No More Circle Js

[NoLuck]

What happened to the pies?

The fella that made them passed away a couple years ago. He put a smile on many people's faces.

[Ozark Sweetwater]

You're kidding, right???

Not really, but I have seen people griping about him and I just never understood the reasoning behind it. I don't have feelings either way, I was just wondering.

My family has had a place down there for years but the only time I fish Bennett is a couple of times a year with my FIL and maybe once or twice during C&R season. I do spend a lot of time on the river guiding and just fishing for fun.

I have met Jim a couple times but I do not know him well. I know that he runs Bennett and Roaring River and that he owns Bennett Springs Inn, but that's the extent of what I know of him. As far as I can tell he's a business man working to make a living. I could completely be wrong and I'm not trying to argue one way or the other, just curious.

I've heard people say that he's to blame for the size of fish, changes in the regs of the different zones, etc. I've never understood that argument because he has no control over any of that.

.

[fishinwrench]

Jeff, I think the main beef is that.... For someone who is not "with" the state, he sure has made a killing by using state resources. And it's like they have become so used to accommodating him that they almost depend on his input before every move or decision.

I'm not 100% sure that is an entirely accurate assumption but to my knowledge they have never made a single change that effected his business in anything less than a totally positive way.

Entering into the canoe rental/shuttle business was probably the biggest slap in the face, as they always maintained a zero tolerance alcohol thing in park boundaries, busses, and rentals... EXCEPT for the floaters, only because they knew it would cost them rentals if they only rented to and shuttled "family fun" oriented teetotalers.

Kind of a twisted double standard, no ?

I'd bet ya 100 bucks if Rodgers had a few guide associates that he wanted the park waters opened up to they'd allow it exclusively.

It is viewed (to many at least) as an unfair monopoly thing he has going on with the state park trout program that has expanded from just the trout thing to include ANYTHING that generates money. And if it cuts the throat of other area businesses...too bad so sad.

OK fellas, what have I missed ?

[Ozark Sweetwater]

That makes sense to me and I do agree on the canoe rental gig for sure. I've always heard gripes but it was always regarding Bennett and not Roaring River, so I was just wondering.

[NoLuck]

Jeff, I think the main beef is that.... For someone who is not "with" the state, he sure has made a killing by using state resources. And it's like they have become so used to accommodating him that they almost depend on his input before every move or decision.

I'm not 100% sure that is an entirely accurate assumption but to my knowledge they have never made a single change that effected his business in anything less than a totally positive way.

Entering into the canoe rental/shuttle business was probably the biggest slap in the face, as they always maintained a zero tolerance alcohol thing in park boundaries, busses, and rentals... EXCEPT for the floaters, only because they knew it would cost them rentals if they only rented to and shuttled "family fun" oriented teetotalers.

Kind of a twisted double standard, no ?

I'd bet ya 100 bucks if Rodgers had a few guide associates that he wanted the park waters opened up to they'd allow it exclusively.

It is viewed (to many at least) as an unfair monopoly thing he has going on with the state park trout program that has expanded from just the trout thing to include ANYTHING that generates money. And if it cuts the throat of other area businesses...too bad so sad.

OK fellas, what have I missed ?

You summed it up pretty well wrench. All of the so-called improvements to the park have been things that put more money in his pocket. Fish cleaning station comes to mind. Can't have that. Gotta build more cabins because one burned down. Stuff like that is what people feel he is responsible for. Rules be darned.

[fishbait3]

Well wonder what the new owners have instore for the land. it could use a clean up and still be a very nice campground.

[ness]

So, who's this JR guy and what does he own and/or run down there?

[NoLuck]

Ness, read wrench's post. You'll figure it out.

[oneshot]

Jeff, I think the main beef is that.... For someone who is not "with" the state, he sure has made a killing by using state resources. And it's like they have become so used to accommodating him that they almost depend on his input before every move or decision.

I'm not 100% sure that is an entirely accurate assumption but to my knowledge they have never made a single change that effected his business in anything less than a totally positive way.

Entering into the canoe rental/shuttle business was probably the biggest slap in the face, as they always maintained a zero tolerance alcohol thing in park boundaries, busses, and rentals... EXCEPT for the floaters, only because they knew it would cost them rentals if they only rented to and shuttled "family fun" oriented teetotalers.

Kind of a twisted double standard, no ?

I'd bet ya 100 bucks if Rodgers had a few guide associates that he wanted the park waters opened up to they'd allow it exclusively.

It is viewed (to many at least) as an unfair monopoly thing he has going on with the state park trout program that has expanded from just the trout thing to include ANYTHING that generates money. And if it cuts the throat of other area businesses...too bad so sad.

OK fellas, what have I missed ?

What gets me he has been under bided by Larry's Son of Larry's Cedar Resort before but still got the bid. So why even go through the bidding processes?

oneshot

[fishinwrench]

What gets me he has been under bided by Larry's Son of Larry's Cedar Resort before but still got the bid. So why even go through the bidding processes?

oneshot

Probably just so they can show on paper that bids were taken and considered.

Same reason they show "on paper" that they release umpteen thousand fish into the river each year. When the measure of your productivity is reported as "tossed in the river" then you can still show "on paper" that you are one extremely productive sumbitch! Who can dispute it ?

Any losses, shortages, or screwups can be (and likely are) easily balanced out on reports by fudging a digit or two.

If they stocked and managed the river fishery like they "show and report" they do, it would be freaking awesome. But I pretty much know better, I think we all do.