2012 Fishing Goals?

[drew03cmc]

Honestly, my goals are simple.

1. Fish more than I did last year.

2. Catch a smallmouth on bamboo this year. (another thread in its own right)

3. Catch a longear sunfish in Kansas on the fly (I have caught one before, 3 years ago).

[rps]

1. Stay healthy.

2. Invite more friends to fish with me.

3. Continue my search for the perfectly rigged and equipped boat.

Honestly, 2011 was a tremendous year for me (other than pneumonia and surgery). A 23 inch Large mouth on a topwater and two walleye in the walleye central 10 pound club will probably be impossible to match. I just hope the fall off is not too abrupt.

[Dutch]

Last year was my worst year in memory. I'm shooting for 100 trips and 1000 boated fish.

[Phil Lilley]

Meet more anglers here on the forum and spend time fishing with them.

[Haris122]

My goal is the same as it is always... To get a bite anything more than that is a fantastic day.

Same here, along with getting to see it surface while fighting (just to know for sure I have a fish, since I tend to get paranoid about snagging a branch or something inanimate instead).

As for brook trout, don't the MDC hatcheries stock them upstream of the main rainbow and brown hatcheries in order to prevent them catching some kind of parasite. I remember reading about it in the Conservationist, or hearing something about it. Just don't know if those are fair game, or what their status is, but they do have them.

Actually just looked it up, and the brook trout thing seems to be at Meramec Spring Hatchery. Maybe the others too, but the article only mentioned it.

[rps]

Last year was my worst year in memory. I'm shooting for 100 trips and 1000 boated fish.

Dutch, you can do it! You just have to play hurt sometimes.

[ozark trout fisher]

Same here, along with getting to see it surface while fighting (just to know for sure I have a fish, since I tend to get paranoid about snagging a branch or something inanimate instead).

As for brook trout, don't the MDC hatcheries stock them upstream of the main rainbow and brown hatcheries in order to prevent them catching some kind of parasite. I remember reading about it in the Conservationist, or hearing something about it. Just don't know if those are fair game, or what their status is, but they do have them.

Actually just looked it up, and the brook trout thing seems to be at Meramec Spring Hatchery. Maybe the others too, but the article only mentioned it.

That's very interesting. News to me, thanks for posting that. If not it's fine, but could you maybe post a link to where you read that? I had heard somewhere about there being some brookies on the super private Danforth Stretch of Spring Creek, but other than that I haven't heard of any in Missouri.

I've been meaning for quite awhile to get to the Norfork in Arkansas to try for some brookies, but I haven't got around to it. Every time I'm thinking about doing that I end up going down to the Current instead. It would be fun though I think, and worth the longer drive. Maybe despite what I said earlier that would be a interesting goal for 2012.

[junkman]

I would love to take my boy and nephew on a over night float trip down a Ozark stream. it would be a new experience for all of us. Would be nice to catch a few new species as well. around hear, all we have are muddy pond and river species. Last year was the first time I caught a small mouth and now hope to catch a few more this year. Would be nice to go and visit Lilley and as well try my hand at an Ozark trout. Have only caught a few little wild ones in NC. so even a 12 incher would be great.

[Greasy B]

My goals for 2012 are pretty much the same as last year:

1. Spend as much time as possible on the water.
   
2. Do as many overnight gavel bar camping trips as I can.
   
3. Don’t concern myself with the latest lures, flies and techniques.
   
4. Do concern myself with reading and learning the water as well as improving my angling skills
   
5. Seek out beautiful stretches of rivers and creeks not infested with people.
   
6. Don’t concern myself with catching the most or biggest fish, just fish that live in beautiful places.
   
7. Spend as much time sharing the rivers with quality people who appreciate the place and experience.
   
8. Finish the year with at least five out of state fishing licenses in my wallet.
   
9. One two week trip to fish the great wild trout streams out west.
   
10. Learn at least one new quality Bluegill destination.
    

[Haris122]

That's very interesting. News to me, thanks for posting that. If not it's fine, but could you maybe post a link to where you read that? I had heard somewhere about there being some brookies on the super private Danforth Stretch of Spring Creek, but other than that I haven't heard of any in Missouri.

Sure thing. Here's one article.

http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-fish-hatchery-uses-diverse-trout-species-control-parasites

I'm pretty sure I originally read about it in the Conservationist, but I'm not 100% sure on that, but either way, it's been 6 months, so I'm guessing the actual Brook Trout should be around by now from the sounds of it. Now if they will let you fish them, that's the real question.