Aug 22 Nd. Fishing Trip

[laker67]

I think bssp is trying to compete with blue springs creek and some other blue ribbon water. Instead of catching three 6 inchers at the blue ribbon places, come to bssp and catch 20.

[NoLuck]

Laker,

I think they are counting on people not keeping the dinky fish hoping that they get bigger while in the stream. If that is the case they better find a way to shoot trout food pellets around the stream so they survive long enough to get bigger.

Either scenario is pretty sad. I generally kinda sit idle while others stir the ranks. I believe it's time some people let the powers at Bennetts management know how we all feel about the sad situation there. This is absolutely the worst I've ever seen.

Them you have the local businesses saying how everyone is catching fish. "Come on down" they say. I generally never keep any fish but if I were to keep any to make a meal , it would take about 20 to amount to a meal for 2-3 adults. Absolutely pathetic.

I've heard rumors of fish being shipped here and there. Some say Roaring River. Some say Montauk. The weather has dealt us a bad on occasion but this goes far beyond that. I'm sure someone will say how it's all about the economy and other budget shortfalls. I say Bull Scat.

Someone at MDC needs to provide answers not just blow smoke up our ..... Well

You get the idea.

[laker67]

Hi NoLuck, this is in response to the rumors that you heard about fish being shipped out. I took a friend last thursday to bssp. He is from houston tx, and he told me that some of their city lakes were stocked last winter with fish bought from bssp. Is it possible this could be true?

[NoLuck]

Laker,

I haven't heard that rumor yet. But I'm not sure the trout could make that trip and survive. Maybe they could but I've never heard that before.

It's time that the people who are in charge there answer truthfully about what is going on. But with the state of distrust I'm not sure anyone would believe anything they tell us anyway.

[ruthead]

Man, I sure hate hearin this. My wifes family has had a trailer down there for over 25 years and I joined in about 18 years ago. We just moved our trailer to a new location and we're plannin at least one or two more trips before closin it up for the winter. Makes me wanna go to Tanney but tough to spend the money for a place to stay with a trailer sittin at Bennett. Is this a temporary thing or a sad glimpse of the future??

[Wayne SW/MO]

I saw the crane and wondered what its purpose was. I spent more time around the park this year than I have in several years and there are changes.

I could speculate as to why there are so many small fish, but I suspect it's a combination of things. No culling, deliberate reduction in size, and some escaping in the flood. I was told that there was a meeting where they said they would reduce the size in July and August to keep up with demand. I wasn't at the meeting and neither was my source, so take it for what it's worth. I do know that in past years if the water got high enough they would lose a few. They don't lose too many because the hatchery fish tend to hunker down during high off colored flows, or so I've been told by some employees I knew.

There has been a move as far back as the 80's to increase the attendance at BSSP without any regard for what the main attraction can handle. I know that in the 60's, 70's and 80's there were crowded days, but most people moved around and one only had to move with them. Today it seems that few move because they fear they will lose their place, or there are people fishing from the bank who never move.

In the end it will only get worse I'm afraid. They didn't tear out all the campgrounds and build condos, put in canoe rental, and buy up the hollow above the park and put in trails to let the park rest on trout fishing.

[NoLuck]

Wayne,

To the casual observer Bennett hasn't changed much really. But to us old grumpy folks it has changed considerably.

Some people will accuse us of being over critical. They say that all things change. Opinions vary and all that other stuff. I heard a lot of people that only come down to Bennett a trip Or two a year and they were all pretty disgusted with the quality of fish. One guy and his son were planning on staying a week and were only there for the second day. They said that they were packing up and headed to AR. They both claimed it was the worst they ever seen also at Bennett.

Maybe we all just need to go to the park store and buy a 2 wt and all the matching gear!!

[rcguy]

I have a 2 wt. Guess it will come in handy! Is Montauk better for fish quality?

[dennis boatman]

I caught a couple of 6"ers in the river the other day...at "the access"...

[NoLuck]

We fished the river too. There was supposed to be a hole full of lunkers. LOL

Well that was a false statement to say the least.. The fish there were pretty much the same except they seemed to fight a little better.