Keeping fish in trophy water

[loo10]

Unfortunately fly-fishing has attracted a bunch of yuppie snobs.

I was once in a TU Chapter filled with 'em.

Which was interesting.

TU is NOT a fly-fishing organization.

It is an organization who supports cold water fisheries...

be it fly-fishing, spin-fishing, or bait.

FFF (Federation of Fly-Fishing) IS a fly-fishing organization.

For trout, bass, panfish, carp or whatever you can catch with a flyrod.

[Roaring River Veteran]

Since they are trying to increase the size of stockers from 9 1/2" to 11 1/2" is there an chance of them increasing the slot limit to say 16" to 24"? That would allow people to keep some larger fish to eat and if you caught one larger than 24" you would have a really nice trophy?

[porochi]

I'm one of those fly fishers w/ expensive gear, clothes and the cigar. But you know what, I won't say squat to you, even if you're in the trophy area and netting them and keeping 10 dozen. I might sneak a call on my cell to MDC but I sure won't confront any angler. First, ain't my place to be the trout cop. That's MDC's role, and they know what goes on at Taney in the trophy area and by their frequent absence, it's apparent enforcing the rules there isn't a top priority. Second, you never know what can happen if you confront someone, you know the old saying, don't pet a strange dog, it might bite. Ain't worth getting shot over some minor fishing infraction. I've fished taney for years, I've been on the receiving end of lectures about this and that, and always from a flyfisher. I've never, ever, been confronted by a spin fisher. I don't want to add to the flyfisher's reputation as a snob. You know, we're there to fish. I ain't there to be some kinda enforcer. And note, if y'all see some tall dude wearing a cowboy hat, sunglasses, smoking a cigar and flipping flies, you can say howdy but don't lecture me if I decide to keep a few, or give me advice on how to handle trout, in fact, just don't say nuthin but howdy, and move on...

porochi

[snagged in outlet 3]

I was there Monday and saw a guy keeping some on a metal stringer. I don't know if it was jdavis or gonefishin but I say keep em if you want. That's what it's there for. Trophies for some and lunch for others, what a great idea. The guy I saw was fishing above rebar. I do have one problem with it though, I didn't get an invitation to lunch.

I hope no one thinks I'm a snob because of the buggy whip. I like to catch em on dries or swing a bugger or drift a scud but have you ever seen a brown maul a stick bait? Awesome!!!!!

Snagged.

[tippet7]

If someone wants to keep a couple of fish for dinner, who are we to say that it is wrong? We pay our fees to fish for trout, we pay for our license. What are we paying for? MDC studies on how many fish may be kept from a certain area to keep that area productive. If thats what we are paying for, then I say more power to em.

Its been a long time since I have kept any fish(trout, crappie, brim etc) to eat for myself. The Commanding General of my house (stephanie) doesnt like to eat fish nor does she like to smell cooking fish. So I just dont do it at the house. I have had friends and family visit, and we have kept some fish for them to take home, all within legal limits and I have no problems with that at all.

I do hate to see any "trophy" trout be taken. There are so many good reproductions that can be done. All that is needed is a good photograph, and accurate measurements.

A few weeks ago while fishing near outlet #2, a young kid was fishing right where the water is still flowing over the rocks. he foul hooked a keeper and proceded to charge up the hill, dragging and bouncing the poor fish over rocks and then the grass. I saw him later in the parking lot and asked what he did with that fish. he said it was in the back of his car in a wal mart sack. I let him know that i didnt think what he did was right, it may have been legal, but it wasnt "right" and if he was planning on eating the fish, he had better get it on some ice.

Which brings up another point. Can you legaly keep a foul hooked fish that is within the keeping size?

[Brian K. Shaffer]

You can't "legally" keep a foul hooked fish, period.

It says so right in the MO FISHING rule book.

tight lines - Brian

[loo10]

"...but have you ever seen a brown maul a stick bait? Awesome!!!!!"

Snagged,

I sure as heck have and it's fanastic.

Pert near as good as seeing them slam a woolly sculpin.

If you ever want to jump in my Lund and sling some

stickbaits together...give me a hoot.

She's gassed up and charged up as I write this.

Happy New Year's to all.

[Phil Lilley]

Sad end to a fish that made it to 20-inches-plus... a hook in the tail and a ride to the slaughter house in a WalMart sack. He fought alot of battles and went through alot of abuse to end up like that.

[porochi]

Hey, if they are 20 in, you CAN keep them. No one should say a darn thing to anyone if they decide to keep a fish at 20 inches or more. What gives you that right? That's what I find irritating, I've kept fish 20 inches and I've had people fuss at me for it. Hey, its legal. Now if it's snagged, foul hooked, okay, that isn't legal, but y'all should keep it to yourself if someone elects to keep a trophy fish. I guess I just don't like busybodys on the stream. Think about it before you speak.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hey loo10 thanks for the invite. I live in StL and drive down to fish a lot of times by myself. I'll let you know when I come down again. I wish we could have hooked up this past Monday and Tuesday since I was by myself. You don't know how much I envy you guys that live near the lakes. Hoping to get away more the next few months. Even when those big fish miss the stick it is very exciting to see.

Snagged.