Busy morning

[Phil Lilley]

I was awakened this morning by our office saying someone was in the office at 7 am telling a story about a "family" fishing below the dam this am using night crawlers and keeping all kinds of trout. Two men told Kathy they approached the family and told them it was wrong. They said they didn't know but they had took 40 home the day before... fishing was good!!

I jumped in the van and ran up there. I knew none of the agents were going to investigate a call when I had no details what so ever. I wanted to find them, get descriptions, location and then call. I didn't find them but I found a whole lot more.

I drove to the boat ramp first- because that's where I figured the 2 guys had gone. It's easiest to access. I found about 12 people fishing from the bank with their lines out like they were fishing bait- they were. I commenced walking up and, using a loud voice, telling them about the rules and that an agent had been called and was on his way down the hill. Hardly none of them blinked. 7 of them were not from the states, spoke broken english. One had a few small rainbows in a sack- the others didn't have fish. I ended up explaining why they weren't catching fish, gave them maps to Cooper Creek Access and told them to buy drift rigs and power eggs.

There was one group beyond the big tree below the ramp that didn't leave. But they heard what I said. I called and left messages with Buck and Quinten- none have called me back.

I intercepted a dad and 3 boys in the parking lot. They knew about the flies only but didn't have trout stamps. I told them where to go (Cooper Creek Access) and to get stamps.

The area was packed with fly fishers- packed! I saw 6 drift boats go in while I was there. The area above #2 wasn't too bad at all.

[Danoinark]

Stellar job Phil...now I hope they heed the word...Dano

[Fozzy]

It really makes me sad personally when people break the rules. I assume there are signs everywhere up there "flies only" etc. I've never fished below the dam, only below fall creek since i'm a "bait" fisherman usually.

It really is a shame when people break the rules and poach, it is sad that there isn't a game warden around when you need them either. Fourty fish taken home the day before, dang I wish they were in the POKEY for that one.

I don't go above fall creek for a reason! There are rules and I always buy my trout stamp and stop at 4 fish a day for a reason. I want everybody to catch a fish or 2, not just myself.

I HATE POACHERS AND GAME THEIFS!

[fox_76]

a little off the subject of trout rules and regulations but recently my father was fishing a cove on stockton lake and noticed something in the water, it was a stringer. upon further inspection he discovered that a large snapping turtle was eating the blue gill that was at the bottom, he looked around and saw nobody, no tents, vehicles, or boats, the stringer had been left there probably from the weekend before, also on the stringer WAS a nice largemouth measured 15 inches, would have measured more he said if it wasn't for being left on the stringer for so long. it was a pitifull looking fish, all sucked up and skinny from being tied up for who knows how long, anyway, he left the bluegill for the turtle and left the stringer, but did take the bass. seemed like such a waste to have caught a fish like that and then just leave it there. !!! !!! too bad there isn't at least a written test to get your fishing liscense!!

[Greg]

Phil that was a good job taking the responsibility to talk to those people and call.

I really don't mean to rag on our MDC agents at all - I know there are not enough of them and they do the best they can. But I can't help thinking some of the shenanigans that go on at Taney at times would get better if they made periodic appearances. I know I've heard that they are often times watching when we are unaware but I think putting in an appearance would be helpful. I fish Taney at least once a week almost year around and I think I've seen one agent on one occasion in 4 years. But like I said maybe its just not possible with the way they are funded and staffed.

respectfully,

Greg

[Phil Lilley]

I talked to Quinten last evening. Said he worked 15 hours on Sunday and wrote tickets ALL day. He said it was a zoo below the dam. It sounded like he should have set up a toll gate and just handed out tickets as they came in. He worked late again yesterday... I called to see if he was close to Fall Creek but he was almost home for the day. The 2 guys we saw were wading in all the way across to the narrows and fly fishing. But they had too many trout and slot rainbows on stringers. They looked like locals though so they will get caught. Quinten is going to watch for them today.

[Greg]

Phil I hope you don't think I was belittling our MDC agents. Like I said that was not my intent at all. You obviously know several agents and more about it than I do. The few I have met have been very nice and professional. I'm sure they do the best they can. I just never see them when I'm out fishing? And that being the case it's a little frustrating when you see people getting away with illegal stuff.

Greg

[Phil Lilley]

Believe me- he has watched you and everyone of us who fish below the dam. He even knows what color fly you had on.

I can't say anything else... it's national security stuff you know.

[Greg]

Point taken. Happy 4th to you and your family.

Greg

[Wayne SW/MO]

I'll get on my soap box here and once again say that I believe the state needs some type of "Strike Force" to police areas that need a lot of attention, areas that take up too much of the county agents time.