The Late Great Lake Taneycomo

[mosouthpaw]

Troutchaser,

I see where you are coming from. I guess just how many meathunters will keep those between 20 and 24. I see that you think most will release in that group of big fish that it won't change what's really caught and released down there anyhow. The proposal does mean more brownies back into the lake for those meathunters or live trout mounters who obey the law. That's why i voted yes.

The weirdest part about it all is that WHY large browns should be kapt at all above a certain length limit? Does anyone have a LEGITIMATE answer?

C & R.....Don May

Keeping Fish allowed by law is a legitimate reason..... God gave us the animals and fish to eat.. Its talked about in the bible. those are legitimate.

I think what you would like to know what is the true reality or reasoning of keeping fish above a certain legnth. This shall go into more an ethical route.

And debating ethics is truely an excercise in futility, because no one will always agree.

As a conservationist, my views will likely differ from many. Personally im all for c&r only above fall creek.

But here is a notion to ponder in your search for a "legitimate" reason. If i catch a fish, with the full intent on releasing it back to is home, and during the struggle or just prior to release the fish expires. Now under the law i may or may not be able to keep the carcass. So why should i wantonly abandon the carcass when it could be used for food? I would not eat it, but i have family that would, however i could essentially become an outlaw if i were to keep a fish that expired that i legally could not. Personally that waste of a resource is not a good thing imo.

I think if you want to improve the fishery, look to the habitat, and not the game first. "if you build it they will come" thats the key. Personally i think its a bogus cop-out that the MDC says they have no control over dissolved oxygen in TC. The simple fact is MDC has more money then davy crockett as forrest gump would say.. They have the ability to add additional O2 but havent. They can add above and beyond the discharge rate of dissolved oxygen, but havent? I believe the statewide sales tax for the MDC is either 1/8th or 1/16th of a cent, STATEWIDE... I think money can be budgeted to add money, but the fine people in Jefferson City sitting on the MDC board is a horrible steward of the money, i dont think they have the full attention of the priorities of the sportsmen of this state. They have done some good, but ive seen some waste. Its no wonder that the state politicians always go after the MDC money somehow... they have lots of money.

[troutchaser]

Jdmidwest: I'm not so sure the rainbows on Taneycomo are successfully breeding at all regardless of the wading fishermen.

Laker67: I'm not against sight fishing; I enjoy it myself once in a while. What I'm against is the attitude that is prevailing more and more among fly fishers. We all know the type I'm speaking about. They're the type that always have the "blacker dog". (If you've got a black dog, his is blacker) . They're the type that shout others down and belittle other anglers who catch fish smaller than their personal standard of a "good fish". They're the type that stomp into the water, intrude on others' fishing space and generally make a royal nuisance of themselves, all in the pursuit of the big 'uns! That's what I'm against.

Don: I'm with you. Why keep a big brown? They taste awful when they get over about 22", and you can get replica mounts these days.

mosouthpaw: I'm a southpaw, too! I'm right there with you concerning the improvement of habitat, but I don't know enough about their financial health to comment. Sorry.

[jdmidwest]

Troutchaser, I assume the 24" limit is to increase the size of the Brown Trout for spawning. I assume MDC is trying to protect the Browns, not the put and take Rainbows. Shuffling on the redds during the spawning season that attracts so many anglers to the Taney tailwaters may cause some problems, a whole different problem I brought up in jest. I don't think any body ever talks about the Rainbow spawn on here in regards to Taney.

I really don't know at what size the average Brown trout is at its peak spawning size, just guessing that the MDC may be trying to protect that class of fish. I seriously doubt it is to increase the anglers chance of catching and keeping a big one! I believe that the MDC maintains this Brown fishery to be self sustaining and healthy to increase the capability of self reproduction which it has shown in the past when they return each fall to the base of Table Rock Dam.

[jdmidwest]

I think if you want to improve the fishery, look to the habitat, and not the game first. "if you build it they will come" thats the key. Personally i think its a bogus cop-out that the MDC says they have no control over dissolved oxygen in TC. The simple fact is MDC has more money then davy crockett as forrest gump would say.. They have the ability to add additional O2 but havent. They can add above and beyond the discharge rate of dissolved oxygen, but havent? I believe the statewide sales tax for the MDC is either 1/8th or 1/16th of a cent, STATEWIDE... I think money can be budgeted to add money, but the fine people in Jefferson City sitting on the MDC board is a horrible steward of the money, i dont think they have the full attention of the priorities of the sportsmen of this state. They have done some good, but ive seen some waste. Its no wonder that the state politicians always go after the MDC money somehow... they have lots of money.

Lets look at that quote a little closer. MDC does not regulate the flows, SWPA and the Corps of Engineers control the discharge from the Table Rock Lake, both Federal entities. MDC just taps into a bottom discharge lake that has the depth that gives them proper temps to maintain a cold water fish hatchery program. They have installed O2 measures to control the oxygen levels in the hatchery property. How in the world could any engineer develop an Oxygeniation System that could add it to the flows of the upper Taneycomo Lake? This would have to be done by minimum flows coming out of the lake and requires cooperation of other entities outside of the MDC. Table Rock was developed for flood control and power generation. The same problem exists in all of the SWPA lakes, Norfork being the worst as it has the smallest tailwater.

MDC does not have more money than Davey Crockett. The reason that other state agencies want to tap it is that for the most part, MDC keeps within their budget and has money left over at the end of the year. This makes all of the others that spend our money on worthless state projects jealous. MDC may waste money on some projects, but for the most part, it is the best tax that I have collected out of my income. Name one other state program that you like better spending your money! They stay within their 1/8 of 1 cent budget each year and they do some great things with it.

[laker67]

Jdmidwest:

Laker67: I'm not against sight fishing; I enjoy it myself once in a while. What I'm against is the attitude that is prevailing more and more among fly fishers. We all know the type I'm speaking about. They're the type that always have the "blacker dog". (If you've got a black dog, his is blacker) . They're the type that shout others down and belittle other anglers who catch fish smaller than their personal standard of a "good fish". They're the type that stomp into the water, intrude on others' fishing space and generally make a royal nuisance of themselves, all in the pursuit of the big 'uns! That's what I'm against.

Troutchaser,

Thanks for clarifying that. I know the type you are referring to. Without stream courtesy, that type doesn't even hold a candle to the group of gentlemen that I referred to. It's getting the time of year that we will start to see some showing up at t-como again. Good fishing to you!

[mosouthpaw]

First off read my post, ive stated above and beyond the current rate.

As for your poor engineer that cant devise a system, horse hockey! Funny thing is other govt agencies have.... the TVA has several options and use several options. Look at the various hydro projects and each depends on the fishery downstream. http://www.tva.gov/environment/water/rri_oxy.htm Im glad the TVA manages its infrastructure with fisheries in mind. Its not like the corps cant, they just wont unless they are forced.

The most simple is the oxygen injection system.

Interagency co-operation can exist. Even if the MDC with multi-million dollar surplus had to help foot the bill for new turbines at TRD to increase the o2 levels good.

If the MDC could do such a thing, they should. They had a 9.8million dollar surplus of thier 141million dollar budget. If the system were to even cost a mere 200k a year, booohooohooo they would have operated at a 9.6million dollar surplus.....

overall the MDC does a decent job, they have however fallen short in policies and procedures the past few years.

Lets look at that quote a little closer. MDC does not regulate the flows, SWPA and the Corps of Engineers control the discharge from the Table Rock Lake, both Federal entities. MDC just taps into a bottom discharge lake that has the depth that gives them proper temps to maintain a cold water fish hatchery program. They have installed O2 measures to control the oxygen levels in the hatchery property. How in the world could any engineer develop an Oxygeniation System that could add it to the flows of the upper Taneycomo Lake? This would have to be done by minimum flows coming out of the lake and requires cooperation of other entities outside of the MDC. Table Rock was developed for flood control and power generation. The same problem exists in all of the SWPA lakes, Norfork being the worst as it has the smallest tailwater.

MDC does not have more money than Davey Crockett. The reason that other state agencies want to tap it is that for the most part, MDC keeps within their budget and has money left over at the end of the year. This makes all of the others that spend our money on worthless state projects jealous. MDC may waste money on some projects, but for the most part, it is the best tax that I have collected out of my income. Name one other state program that you like better spending your money! They stay within their 1/8 of 1 cent budget each year and they do some great things with it.