mhall02 Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Well, I have ranted to Phil before of my disgust in the outlet #3 issue. Having watched a guy come down there right at dark with nothing but a spinning rod that could have brought in a sea bass and a stringer. I was 30 yards away and it was about dark, but before long he had a big brown flopping on the bank, and then left. It is so frustrating because if you are there fishing yourself you can't be watching others all the time - so it makes it hard to "prove" what you know is happening - meat-hunters. I have a few questions on this comment. Was the big brown of legal size to keep, was it captured on a legal fly/lure, and was it snagged? I don't see your point if the answer is yes to the first two and no to the third. Please clairify when you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jscheetz Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 As I said it was right at dark and I was a distance away - and trying to catch a fish myself - but this was definitely a 6 pound plus fish as I could see it flopping. So I have no way of "knowing" that the fish was snagged - however, I would be willing to bet all I could come up with that it was due to the circumstances. So my point once again is that when the big browns are that vulnerable and are stacked up in a foot of water it makes it too easy for poachers to come down snag one and leave - there would have to be an agent right there right then in order to catch him - because since it is OK to take one out - you couldn't do anything to him as he was walking back to the car - so it is almost impossible to actually catch these guys. Does that make sense? So for me - I would like to see a catch and release only at least in the fall in the top part of the lake around the outlets - that way there would be no poachers that could walk back to their car in plain site after having just taken a fish by illegal methods because just having the fish would be enough to convict them. This wouldn't stop people from taking fish illegally but most of the things that I hear fisherman complain about on this subject relates to the virtually open snagging of fish in the fall. Sorry if I was unclear, hope that clears it up. JS "We are living in the midst of a Creation that is mostly mysterious - that even when visible, is never fully imaginable". -Wendell Berry- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 OK... Everyone has made a point or two.. or express their opinions... but.. there are guys who do take fish under 20" we all have seen it... I was there about 3 weeks ago chating with someone.. a guy came up with a very nice fish... and ask for a tape... it "was" close to 20"... 18 1/2"... he put it in the back of his truck... and said..."well its dead anyways!!" this is after he caught the fish between chute 2 & 3.. and walked up to his truck... "well hell yes dumba$$... its been out of the water for atleast 5 mins..." was my remark.. I guess he thought I was rude.. But also... I really do not see a problem keeping a fish between 20-24 inches... this here is a meal for me and my family... and when I say that.. Ive had fish twice this year... and caught probly 50 fish over 20 inches I really enjoy fishing at the dam... just need a few more people who respect what the good Lord gave us.... today I was there between 8:30-10am.. did very well caught 8... but the guy standing in chute 1 suffling his feet did a whole lot better then me... and then proceed to tell me "there are hit on scuds not soft hackles.. http://www.taneycomonights.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jscheetz Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Hey Leonard, Just to clarify - I am drawing a definite distinction between fishermen and meat-hunters. You are a fisherman, so when you want to take home a fish or two to eat that makes perfect sense - but the meat-hunters don't care about fishing, they don't support the sport, they don't try to "out-wit" the fish etc etc - they just go get a fish by whatever means they can and take it. 18" 23" doesn't matter to them. They take instead of give. So I just wish they would get their meat at the store instead of from the lake! JS "We are living in the midst of a Creation that is mostly mysterious - that even when visible, is never fully imaginable". -Wendell Berry- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 ok.... I see what you are saying... and I agree 100%... There is only 1 thing that gets to me... someday.. sit back and watch them fish chute 2.. and the end of the drift they "set the hook".. why is that ... I guess they are trying to snag them.. but it is unbelieveable.. how many people do that http://www.taneycomonights.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne SW/MO Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Well I still believe that a trophy area should be just that, a place to catch a fish that has no limit on his size. There are a lot of places in the state to catch a limit of Trout for the dinner table, including miles of Taney. This is an opinion I have and in no way is intended as criticism of someone keeping fish under the law. I would just like the law changed. I also believe there has got to be a better way to police the trophy area. Last winter I asked the MDC about C&R regs at Bennett with regards to Smallies. I was under the impression that they, and all fish were C&R, but there was no sign. I was informed that they indeed were off limits and they ask if I had a license number of a vehicle, but I didn't. Now if they intended to contact these people then why couldn't the same apply at Taney? Maybe a sign or two that states "If you don't follow the regulations we have to follow, we will turn over physical information, vehicle information and testimony of your violation to the MDC" Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members John Smoot Posted November 18, 2005 Members Share Posted November 18, 2005 Well I still believe that a trophy area should be just that, a place to catch a fish that has no limit on his size. There are a lot of places in the state to catch a limit of Trout for the dinner table, including miles of Taney. This is an opinion I have and in no way is intended as criticism of someone keeping fish under the law. I would just like the law changed. I also believe there has got to be a better way to police the trophy area. Last winter I asked the MDC about C&R regs at Bennett with regards to Smallies. I was under the impression that they, and all fish were C&R, but there was no sign. I was informed that they indeed were off limits and they ask if I had a license number of a vehicle, but I didn't. Now if they intended to contact these people then why couldn't the same apply at Taney? Maybe a sign or two that states "If you don't follow the regulations we have to follow, we will turn over physical information, vehicle information and testimony of your violation to the MDC" I'm with Wayne, here. I don't think that the trout up near the dam, especially in the outlets, should be harvested. They are just too vulnerable at certain times of the year. I'd vote for "Catch and Release Only" for the first mile or so...down to about the MDC boat ramp. Alot of other fisheries have such a rule. The San Juan in NM has a Catch and Release at the top of their headwaters. I think the Green River in Utah also has a similar rule. Like I said, the trout are too vulnerable and, IMO, too valuable to simply throw in the skillet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 just so you understand a little better... If and when I do fish an outlet (or chute)... all fish are released... If Im fish anywhere from the rebar hole up to the cable... all fish are release...(unless its over 20.. and have "NO CHANCE" of recovering... this fish Id rather see eatting then laying dead on the bottom of the lake rotting... Now for the 2 fish that I had taking home this year from Taneycomo.. 1st was a 24in walleye.... yes a walleye.. caught in the run between the rebar and the big hole... mighty darn good!!! 2nd.. was a 24in Brown that someone else had caught.. this fish had "NO CHANCE" of recovery... the guy who caught it spent 15-20 minutes trying to revive the fish. then he asked if anyone wanted the fish...I said yes... I (myself) spent about another 10 minutes.. the fish was on it last breath... so yes I took it home.... I mean its one thing to catch and release... but it another to catch and release to watch the fish die at your feet and see it rot away in the water... I have a family of 4 (wife,myself, and 2 young boys 2&4).... and if a 20-24in fish can feed us... that a darn good meal... I dont go out daliy to try to bring a fish (or a limit) home... it just one of those things... what if!! http://www.taneycomonights.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin Phil Lilley Posted November 18, 2005 Author Root Admin Share Posted November 18, 2005 Nice to see everyone's getting along while I'm gone... good conversation. I think the C&R idea for the first mile has merit. May be limit it to the fall. I don't think that would ruffle too many feathers. I'll run it by a couple of people. As for the outlets... you need a black line between right and wrong for a good case in court. Placing a cable across a creek and saying, "no fishing above this point" is a black line. Not much wriggle room to that rule. "No fishing in the hatchery outlets" and "No fishing above the present lake level" is a black line but isn't as clear as the cable, I guess. Motivation - what's the movtivation for the cable at outlet #3? My guess is to keep anglers from taking advantage of hearded browns. Or fishing up in the outlet when the water is high from full generation. So if the motivation is to keep anglers from taking advantage of trout in the outlet, then the "No fishing above the present lake level" is another cable with the same purpose. Then why aren't both rules enforced? As for enforcement, I think the present agents do an exceptional job in all fields of game enforcement... they just can't be in all places at all times. The question about police writing game tickets - they can't in Missouri. They can hold a person for an agent but they can't write the ticket, not sure why. You can call them and have them radio an agent. But I've found you have to have good information, just like reporting any crime, for the agent such as descriptions of the person(s) and/or vehicles involved. As for keeping trout, the rules in our trophy area were designed for keeping rainbows under 12 and over 20 inches. The problem is very few rainbows are kept, unless the water is running and boaters are drifting the area in which alot of those anglers will keep a limit uner 12 inches (esp guides). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members John Smoot Posted November 19, 2005 Members Share Posted November 19, 2005 Leonard, Please don't take it that I was directing some sort of attitude at you...I wasn't and don't intend that. I simply feel that the resource needs extra protection because of the situation, in general...shallow water, visual ability of clear water, etc. And hey, you like to eat trout, and you get one that's legal, and especially wouldn't likely make it anyhow, go for it. I don't judge anyone on this, indeed they are within the law to do so. And, if I got a walleye anywhere on Taney (yep, even in the outlet) that dude would end up on my plate. What time of year did you get the 'eye, and what'd you get him on, and what was the water conditions at the time. I've always thought that Taney should hold some good 'eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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