Families With Children Stay Away

[Bird Watcher]

I wouldn't be surprised to find out they listen to Rock n Roll music, gyrate their hips when dancing, or that the males have long hair. It's probably a satanic cult.

[Flysmallie]

Will witnessing a pair of bare boobs really destroy a child

If they see some of the old "bananas" that I've seen it might.

If you want to see boobs go to a titty bar. If you want to see some nasty assed naked chick go to the river.

[tanvat]

Smallie said it best and hit the heart of the problem. There's an endless supply of "johns" who just want to get off, w/ no strings attached. And there'll be more and more of them every year. So, here's a proposal, chalk the Meramec up as a loss - make it and the Niangua, Black and the Elk an Ozark stream red light district; the designated stroll. That way, you concentrate the johns (party floaters) and the pimps (Ozark Outdoors, et al.) and wear out a limited number of hos (the rivers) out, but zone all that stuff out what should be the primo neighborhoods (ONSR, 11 Pt., NFOW).

[Justin Spencer]

As a pimp I am thankful American citizens have the freedom to legally enjoy our rivers in whatever way they see fit. For those breaking the law I think they should be caught and punished because that behavior ultimately hurts my business. I think the sign that prompted this thread is sad, and if that had to be put up on my river I would be furious. Lewd behavior is impossible to prevent but this sign seems to be throwing in the towel. I understand why it was put up, but sad it has come to that.

I fished the other day and it was way too hot so I put down the rod and drank beer instead, much more fun this time of year than sweating and casting. For those who don't think it can be good wholesome fun to drink and float with friends you are missing out on one of the simple pleasures that makes living in the Ozarks fun! Don't let a few bad rivers a few bad outfitters, and a few drunk kids being stupid like I once was, ruin your outlook on our float streams. Plenty of rivers you can go to for good summertime fun, you just have to look.

[ColdWaterFshr]

As a pimp I am thankful American citizens have the freedom to legally enjoy our rivers in whatever way they see fit. For those breaking the law I think they should be caught and punished because that behavior ultimately hurts my business. I think the sign that prompted this thread is sad, and if that had to be put up on my river I would be furious. Lewd behavior is impossible to prevent but this sign seems to be throwing in the towel. I understand why it was put up, but sad it has come to that.

I fished the other day and it was way too hot so I put down the rod and drank beer instead, much more fun this time of year than sweating and casting. For those who don't think it can be good wholesome fun to drink and float with friends you are missing out on one of the simple pleasures that makes living in the Ozarks fun! Don't let a few bad rivers a few bad outfitters, and a few drunk kids being stupid like I once was, ruin your outlook on our float streams. Plenty of rivers you can go to for good summertime fun, you just have to look.

Amen. Well stated. Can't blame the pimps, its hard out there for a pimp.

Enforcement of the law, and busting the law breakers, is the key.

The ridiculous size of those types of crowds . . . and everything they bring with them, legal or illegal, its gonna happen . . . lewd, rude, or even nude. . . its gonna happen. Middle Meramec is a zoo on weekends in the summer. Adjust your plans accordingly. I'm just glad the Meremac and other rivers like it, Niangua, Elk, bear the brunt of it. Problem is, its starting to spill over now more onto the ONSR, 11 pt, and NFOW.

[ollie]

I have always been amazed at how many people on here would like to limit what people can and can’t do on our water ways. It would seem most on here would be perfectly happy if the powers that be said no more floating on Ozark streams. From now on only people looking to float and fish are allowed.

I don't think most on here are in agreement with that statement. I do think however most are in agreement that there should be some kind of limitations. After being on a stream team and cleaning up after others I just can't stand to see all the party people that liter our streams and then leave not caring.

[Justin Spencer]

I don't think most on here are in agreement with that statement. I do think however most are in agreement that there should be some kind of limitations. After being on a stream team and cleaning up after others I just can't stand to see all the party people that liter our streams and then leave not caring.

The problem with limitations is it will be the local people that at the spur of the moment decide they want to go floating or fishing that won't get to go. All the city folks that come to float and camp book months in advance so they will get to float while those that live and pay taxes here will be denied because the river is closed to any more boats. If I live a mile from the river and the govt. says I can't float because the river is too full I'm going to be pissed at the govt. overstepping it's bounds. If the hoards of floaters were causing actual physical damage to the environment I could see limitations, but you would be hard pressed to win that argument with me as one big natural flood that happens every few years makes anything floaters do irrelevant.

[ozark trout fisher]

The problem with limitations is it will be the local people that at the spur of the moment decide they want to go floating or fishing that won't get to go. All the city folks that come to float and camp book months in advance so they will get to float while those that live and pay taxes here will be denied because the river is closed to any more boats. If I live a mile from the river and the govt. says I can't float because the river is too full I'm going to be pissed at the govt. overstepping it's bounds. If the hoards of floaters were causing actual physical damage to the environment I could see limitations, but you would be hard pressed to win that argument with me as one big natural flood that happens every few years makes anything floaters do irrelevant.

This is a system that works well on many rivers across the country. It's widely implemented on many of the better rivers in the state of Michigan, for example. Guess what, those rivers are beautiful, don't have litter on the gravel bars and you can float without floatillas of screaming drunk people everywhere. It's a revelation if you ever go there. We could have that.

The simple solution is to plan ahead, whether you're a local or not. If it works in other localities it can work here. There would be ample pushback from locals without a doubt, but that doesn't mean it isn't a viable idea.

And there is certainly the possibility of environmental damage, especially water quality issues, from such large crowds. That has been well documented.

[Jerry Rapp]

pretty simple, if you don't want to go, don't go. It is not going to change. The Ozark streams are going to be full on weekends in the summer. Fact of life. LEO enforcement is minimal, we all know that. There are just a few to go around to all the rivers. The "floating parties" will never go away.

[Mitch f]

pretty simple, if you don't want to go, don't go. It is not going to change. The Ozark streams are going to be full on weekends in the summer. Fact of life. LEO enforcement is minimal, we all know that. There are just a few to go around to all the rivers. The "floating parties" will never go away.

Yep