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

[Smallieguy87]

I believe they have tried that fence thing underneath 47 before and I don't think it is legal, but who knows. It was a great place to access, but the river took a real beating in that area so kind of a catch 22.

Anyway, good job catching fish!

Thanks! I've fished it a few times this spring and maybe it's just me but it seems like the size of the fish I've been catching is a bit above the average for me so hopefully that means people have slowed down on catch and keep and the stream in general is doing well.

[joeD]

Has anyone actually talked to law enforcement for Washington County? With regard to parking and accessing the stream from 47?

[Smallieguy87]

Has anyone actually talked to law enforcement for Washington County? With regard to parking and accessing the stream from 47?

Funny that you'd mention that because i'm waiting on a call from Washington county PD. I was told there's a "distance issue" in regards to where a vehicle can actually be on the shoulder and around the bridge. Anyway one of their lieutenants is supposed to get back with me. I know from an officer that i have worked closely with in the past that they have towed a few vehicles from the area.

[joeD]

Good job 87. Keep me, (ahem) us, posted. Chances are, they don't know. Would be nice to inform them beforehand that we are parking there (at 47) temporarily while we fish, and will be gone by dark. Whether wade fishing, or floating from someplace upstream.

We didn't know how good we had it years ago with chain smoking Pat and her coterie of suspect men and women "workers." I would love to have Rivermont back.

[Smallieguy87]

Good job 87. Keep me, (ahem) us, posted. Chances are, they don't know. Would be nice to inform them beforehand that we are parking there (at 47) temporarily while we fish, and will be gone by dark. Whether wade fishing, or floating from someplace upstream.

We didn't know how good we had it years ago with chain smoking Pat and her coterie of suspect men and women "workers." I would love to have Rivermont back.

I have some fond memories of fishing there when I was a little guy around 10 years old. It is a shame that you can't access it anymore. I agree on informing them before parking there and I do think it's a good idea to be gone before dark. As soon as I hear back from them I'll post on here.

[Greasy B]

I would love to have Rivermont back.

Yes, so many fond memories and a safe place to park.

[Smallieguy87]

I spoke with Wash Co. PD again today and was told that the property owners have been prosecuting everyone caught there. I called the courthouse to see if i could find out who owned the property and was directed to kohner properties. When i checked their page it looks like they do a lot of different apartment complexes but it doesn't mention anything about Kingston ranch. I'm still looking into a few more leads and ill update this as soon as i get more info..who knows it maybe worthy of a new thread.

[ColdWaterFshr]

I've parked at 47 bridge numerous times. Not sure how they could make those shoulders no-parking or ban the easement of the bridge. And running a barb wire fence across that creek would seem very difficult for as much as it floods.

[Smallieguy87]

I've parked at 47 bridge numerous times. Not sure how they could make those shoulders no-parking or ban the easement of the bridge. And running a barb wire fence across that creek would seem very difficult for as much as it floods.

I've heard the no parking signs are gone now. Possibly because Kingston ranch can't actually own the shoulder of the road since that's state property. The same for the easement under the bridge. The barb wire fence (it's been a longtime since I've been there so it maybe gone) didn't run across it just ran underneath the bridge on both banks. I recently found an article online someone posted about putting in there and the picture didn't show the fence anymore so maybe it's gone. I'm not sure how to post a link on it but I'll copy and paste it. https://fllog.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/float-67-mineral-fork/ It looks like it would be fine to access there but parking could be iffy. I've spoke with multiple deputies and a Lieutenant from Wash co PD but I can't really get a clear answer on the parking but they've all said they have towed vehicles.

[Al Agnew]

I've heard the no parking signs are gone now. Possibly because Kingston ranch can't actually own the shoulder of the road since that's state property. The same for the easement under the bridge. The barb wire fence (it's been a longtime since I've been there so it maybe gone) didn't run across it just ran underneath the bridge on both banks. I recently found an article online someone posted about putting in there and the picture didn't show the fence anymore so maybe it's gone. I'm not sure how to post a link on it but I'll copy and paste it. https://fllog.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/float-67-mineral-fork/ It looks like it would be fine to access there but parking could be iffy. I've spoke with multiple deputies and a Lieutenant from Wash co PD but I can't really get a clear answer on the parking but they've all said they have towed vehicles.

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.