Missouri Smallmouth Alliance Meeting

[msamatt]

Looks like we must have been posting at the same time. I didn't see your post.

My bad Matt. I guess I missed the part about being a member to join the forum. Sounds reasonable to me.

I am glad we see eye to eye on your first sentence. Buzz and I don't agree all the time either. Even though he is always wrong , he tells me, "You ain't changing my mind and I anin't changing yours!"

This may sound a little funny but even though we don't agree some things about the MSA, I will agree it is a good cause. And if you don't mind my frankness, I will still contribute with opinions, thoughts and ideas, even though I may not contribute with my due money.

Chief:

I don't mind your frankness at all. In fact, I honestly believe that you really care about our Ozark stream fisheries and will do what you can to help conserve this terrific heritage as you best see fit. I'll be the first to admit that the MSA isn't the alpha and omega of smallmouth fishing and conservation in Missouri. What I really care about is working with anyone who is passionate our ozark stream fisheries to do what we can to make sure that generations to come can enjoy them as much as we do. Keep on doing what you do and I'll do the same.

[KCRIVERRAT]

Chief and everyone else:

I'll clear a few things up. To be honest it was some of Chief's and Gary Lange's criticism back in December which was the impetus for us to finally creating an online forum for our members. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, the following message appears right on our home page: "Please take a look at our forum. Anyone can read most, but not all of the topics. Only MSA members can view and post after registering."

Admitted our rejection of Chief's application to register for the forum could have been worded more clearly but that's what it was a rejection of his application to join the forum because he's not a current MSA member. Why is the MSA forum for members only? A) We're a strictly volunteer organization and creating and maintaining a good online forum takes time and effort, just ask Phil. It was created by a member as a means for the rest of the members to share information with each other and is one of the benefits of membership.

Phil lets us all have a say Matt... even Ness. Kinda weird how he follows certain peoples posts...

[msamatt]

Phil lets us all have a say Matt... even Ness. Kinda weird how he follows certain peoples posts...

KCRR:

You're absolutely right but that's the purpose of this forum. The purpose of the MSA forum is to serve as a means for members to share info with each other and not serve as yet another online forum.

[KCRIVERRAT]

KCRR:

You're absolutely right but that's the purpose of this forum. The purpose of the MSA forum is to serve as a means for members to share info with each other and not serve as yet another online forum.

Surely you're not putting down this forum with that comment Matt. I'm gonna ask permission here in the next few days to become a member of MSA's forum. Since I'm a member, hopefully I'll be accepted. It would be interesting to see what kind of knowledge the 200 plus members are sharing...

[Flysmallie]

Thanks for hanging in there Matt, Dan and Gary. The information that Dan shared was very promising. I have seen the results of these type of regulations and I don't see what it could hurt. I gave Gary my commitment and I will be joining this week. Hopefully Gary and I can get together next week. I look forward to working with all of you.

[Al Agnew]

Chief, and anybody else who is questioning the reasons for joining...

Consider this. There are going to be other issues (in fact, there already are) affecting stream smallmouth fishing in Missouri. Some are threats to the resource, others are threats to our ability to use the resource. For instance, since my wife had a meeting outside Marshfield on Saturday, we stayed in Marshfield Friday night. After dropping her off at her meeting, I took back roads toward Springfield and the meeting, and visited every bridge crossing on the upper James above Springfield. Did you know that almost every bridge crossing is unusable as an access these days? Even the bridge that is the "head of navigation" in the MDC float stream book is now closed to access, with cables across all approaches to the water and "no parking" signs everywhere. And there is apparently a rich landowner along the river who has succeeded in closing off his section of the river to all users. Guys, this is a problem, and it's a problem that is only going to get worse and scares the heck out of me. Collusion between influential landowners and county officials could very well spell doom for access to many streams in this state. Sooner of later we're going to have to fight this battle.

Now consider this...what other organization is there that is an advocate for stream smallmouth fishing in this state--and not as only one small part of a lot of other issues? None.

It takes a concerted effort to fight major conservation battles. Individuals alone just don't get it done. It takes organization. The MSA is the only organization right now that can fill the bill. Maybe it hasn't been as strong or as successful as it could be, but it certainly has a good reputation with MDC.

You may not agree with everything we are doing. In fact, at least one member of our blue ribbon panel doesn't agree with all our strategy for improving smallmouth fishing. Doesn't mean he isn't a valued member, and he has certainly given us food for thought and caused us to question our beliefs and outlook.

But starting a new SWMO chapter is a perfect opportunity for you to make your own thoughts and beliefs known, and maybe even shape the chapter the way you think it should be. Standing on the sidelines and either cheering or booing just ain't gonna get much of anything done, either for what you think the MSA should be or for our fisheries and fishing opportunities. The least you can do to start to make a difference is to join, so that you'll be one of the anglers represented by the organization. Even better would be to actually roll up your sleeves and do some work within the organization.

By the way, our proposals seemed to be well-received at the meeting on Monday. I am hopeful that MDC is going to be making some changes in regs and special management areas in the next few years. Whether the changes will reflect our proposals or not, it's far too soon to tell.

[msamatt]

KCRR:

Please join the MSA forum. We need more members participating. Let me know what you think. We just started it at the end of December so don't expect it to be as packed with content as the OAF. As far as "putting down" the OAF is concerned I don't think I wrote anything remotely insulting about the OAF. We created the MSA forum for MSA members. We cannot replicate what Phil's created here and have no interest in doing so. Why would we? We're not competing with the OAF. Marc Rogers took the time to create the forum for us in order to give members another means of communicating with each other and sharing info. Like all forums it is what folks put into it, no more and no less.

Flysmallie:

Thanks, we're looking forward to working with you.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Well Al I will say that post buckled me at the knees. That was probably the best post that would make me want to join.

I am 100% with you on the access problem. In fact I developed a plan to address that last summer. But as you say one individual probably won't get much done. So on that front, I could almost be convinced to send some due money as I do believe that to be a very worthy cause!

But let me ask this. If I did join and if I became very active in the SWMO chapter, I am still not in agreement with the direction the Mother Chapter is taking in regards to regulation changes. How would we address this conflict among chapters?

[ness]

Phil lets us all have a say Matt... even Ness. Kinda weird how he follows certain peoples posts...

Hey man, when I don't follow Chief, I conquer evil, whatever name it goes by.

[Gary Lange]

But let me ask this. If I did join and if I became very active in the SWMO chapter, I am still not in agreement with the direction the Mother Chapter is taking in regards to regulation changes. How would we address this conflict among chapters?

Well Chief you are and outspoken man and I am sure you ideas will be heard and discussed and either your opinion changed or the main chapter gets changed or we compromise on it.