kdan

Interestingly enough, some crappie I ran through just finished their 2nd spawn. I don't know if anyone else has noticed it or not. Happy for you that you had a successful days fishing. BUT a "2nd spawn"??? You gotta be kidding? They spawn once, in the spring when the water reaches 55-62 degrees. Yes, they do have inmature eggs this time of year in anticipation of next spring. Just so you will know. Don' bother arguing, this is fact. I am sure there will be at least a dozen of you to post back how wrong I am. So be it. As Brian says "end of lesson".

Gee, Gavin and Laker you all sound pretty savy on the no indicator. I say you are "right on" with your information. I can't add anything, so hope you injoy your new found chanlenge, its great.

Welcome Brother Dave! Laker 67 says hi also.

I haven't a clue. Just kiddnin. Well to go stand in the creek below zero or 95 in the shade and any where in between there has to be more than getting in touch with my inner self. It helps me keep my sanity, (some would question this) It helps me see all Gods wonders. I have done it all my life. Its kinda like breathing, it just comes natural. The list just grows longer of why I fish. May be it should be called "gone catching" instead of "gone fishing". Like I said, I haven't a clue as to why I fish, I JUST do. From the moment I leave the house to go fishing till I get home is one of lifes greatest gifts (or pleasures). In fact on the way home I am all ready making plans for the next adventure. If one derives satisfaction from just going, then add the bonus of catching into the equation. TAAAAA DAAAA, thats it. That is why I FISH.

I have read every post on this topic. Each one of us has a great place we have visited, and I must say every place you have been sounds exactly like some where I too would like to go. As for me, I have very much injoyed reading about "your" favorite.

I agree with you "laker", I have been out west a few times. Between the long hikes, rattlesnakes, bears, wolves, and mountain lions I gotta say I will be staying home. I think I might injoy a trip to Argentina, Chile, New Zealand or maybe even Greenland. But with the way the world veiws Americans, I will still be staying at home. (let alone the cost).

Me neither! So Merry Christmas to all and good fishing.

Not to sound mean spirited. But Is there "big trout" in "good trout waters"??? So, you can't see into fast water? tsk tsk After doing this for so many years, you develope a sixth sense. And "laker" techinque really does work.

I don't like change, it makes me step out of my comfort zone. But, as with everything else, I will get used to it.

Gee, I got the exact same card from him last week, also. The greatest golfer ever and he had to go do some thing stupid and REALLY mess his life up. Out side of this I still admire the man.

Beautiful fish!! You done good.

It was one of those days way to cold for anyone with common sense to be out fishing. Myself and my best two buds went to Bennett for a day of winter time C & R. We were going to fish the water below the bridge and down through the high bank hole. If you have fished this, you are familuar with the flat rocks that tapers into deeper water. In my haste to be the first in the water I did not notice that these rocks were covered with ice. Making some kind of smart mouth comment about being the last one in I proceeded to slide on into deep water while sitting on my butt after falling on the slick ice. Yes, that water is over your waders if you are on your butt. Had to walk on down stream to get out where there was no ice. Luckily, my buds had enough extra clothing for me to change out ot the wet ones and continue fishing. Would not have been so bad if I hadn't made the wise comments right befor taking the plunge. No, I wasn't the guy SWMO was talking about. lol OR I didn't feel much like Einstein when I got caught on the wrong side of the river at Norfork when they ran water, either. Had to wait for some one to come by in a boat. Actually feel kinda good to have at least made it out, even if it was on the wrong side.

Yep, that's a fact. I AM old enough to remember, dang where did the years go.

Yeah, if I get a half doezen or so tied up.

One doesn't have to mess with the genes or create frankenfish. The Shasta strain will produce a 10# in 4 years. This would be great for Taney and most of the "blue" waters. Don't you think this Arlee strain hasn't been messed with? Wanting to catch large fish over the 10-18 inch fish does not mean I am not connected or missing out on the best part of fly fishing. What the crap does that mean any way? I stand in awe of Gods creation each and every time I hit the out doors. I admire the beauty of a brown, rainbow, cutthroat, or brookie with each one I catch. Wouldn't you agree that a scared up, nose peeled 10 lb bow on the end of your line is more beautiful than a 12 incher? Maybe you wouldn't, but I for sure am not gonna yeeee yawww over a 12 inch fish but with a big ol 10 pounder my heart will be racing all day. Again, this is a difference in perspective and what YOU want. It does not make either of us wrong. It just means we are human, and we are unique, no two of us being alike. I am not attacking you, merely stating my opinion, which as you know every one has one. It won't make any differece any way, MDC will keep stocking the same ol thing.

Who all??? You all. You all that took the time to give thought to Bigger, badder, meaner, faster, and in a shorter time rainbows.

Nice, very nice. Neither of my sons are taken by fishing. And yes I took them while young and made sure they caught plenty of fish. So any time you go fishing with your cub is a blessed trip. I would like nothing more than to go fishing with my sons. Any way, good for you.

I like the way you all think!!!!!

Well Justin, I am sorry you lost that nice bow. My ex used to tell me patience my little jackass, patience. Yeah, that irritated me too. Maybe next time, huh? I have come to the consclusion that no one is going to be swayed one way or the other. But it has certainly been a MUCH more entertaining topic than usual. So, wild or not good fishing to all. How about your thoughts on MDC changing the strain of rainbows they currently stock? This would interest me a lot more than money spent on "habitat", accesses, and more rules. I would like to see some 10# plus fish in less than 5 years of growth. My suggestion would be Shastas instead of the current McClouds. Any thoughts??

Indeed, this is a good topic for discussion. I, for one, do not know how I would react if ever in the same stituation. But I know this for a fact, this brown was nearing the end of its life span. Rather any attempts were made to revive this fish, I don't know. But ANY attempt most likely would have been futile. He was a goner, regardless. So the next best thing was to have it mounted or to catch some "smallies" to go along with it and have the neighbors over for one heck of a fish fry. That is a joke for all you that are all ready up in arms about the smallies comment.

Well this is certainly an interesting topic. And has generated a lot of good responses. It appears that all posting are good sportsmen. About all I can add is my own opinion in which I have been told every one has one. I really don't want to see more rules, but I would like to see better enforcement of the ones we have now. The ones that are using illegal bait or taking illegal fish are stealing from us. If it takes us to report them, then I gues that is what we should do. This pretty much goes against what we have taught ourselves about being a "snitch". Maybe it would be a good idea for us to encourage each other to do the right thing and report violations. I know I could use all the encouragement I can get to do so. If enough of us make that call, maybe there will be more of a presence of enforcement. Thanks for this topic and letting me express my opinion.

I haven't figured out how to add Brians picture to my reply. But in reply>>>> AGREED!! Beautiful!! Nuff said.

I do not doubt for one moment they are spawning. Been there, seen it. What is your definition of a "wild trout"? Is it a trout hatched in a hatchery, released, and then "turns" wild with age?? Or is it a trout spawned, hatched, and raised completly in the river? Granted the fisheries mentioned are as near "wild" as possible in our mid-west location. And what more of a thrill is there than to have one of those little "lightning bolts" on the end of your fly line? My entire point is from a quote from one the posts above "we don't have stocker rainbows in the mix". At one time they were stockers, they didn't just suddenly show up. If I take to heart as fact what I am reading then if all of a sudden all of our waters were catch and release we would no longer need the trout hatcheries?? The lakes and streams would now be self-supporting??? I think not. Like I said befor, I have all ways watched where I step as not to disturb that 1% of eggs that might hatch. And if you wanna call'em "wild" so be it. I call them fun to catch, but not a native wild species. I hope the "trout gods" for give me for disagreeing. A case in point. There are instances of rainbows being caught in Spencer Creek here in Camden County. It is a small feeder stream to Lake of the Ozarks. Are they wild trout? Only in that they were not stocked there. They in fact came from Bennett Springs and migrated down stream many miles to only end up in Spencer Creek while it is still cold and the rest of the lake warming up. I wonder what happens to them when the creek dries up and the lake turns 80 degrees? Heck! I am going to bed. Call'em what ever you want.

Well, I can't just let it go at that. So let me see if this is what really happens. These "native wild trout" will spawn down on the NorFork in Dec and if they survive the first few feet with out being eat, all those eggs will lay around till the water warms up next year and hatch. lol Good grief folks, according to the MDC, less than 1% of the millions and millions of eggs spawned will actually hatch. Now then after they hatch, they will need to survive long enough to grow into a "trout minnow". I ask you what does a big ol brown eat?? ummm lemme see, would that be a minnow, maybe??? So the chances of that spawn going on down on the Norfork now of producing a real live rainbow is so slim it isn't worth calculating. In this day and age of heavy fishing on every trout water in the state (and Ark) catching a "native wild trout" is nothing more than a pipe dream. But I will go along with you all and watch where I step.

I must say it is soooo good to see that someone actually knows whats going on with the "wild trout" spawn. Thanks laker.