Mineral Fork report (Kingston access) 5-2-15

[Smallieguy87]

If they have towed vehicles from there, the question is, why? There is more than adequate room to get well off the highway, and if they didn't put up the no-parking signs in the first place, why would they tow vehicles parked there? Somehow, I suspect that the owners of the Kingston Ranch are big contributors to the Washington County Sheriff's and Prosecutor's candidacies. Which REALLY ticks me off.

The no-parking signs were there all last summer, and were still there back in February. The barbed wire fence between the bridge and the water has been there a long time. There was a sign on the fence for a while that said something to the effect that if you were found at the water near the bridge, you would be prosecuted for trespass UNLESS you had a valid MO fishing license, which made little sense, except that it was a way of maybe discouraging the party animals that used to descend upon the place and trash it up while not discouraging anglers. Can't say that I blame the Kingston Ranch people for wanting to put a stop to the partying and litter, but dang it, when you buy up land on a floatable stream, I don't care how much money and how much land you have, to better be willing to put up with the public using it. And the bridge has been a well-used access ever since it was built.

I truly believe that, unless MO anglers all band together and get serious about protecting our rights, we're going to end up being able to ONLY use MDC and other state accesses, and be run off a lot of the less floated and less popular streams by people who have more money and more influence with political animals.

I'm almost certain they're contributing to the PA and sheriffs office. I could understand them not wanting the partying and litter as well. They (Wash CO. PD) not so artfully dodge the question of why vehicles are being towed when Kingston ranch doesn't have rights to the shoulder nor do they own property directly to the side or right under the bridge. I didn't think about it but maybe I should call the PA Monday and see what he has to say. All these calls I think I'm beginning to make a name for myself lol

[DownStream]

I parked on the opposite side of the no-parking sign on 47 last Sunday with no issues. Actually, have been since they put the sign up. Simply moved to where there was not a sign.14 inch smallie was the best of the day. Has anyone seen the giant house right on the bank being built between 47 and kingston?

[Smallieguy87]

I parked on the opposite side of the no-parking sign on 47 last Sunday with no issues. Actually, have been since they put the sign up. Simply moved to where there was not a sign.14 inch smallie was the best of the day. Has anyone seen the giant house right on the bank being built between 47 and kingston?

glad you had no issues! How long did you fish there? I'm planning on giving it a try sometime this week. I'll keep my eyes out for the house...if it's that big I'm sure I won't miss it.

[LarrySTL]

I drove by it again this weekend to look at signage. Coming from 21 on 47 there is a no parking sign on the right side just before the bridge. on the right side just after crossing the bridge is a sign saying something about access restricted to state employees or something like that ( shoulda written it down..duhhh). Going south on 47 toward 21, there is no sign of any type on the right side before the bridge, and another "state people only" sign on the right side just after the bridge. I couldnt tell if they meant access as in parking on the shoulder ( tho those signs were off the shoulder a ways) or if they mean you can park but can't go walking off the roadway. I should have parked on the southbound side and walked down the way everybody used to and looked at whats what under the bridge.

Elsewhere was pretty good last weekend, but I, or it, stunk Saturday in the rain.

[moguy1973]

I'm a state employee

[Smallieguy87]

I'm a state employee

I'm a county employee so i wonder if that would help lol ?

[Gavin]

It's been a couple years but I've never cared about the no parking signs at 47. The Kingston folks have been nice to us. They will come down and say howdy on occasion, but never more than a look see and some friendly questions. No big deal at all.

[Jeff Maberry]

I drove by there today, there was not any no parking signs anywhere, was a couple state property authorized axcess omly signs