Ok, This Doesn't Belong Here

[steve l]

But what the hey. About all I can say is that is one big fish!

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/excursions/post/enormous-new-zealand-brown-trout-possibly-a-world-record/

[Feathers and Fins]

Daaaauuuummmm... Looks like some of Duckys Alaska Porn pics.

[Brian Sloss]

Monster brown that managed to find its way into the Eleven Point! See how big they could all get if we were just allowed to have them.

[Mark]

I have mixed feelings on the subject of brown trout in the Eleven Point. I enjoy the relative solitude of fishing on the EP. As a businessman, I'm sure you would like to see the boost in business on the EP. I am not a biologist either, but wonder what effect introducing brown trout would have on the other species. I would think there is only so much food to go around. I just think that the well known brown trout fishing waters are close enough that the brown trout fishermen already have their share of waters to fish. I kind of think along the lines of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" JMO

[Brian Sloss]

First it was just a joke, because he posted a pic of a New Zealand brown trout on the 11 Point page. Second, it is not going to happen. The state biologists seem to have had interest as they have proposed it a few times. I would love to see it and we did a petition a few years ago that went no where. With the hellbender endangered, there is no way. They would not stock any more trout, just replace some rainbows with browns. I think this river would grow the biggest browns outside of the tailwaters, due to the habitat. I doubt there would be a huge influx of new people here. Without riverside lodges, this area will only grow so large. that is not an argument to put riverside lodges and cabins on the river, just a statement of fact.

[Mark]

Definitely a catch 22. I would love to be able to stay at a lodge on the riverbank or rent a cabin on the water. The boost to Oregon County economy would be tremendous if the EP became more of a tourist attraction. But we would lose the charm of the Eleven Point's isolation and solitude. From my conversations with most locals, no one wants to turn the EP into the Current River type of place like Van Buren or Eminence. I tend to agree for my own selfish reasons, but I don't live there and have to rely on the local economy to make a decent living. I respect the job that people like Brian Sloss and Mike Jones do, and all the hospitality and friendliness of the local business people and people in general in the area that offer such a wonderful outdoors experience that is affordable. At all the other places I have floated, you are treated as another customer. At the EP, everyone treats you like they truly appreciate your business. I could name numerous incidents where the people we have dealt with on our trips to the EP have gone above and beyond to help us out in any way to accomodate us. You don't always get that type of treatment at other float trips to other rivers. Love the Eleven Point!!

[Wayne SW/MO]

Mark if you need a good reason to not civilize an area look at the Niangua. It's being slowly filled in by nothing more than clearing timber and building on the banks. The same thing is happening to Bennett Springs. Neither is remotely the water that they formerly were. Once you take away the confines of gravel, it heads to the water.