Sell Me On The M S A Matt.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Go to meetings, meet folks, and devote some time to volunteer work, maybe fill a seat on the board when your time comes...You get a lot back that way...Sit a home, read the newsletter, and complain on the internet...you wont get much. Ya gotta "DO" something to get something. Cheers.

That is very sound advice Gavin. I would have to think the very same could be told to those that are "questioning", and I use that term very loosely, the MDC.

I just want to throw out a reminder that I offered to help eric if he joined the MSA in a previous post. But it was decided that it was easier to point the finger and complain about the MDC. So I think the argument that I have a negative tone towards the MSA is without merit.

[KCRIVERRAT]

Guys, there are people on this forum who do plenty of volunteer work on the western Missouri streams. I believe we all know that. Wished I could help out, but my situation does not allow me to. I'm an MSA member and after joining realized they're kinda concentrated in the eastern part of our state. That's fine with me, I just can't get over to the St. Louis area to attend the meetings.

I don't think the K.C. area is a hotbed for people who dedicate themselves to smallmouth fishing. Maybe I'll catch some heat for that! A chapter in southwest Missouri would be great. From what I've read here, there would be a lot of different angles on preservation of the smallmouth species compared to the eastern watersheds.

In the end, the MDC's Stream Team program to me was one of the best things they've ever implemented. I know one team in southwest Missouri that I'd like to help out. I know they've got my back and I'll do what I can.

Let's remember... the future of our streams and their preservation lies with our children and their's. I'm friends with a guy on this forum who has taught his boy (and I believe his little girl is informed) so much about what he knows about everything there is to know about fishing and the tangibles that you learn with it. His boy already could outfish... well, I'll just say alot of guys or gals on this forum.

KC

[Buzz]

Matt, I do care about the western smallmouth streams in the Ozarks, and in my opinion, and I am sure that of others, these streams get the short end of the stick in Missouri. They are not the poster streams that you read about, but offer some darn fine smallmouth angling in their own right. About the protection of the western streams, the White Paper pretty much writes off the western streams in that there is a combination of black bass species in the streams, little enforcement, and the size is not on par with that of the eastern streams. I am sorry, the genetic makeup of those smallmouth make the fish in the western Ozarks unlikely to reach the magic 20" size that anglers judge the health of a fishery on in the east. The streams in the western Ozarks have a smaller following, but in my experience, offer an experience that trumps the eastern streams I have been on. I would like to see stretches of certain streams over here managed differently, as in an 18" length limit (meaning almost exclusive c&r) or a slot from 10-14.

I almost forgot, there are no bluffs here to add to the scenery as these streams are all spring creeks that have not cut through the rock over the millenia.

I too was a little disapointed that our extreme southwestern streams were written off in the "White Paper", at first, but that was just vanity I guess. After thinking about it, I have come to the conclusion that it would probably be best for our area that it didn't get any special preferences or added notoriety. The special strain of smallmouth that inhabits our streams, as Drew mentioned, does not get as big as the Tennessee strain, but is no different in it's fighting ability. If a 15 inch brownie is the biggest that I can catch, so be it. I still get a thrill with each of these big fish.

I'm not sure if a chapter of the MSA would help us or not, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt. The problem with these things, as I see it, is that you are usually preaching to the choir. Meaning that, unless you get out to people who don't usually frequent seminars and the Spring Fishing Expo at Bass Pro you won't reach the people who are ignorant of the situation with the smallmouth, no matter where in the state they are fishing. How do you accomplish this? I don't know, other than working with schools and such, since it has been said more than once that our future and the future of our unique fisheries are no doubt in the hands of the young. JMHO

Buzz

[drew03cmc]

I too was a little disapointed that our extreme southwestern streams were written off in the "White Paper", at first, but that was just vanity I guess. After thinking about it, I have come to the conclusion that it would probably be best for our area that it didn't get any special preferences or added notoriety. The special strain of smallmouth that inhabits our streams, as Drew mentioned, does not get as big as the Tennessee strain, but is no different in it's fighting ability. If a 15 inch brownie is the biggest that I can catch, so be it. I still get a thrill with each of these big fish.

I'm not sure if a chapter of the MSA would help us or not, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt. The problem with these things, as I see it, is that you are usually preaching to the choir. Meaning that, unless you get out to people who don't usually frequent seminars and the Spring Fishing Expo at Bass Pro you won't reach the people who are ignorant of the situation with the smallmouth, no matter where in the state they are fishing. How do you accomplish this? I don't know, other than working with schools and such, since it has been said more than once that our future and the future of our unique fisheries are no doubt in the hands of the young. JMHO

Buzz

Buzz, I have to say I kind of agree that a chapter of MSA in the southwest would be a small group, albeit, a devout group. However, I am not against keeping the streams as little known as possible to ensure that the bass species, not just smallmouth, continue to thrive...

[eric1978]

I would like to see stretches of certain streams over here managed differently, as in an 18" length limit (meaning almost exclusive c&r) or a slot from 10-14.

Oh, I see. So you're all for protection on streams in your neck of the woods, but people who want protection on streams you're not likely to fish on the other side of the state are just whiners and are wasting their time.

[wily]

I'm going to chime in...although i am not sure I am an authority on any subject.

i dont think this east versus west rivalry is healthy. and i don't think it should be the crux of any argument

i think any person who enjoys the outdoors has a friend and an ally in the mdc...even for that matter the state park system and the dnr. i'm not sure creating or admitting any animosity between any group and the mdc or any other state agency whose primary purpose is to promote/conserve the outdoors is healthy.

if your primary purpose is to lobby the state to improve smallmouth habitat...you shouldn't engage in arguments with the agency that is responsible for funding those endeavors. build upon what they're working on and create a symbiotic relationship to accomplish everyone's goals.

no offense and i wish you luck...

[drew03cmc]

Oh, I see. So you're all for protection on streams in your neck of the woods, but people who want protection on streams you're not likely to fish on the other side of the state are just whiners and are wasting their time.

Never came out of my mouth. What did come out of my mouth is that streams on this side of the Ozarks get the shaft from the MDC any time it comes to reviewing for new regs or SMAs. I guess that makes me a whiner, but I am tired of seeing this happen, and the White Paper just put it out there in plain sight for everyone to see. Missouri's Department of Conservation is apathetic about the special strain of smallmouth they hold a supply of.

[eric1978]

Never came out of my mouth. What did come out of my mouth is that streams on this side of the Ozarks get the shaft from the MDC any time it comes to reviewing for new regs or SMAs. I guess that makes me a whiner, but I am tired of seeing this happen, and the White Paper just put it out there in plain sight for everyone to see. Missouri's Department of Conservation is apathetic about the special strain of smallmouth they hold a supply of.

I guess it just seemed that way since you mentioned you'd like to see some increase in regulations on some streams in your area, but at the same time you suggest to the folks concerned about several eastern streams we should just grin and bear the problems they're having.

I think many streams unjustifiably get the shaft from MDC, and of course that's what all these threads have been about. I want to see increased SMAs across the state. One stream is not more "important" than another, and regulations should be implemented and then evaluated and modified until every fishery is producing numbers and sizes to the best of its capabilities. We'll never know how well a particular stream could do if we don't experiment, which is for the most part what's happening...nothing.

[Buzz]

I'm going to chime in...although i am not sure I am an authority on any subject.

i dont think this east versus west rivalry is healthy. and i don't think it should be the crux of any argument

i think any person who enjoys the outdoors has a friend and an ally in the mdc...even for that matter the state park system and the dnr. i'm not sure creating or admitting any animosity between any group and the mdc or any other state agency whose primary purpose is to promote/conserve the outdoors is healthy.

if your primary purpose is to lobby the state to improve smallmouth habitat...you shouldn't engage in arguments with the agency that is responsible for funding those endeavors. build upon what they're working on and create a symbiotic relationship to accomplish everyone's goals.

no offense and i wish you luck...

Well put Wily.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Never came out of my mouth. What did come out of my mouth is that streams on this side of the Ozarks get the shaft from the MDC any time it comes to reviewing for new regs or SMAs. I guess that makes me a whiner,

I don't see any preference overall. The reality is that while there are 4 close to STL and only 2 in the southwest, people in the southwest are close to 7 SMA's. The eastern area does have more flow overall, thanks to the dams here.