Where Is Everyone?

[fishinwrench]

Yeah I figured they were there and undercover...it sounds like enforcement is up...that is always a good thing.

Always ? What's the cost of an in-house game warden? I'd be willing to bet that at least 800-1000.00 is spent in wages and other related expenses... for every 70.00(legitimate)ticket that they write within the park boundarys.

In all seriousness, most of the trout park fishers I know are 80% C&R. Occasionally some fish-hungry nimrod might sneak a few extra trout but is it really a serious rampant problem that is causing thousands of dollars worth of losses each month?

I don't see the justification of a full time agent, covert undercover spys, or surveillance cams. All that money could be better spent elsewhere IMO

[stlfisher]

Always ? What's the cost of an in-house game warden? I'd be willing to bet that at least 800-1000.00 is spent in wages and other related expenses... for every 70.00(legitimate)ticket that they write within the park boundarys.

In all seriousness, most of the trout park fishers I know are 80% C&R. Occasionally some fish-hungry nimrod might sneak a few extra trout but is it really a serious rampant problem that is causing thousands of dollars worth of losses each month?

I don't see the justification of a full time agent, covert undercover spys, or surveillance cams. All that money could be better spent elsewhere IMO

Certainly there is cost analysis done and I have no idea if there are enough ticket's written to justify the cost of a full time agent each month, but if ticket is $70 and you write one ticket a day that is $2100 a month. I would bet on any given day you could write several tickets if an agent really wanted too. I am not in favor of a Gestapo agent type, but I guess I see so many violations when I fish (all over the state) that I just have no tolerance for it. Because of my location I spend most of my time fishing over fished waters with people that just don't care about the resource. In that respect I wish we had more enforcement, not just at the trout parks, but all over the place.

I am not bothered by surveillance cams, and everything I have read says the cam at Bennett is not for that purpose and cost about $2000 to set up. I don't want to revisit a subject that has already been debated a few threads ago, but I have zero problems if in fact the cam was used for that purpose.

I agree 100% that most trout park fisherman are C@R and I always practice it myself, but I always see people fishing illegally and I fear that they are doing elsewhere as well. If you get them a trout park, were they are accessible, it might make them think twice about doing elsewhere that may not be as easily monitored.

Anyway, that is my two cents worth

[fishinwrench]

What's really amazing to Me, is that you guys that live in the KC and STL areas come to fish at Bennett, and see horrific crimes committed every time you come down.

Yet guys that live close and fish it all the time, only occasionally see someone doing anything mildly wrong.

You cigar smokin' city boys either have a really keen eye for that stuff.... or you're bringing it with ya.

To give you the benefit of the doubt though, I guess crime could truly be rampant there at the outlet hole and I wouldn't know because I don't fish there. Plus, I'm usually concentrating on fishing instead of concentrating on what other people are doing.

[eric1978]

Hey stlfisher, don't pay attention to wrench, he's just paranoid.

Gov'ment took ma baby.

[NoLuck]

The people breaking the rules are super easy to spot. Just look at the usual places and you will have no problem. I do not smoke a stinkin cigar either and I'm far from being a city boy. But I have no problem with the cameras there either. Don't break the rules and you will have nob problems to begin with. Plus I know for a fact that some of the violators I have seen are locals... FACT.

[ozark trout fisher]

In all seriousness, most of the trout park fishers I know are 80% C&R.

Bennett must be a lot different from Montauk and Maramec, where as near as I can tell, just about any fish that gets caught is strung up. I don't see very many folks releasing fish at trout parks, and I'm not complaining about that either as long as they stay within the law. While I'm catch and release only everywhere else for trout, I usually keep a couple at the trout parks, except obviously in catch and release areas and during winter. What's the point to releasing every trout park fish you catch? They will be replaced tomorrow, and if I don't have the fish for dinner, someone will the next day.

[stlfisher]

What's really amazing to Me, is that you guys that live in the KC and STL areas come to fish at Bennett, and see horrific crimes committed every time you come down.

Yet guys that live close and fish it all the time, only occasionally see someone doing anything mildly wrong.

You cigar smokin' city boys either have a really keen eye for that stuff.... or you're bringing it with ya.

To give you the benefit of the doubt though, I guess crime could truly be rampant there at the outlet hole and I wouldn't know because I don't fish there. Plus, I'm usually concentrating on fishing instead of concentrating on what other people are doing.

I don't think I ever said violations were rampant, but I fail to see how increased enforcement is a bad thing or a waste of money. I am sure folks from all over break the rules, but I certaintly don't bring them with me or fish with them. I don't smoke cigars, but it is amazing how many people I see toss cigarettes into the stream when they are done.

I am assuming you are much closer to Bennett than I am and fish it more than I do. So I can't understand why someone who uses the resource would not be in favor of protecting it so the experience is better for everyone. The real issue clearly seems to be your dislike and disturst of us "city boys".

People from all over break the rules. It is not limited to location or backround. If you want to play it that way then go ahead.

[fishinwrench]

I can't understand why someone who uses the resource would not be in favor of protecting it so the experience is better for everyone.

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 ?

[fishinwrench]

Hey stlfisher, don't pay attention to wrench, he's just paranoid.

Gov'ment took ma baby.

Yeah right. And the Hillbillies at the accesses with spincasters and rotten nylon line are taking all the big smallies. Don't even go there with me Boy

[trout fanatic]

They can have 50 full time agents working for all I care. The issue for me is that camera. I do not like having my picture taken (by anybody just ask my kids). I really really, do not like having my picture taken against my will, and I really really really don't like having to pay for the privilege. If a majority of folks like or do not mind it fine, go pay yer monies and have at it. My boycott is permanent as long as that camera is tuned on. Last time I checked, it was my money I was spending and I have a right to be paranoid with it if I so choose. So there ya go