Regs, need some explanation s and definitions

[Gatorjet]

So, a friend has invited me along for a big family outing in June. I've never fished Bennett, and haven't fished any of the parks in some time. 

Looking at the regulations, which as written look like some of the dumbest things I've ever seen, I need to understand exactly what they consider a fly, a lure, and soft plastic bait.

Are small jigs, he tells me he doesn't use anything bigger than 1/32, and mostly 1/64, considered "flys"?

Are Trout Magnets considered lures? Or soft plastic as they are in the trophy area of Taneycomo?

How about releasing fish? I didn't see anything, but remember from many years gone by at Maramec Springs if you brought a fish to hand, or net it could not be released. Or if you did release it you still had to count it as part of your daily limit.

[fishinwrench]

All I know is that you can't have a beer in your possession unless you are paying the park for a canoe rental..... and then you can have all the liquor you are capable of carrying.

[gwh]

Take a look at this pdf from the Mo Conservation web site. Should answer most of your question.

http://nature.mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/downloads/bennett-springs-regs-flyer.pdf

We use jigs from 1/100 to 1/8, depends on the type of rod you use.  By that time of year you will want 2 or 3 pound test.  I smash all barbs so it is easy to release fish with out touching them. 

[Gatorjet]

Thanks gwh. I did look at that earlier, but didn't go to the last page about Winter C&R fishing where they defined "fly". Looks like that covers jigs.

Still wondering about Trout Magnets. Guess being made of soft material they would be considered lures, and legal in zone 2.

Except on my spacific jig and float rods, and drift rig rods I use 2# MAXIMA Ultragreen exclusively year round on Taneycomo. So that will most likely be on my reels.

Is there any restriction on the number of "flys" used on a single line? I often use a micro jig under a float with a tiny midge fly dropper on Tanycomo. Maybe of no significance in the parksthough. I'm not sure there is a midge hatch on those small streams where that technique works well.

[NoLuck]

If it has soft plastic on it it'll have to be used in zone 3.  You can have rubber legs on a fly in zone 1 or 2 though. 

You can fish a dropper too in the fly zones.  Just don't fly fish in zone 3. It's against the regs.

[fishinwrench]

Soft plastic "worms" are not legal in Z2, BUT rubber legs or foam and other synthetic material IF tied on permanently with thread are. 

Your jig and midge dropper is fine as long as the jig doesn't have a plastic worm/grub slid into it.

[Gatorjet]

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Just don't fly fish in zone 3. It's against the regs.

And THAT is where the dumbest regulations I've ever seen come in!

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If it has soft plastic on it it'll have to be used in zone 3. 

If a jig is a fly, it can be used in zone 1 and 2, but NOT in zone 3. But if a a jig head has a soft plastic body attached (Trout Magnet) it can be used in zone 3 only.

But, according to the rules poster on the website, in zone 3 "All flies and artificial lures are prohibited". So are they then saying that Trout Magnets are not allowed anywhere?

I can see a seperate artificial only area like the trophy area on Taneycomo where fly fishermen can be seperated from bait fishermen. But I don't get that middle ground of zone 2, and the prohibition of fly, and lure fishing in zone 3.

It really doesn't matter. I have plenty of jigs so I don't have to use the Magnets, but it just seems pretty silly at best, or a ticket trap at worst!

 

 

[Flysmallie]

11 minutes ago, Gatorjet said:

And THAT is where the dumbest regulations I've ever seen come in!

 

Well it is a trout park.

[mic]

17 minutes ago, Gatorjet said:

And THAT is where the dumbest regulations I've ever seen come in!

 

I disagree...

1.  In general terms is provide areas for bait fisherman, lure fisherman, and fly slash spin/fly fisherman.  One of the things I don't like about Meramec Springs is I'm fly fishing and someone sits down next to me and throws a worm on the bottom and tight lines.  No one can drift the same hole. 

2.  Rubber and live bait cause the most deaths of returned fish because the fish is more likely to swallow the bait.  By keeping rubber and live bait in one area, the park limits the damage to that area.  I can't prove this, but I think spin/fly fisherman are also more likely to just catch and release like I do.  So by zoning the areas, it actually improves my odds because there is less dead fish. 

3.  Trout become bait sensitive over time, just note the difference of the first hour of the day and the rest of the day.  My controlling type of lures in each zone, one improves the trout's chances to avoid being caught.

[Gatorjet]

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1.  In general terms is provide areas for bait fisherman, lure fisherman, and fly slash spin/fly 

Again, why zone 2? Why is a "lure" fisherman different than a "spin" fisherman using a jig? Considering they are obviously considered the same in zone 1 if they are using a jig. 

Why aren't fly and lure fishermen given the opportunity to fish anywhere if they know that baight fishermen might be there, and they are willing to accept that.

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2.  Rubber and live bait cause the most deaths of returned fish because the fish is more likely to swallow the bait

I have never had a trout swallow a Trout Magnet, or any other soft plastic bodied jig, or spinner like a Road Runner.

Trout worms, powerbait, night crawlers, yes, I see that. Many people don't really care, and just use hooks of any kind, and think they need the smallest ones they can get. When I do use night crawlers, or powerbait on Taneycomo I use only circle hooks of #6, or even #4. It has lowered the incident of swallowed hooks a great deal. Probably 90% of fisofare hooked in the corner of the mouth. But I don't see any fewer hookups than with a #8, or smaller conventional hook.

I think flysmallie has it nailed. Not much different than the tank of fish they set up at boat shows for kids to fish in.