Report 1/1/14 And Warning!

[ollie]

Decided to get out for a little while since the weather was nice for the day and thought I could beat the cold front coming in. I started in the afternoon when the clouds started moving in thinking it would give me a better advantage. Didn't seem to matter though since the creek was getting pounded hard by other fisherman. That was probably the most I have seen fishing down there in quite some time. I started on the upper end at the mill pond dam and caught a small pretty bow that had white tips on the fins. Speaking of the upper end, here is part of my report that has the warning attachment. As soon as I pulled into the upper parking lot, I got an earful from the landowner Mr. Hoskins. Nice guy, but he had a lot to vent on me. I am passing on his words so that others will head them and pay attention. He owns both sides of the land just below the new bridge on the upper end. I thought MDC owned all of that, but according to him they do not. Also was unaware that MDC does not own that parking lot by the bridge. His warning was that he was tired of people gaining access through his property by cutting or tearing up the barbed wired fence that keep his cattle in. I tried to explain to him that most people I know on here wouldn't do that, but I was lumped into that category none the less. He was just venting and I can see why he is mad. Nothing sucks like having to repair a fence in the middle of the night because someone was too lazy to do the right thing. So guys, if you are one of those that break the fence or see someone who does, please tell them not to or report it to the MDC via Rick H. He was mainly talking about the lower side of creek downstream from the bridge. The higher side he has easier access through his field downstream. Now back to the report. After fishing at the dam for several minutes and only catching the one I decided to head to a different spot. I got back in the truck and headed for the lower access. When I got there I saw several other cars there and knew it would be crowded. I headed downstream from the lower bridge and managed to catch one small brown for the day and that was it. Capps kicked my butt! Here is one of the pics from the rainbow I caught earlier in the day. There are some fish in there, but they are getting harder to catch. The hole Buzz and I caught all our fish from on olliefest was a blowout. Nothing there for me, that is why I headed downstream from the bridge.

[Buzz]

I went to Capps New Years Eve morning for a few hours. It was tough. I caught nothing until the usual spot below where the farmers road runs through the creek. 3 there and jumped off 2, above that I managed 2 and jumped off 3 more. I decided to go further upstream to see what was happening. I caught 4 more, 1 was a small brown and 1 was an 8 inch Parr marked rainbow, and jumped off 1 more. It was tough all the way back with only 1 more fish and 1 quick release above the snarl of trees above the lower bridge. I saw lots of foot traffic along the creek, so I'd say they've been working it over pretty good.

So, Haskins owns the gravel parking lot? I never would have guessed that.

Nice fish BTW...

[ScottK]

According to the MDC Site, all 3 of the parking lots are part of the conservation area. Looks like the stream access on the upper end is private though... Either way, it's a shame folks can't respect landowner's property and it ruins it for everyone.

http://extra.mdc.mo.gov/documents/area_brochures/9725map.pdf

[Craig C]

That is good info to have. Thanks for passing it along. That is interesting. In that little parking area isnt there an mdc sign there? I dont remember exactly what it is.

I was there Wednesday as well. Just taking a walk. Parked in the south lot before the curve that heads south. Took my daughter and walked down to look at a few holes and saw lots of Cardinals.

[Craig C]

According to the MDC Site, all 3 of the parking lots are part of the conservation area. Looks like the stream access on the upper end is private though... Either way, it's a shame folks can't respect landowner's property and it ruins it for everyone.

http://extra.mdc.mo.gov/documents/area_brochures/9725map.pdf

Looks like they need to update that map as there is a parking lot just northeast of the work barns as well.

[Buzz]

Looks like they need to update that map as there is a parking lot just northeast of the work barns as well.

There is one there for hunting access. You are right though, it needs updated. This was from 2007

[ScottK]

Oops, didn't notice the date on that map.

[Buzz]

I'll have to look that lot over next chance I get. I can't imagine him stopping people from parking there unless he fences it off and posts it.

[Chief Grey Bear]

That doesn't make sense. On the south side the fence is set well back of the creek. There is a red gate to gain access. On the north side there used to be walk through that would allow access but keep livestock in. I see now that has been removed and access on this side of the creek has been closed off. I thought the MDC paid him a small fee to allow access on both sides and that was why the gate was there.

Also if I remember, his property stops at the gate and long drive that goes south just to the west of the parking lot. The MDC just didn't put in a parking lot on his property. And I am quite sure he didn't put one in if he doesn't want fisherman around.

Something smells fishy to me and it ain't the trout.

[Buzz]

Sometime last year they put a mobile home way back on the hill south of the lot. They even named the lane Haskins drive. It used to be a popular hunting area. The last time I looked the cattle guard walk through fence was changed. I thought it was just because a flood took it out. He has a legitimate gripe if people are cutting his fence, but I don't think everyone should be hassled for it. And I would guess that the fence is getting cut at night.