at the bar before the show. Any tips about this venue Gavin, looks like it is all GA. Can you reserve a table or anything if you call ahead?

Went to the show in Fayetteville, and it was maybe the best show I've ever seen. If you are not familiar with JJ Grey you have to check him out. Sounds better in concert than on CD's, unbelievable! Heading to see Willie Nelson on Thursday (if he's out of jail) playing in Mountain Home so all you trout fishermen can go see Willie in his natural environment. I've never seen him so I figured I better do it as he can't go on forever.

Lots of storage compartments to keep the deck clear for coolers full of Stag!

I know that Mountain Grove has tried to improve their waste water treatment facility but not sure how far they have come. I think much of that water makes it into the Springs that flow into many rivers add nutrient loads that cause unnatural algae blooms. Seems like the state ignores these problems as long as there is no E. Coli. It seems like they don't care as much about phosphates and other nutrients that you can't see or don't effect our health. I would love to see someone test water quality at spring outlets and see if nutrients could be traced to a point source. The NFoW experiences algae blooms in the summertime that (according to people who have been around for decades) did not occur in the past. I personally think it is nutrients in the spring water, but could be septic systems along the river as well, can't get the state to comment, they don't seem to think it is a problem. The algae doesn't hurt anything but aesthetics and being annoying on a hook, but I sure wish it would go away. Good to know someone is looking into this as these issues are one of the biggest threats to the unique rivers and streams in the Ozarks. Please give us a call at Sunburst Ranch (417-284-3443) if we can be of any assistance, or if you would like any water samples from the river or springs. Justin

Time to move on to bigger and better water. Miles of good "natural" trout water all over the state. You don't get to see the fish very often but they are there just waiting to be caught.