The Busch Slaughter

[patfish]

If I lived close to any of the parks I'd go just to see the "show". You know there's some really funny stuff that happens on opening day.

[Troutfishn]

Not to change the subject but here is my report. Last few days were SLOOOOOW, Today however heated up and many fish were caught. Here is today's slaughter. Biggest is 21'' 3.84lbs.

[stlfisher]

'Opening Day' is a tradition to many and always draws a large crowd. I have never had the desire to participate but I can't say anything negative since I haven't ever participated. Although I could never handle the elbow to elbow fishing. I like my space and like to move about. As for those people that act like they 'must' harvest a limit no matter what, I couldn't agree with you anymore. There are definitely some at Busch. I used to get aggravated by their antics but now I just pack up and leave. It's never going to change and just not worth the aggravation. For me there is always another day.

I agree with both these statements. Harvest at trout parks and White ribbon areas doesn't really bother me and there is a time and place for it. I would rather fish in solitude or with a few select buddies. So opening days aren't my cup of tea. For me fishing is more about the experience than the actual catching. So when areas close to home get cleaned out by people who seem to be dead set on doing it as fast and efficiently as they can it does bother me. In these instances my C/R fishing doesn't appear to have nearly the effect on the fishing of Catch and Keep guys as the Catch and Keep guys have on a C/R fisherman. I think this is most acute during the Winter Urban Trout season. In STL, to my knowledge, there are 4 C/R lakes and 12 Catch and Keep lakes. For the life of me I don't see why they can't extend the C/R season until March 1. There are plenty of other lakes for Catch and Keep. In a perfect world there would be enough water and fish for everyone, but that is getting harder and harder to come buy.

On a side I stopped by Boathouse lake in south city (I rarely fish it, but use it for fly casting practice) and there appeared to be a massive fish kill. There were dead Catfish and a few dead trout everywhere. The Catfish that weren't dead were all very close to shore and hardly moving. There was a guy with a net fishing out the half dead ones and taking them home. Had close to a dozen fish. I think the combination of dead leaves, colder weather, and thicker ice has depleted the oxygen to the point the fish can't survive. If Catfish are dying it can't be good for the other species. That lake is way to shallow.

[duckydoty]

Not to change the subject but here is my report. Last few days were SLOOOOOW, Today however heated up and many fish were caught. Here is today's slaughter. Biggest is 21'' 3.84lbs.

Nice catch! Glad to see you are taking advantage of some fishing close to home. Enjoy them!

[Gavin]

Nice catch...

Kinda funny to watch folks fish through holes in the ice, but their having fun and catching dinner. Nothing wrong with that.

[Gatorjet]

I didn't intend to say anything was wrong with opening day at the parks, or opening for catch and keep at busch. I fish Taney, and that is mostly put and take anymore. I will say I don't keep the really small stockers that some people do, and don't keep anything for the skillet over 1 1/2 to 2 pounds. I also have been spending a lot of my time there above Fall Creek having a ball Catching nice fish and releasing them. One of these days I'll remember my camera so I can post some pics.

[BredMan]

Today I went over to lake-21 to see if there was a chance of some open water to fish. That was a mistake. The road is a sloppy, soupy, potholed mess and there were way too many anglers for the little exposed water. Some of those guys looked like they crawled out of a cave somewhere. Where do these people come from! Didn't see any action and didn't stay. Stopped by the hand spray carwash on the way home to blast the thick coat of limestone mud off my truck. Sure wasn't worth the trouble.

[eric1978]

Gotta wonder how many fish are even left in there at this point. I'd say it's been pretty thinned out by now.