Are the snakes really that bad?

[Dutch]

Sounds like I'll just need to keep an eye out then.

Yep and carry a big stick that goes bang.

[Bill Anderson]

Cottonmouths chasing people is total nonsense. Actually they are not a really aggressive snake. You almost have to step on one to get bitten. They'll open their mouth wide and vibrate their tail, but that's mostly it. Any healthy stream like Crane is going to have snakes. If there are no snakes, then something is very wrong with the area ecosystem. I always carry a stout wading staff. It's really all you need to flip a snake out of the way if one gets too close for your comfort. When I carry a gun, it's not snakes I worry about, it's two legged vermin or rabid skunks, ect.

[Justin Spencer]

At Crane they hunt in packs, a buddy of my had 7 encircle him slowly closing in with mouths agape. Thankfully I had on my snake boots and was able to rescue him with a firemans carry. Needless to say I will never go back to that snakepit.

[jdmidwest]

Water snakes are shy and retreat. A cottonmouth will stand ground or advance. I have seen it too many times to count.

[Jerry Rapp]

the media has reported for years how bad the cottonmouths are on Crane Creek and every other creek and stream in the entire area. Even into the southeast Ozark Streams where you have to also contend with the more dangerous copperhead and even a few rattlers. No one should get near any stream from April to November, or on any warm days in the winter. If you do go, you are going at your own risk.

[fishinwrench]

Who wants to fish where you constantly have to worry about something slipping up behind you ?

This is why we have trout parks.

[Bill Anderson]

And the legend grows.....I've been fishing streams year round most of my of my life and I've seen tons of snakes, including water mocassins and copperheads. I have NEVER had problems with any of them. Cottonmouths will lie there coiled and open their mouths if you come near and vibrate their tail, but I have never had one come at me; swim toward me yes. But I just stood still and he casually swam within a foot of me and ignored me. Copperheads will lie still and rely on their superior camoflage, unless you disturb them. I just keep myself aware of my surroundings and where I step and I always have my trusty Orvis ash wading staff in hand. Sorry guys, but the stories about cottonmouths attacking or chasing people are nonsense as far as I am concerned. Herpatologists will tell you the same thing.

[fishinwrench]

Sure the guys that are STILL LIVING claim they won't chase you. But the dead guys tell a different story.

[Bill Anderson]

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, you can count on less than one hand the number of deaths from snake bite in Missouri in the last 50 years, despite the fact that about 100 people are bitten in the state each year. Three of the deaths were from copperhead bites. You can look it up for yourself.

[jd1983]

Who wants to fish where you constantly have to worry about something slipping up behind you ?

This is why we have trout parks.

I don't know what I ever did fishing the Rocky Mountain Front in Montana where snakes weren't even in the top 3 of animals to worry about.