Hickory Creek Patronage

[Chief Grey Bear]

I hope that everyone that is on this forum that has ever been to Hickory Creek will respond to this poll. If we get enough response, I will first take this info to the City Manager. If I don't like what he has to say, and I am afraid that might happen, I will next go to the City Council.

[MarkinKC]

I hope that everyone that is on this forum that has ever been to Hickory Creek will respond to this poll. If we get enough response, I will first take this info to the City Manager. If I don't like what he has to say, and I am afraid that might happen, I will next go to the City Council.

Easy there Chief. Suggest any approach to city officials be in a spirit of cooperation, not to point out their failures. How about a representative of the newly minted Stream Team calling on them to tell them we want to be their new allies? Like I mentioned in an earlier post, we can always "escalate" our actions if the city proves uncooperative. I frankly don't know how any city in these days of shrinking budgets can turn down a request from citizens to help keep their main park (maybe only park?) clean. What do you say we try to get them on board with us first? Maintain the completed survey as evidence of public opinion if needed and...... keep those arrows in your quiver until we're sure who the enemy is?

MarkinKC

[ollie]

Hey Chief, get on board with us about the Stream Team. I have already signed us up and am just waiting for the packet to arrive at the house. You know I have no mercy for our city leaders, but I think Mark maybe right. I know how this city runs, I've lived here practically all my life. Let's just see how they respond to the stream team and take it from there?

[tgard27]

Chief, I like your spirit and I know that you want the best for this stream. Right now, I think that we need to extend the hand of cooperation towards the city and see if we can't get something worked out first. I'm afraid that if we start embarrassing the city that we will cut any possibility to make improvements to this stream. Lets get the stream team going first and talk to the city after.

[Chief Grey Bear]

My point, which seems to have slipped by, is to show them the amount of out of towners that are coming to their town to not only fish but, spend money on things such as gas and food. Maybe even some lodging either in a motel or at the city owned RV park. Not to mention other types of shopping.

I made the statement about the city manger because as in most small towns those with the money really runs the town. Neosho is not any different. I have not heard many kind words to describe is managerial skills. I do know of one instance though where he backed down after a public uprising concerning soccer. He is from St. Louis and is trying to run Neosho like a big city. Which sometimes does not work in life like it does on paper.

We are not anywhere near read to go to him yet anyway. We have a lot of information to gather to present. As of my writing this, we have had 45 lookers and only 5 voters. I know most of the votes are going to be from out of towners and that is why I designed it that way, to show them how many people are coming to their town.

I did do some snooping around today and did get some info. I still have some snooping to do on a couple of other things. One good thing I found out today is that the MDC person that was in charge in this area has been transferred to another area. That is good in that he and the city seem to butt heads.

I have a lot of info to share. A lot more than I care to type. Some of it is best left off of here. I would like to have a meeting with you all in a few weeks so we can start compiling our info.

I also found out that a MAKO member Steve Werries was inquiring of the same info I was the other day. If he reads this forum, I hope he joins us.

Oh, one other thing I was told today was that we need to name our group. That will really help us.

I want to stress again to take the poll. We need the numbers. If we have low numbers, it is unlikely we can get much done. We have to show a possible money pit for the city to mine.

[Flysmallie]

Well I can't take the poll because I have never been there. That will probably change by the end of next week. You guys have my curiosity up so I have to go look around.

[duckydoty]

I have participated in a stream clean up effort over there before. Unbelievable how much trash we picked up. After a full day of clean up I got to fish a little. That could be a very nice place to go if there wasnt soooo much trash. I did roll quite a few rocks while there and the insect population was increadible. I also heard rumors of "locals?" seining the trout out after stockings. It was disturbing to hear of that kind of activity.

[BadKarma]

I've never fished Hickory either, but it looks like it could have a great deal of potential. Will be planning a day trip over that way in Feb.

I'd agree with the strategy of trying the suger before the vinegar.

[tgard27]

I also heard rumors of "locals?" seining the trout out after stockings. It was disturbing to hear of that kind of activity.

I have heard of this rumor as well and this is very disturbing. I wonder if MDC is aware of this. This brings me back to the issue of getting the community involved.

Travis

[ozark trout fisher]

I have never fished Hickory, but from everything I have read, it seems to have potential. It clearly has a good source of cold water because it is formed from the outlet of a hatchery, if I am correct. From pics I have seen, it appears to have lots of decent holding water. It's a bummer this stream is so heavily pollutted, and overused to the point that the majority of the people taking this poll say it fishes poorly. This is a stream that from what I hear, tougher enforcement could greatly benefit.