#3

[dfield]

Has anyone ever tried to start a movement to open up the out branch of outlet #3 to C&R fishing for kids under 16 and/or handicap fishermen based on the model of Dry Run Creek? Sounds like a great project for UT. Just thought I would kick it out there and see if any of it sticks.

[Randall]

It sounds like a good idea but MDC may not go for it.

Off the top of my head I have a couple questions which may raise policy issues contrary to the movement.

1) Is that where they capture the majority of spawning browns for the hatchery?

2) What is the possibility of a kid getting hurt while fishing there when they're running water?

3) How much new water will be opened?

4) How well can it be policed?

As with any change in policy, there are concerns which need to be addressed prior to acting. It'll take a lot of effort but it may well be worth it.

I say go for it if you think its a good idea but be ready for a lot of rejection.

[Fly_Guy]

Like it. You'd have to do a bit of stream re-modeling though I think. And of course shut it down during the brown trout spawn. If there was a way to divert more water (somehow from the dam or via fish hatchery), you could even create another outlet for 16 and under. And me. Sponsors and co-sponsors also would of course have fishing privlidges

[Phil Lilley]

They tried to create a pond east of the new hatchery expansion but the area won't hold water due to bedrock and leaks. It was thought that it would be set aside for youth catch and release.

It's a possibility but it'll have to be budgeted some time in the future.

Browns - yes - #3 couldn't be used for that. But some of the other outlets could.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

That idea was entertained 12 or so years ago by us at Branson T/U.

It was decided it was not going to be in budget, but a great idea.

Currently, the Branson Chapter of T/U is defunct.

Consider this - The video I have of chute 3's current issue of the damaged bridge and railing, its going to cost $20,000 to fix. I was told it wouldnt be in budget until after 2010.

Oct 12, 2009

Brian

[brownieman]

The MDC could just set a particular time and let kids fish in one of the existing raceways...wouldn't be sporting whatsoever but I don't think a little kid cares much about that yet. You know kids...if they don't catch something pretty quick forget it.

If they really want to get kids interested in fishing that would be popular I would say. Sad to say but by the time my grandson is my age that may be fishing. I would say due to the economic crisis in our country right now the dept. could even make mom and dad pay a buck ot 2...be a win win situation, would it not?, lol. IMO it wouldn't be noticable seeing all those trout come outta them cement ponds in such beautiful condition anyway for the most part. The ones that do make it out and get a little size to em what happens...some guy comes along in a big boat, zaps em darn near to death, flops em around in a boat for a bit and then lops a chunk a fin off. Oh well...guess they are considered a renewable resource.

Sure would take several task forces, numerous Tan Tara meetings, literally tons of research since little is really known about the species. Be one heck of alot better direction of our tax dollars than wasting the money on helping smallies or something totally ignorant, ya know.

later on

btw...there is no sarcasm intended by any statements made in this post..

disclaimers work everywhere else, lol...need a new teensy disclaimer font size option.

[Phil Lilley]

Brian -

The Branson TU Chapter is NOT defunct. I'm the President and Dan is Vice. We had quite a few meetings last winter and spring. No meetings scheduled yet this winter but I'm working on it.

It is hard to set meetings. Not much local interest to go to meetings where not much interesting is discussed. Need a pet project and we are working on a major one with MDC - habitat for upper Taney.

Kids fishing is on local MDC's mind. Just hard to implement.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Well.. I stand corrected. Ooops. I misspoke.

Not the first time.

:-)

[DoveTail]

Letting kids fish in the raceways would be good. For the wade fishing, pushing others out of the outlets will crowd the river. It's good to let everyone pile up in the outlets and that leaves more open water for others to wade. There isn't a huge amount of area before it becomes deep to wade fish. I guess it will only get more crowded over time.

If it's catch and release - fishing the raceways would be great for kids. That would not require any additional funding.

[vanven]

I would be plenty happy to see a policy change that only allowed children or special needs fishermen to fish within 50 feet of the existing outlets.

Fishing the raceways seems a bit dangerous to me for kids. That water is typically moving quickly and there banks are steep and covered in slick wet vegitation. That has bad accident written all over it.

-Jerod