Fly Rod & Reel Article On The Riverways

[Al Agnew]

Thanks Gavin, keep up the good fight. I remember first camping on the Jack Fork at Alley Springs State Park in 1957 on my 16th birthday. Clean air, water and no trash. Then it became a federal riverway and it has become a federal cesspool in the ensuing years and I stopped taking my family there in the middle 70s. It was really sad to see the destruction of a really great watershed. It just amazes me that people who earn a living from the outdoors are the ones who condon the destruction of the outdoors. Actually my nephew interned on the current about 10 years ago measuring the water quality at the legal horse areas so I know they were aware of that problem back then. Nothing was ever done

On the subject of drunks, at some point in the 90s Ontario banned alcohol in boats. There was a lot of grumbling but they didn't seem to lose any buisness. You still have long lines at International Falls waiting to cross the border at least in 1999. The last time I went to Ontario. I don't know if that law is still in effect or not.

To be fair to the feds, you have to ask yourself what the rivers would be like now if they HADN'T been made into the Scenic Riverways. And if you want to see...check out the stretches around Van Buren and Eminence that were left outside the Riverways. Want to see things like that monstrosity of a resort with the building built right on the Buttin Rock bluff in Eminence all over the Current and Jacks Fork?

The feds had a tough row to hoe, because there was always a significant subset of local people who, whether they actually had a dog in the hunt or not, hated the fact that the feds forced people to sell their land to make the Riverways. Couple that with the typical anti-government bent of so many Ozarkers, and you get a situation where a whole lot of people would fight anything the feds tried to do. At times the feds haven't acted like good neighbors, but many of the problems along the Riverways are there because the feds have gone along to get along with the locals.

[Justin Spencer]

On the NFoW sections in national forest they can't even use chainsaws, when we asked about cutting out trees that were crossing the river they said we would have to use a hand saw. We think this is rediculous of course, but sure seems like they take things more seriously here than on the National Scenic Riverways.

With the general population seemingly supporting cuts in govt. spending things will undoubtedly get worse before they get better. If we really care about the rivers I think the only answer is to shut down access to rivers and let nature have these ecosystems back. This will end all arguements about who is and isn't doing the right things on the rivers and ultimately the rivers will be back to the natural jewels they once were, unmolested by man and his trash fish and wildlife will flourish, non-native species will eventually die off and the natural balance of the ozark river ecosystems will be renewed.

[Guest]

Here is another good write up.

http://www.georgewright.org/282flader.pdf

[mic]

Here is another good write up.

http://www.georgewri...g/282flader.pdf

That was a good write up.

[ozark trout fisher]

If we really care about the rivers I think the only answer is to shut down access to rivers and let nature have these ecosystems back. This will end all arguements about who is and isn't doing the right things on the rivers and ultimately the rivers will be back to the natural jewels they once were, unmolested by man and his trash fish and wildlife will flourish, non-native species will eventually die off and the natural balance of the ozark river ecosystems will be renewed.

But the thing is, whether or not that is the right thing, that certainly will not ever happen. So what is wrong with trying to come up with some reasonable solutions, that might actually be able to be implemented? I do have a few ideas that would immensely help the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

1. Ban consumption of alcohol while floating.

2. Institute a permit system to limit the number of watercraft that can be on each stretch of river each day...These limits would include both private and rented canoes. This system has been instituted on many popular floating rivers particularly out west, and I believe is key to preserving these rivers.

3. Enforce the rules already in place!

I know #1 and #2 would not be popular. But if we want our children to be able to enjoy these rivers as natural ecosystems, as places where people can have a wholesome experience in the future, I believe that these restrictions (or similar ones) MUST be put into place. It's time to start making sacrifices for the good of these rivers, or we're going to lose everything we love about them.

[Flysmallie]

If they can't do #3 then how can they do #1 or #2? Actually if they would do #3 then you wouldn't have to worry about the rest.

[ozark trout fisher]

Actually if they would do #3 then you wouldn't have to worry about the rest.

I just don't believe that is the case.Even if everyone did stay within the current laws, there would still be way too many people on those rivers. Much of the popular floating water on the Current (as well as the Jacks Fork) is not really more than a creek. Too many people, not enough space. It just isn't working the way it is now.

The Riverways simply cannot handle the number of floaters it sees during the summer without serious damage, both to the experience and the river itself. That is where the permit system comes in (directly). I believe that this regulation could be enforced relatively easily and efficiently. The ban on alcohol would have the same effect (indirectly), cutting down greatly on the party crowd, as well as getting rid of the folks that come to the river just to get drunk and act crazy. But that would admittedly be an enforcement nightmare.

I hate the idea of a random permit system, and when people have brought up the idea I have long thought that it is wrong, to be restricting who can float a national river. But I think at this point there isn't much choice if we want to preserve these rivers. It's worth getting on them less, if the stream can be more ecologically healthy and if the experience can be better when we do get the chance to float them. There are plenty of other rivers where such a system will never be needed, so not drawing a permit for a certain day shouldn't be any devastating matter.

[Gavin]

Good gosh....How did I get swacked on a Monday? Nevermind...lets roll.

I'm not for banning booze because its just doesnt work...Might raise some fine revenue...but its not going to stop the activity.

I'm not for for permits for private non-motorized boaters either....Figure that the rentals will grease enough NPS palms so that its impossible to get a permit except through them.

Jet boats....are like crack...nobody likes to be around them, except for when they are in them. Then its "OK"..Incredible machines...but way too many already.

Horses...stinky, messy, dumb animals....riding a horse is less comfortable than walking....but the horse can carry your fat butt, diet coke, & the rest of your stuff for longer distance than you can walk or paddle...Kinda the same with jet boats.

Enforce...yes..and a haircut for the rentals & horse people seems in order...not sure if anyone counts canoes anymore.....but my kin used to get paid a small pittance for counting rental boats down there...Conrad Cabin...bank left between Akers & Pulltite.Seems the numbers have gone up and up over the years. Ruth & her brother David sold that place in the mid 80's after Doc Conrad & Ma died..David's dead...but Ruth is 75 or so fishing & loving life.....She's appalled at how bad its gotten down there.....in fact she doesnt go there anymore....think she wants to go float the 11pt in the near future...Should be fun.

[ozark trout fisher]

I'm not for for permits for private non-motorized boaters either....Figure that the rentals will grease enough NPS palms so that its impossible to get a permit except through them.

That is why you need a completely random drawing system. At least in the system that I would envision, each party would apply for a permit. If they received it, it could be used for either a rented or private canoe. It would be a MAJOR problem if the canoe rentals managed to get the rights to a certain number of the permits. And that is a significant risk to the permit system that would have to be avoided. I don't know...It's late and tomorrow maybe I'll be able to more clearly consider this.

If we could drastically cut down the number of canoes that rentals are allowed to put out on those rivers, to prevent restrictions on the number of private boats, that would be ideal in my mind. But I fear that would be seen too much as a specifically targeted attack on the canoe rental industry, and that may just not work. I don't know exactly what the solution is. But either the canoe rentals are going to have to be very seriously restricted, or a permit system is going to have to be put in place for all river users. I know I'd prefer option number 1. There maybe other things that could be done, but I'm too tired to think of them now.

But actually, it seems more likely that nothing will be done in the name of the holy dollar, and these rivers will continue to be raped in the way they are now.

[3wt]

I don't think private canoes or non motorized boats are a drop in the bucket. Just leave that out of it.