Boats above Point Royal

[Phil Lilley]

Where would this sign be? How many signs would you have? This is a mile stretch- a boat can be at the dam when the water increases to 2 units and boats at the dam wouldn't know if the sign was at the ramp.

Brian- others- you have to do a better job covering all the possibilities to make your point valid, not just "they should do it!" Remember, this would be LAW, provable in court beyond a reasonable doubt.

I understand your concern about speed and fog... we deal with it every evening and ever morning on the main lake. It's bad. People are stupid- and there will be an accident and someone will get hurt. It's a miracle no one has gotten seriously hurt yet.

[RUSSR]

WHEN THE TROUT CLUB HAD CONSERVATION OFFICERS FOR A MEETING. IT WAS MADE EXTREMELY CLEAR, BOATS WILL BE ALLOWED ALL THE WAY TO THE CABLE. PERIOD. NO SIGNS, NO HORNS NO NOTHING. WE TRIED BUT TOTALLY LOST THAT BATTLE.

[Phil Lilley]

This isn't a slam against waders... it's an issue of drawing a definate line and saying "don't cross it or else!!" I think if MDC and MWP could do it they might but it would be too confusing for waders/boaters to know 'if, when, do I, should I'??

Russ is a good friend... he's not yelling in his post, he just likes to use caps- like my dad.

[Micheal Kyle]

I have to say that evryeone has the right to be on the water, I would have to say that there is a simple solution to the problem. If my memory serves me right, there is a cable that is 760' below the dam which I do belive that there is no fishing above if you are caught you are given a ticket. Now I hope that everyones knows that the concern that I have is safty for everyone boat and waders. So with that said I say take a cable and strech it across form the boat ramp to the other side no boats up past the cable no questions.

I think that the distance from the the dam to the boat ramp is about 3/4 of a mile. This is would be the same as it is at several other dams tailwaters. As it is as Bagnel, Pomme de Terre, and Truman Dams they do not allow boats up there for saftey reasons it does not matter if the the water is running or not.

[Phil Lilley]

Again- if there is 4 units running for months on end, then there's no fishing above the ramp... no effective fishing. There have been years when we have water running 9 or 10 months of the year.

Saftey- I have major concerns for safety in our area from June thru September with fog and boating. There have been numerous close calls and several actual accidents- boat running into each other. No one as of yet has been seriously hurt or killed that I know of.

Compare this with what you're refering to. I would venture to say the ratio of boats/fog/waders occurances are much less than boats/fog/boats occurances simply because of the amount of traffic above the ramp compared to the traffic in from of our dock- say- in the summer.

Either situation is not good- it's dangerous. But I don't think MDC, MWP or waders or boaters are willing to give up anything to help the situation.

Bottom line- people need to be careful. You can't create an environment completely free of risk.

[Guest lbt]

I have thought long and hard on this topic and even made a couple of post. I think that everyone has a right to do what they want. I truley believe that you have the wrong attitude when it comes to the upper part of the tailwater. First and foremost Packman since you bought your waders what was the real reason you would waste 300 dollars on pair of waders if you are not going to use them. Sounds like to me that you would take your boat anywhere anytime so why buy the waders. I would like to think that you could see that there are better fishing ops. when the water is off and when you are wading I will garuntee you that you will never catch a big fish when the water is off and you are up there in your boat. Because we all know how skidish the big trout are. And do not get me wrong I fish plenty out of a boat and I have had it on Taneycomo a bunch. My second point I think that there have been some pretty strong opinions come out on this topic. There are idiots out there that do not know how to run a boat I'm not saying that everyone who fishes up there in a boat is an idiot. There are places down there that will rent a boat to anybody that is of legal age to sign a contract and has money in hand. I think that those are the people that come up and cause trouble with boats. They have no idea what they are doing when it comes to opperating a boat in a safe mannor. If the wire idea that backcountry outfitters is not plain and simple about no boats beyond this point never ever no questions asked, we then need to take the wire down that is 760' below the dam down because that states no fishing above this point what does that mean is there any real rule. Yes if you are caught fishing above that wire you get a ticket no questions asked. I feel that if the water is on and the only place that you can catch fish in a boat is up by the dam then you are not much of a trout fisherman. When the water is on there are several place down below that are awsome. If truth be known maybe we the great state of Missouri should make a law like they have in Arkansas no fishing below the dam from November 1 to January 31, that is the law below Bull Shoals. We all know why it's because of the spawning fish wouldnt that be great idea. That would eliminate 75% of the problem. who knows. lbt

[Packman]

lbt I bought my waders to fish with a friend that will only fish in this manner. I didnt like the way waders acted toward me by crowding in fishing in front of me...and actually whipping my ear with a fly, so I use my boat the boaters for the most part get along. I also bought a couple G-loomis rods w/reels and fish pond vest and fannypack; most from backcountry wanna buy? As far as catching a fish in low water, you are wrong. I have caught monsters in low water. It still sounds like waders are trying to reserve their own "special little place". Boaters aren't saying if waters are flowing ban the waders till it stops. As for taking my boat "anywhere anytime", hardly that, I am a safe boater, and would be mad at myself for a week if I chipped my prop or worse yet busted or bent my skag. I take my boat where it is safe to do so without taking damage, or damaging others.

[Phil Lilley]

Several things...

If the wire idea that backcountry outfitters is not plain and simple about no boats beyond this point never ever no questions asked, we then need to take the wire down that is 760' below the dam down because that states no fishing above this point what does that mean is there any real rule. Yes if you are caught fishing above that wire you get a ticket no questions asked.

The wire idea is very clear- no questions. My point is that IF the water is running 4 units 24/7 for months on end, not allowing any boats above the MDC ramp virtually eliminates all effective fishing in this area. This is bad management of the fishery.

I feel that if the water is on and the only place that you can catch fish in a boat is up by the dam then you are not much of a trout fisherman. When the water is on there are several place down below that are awsome.

You're right, but again, why shutdown fishing in the best part of the lake to all effective fishing? Bank fishing when the water is running is restricted to a couple of spots and even then it's nominal at best.

If truth be known maybe we the great state of Missouri should make a law like they have in Arkansas no fishing below the dam from November 1 to January 31, that is the law below Bull Shoals. We all know why it's because of the spawning fish wouldnt that be great idea.

Sorry to disagree again. Arkansas closes these areas because of spawning brown trout. Our trout do not naturally reproduce. Has nothing to do with fishing pressure. So closing areas would not help anything. It would, though, hurt the economy.

[loo10]

Amen...amen...amen.

[Growler]

Quoting Packman:

"It still sounds like waders are trying to reserve their own "special little place"

I ask what's the matter with this? Boaters have the rest of the lake to fish. The areas available to wade fish are so limited, I don't think 3/4 of a mile closed to boats is that much.

I have nearly been hit in the fog (Geese almost hit me once also). Once in full visibility, had a boat run full-bore between me and the shore while wading across from KOA. I was hunkered down ready to dive to either side. I don't think they ever saw me.