Hickory Creek Patronage

[Buzz]

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.

OTF, actually the creek fishes pretty good when it is stocked properly and as you said not over harvested. This season we have had both situations unfortunately. As I understand the poll it refers mainly to the upkeep and trash that has accumulated in and around the stream. Anyway we all hope to address that soon.

Buzz

[ozark trout fisher]

OTF, actually the creek fishes pretty good when it is stocked properly and as you said not over harvested. This season we have had both situations unfortunately. As I understand the poll it refers mainly to the upkeep and trash that has accumulated in and around the stream. Anyway we all hope to address that soon.

Buzz

Yeah, I misread the poll the first time.

[mike bogner]

I have not been back to Hickory since before last years floods. While there was trash along the creek I still enjoyed the fishing. I only started flyfishing last year after getting fly gear for Christmas. I also do a lot of hunting on private and public areas. You will find trash at all of these places. I seem to always take a few of them home with me to dispose of properly. It will be hard to keep away all the trash as long as there are people who don't think that it is their responsibility (why should I when someone else will do it for me attitude). I don't consider people who hunt or fish and leave their bait containers, drink containers or shotshell boxes laying where they fall as true hunters or fishers. They are merely takers. Half of the enjoyment of the outdoor activities is the setting you are in. My wife and I went on a western trip last fall. I fished in Montanna, Wyoming and Colorado, caught a total of 6 fish and had the best time because the streams and rivers were in some very beautiful settings and I did get a few line tugs. I do enjoy coming to Neosho (1 1/2 hour drive) to fish with my son who lives in Webb City. Hopefully if there are people seining out fish they will see other anglers using fly or spinning gear and see the enjoyment and use that way to catch fish and be sportsman instead of takers. I am not sure if Missouri lets you sein for trout, if not maybe the MDC needs to investigate and catch these people or locals see them and write down their tag number and turn into authorities. I am sure the MDC would appreciate the help from the local people. I do plan on gong to fish at Hickory in the next couple of weeks and see if I can get any tugs.

Mike Bogner

Parsons KS

[Hopper]

Fished Hickory this morning 8:00 - 10:30 with my dad, from the helicopter to the low water bridge caught several fish but had to work hard for them. Being catch and release season there were not many fish in the creek, must be more catch than release season Took the poll, I am from Tulsa and fish Hickory when I am at my parents. Its is a great little stream to fish, with a little work could be much better, picked up alot of empty adult beverage cans as I fished.

[Buzz]

Thanks for the report Hopper. Glad you caught some fish. Hopefully we will get at least one more stocking. You are right about " more catch than release", it's unfortunate but, that's life in the little city of poor enforcement.

Buzz