Lower Wire 4/6

[Wayne SW/MO]

Like it or not, I don't remember having a problem with worm containers in the 70's. The creek was doing just fine and in the few trips I made I caught a lot more fish then I have in the last decade.

[pruett417]

Like it or not, I don't remember having a problem with worm containers in the 70's. The creek was doing just fine and in the few trips I made I caught a lot more fish then I have in the last decade.

That would be before my time, so in that case I reluctantly resign any argument of that period to you. I can only base the argument from the period that I'm familiar with. But I can tell you that during my time, that hasn't been the case. And like it or not, fly fishing is becoming more and more popular, and as it does we have to adapt our practices to accept the influx of individuals wanting to take a go at our sport. And like it or not, education regarding stream stewardship and ethical practices should be at the forefront of conversation. If you choose not to believe that it would impact our sport in a positive manner then so be it, no one looks at the big picture, I agree that you have some good points, but in no way is my argument meaningless, like it or not.

[Buzz]

Really? How is that meaningless? How is individuals that latch on to the ideals of preservation and conservation meaningless? To actually put things into so-called perspective you have to look at the big picture, I can remember in the past, encountering so many darn worm containers laying around that it was pitiful, especially on the upper end. I personally believe that the area is in far better condition than in years past, barring any type of water level issue arguments that bear no relation to the amount of use, and the fact that of Crane being a losing stream. You cannot tell me that the more people are educated about what's actually there would hurt the fishery, that to me is meaningless. The fact is the attention isn't going anywhere, and you're barking up the wrong tree, trying to stop it. Especially when those of us talking about it are responsible, law abiding anglers, and so called "Friends of Crane". Have you ever stopped to think that the presence of responsible anglers might in fact deter illegal practices on streams like Crane. If you, and others with the ideals of "out of sight, out of mind" would get your way, I have no doubt that this little stream would backslide in detrimental fashion. With all of that being said, I say "less use" may be beneficial, especially during the spawn, I have no problem with that, but then again you have to have bodies to enforce it.

Well said. I don't recall seeing anyone fishing Crane in the last 3 years that wasn't a fly fisherman. Hell, the last 3 times I've been there I didn't see a soul fishing one way or the other. Weekends should be full of fishermen if this creek is getting the publicity that it seems to be getting. I almost always hit Crane on the weekend and aside from just a couple of times, I have had each and every stretch to myself. Maybe it's all of the smallish fish that I post pictures of, I don't know. Maybe the poachers only fish it during the week or at night when all of us don't see them. I've seen a few worm boxes over the years and I try to collect them and as much trash as is possible.

Honestly, the first time I fished Crane would have been my last if I didn't take it as a challenge instead of a defeat. I have yet to be skunked since. The fish may not be the size of the fish that I can catch from Roaring River or that might be caught from Taneycomo, but I enjoy them very much. I really believe that our presence as ethical fishermen, be that as fly fishermen or spin fishermen, will make it much more uncomfortable for the poachers to ply thier craft. I learned a lot about Crane from this site and a couple of others too. And, I was under no illusions that I would catch the fish of a lifetime. Although on my second trip, after learning all I could, I caught my personal best Crane Creek Rainbow. If I recall it was 17.5".

I say, " Spread the word, Crane is a unique and wonderful place. Enjoy it, just leave it as you found it and report anything that should be reported."

[Andrew324]

Sorry fellas, I have been occupied (breakup with girlfriend/graduate school/work) an unable to respond, and everyone seems to have added a lot of depth to this post. Crane is a little stream we all love, and its comforting to know that there are lots of individuals who have a passion and concern for it. My feelings are that we can battle the unknowable side-effects of the internet/OAF with the good we agree it can do. Although I only anticipate being in the Ozarks for one more year, I have always enjoyed the idea of a group of "Friends", "Crane Creek Creeps" or "Blue Ribbon Brothers" (no offense ladies, but I did just get out of a nasty breakup!) having an impact on the conservation of this stream.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Well we knoiw that the creek and it's fish have survived for at least 122 years and the did so without the help of the internet. So I think going forward those of you that think more fishing along with education will be good for it had best be right. I'm thinking you have a pretty big hill to climb doing it better.

[pruett417]

Well we knoiw that the creek and it's fish have survived for at least 122 years and the did so without the help of the internet. So I think going forward those of you that think more fishing along with education will be good for it had best be right. I'm thinking you have a pretty big hill to climb doing it better.

That's a little patronizing, I'm about 99.9% sure that there wasn't any one of us that ever said that more fishing and more use is what the stream needs, what we did say was the fishing pressure, at this point is inevitable. And as long as we create and maintain a public forum that promotes ethical, conservation/preservation minded thoughts and practices we are in fact doing something that will impact this fishery in a positive manner. And I to would like to know who in fact noticed the increase of fisherman, and all of this increased fishing pressure that fishing reports create. I admit, I fish Crane probably more than most of you, and on any given day, I encounter no one, the one exception being the weekend. Then you have guides with their clients, (AHEM!!!!!!!!) friends and Lord knows what else, that maybe more of a conversation for this topic than some of us posting fishing reports and a few pictures.

[pruett417]

Sorry fellas, I have been occupied (breakup with girlfriend/graduate school/work) an unable to respond, and everyone seems to have added a lot of depth to this post. Crane is a little stream we all love, and its comforting to know that there are lots of individuals who have a passion and concern for it. My feelings are that we can battle the unknowable side-effects of the internet/OAF with the good we agree it can do. Although I only anticipate being in the Ozarks for one more year, I have always enjoyed the idea of a group of "Friends", "Crane Creek Creeps" or "Blue Ribbon Brothers" (no offense ladies, but I did just get out of a nasty breakup!) having an impact on the conservation of this stream.

Depth is quite the understatement, but at least we all have managed to remain civil (for the most part). I too find it comforting to know that there are those who share the same passion as myself, and would be "All in" in response to a group dedicated to the conservation of this stream. Hey Andrew, you know what helps with those break-ups? I'll give you one guess, Fishing!, maybe a couple friends, a couple of beers, and oh yeah that grad work can wait, lol.

[Wayne SW/MO]

That's a little patronizing, I'm about 99.9% sure that there wasn't any one of us that ever said that more fishing and more use is what the stream needs, what we did say was the fishing pressure, at this point is inevitable. And as long as we create and maintain a public forum that promotes ethical,

Well of course it is if you promote it, duh! You can't enter the streambed without disturbing it, mush less catch a fish and release it, eh, unharmed.

Just don't don't push it, it real C & R fishermen want to experience it it they don't need your reports or encouragement. I fished it the first time over 30 years ago without your help!

[pruett417]

Well of course it is if you promote it, duh! You can't enter the streambed without disturbing it, mush less catch a fish and release it, eh, unharmed.

Just don't don't push it, it real C & R fishermen want to experience it it they don't need your reports or encouragement. I fished it the first time over 30 years ago without your help!

Duh, that's pretty impressive, and pretty insulting actually, and I thought we all were being civil here. I have an idea, don't bother yourself with reading the reports, "out of sight out of mind" right? Oh yeah and don't bother yourself to try to educate new fisherman as to how to treat and respect the fishery. The fact is, the world isn't the same as it was 30 years ago, our society evolves, and if we don't evolve with it then guess who gets left behind holding the proverbial bag. And I think you were wrong, I don't think I ever offered any type of encouragement to you or anyone else. If you just ignore what's going on according to reality, then you should be happy, it obviously works for the mentality that you display here. Fact is, that unless we can somehow erase the last 20 years of history, fishing reports, internet exposure, magazine articles, television shows etc, the interest and the exposure will not subside. Of course that isn't possible, so I guess we should just live with the fact, that we fisherman are clever sorts, always looking for new places to fish, new techniques, new flies, and even if Crane Creek settles into the background of OAF or completely disappears from conversation there is still going to be folks wanting to fish the "FAMOUS" Crane Creek.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I don't know why you believe I want to stop fishing on Crane because I don't. I do think too much attention encourages more pressure than it can stand. I would certainly like to see it get less attention then the parks!