Perspective?

[roundtrout]

With all the discussion in the Taneycomo forum on manners and in particular, shuffling, I got a belly-chuckle from the picture posted on Weaver's Fishing Report for Opening Day at Bennett, see http://www.missouritrout.com/weavers/report.html.

Anyone who's fished Bennett, especially on a summer weekend, should very much appreciate the relative solitude found on Taneycomo (even on a busy day). Good manners are one of the few discriminators between us and apes and IMHO, becoming more rare every day. Crowds like Bennett regularly get drive that point home to me and, I hope, most anglers. I've experienced just about every kind of rude behaviour there as well as some of the most kind and helpful response from complete strangers. I do prefer solitude, but I've also found that I'm able to find something akin to it even in the crowds at Bennett. It also challenges me to show and improve my own manners.

Just thought some of you might like a little different perspective on stream-side behaviour.

[CaptainT16]

Yeah, I saw that picture on their website on Monday morning and couldn't believe it. I have been to Taney when it's been busy, but nothing compares to this sight at Bennett! If someday I see the parking lot at Taney like this, I will turn right around and head elsewhere, unless something big is going on that I wasn't aware of!

[Bob A]

Enjoyed your post, Roundtrout and yes, we do need to keep things in perspective. To begin with, opening day at Bennett, IMHO, is not about fishing. Rather, I always view opening day as a "ritual" welcoming the coming of spring and more of a carnival atmosphere. I don't think anyone who wets a line on opening day really views this as a day of serious fishing. To me, that's fine, too. Keeping this in perspective, it's all just for "fun" and not much else. As to rudeness, you bet there's a lot of it. On the other hand, this isn't unique to Bennett Springs. I fish Taneycome the vast majority of the time and I've seen my share of rude fishermen (if you want to call them fishermen) there, also. I guess bottom line is, when we fish public waters open to anyone, we have to expect that. I would suspect that these rude anglers are on the water so seldom, that they just never get socialized in terms of stream manners and politeness. The odds are, many of these people might fish two or three times a year. We just have to keep it in perspective, accept it as a sign of the times and a dumming-down of America.

But be it Taneycomo or Bennett, I can still say I've met some very nice anglers and for the most part, feel fortunate we have so many trout fishing locations here in the Ozarks. Talk to some anglers who fish the busy streams back East or some more popular waters out West and they can relate what true Combat Fishing is all about. I guess that's why those who can afford are willing to pay big time prices to fish some of those dream locations on private waters. If I could afford it, I would, too.

Bob A

[roundtrout]

Bob A,

Thanks for your comments too! They are right on target. I've avoided opening day at Bennett and have learned to deal with the crowds during the rest of the season. On a stream that short and pretty, its always going to be difficult finding a stretch to yourself. About the only time I've ever experienced it at Bennett was during the end of a thunderstorm that passed over. Most everyone left when it started and I was just getting there. I rode it out and pretty soon had Zone 1 all to myself for about an hour or more. The sun came back out and so did the crowds. Even when there are a bunch of folks there, most are really helpful.

I think Bennett trains fisherfolk to deal with crowds without losing sight of the reason we're all there. That's a good thing. I also think you're right about the regular folks fishing Bennett. Most are "salt of the earth" folks. I too hope that our Ozarks streams don't become more popular. That's probably politically incorrect for the guides, fly shops and resorts, but its my hope. Numbers will likely increase with the regional population increase and that's more than enough. At any rate, I'll keep going to Bennett for the fishing, the peacefulness of the park and the comaraderie! With any luck, good manners will rub off.