Mdc Meeting On Trout Habitat

[Zack Hoyt]

Beaver Tailwaters has large boulders on top of some wood frames. It seems to work very well. The rock holds the wood in place and the wood holds lots of bugs and provides shelter from the sun and aerial predators.

[Chief Grey Bear]

?????

Have no idea what you're talking about.

Now, back to habitat.

On second thought, I would like to change my stance on this. I got to thinking about this today and decided that if tax money is going to be used for something that I and some others may find wasteful and maybe even somewhat ridiculous, I would much rather see it used for matters such as this as, say, welfare.

The idea behind such government programs such as welfare, though a good idea and needed by some, is grossly over abused by the majority. I am not making a political statement as much as I am a comparison. I don't care what team is in power, that is one program that I think we may all agree needs an overhaul.

I guess really to get to the meat of what I am saying is, I would rather see our tax monies spent on habitat restoration or any type of outdoor, wildlife project.

Sorry to ruffle some feathers over this as I am pretty sure I did.

[Fly_Guy]

I like the idea of drilling in the boulders and attaching trees/wood via cable! Provided that the tree was below the top of the rock to minimize the amount of drag the water would put on the tree. Put a couple right in the middle of the deepest runs. or on the edge of the drop. this drawing is super rough...

[Phil Lilley]

Zack - I saw a pic of the boulders on top of the post-logs at Beaver. I think they're sitting on bed rock though. We have lots and lots of gravel so I'm not sure it would work exactly like Beaver's installation. But it could be modified to make the best of what's needed at Taney.

I mentioned cedars cause they have smaller branches, more branches and I would think holds more invertebrates/insects.

FLy-guy, I like your diagram. I agree.

[Zack Hoyt]

If I remember right Phil, they tied the logs together. I would imagine this, along with the weight of the rock on top would keep movement downstream to a minimum. I would think(been a few years since my hydrology class) that the water would work around the logs, just as it would a rock. Possibly letting the setup reach a more solid floor.

I had also saw instead of a pile under the larger rocks, they had used longer full tree lengths with rocks at either end. Running parallel to the current. Just a thought. Anything will help and I hope they listen to a specialist as well as the general public.

[drew03cmc]

I for one am glad for the way Taney is now. I love eating the taney trout, who have been in there long enough to lose their 'trout park' taste. It is a glorified fish tank, but it is what is. DONT get indignant - I would gladly eat a large trout, if the smaller ones didn't taste better. And if they get low, MDC puts in more. And we pay for em. There are PLENTY of places to catch the native sm if you want a river setting. Wade down the Finley or James for a real experience with native fish. Otherwise, fish TR.

As for habitat, I wouldn't mind some large boulders in a broken line from cable to outlet 3. Create some deeper water. How about a large stump or two anchored deep in the middle of the deeper water?

Why would one be angry about the MDC using SFR money on an artificially sustained fishery (albeit a cash cow), instead of improving degrading habitat on streams like the Bourbeuse, James, etc? Trout haven't historically been found in Missouri and are only able to subsist on their own in extremely small numbers. The added habitat will not improve the spawning success of Taneycomo trout. You have to remember you are fishing in a lake, a lake, whose water levels are affected by power demands as well as by water levels on Table Rock. Just keep that in mind, and know that adding habitat may improve holding areas for this truck load as Chief said, but in the future, in the absence of stocking, there is no fishery.

[Jeremy Hunt]

Beaver Tailwaters has large boulders on top of some wood frames. It seems to work very well. The rock holds the wood in place and the wood holds lots of bugs and provides shelter from the sun and aerial predators.

Great idea......

[Phil Lilley]

Why would one be angry about the MDC using SFR money on an artificially sustained fishery (albeit a cash cow), instead of improving degrading habitat on streams like the Bourbeuse, James, etc? Trout haven't historically been found in Missouri and are only able to subsist on their own in extremely small numbers. The added habitat will not improve the spawning success of Taneycomo trout. You have to remember you are fishing in a lake, a lake, whose water levels are affected by power demands as well as by water levels on Table Rock. Just keep that in mind, and know that adding habitat may improve holding areas for this truck load as Chief said, but in the future, in the absence of stocking, there is no fishery.

Not sure what you want us to say or acknowledge here.

Yes, this is a put-and-take lake. Never will be natural spawning. There is a place in this world for put-and-take lakes.

This money was designated for Table Rock and Taneycomo. If you have a problem with that, take it up with the people who gave the money.

[Fly_Guy]

You could have a whole 'nother discussion about man-sustained fisheries. Like the creation of several large reserviors around here when there used to be only small lakes and rivers...and stocking 750,000 walleye in Stockton(another man made lake) everyother year since 1998... But that's another discussion. Taneycomo is what it is, and it provides a different experience and draws people from all over the country. When I lived in KC, the only reason I drove down to Branson was for the opportunity to flyfish for trout, and have relative success in numbers and size. And I spent money at local flyshops, and other businesses.

If they want to spend money to make Taneycomo a better fishing experience, I say hurray - like Chief Grey Bear - they could be using our money in worse ways.

[Gatorjet]

I am always glad to see MDC spend the money given them on habitat improvement. They have done a good job of helping provide a diverse fishery throughout the state. Taneycomo trout, Truman Hybrid stripers, Pomme De Terre Muskies have all given us opportunities to catch fish of all kinds.

As far as what to do in Taneycomo, I hope someone from MDC is reading the posts here. Some very intelligent suggestions have been made. I wouldn't mind large boulders added in the far upper area. I personally think from the outlets to say KOA or Lookout should be reserved for wading when water release is low enough for safty. That would be hard to enforce, who is to say when it would not be safe for wading and OK for boat traffic. If the boulders were placed properly, they could impede boat traffic except during high water. That may all sound a little strange coming from a guy with a 20' inboard jetboat. Yes, I could run about anywhere up there, but when the water is low I choose not to out of courtesy to the wade fishermen. With 26 miles of lake, I can find plenty of places below KOA or Lookout to fish.