Why not create a 2nd "Restricted Trophy Zone" On Taney???

[Fozzy]

twosets, i love that idea that would work as well.... I just feel there should be more "restricted" areas on taney to let the fish "grow up" more...

I am a big bait fisherman myself, but i would like the challenge of catching a bigger rainbow where they are harder to catch....

I think the challenge of it would be great....They need to "restrict" more water if they classify this lake as a "trout park" as well!

[Phil Lilley]

What about...

1. When the hatchery gets done and they are raising mroe trout, raise the limit back to 5. Or 'for sure' raise the minimum length of rainbows stocked to 12-13 inches and make the feds to the same.

2. Change the slot from 12-20 to 14-30, or 14 and over released. This would take pressure off the food base below the dam IF 14 and under rainbows would be really taken out...

water running- they would be by boaters

water not running- they would not (darn fly fishers don't keep fish )

3. Impose a slot with no bait restrictions from Fall Creek to Cooper Creek - 14-20 on rainbows.

#3 is one of those statements thrown out for discussion... see where it goes.

[rainbow]

Phil, you know the problems with your #3 and there are many. The biggest one in my book is mortality for bait caught fish released in the slot. Another one would affect your guest taking legal fish below cooper but in the slot and traveling back to your resort by boat. When they cross that line they have to be illegal or how do you prove they didn't catch them in the restricted zone.

Taney has to be a lot of things to a lot of people. Serious trout fly fishermen all the way to cheese chuckers. The serious guys will never be fully satisfied and the cheese boys want the limit to be higher than 5. I love Taney for all that it is to me and everyone and am just happy to have such a great all round fishery in our state. The debate on all of this is interesting and the opinions diverse....however, there is no easy solution.

[Phil Lilley]

You have a good point. Anyone else?

[rainbow]

Thanks Phil. We have been blessed by having this fishery and enjoying it is one of my passions. I don't think its broke so it does not need anymore fixing. I can however, appreciate and respect how the others feel and this is the internet so fantasy fishing dreams are fine. I hope I can make one more trip this year but it is not looking good at this point.

[Wayne SW/MO]

3. Impose a slot with no bait restrictions from Fall Creek to Cooper Creek - 14-20 on rainbows.

This would be in your backyard, so what do you think the effect would be on fishermen and the fish?

[Phil Lilley]

The reg would be designed to try to help grow bigger rainbows without affecting the way people fish down here, ie. bait fishing. There's too many people, elderly, kids, who cannot fish any other way that utilize the public dock and resort docks. And these people like to keep fish.

As to the catch and release using bait- yes there would be hooking mortality... but there is now. I witness anglers who fish half-most-all day bait fishing and if it's a good day they will catch as long as the trout are biting and release all but their limit. Will imposing a slot in this area change this- no. Will it make it worse- no.

The 14 inch minimum is designed so that almost all rainbows caught can be kept legally... up to a limit. It could be made 15 or 16 inches. The whole idea is if they get lucky and grow to the minimum limit, they are saved till they are larger.

I'm not seriously saying this should happen... I'm just thinking (typing) out loud.

[Danoinark]

Being a fly fisherman, in my perfect world Taneycomo would be fly only C and R all the way down to Fall Creek. But this is not realistic economically, conservationally, and especially fairly. The trout were Federally mitigated for all when the dam was built so it should be enjoyed by everyone whether they are using feathers or sweet corn. I have not fished much below Fall Creek because being absent of boat its not practical. The times I have fished it on board was during high water and never had much success. It seems to me that what Phil is proposing certainly has lots of merit. I would not want to upset the balance of what is available to most of those that like to while away fishing corn off the docks so they could catch their limit to take home, nor pracate the chances of a big trout during one of the tournaments. But I certainly am for protecting the resource and anything that can do that I am for.....Just a Geezer opinion Dano

[Gavin]

I've talked with a lot of the MDC biologists about regulations before, and the one thing they continually mention is that tackle and limit reduction regulations usually run off most of the folks who harvest fish. Bait fisherman usually keep their fish, and if you cant fish bait a good percentage of those people leave and fish elsewhere. Reduce the limit so you cant harvest enough for dinner.... some people leave and fish elsewhere. I think its pretty good right know, but maybe the slot needs some tuning..maybe an increased 5-6 fish limit on under 12 bows? What do you folks think.

[gonefishin]

I think I hate it that fishing has became so political. It has came to a point where a person cant enjoy a day on the water without thinking he/she is irritating some other angler.

Personally I think we all pay taxes that supports the fishery. Hence the lake is ours not yours or mine. The individual angler should choose to keep fish, within legal limits, or practice strict catch and release and they should not be ridiculed or harassed for their choice.

I think everyone would have a lot more pleasurable experience if we would quit bickering and worrying about how others are fishing and enjoy our own time on the water.

The only way I would support more trophy area is if fishing is banned entirely for 1/2 mile below the dam. Then I would support extending the trophy area to Fall Creek.

JMHO