Where Is Everyone?

[ozark trout fisher]

I'm having difficulty following this... There is a camera at the mill dam so folks can know whether the stream is blown out before they drive two hours to fish it-so what? The money could have been spent in a better way, but it's not a huge deal. Sure, if someone keeps thirty fish right in front of the camera, the MDC will probably bust them for it, but otherwise you ought to be fine.

Has it never occurred to anyone that the camera may actually be there for the reason the MDC says it is? I'm just as suspicious of the government's motives as the next guy, but maybe not everything a government agency does is a conspiracy to spy on the people.

I really think the camera is just there so folks can know what the stream is looking like before they come down.

[fishinwrench]

I'm having difficulty following this...

Obviously. A lot of folks, yourself included I think, are confusing the dam-cam feed with surveillance. IMO it's not. Not really.

For one thing, the streaming webcam at the dam isn't MDC's, it is supposably DNR's. At least someone from DNR said it was, but at the same time they also said that the other cams were not thiers.

Secondly, Nobody wants to claim the other numerous actual surveillance cams that are set up in the park and campground. WHY ? because they know alot of folks take offense to it, and they are probably hearing about it.

So Now, DNR has shut the dam-cam feed, apparently in an attempt to calm the negative feedback they are getting about park surveillance. Nice try.

But here's the kicker....If THEY aren't the ones doing the surveillance (remember they originally said the other cams weren't theirs and they had no part of that), then WHY should they shut down the streaming webcam feed ? See? this is some twisted BS

[ozark trout fisher]

Obviously. A lot of folks, yourself included I think, are confusing the dam-cam feed with surveillance. IMO it's not. Not really.

For one thing, the streaming webcam at the dam isn't MDC's, it is supposably DNR's. At least someone from DNR said it was, but at the same time they also said that the other cams were not thiers.

Secondly, Nobody wants to claim the other numerous actual surveillance cams that are set up in the park and campground. WHY ? because they know alot of folks take offense to it, and they are probably hearing about it.

So Now, DNR has shut the dam-cam feed, apparently in an attempt to calm the negative feedback they are getting about park surveillance. Nice try.

But here's the kicker....If THEY aren't the ones doing the surveillance (remember they originally said the other cams weren't theirs and they had no part of that), then WHY should they shut down the streaming webcam feed ? See? this is some twisted BS

If they really do have cameras all around the campground and park, that does seem a little weird. I still think you're being over dramatic, but it is a bit more understandable if it's more than just the one by the dam.

[NoLuck]

Who says that the DNR shutdown the dam cam?? To me it looked like it malfunctioned. One day it had a bad picture and then it was all whited out. Your picture is being taken just about anywhere you go anymore. Just about every intersection you go through has one. Every highway has them at various locations. Every store and gas station has them. Hell you may as well just hide out in your house any more in the basement. I could care less about any camera anywhere because I am not doing anything to worry about. I also don't worry about cops either. I pass them on the highway if they are not running the speed limit just like anyone else on the road.

I will continue going to Bennett regardless of any camera and no matter how many CO's are out there.

[FishinCricket]

Who says that the DNR shutdown the dam cam?? To me it looked like it malfunctioned. One day it had a bad picture and then it was all whited out. Your picture is being taken just about anywhere you go anymore. Just about every intersection you go through has one. Every highway has them at various locations. Every store and gas station has them. Hell you may as well just hide out in your house any more in the basement. I could care less about any camera anywhere because I am not doing anything to worry about. I also don't worry about cops either. I pass them on the highway if they are not running the speed limit just like anyone else on the road.

I will continue going to Bennett regardless of any camera and no matter how many CO's are out there.

You got me convinced.. I'm never leaving my house again...

[Outside Bend]

If anyone's interested, I'll be selling tinfoil hats at an undisclosed location at Bennett next weekend. 10 bucks each, for fifteen I'll throw in a lanyard and a wool hatband to keep your flies or lures on.

Secret codeword is Jaguar. PM me for more information, I don't want Big Brother knowing anything more.

[stlfisher]

Oh for crying out loud...What has gone unprotected ? Are there not enough fish at Bennett to suit everyone? If so, why do you assume that there won't be in the future without MORE bloodhounds ?

Is the place trashed? No, I think it's reasonably tidy, especially for the amount of people that move through it. A few cigarette butts and gum wrappers on the ground and trees full of Globalls...Dude, you're always gonna have that unless each person has their own independant agent, or camera fixed on them all day long.

You're always going to have a FEW rule benders regardless, but enough get slapped (even under minimal supervision) to keep things sufficiently in check. So unless (unbeknownst to me) things have gotten completely out of hand I really don't see the need or the desire to go all gustapo looking for trouble, and paying big money to find it, where there really and truly is none.

Being watched like you're going to do something illegal constantly is like someone acting like everything you say is a lie. Eventually your just going to quit speaking to that person...right ?

Tell me that it doesn't effect your mood when a cop is tailing you. Why ? Are you doing something wrong ? driving badly ? Why aren't you relaxed and enjoying the drive when he's back there ?

It is like you are looking for an argument just to have one. Once again I never said the place was trashed nor are there rampant violations. What I did say was increased enforcement will further protect the resource and make it better for everyone. I said I was not in favor of a Gestapo agent. It is almost as though you just read what you wanted to read without actually processing what I was saying. Off course you will always have trash and violators...you will never rid it all. I also said that my beef with violators was not restricted to Bennett, but many areas in the state I fish. If in fact they did hire a new agent then they must think it is worth it. At this point I have only meet the new park ranger who is not a conservation agent.

I am not nervous when a cop is tailing me, because I am not doing anything wrong. If you are really worried about a trout cam watching you then don't fish under the bridge. I can't even tell who anyone is anyway. They spent less than $2000 to set up a cam that was supposed to let people see the stream conditions and day dream that they were there fishing...that is it period...it has been stated by the guy who set it up. This whole conspiracy theory regarding it is just crazy to me.

Then again we didn't really land on the moon.

[Fly_Guy]

Then again we didn't really land on the moon.

We actually did, but the numbers of trout were so low that no one thought it was worth our time.

My two cents - cameras where I fish - NOT COOL. Part of the fun of fishing is the thrill of the hunt i.e. - keeping 6 fish and trying to outrun the conservation agent. Start adding cameras, and all the sport goes out of it...

btw - great conversation

[Fly_Guy]

Personally, think it's great having a CA dedicated to BSSP. Something I've wanted to see for a long time...BUT....know there are a few who will find some reason to object to keeping folks "legal". (Can't imagine why.) Wish all our trout parks could or would have a resident CA. A big welcome to him!

Bob A, Springfield

And to respond late - issuing tickets for having stringers w/out your name and address on them?? Are you out of your skull? You don't have your name on your stringer and someone else takes it, that's your own dumb fault. Save the tickets for the tag-less. <Insert multi-page conversation which ends with people telling me that if I don't like the [government run] trout park regs, I can fish elsewhere>

[NoLuck]

And to respond late - issuing tickets for having stringers w/out your name and address on them?? Are you out of your skull? You don't have your name on your stringer and someone else takes it, that's your own dumb fault. Save the tickets for the tag-less. <Insert multi-page conversation which ends with people telling me that if I don't like the [government run] trout park regs, I can fish elsewhere>

I may be wrong but I think the issue with not having a tag or a name on your stringer is that if it is laying on the shoreline you can say that it is not yours when asked. That way you can keep more fish with multiple stringers and such.

On another note, I have forgot to put my new tag in my tag holder on a couple of occasions. I usually leave it hanging on my visor in my truck. But, if asked to present it I don't know if I can say that I would be mad if I got a ticket. My stupidity is mine and nobody elses. I would pay the ticket and move on unless I could convince the CO to go to my truck and show him the correct tag for that days fishing. I always sign it before I leave the park store so it is mine with my signature.