New Mdc E Permits. Yellow Ones Go Bye Bye!

[flytyer57]

...I do often wonder how AR can get away with regulations that in MO would have the catch and eat folks screaming bloody murder.

Did Arkansas always have the catch and release areas? Or did they implement them at a later date leaving the "catch and eat folks" to scream bloody murder?

[Justin Spencer]

I have just recently seen the advantages of barbless hooks and agree that would be a good way to go, but the lack of access to these hooks makes it a little tough. I always try to pinch them down, but they still have some barb, and even wonder if I might get in trouble for this when fishing with my son at Dry Run Creek.

As for Taney vs. tailwaters, the Missouri Conservationist said they found a 41.75" dead brown there a few years ago that they thought would have broken the current(former) world record had it been weighed alive and healthy.

Slot limits are good management tools, but not sure how well they would work in a trout stream, especially an unstocked one. I think the one over 18" is better in this case.

I'm glad my troutfriend is happy with Arkansas fisheries, I will admit it's much easier to catch fish there, but I'll stick to my Missouri trout streams and enjoy my fast water fish not seeing another fisherman all day. Hopefully MDC will keep up there poor management so the fisheries don't get over run with fishermen.

[troutfiend1985]

Guys, there is really NO comparison to the fisheries in the MO and AR Ozarks. Arkansas' trout fisheries are limited to the tailwaters and the Spring River; I don't think they manage any other streams for trout. Why? No big springs.

Al I appreciate your post, but my thing is that Arkansas has more progressive regulations. I know that I started off the topic with the statement of the world record, but the main thing is the regulations. And I would still tempt anyone to tell how Missouri's regulations are better/more applicable and progressive than Arkansas without using a status qou argument.

And yes, apples to oranges in a sense, but Arkansas seems to protect what it has. To me, protection = conservation.

I keep hearing politics, this and that cannot be done. But what I am wondering is why? What is the difference in C&R and the current blue ribbon status, very little. So why go through this appeasement effort and who is the MDC appeasing? I know that you have to have the people on your side, but sometimes you just have to say change is happening, and change for the better. I can't see a real clear argument in how limiting the trophy areas and "blue ribbon" streams is going to hurt the relations between the MDC and the catch and keep angler if these regulations already effectivly ban or seriously restrict these anglers already. What would start happening would be that those who catch and release would be affected, those like me. I have no problem with staying off a wild stream during spawning, so how would this affect an angler who is already limited to only catch an 18+ inch trout?

And you can't tell me that a C&R section to a stream wouldn't be a good thing for overall angling. Yes, bait fisherman would have a hard time with this, but there still other areas that he can fish, trout parks and those areas of white ribbon streams which are not designated as C&R. This point has been made on another thread.

[ozark trout fisher]

"Look, no doubt that Arkansas has great water, better than Missouri."

I haven't followed this thread, and I have no interest in getting into the trout management debate again-and we have had this debate so many times.

Instead, I'll argue against the supposition that trout fishing is better in Arkansas than Missouri. If you like fishing extremely crowded water that is entirely controlled by an unnatural dam for admittedly large and numerous stocked fish, then Arkansas is better. But if you prefer to fish wild trout water, or resident trout water that isn't super crowded, then I'd say Missouri is far better. I've fished quite a bit in both places (although admittedly much more in Missouri) and I vastly prefer most Missouri trout streams (Current River, Eleven Point, Little Piney, Mill Creek etc) to the White River and all the other ditches they call tailwater fisheries. Yes, I said ditches. Arkansas can keep them-and I'd be happy to give them Taneycomo too.

[Chief Grey Bear]

WOW! We were busy today. Was I the only one at work today?

TF'85, most here have said what I would have also told you. I think you have had your eyes opened to the vast differences in the management of both states and what it basically boils down too is that Missouri manages their trout program to benefit anglers of all skill levels from the once a year catch and keep to the never creel, trophy hunter. And it is managed very well for that. Arkansas primarily to cater to the latter. Which really cheats those that can not afford the equipment or time that is needed to invest.

And if I remember correctly, a brown was found a few years ago floating in Taney that smoked the Arkansas world record. And I have no doubt there are quite a few very large browns in Taney. But they didn't get large by eating power bait.

[Greg]

But if you prefer to fish wild trout water, or resident trout water that isn't super crowded, then I'd say Missouri is far better. I've fished quite a bit in both places (although admittedly much more in Missouri) and I vastly prefer most Missouri trout streams (Current River, Eleven Point, Little Piney, Mill Creek etc) to the White River and all the other ditches they call tailwater fisheries. Yes, I said ditches. Arkansas can keep them-and I'd be happy to give them Taneycomo too.

I do see what you are saying. But a lot of us (including me) love those "ditches". I certainly love the Current, 11 point, and NFOW too. And I have to say that the rim shoals area of the white river sure is beautiful for a ditch. LOL.

Greg

[flytyer57]

Was I the only one at work today?

My best guess would say no.

You were probably the only one at work without a computer at your desk or you actually had something to do.

I've noticed a lot more posting goes on between the hours of 9-5, M-F.

[flytyer57]

I do see what you are saying. But a lot of us (including me) love those "ditches". I certainly love the Current, 11 point, and NFOW too. And I have to say that the rim shoals area of the white river sure is beautiful for a ditch. LOL.

Greg

There are also only a few small areas of catch and release on the White and Norfork rivers with many more miles of catch and eat.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Well Wayne, apples to oranges, how so? All I said is that regulations in Arkansas are progressive, that MDC could benefit from using some of them and that as evidence, Arkansas has three, count that, world record browns. Finding equal environments?? Buddy, we're talking about an arbitrary state line seperating the two. Now may one have better food sources, more applicable to grow trout? Yes, but it was also mentioned on here that we use a different species of Browns, which is a management decision.

You're still picking and choosing your points to debate while you ignore the big picture. three world record browns yes, but it's not an imaginary line that separates the two in that regard. We all know that there are two huge chunks of concrete and two free flowing rivers below them. Do you know of anything similar in Missouri?

Don't lecture me about Arkansas's fishery skills unless you can tell me why people can drive up the King's river bed or why Missouri MDC can produce stripers that challenge Arkansas, without even stocking them!:lol:

How about Muskies and rainbows? Arkansas seems to be dragging their feet on Muskie and rainbows, at least by your standards.

[troutfiend1985]

WOW! We were busy today. Was I the only one at work today?

Most of my posts came during class, Too early in the semester I guess.

Oh well, differences I guess its the spice of life. Maybe one day. . .

I'm still waiting for Tim to tell me how I hate government, first time I've ever been called that, almost a compliment