Is Your Group Signed Up For Conservation Day

[ness]

Hey Phil: can we get a 'partially like' button? I just can't pull the trigger sometimes. Smalliebigs post above is a good example

[rFisherk]

agreed %100 Dan......the members of the MSA I know all have great jobs that provide for their families and they are willing to take time from those jobs to push the preservation of Missouri best sport fish native to Missouri streams and for that work and sacrifice I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am signing up to post signs this weekend as volunteers are needed as it is a wide ranging project that can be a logistical nightmare. I never have understood the quasi resentment for the MSA by some who seem to be fans of river fishing for smallmouth bass and it pisses me off to be honest with you....I am not a nice guy like virtually all of the MSA members I have met.....if you mess with my passions I will come out swinging every time no doubt. For any of you to question the MSA and it's work ethics as they pertain to the preservation of Smallmouth bass you are out of line and I have no respect for you what so ever. Better yet what the hell have you done out of your free time to make a stand for something you care about?? frigging pisses me off!!!!

All I said was: "As I suspected, Missouri Smallmouth Alliance is not represented." And they weren't at that time. Now they are. Good deal, because this is an important political statement. Given the current political climate, most notably Ross's bill, I think it is very important for the group most centered on streams to be represented. I said nothing about all the other stuff you seemed to be upset about.

[Dan Kreher]

We're all cool.

Onward.

[joeD]

"As I suspected." Meaning, my negative reservations have become true, and I will tell you about it.

[Dan Kreher]

I appreciate the support shown for MSA generally across Ozark Anglers forums in this particular thread. But it would be best to refrain from unproductive personal attacks on posters here who have clearly illustrated they are kindred spirits when it comes to the appreciation for and strong desire to protect our beloved Ozarks smallmouth bass stream fisheries.

Ron and I have worked the above situation out and there is no ongoing disagreement. Ron's hope was that MSA would become even more actively engaged in opposing the various legislative proposals which are posing potential threats to our natural resources and indirectly our favorite pastime.

So, I respectfully request that we all cool it with respect to any negative vitriol against banter well-intended posters on this particular thread and focus our attention on the real opposition to our fisheries and fisheries management issues while acting as a more cohesive coalition, an alliance, if you will, of smallmouth bass anglers. Pun intended.

[rFisherk]

That right, Joe. My intention was to publically challenge them to participate, not pose something that invited excuses, because I think it is very important for MSA to participate in this event. We have never had a more serious threat against floating and fishing Ozark streams than Ross's bill, which has been amended, but is far from dead and would still drastically limit access. All the signs and education efforts mean nothing if all we can legally float and fish are a handful of rivers like the Mississippi and Missouri, and even the gravel bars on them would be private property under this bill, even as amended.

I don't hold anyone or any group in reverence; only the environment and our ability to access and enjoy it. But MSA stepped up, and I applaud them for it. Of all the groups attending Conservation Day at the Capitol, it is most important to me that MSA be there, because floating, fishing and camping on Ozarks streams is by far my favorite thing to do. I wrote an article published in the Outdoor Guide that included:

"The smallmouth bass is my favorite species. It is a native, swimming here long before man arrived. Missouri boasts more smallmouth streams than any state, and I believe it should be the state fish, on the state symbol, prominently displayed on the state capitol and somehow incorporated into the state moto."

I've spent my entire life (not just weekends or vacations) in the outdoors. It has been my life and my livelihood, and I've done everything I can to protect and enhance it, including putting up MSA signs.

I've never seen a more serious threat to our outdoor traditions than during this current legislative session. This is more important than any flack I might get here for protecting what I love with whatever means I think will work best.