Violations

[Phil Lilley]

What about a test before you get your trout stamp? You need to have a trout stamp to fish in the restricted zone, but to have a quick test that makes a person aware of the regulations that are necessary in order to keep trout might help. It would at least end the bs of someone saying that they didn't know of the regulations. I know that it seems like a hassel but it might be a way to curb the stupidity. Just a thought.

Would be hard to make a vendor do this. At times, we have anglers waiting in line 8 deep to buy a license and I'm sure at WalMart it's worse. We do try to tell all our clients about the regs but there are those who fall through the cracks, don't listen, don't understand and don't care.

Nothing is fool proof. I honestly believe overall, vendors in this area do a above average in education, even WalMart.

There's always going to be poachers... just have to catch them.

[Brian Sloss]

I don't make enough off a fishing license (a few pennies) to take the time to administer a test, but I understand where the desire to have one comes from. That being said, I don't think our regs are confusing at all. I just don't think they are read much by the public and that needs to change. The blue ribbon trout signs tell you specifically what you can and can not use, but 90 % of the public that I see don't seek out the regs and never read the signs. That is why we need bigger signs and more of them, so they can't miss them.

[Bill Babler]

Phil, of course you are right on the brand name issue. I would guess prepaired, scented or soft-baits should cover it.

Have not spoken to Phil on this, but Becky and I here at the Lodge would be more than happy to kick in $250.00 toward the creation of two new signs for the Fall Creek area if we could get approval. I will also donate anytime that it would require to put these signs up.

I can probably solicite somemore contributions from other guides and also some of their valuable time for the construction. We might even get abit of a break from a sign company on the wording and painting cost. If we had the signs the permission and all the support structure I will guarantee they will get put up if I have to do it by myself.

I think we need 3. One on the Island at Lookout for those entering the waters above Fall Creek, say Point Royal, and to also remind people of where they are and what they are suspose to be doing.

We are having a habitat and water structure meeting about upper Taney on the 24th of November and I as well as Phil will make sure this is part of the meeting dialog, with MDC.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

This is the direct quote from the Lake Taneycomo Wikipedia page :

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Taneycomo )

" All methods of trout fishing — fly fishing, artificial bait, and live bait fishing — may be used year-round to pursue trout that inhabit the waters of Lake Taneycomo, however special regulations apply in the upper section. In order to improve the quality of the fishery, the Missouri Department of conservation established lure regulations and slot limits in 1997. From Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek, only artificial flies and lures may be used, soft plastics are specifically prohibited. Rainbow trout must be less than 12" or greater than 20" to be harvested, and brown trout must be greater than 20" to be harvested. A daily limit of 4 trout applies, only one of which may be a brown trout. This upper section is generally regarded as a "trophy area" and catch and release fishing is widely practiced. "

That seems pretty clear to me. Is it clear to you ? Wait, read on.

I wonder who remembers the days of people going out on a limb and putting up our own signs below the dam -- clearly making it plain as day that Power Bait and corn and worms are illegal and strictly prohibited in the trophy area ?

MDC would always take them down because PowerBait is a copyrighted name by Berkley and they didnt want the hot water. BUT - That sure did spell it out rather easily, didnt it ?

Also - who has a picture of the exact sign below the dam they can put up? Right now?

Of the current regulations. If one doesnt go up - I'll drive up and take a pic and put it up on this thread so we can discuss exactly what is not so easily to understand.

Brian

[Wayne SW/MO]

This is not a catch and release zone.

I've never understood the philosophy behind allowing any fish to be kept in the Trophy zone. Its not as if many will die of old age as I'm sure they migrate in and out.

It would be very simple if the regulations read.

All fish must be kept in contact with the water and released quickly.

Only artificial materials attached to single hooks allowed.

Period!

[Indiana Trout]

Just my (outsider) 2 cents, but more signage (located at ALL the common access points from the outlets down to the last set of stairs past the boat ramp. Otherwise, it's too easy to plead ignorance by going farther downstream and more boots on the ground to enforce same. Otherwise, you will put up signs till hell won't have it and they will be routinely ignored, just like they are now (go down by the ramp and look at the jars, boxes and plastic wrappers). I especially like the idea of marking (over marking!) the mouth of Fall creek for the boaters. Then there is no excuse for anyone coming up from below and with PROMINENT signs at the ramp by the dam, maybe it'll slow down a bit!

[eric1978]

This is the direct quote from the Lake Taneycomo Wikipedia page

That seems pretty clear to me. Is it clear to you ? Wait, read on.

I wonder who remembers the days of people going out on a limb and putting up our own signs below the dam -- clearly making it plain as day that Power Bait and corn and worms are illegal and strictly prohibited in the trophy area ?

MDC would always take them down because PowerBait is a copyrighted name by Berkley and they didnt want the hot water. BUT - That sure did spell it out rather easily, didnt it ?

Perfectly clear, because I took the 15 seconds to read it. I think a lot of it is just willfull ignorance and people plan on using the "oh sorry Mister Agent, I just didn't know...no, I didn't see any signs" routine and roll the dice. Your chances of getting caught are clearly not that great. I would assume that most of the people who are breaking the rules are aware that they are, they just don't think it's a big deal.

[Gavin]

Paint the regs on the back of that big ugly chunk of concrete....No excuses then... Cheers.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I think that section of Taney gets more attention from the agents then many realize. I've seen them many times and I don't get down there that often, but catching and proving a violation from afar isn't easy. They also tend to focus on one or two individuals to the exclusion of many others in different areas. The last time I saw one he was parked in the east lot watching the Rebar every time I passed, and I doubt they would have seen a violation upstream. I think many of the violations this weekend were because people know its a "free" one. Anyone who has lived in this state very long knows that deer are the only focus on opening weekend.

[bigredbirdfan]

This is a good group of concerned missouri citizens. If the mdc monitors this forum then can't they offer some insight to our concerns. Possibly respond to them either pubically on here or through PM to contributors?