Blue Ribbon Trout Poll

[brownieman]

Years back lots of dept. employees were commisioned...could pack and write tickets and such.

They stopped it, said the priveledge was being abused...I can't imagine, lol.

Of course that's back when it was really a conservation dept, before the 1/8 cent sales tax. Their wealth does do many good things...they all worked together back then instead of all the different divisions having 'Their Places' so to speak.

To my dumb old butt their mission statement was lost in the clutter years ago...ca,ching $$$.

Didn't somebody say one time that money is the crux of all evil...not sure who stated that but I'd lay odds it wasn't some rich guy, lol.

later on

[ozark trout fisher]

Personally I can't remember the last time I heard of anyone breaking the rules in a Blue Ribbon area, so from my standpoint it isn't a big problem. Someone wanting to poach is going to choose an easier place to do it than a BR area where fish density is relatively thin.

What I think is ironic is that almost everyone voted to increase fines, without even knowing what the current punishments are. If they raise them too much it just feeds the lawyers, and the violators will get off easy with a piddly misdemeanor plea, therefore you haven't helped "the cause" one iota.

I can't emphasize enough that poaching is common based on everything I've seen in Blue Ribbon areas. If you open your eyes and look for worm containers, that ought to be readily obvious. With only about 100-200 fish per mile in most of these streams, it doesn't take many poached fish to really hurt the stream. I do strongly believe that making it no kill would really emphasize that you shouldn't keep the fish, no matter what, and thereby greatly reduce cheating.

The no treble hook rule just seems like a no-brainer. It is pretty hard to haul in a 5" rainbow with a big treble hook, and not tear up it's mouth pretty badly. I'm not interested in something that would just "feel good". I think it would really help these creeks fish better.

Yes Gavin, I'm also in favor of changing the limit on smallies. 18" and 1 sounds like it would be about right to protect most of the fish, although I'd just prefer it be catch and release. This isn't just about trout, that's just what I happened to be thinking about when I started this topic.

[ozark trout fisher]

Years back lots of dept. employees were commisioned...could pack and write tickets and such.

They stopped it, said the priveledge was being abused...I can't imagine, lol.

Of course that's back when it was really a conservation dept, before the 1/8 cent sales tax. Their wealth does do many good things...they all worked together back then instead of all the different divisions having 'Their Places' so to speak.

To my dumb old butt their mission statement was lost in the clutter years ago...ca,ching $$$.

Didn't somebody say one time that money is the crux of all evil...not sure who stated that but I'd lay odds it wasn't some rich guy, lol.

later on

1/8 of 1% isn't such a big deal is it? Also, based on all the conservation departments I've seen, the MDC is the least politically swayed, and the most interested in actually protecting the resources they are there to protect. I don't always agree with them, but at least I can tell they really try to do a good job, and personally I respect that.

It seems like I'm bound to play devil's advocate in this thread.

Even the catch and release guys are against me on this one, lol.

[Gavin]

I'm for enforcement...what is out there is a friggin joke....I've seen some on the 11pt....but for the most part that was just the local sheriffs out jet boating and making a nuisance out of themselves....Dont tell me their out there in the woods....I'm pretty good at spotting stuff in the woods. I'd probably spot em, or their pickup truck, or hear thier pickup if they were truly out there. Gavin.

[KCRIVERRAT]

I've fished the Jacks Fork "almost" every year since I was 17. I'm 50 now. Up until the last 7 years or so, I had never been checked. Now it seems I get checked by the MDC about 75% of the time I'm there, which is fine by me.

Just my experience's on one river.

Guess I should post my places I fish on the other thread!

KC

[Chief Grey Bear]

If you are seeing all this poaching going on, why are you not doing something about it? The easiest thing to do is, nothing. Make a stand, make a call, take a photo, write down tag #'s. It can't hurt to help.

[ozark trout fisher]

If you are seeing all this poaching going on, why are you not doing something about it? The easiest thing to do is, nothing. Make a stand, make a call, take a photo, write down tag #'s. It can't hurt to help.

As I have said in earlier posts, most of the evidence of poaching has been the type that it's difficult to do anything about. For example, if you see a worm container on the stream-side of a blue ribbon trout creek, you're not going to be able to prosecute anyone based on that. All you can do is pick up the container and throw it away. Also, if you see a dead, undersized trout decaying in a bag, all you can really do is let the fish out of the bag and let if float downstream so at least it won't totally go to waste, and walk away more than a bit dejected. Look, if it's a situation that I can help , I will. How exactly do you come to the conclusion anyway that I'm not trying to?

[ness]

If you are seeing all this poaching going on, why are you not doing something about it? The easiest thing to do is, nothing. Make a stand, make a call, take a photo, write down tag #'s. It can't hurt to help.

Absolutely right, Chief. I've got MO and KS game thief numbers in my phone, which also has a camera. If I see somebody break the rules, I will tattle.

Another thing I have done, and suggest other do too, is call the number when you're seeing evidence of poachers. Worm containers, Powerbait jars, whatever. Call them and let them know there are violations taking place. That doesn't guarantee that something will happen, but it improves the odds.

[ozark trout fisher]

Another thing I have done, and suggest other do too, is call the number when you're seeing evidence of poachers. Worm containers, Powerbait jars, whatever. Call them and let them know there are violations taking place. That doesn't guarantee that something will happen, but it improves the odds.

I hadn't thought of doing that. It's not a bad idea. Maybe it would at least make the MDC aware of what's going on there, who knows.

[Chief Grey Bear]

That is outstanding advice ness!

OTF - If it is an area you fish often, find the local agent and get to know him. Speak to him about what you observe. Ask him for his number so you can quickly report poachers.

Make contact with people you run into. Just make small talk. If you see that they may be in violation, politely make them aware of the regs. If they still don't want to comply, say nothing. Simply bid them good day and walk away to make a phone call. If everyone on this forum that fishes there would practice that, it wouldn't take long for the word to get around that the area is under surveillance.

Walt at Missouri Trout Hunter had a "form" you could print off for use when you saw someone violating the rules. You just simply filled it out and put it on their window. Just the thought they were being watched and may be watched again will slow them down.

There are only so many agents. They can only be in so many places. I have no problem lending a helping hand. Or pair of eyes!