Thanks for nothing MDC

[stlfisher]

3 hours ago, Flysmallie said:

I think the Neosho2 just challenged the STL7 to a dance off. 

Was literally thinking of the exact same Neosho2 phrase.   

The timing of this debate had me all confused. Did I fall asleep and wake up in February?

I fished a stream for largemouth last weekend that has not been touched since the 90's. Best fishing I have ever had by far. The difference...no pressure and no harvest in years. I don't need data on the obvious. Most fish were 2 pounds with a 4.5 thrown in for good measure. It would never survive if it was known or accesable...which it is not. The current regulations are archaic IMO. Plenty of ways to have tournaments without keeping fish these days. That is embarrassing if that is actually a reason.

 

[SpoonDog]

11 hours ago, jtram said:

You'd argue? I believe it, but I'll keep catching quality little ol' neosho sm, where I almost never see another soul. Ill also be smiling while I kill quality deer in a no-reg area. Ill also fish with chief, with a smile on, Im that crazy. Can you say that you'd do any of that? 

Good grief...I'm sorry if acknowledging the differences between deer and smallmouth management in the state is somehow an affront to your sensibilities, but I never criticized you or anyone else for hunting outside the counties with antler point restrictions.  I never criticized you, or anyone else, for catching little smallmouth, Neosho smallmouth- any smallmouth.  And when we're talking about increasing minimum length limits statewide, the idea anyone's leaving neosho smallmouth out of the equation simply isn't true.  I don't know why you've decided to take a simple adult discussion about smallmouth regs so personally, I don't know why you've decided to miscontrue what I wrote so that you're somehow the victim.  That's for you to sort out.

Grown-ups can disagree without being adversaries, and I'll never understand why  it has to be a parochial pissing contest between SWMO anglers and Meramec anglers, or anyone else. I hunt deer in St. Francois County, jtram- well outside the point restriction zone.  I've lived in SWMO and I've fished Shoal Creek, Center Creek, the Elk, Big and Little Sugar creeks.  They're fine.  Chief says I have a standing invitation in his canoe any time I'm down that way, and I'd happily take him up on it.  Not only would I do those things- I have.  Not that it matters, of course. 

[ozark trout fisher]

I'd forgotten how delightfully ridiculous this place can be. The smallmouth threads on here are true gems.

[Mitch f]

1 hour ago, ozark trout fisher said:

I'd forgotten how delightfully ridiculous this place can be. The smallmouth threads on here are true gems.

Thank you for the useless condescending comment! 

[Quillback]

12 hours ago, MOPanfisher said:

STL7, Neosho 2, I am feeling left out, I want to be in a group too, how about the slothful 6, or maybe flatulent 5.  I think I could qualify for those.

You're free to join the "White River Gang".  The initiation is somewhat embarrassing - it involves running naked through the BPS Springfield store yelling "RELEASE ALL BASS".

All I am going to say is that I have seen the results of "Maximum sustainable yield" policies in Washington state.  Granted that involved steelhead and salmon which are certainly more finicky than smallmouth to manage, but the MSY policy was a long term disaster.  MSY is a phrase that biologists need to just drop from their vocabulary.  It is not a good guiding principal to manage wild life populations of any type. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

I didn't know that was an initiation when I did it at St Charles MO BPS.  I just did it to educate the masses of fish killers.

[ollie]

I thought we had decided that no matter what, the smallmouth are only second to the mighty trout in our state.  Remember that is where the money is.  I mean come on, who travels to MO to just fish for smallies?  They will come out of state to fish for trout though now won't they.  Sure you have some people in neighboring states that will cross the line to fish for smallies, but LOTS of anglers come in from other states to fish for slim rockets.  We all know it so just accept it for what it is worth.  I like others would love to see an increase in length for those who keep, but guess what, we are the minority here that would like to see that!  I went to the public meetings they had in my hometown and there were only 3 fisherman that showed up.  Chief, myself, and some other guy I don't know.  We were there to represent our cause.  I'm thinking when only 3 guys show up for a public comment session that the MDC must think we are definitely the minority and our opinions aren't with the majority or more of us would have came out to the session.  JMO 

[fishinwrench]

Almost zero dollars are spent in favor of the Smallmouth.  Tons of money are spent on Spoonbill with no return on the investment whatsoever. The funds for Walleye, Musky, and Hybrid Stripers are pretty much a throwaway.  The trout program is at least a break-even deal.  

[jtram]

4 hours ago, SpoonDog said:

Good grief...I'm sorry if acknowledging the differences between deer and smallmouth management in the state is somehow an affront to your sensibilities, but I never criticized you or anyone else for hunting outside the counties with antler point restrictions.  I never criticized you, or anyone else, for catching little smallmouth, Neosho smallmouth- any smallmouth.  And when we're talking about increasing minimum length limits statewide, the idea anyone's leaving neosho smallmouth out of the equation simply isn't true.  I don't know why you've decided to take a simple adult discussion about smallmouth regs so personally, I don't know why you've decided to miscontrue what I wrote so that you're somehow the victim.  That's for you to sort out.

Grown-ups can disagree without being adversaries, and I'll never understand why  it has to be a parochial pissing contest between SWMO anglers and Meramec anglers, or anyone else. I hunt deer in St. Francois County, jtram- well outside the point restriction zone.  I've lived in SWMO and I've fished Shoal Creek, Center Creek, the Elk, Big and Little Sugar creeks.  They're fine.  Chief says I have a standing invitation in his canoe any time I'm down that way, and I'd happily take him up on it.  Not only would I do those things- I have.  Not that it matters, of course. 

Feeling feisty? My statement, summed up was meant to make the point that education trumps regulation. 

CALM DOWN buddy, you seem on edge?

[Mitch f]

5 hours ago, SpoonDog said:

Good grief...I'm sorry if acknowledging the differences between deer and smallmouth management in the state is somehow an affront to your sensibilities, but I never criticized you or anyone else for hunting outside the counties with antler point restrictions.  I never criticized you, or anyone else, for catching little smallmouth, Neosho smallmouth- any smallmouth.  And when we're talking about increasing minimum length limits statewide, the idea anyone's leaving neosho smallmouth out of the equation simply isn't true.  I don't know why you've decided to take a simple adult discussion about smallmouth regs so personally, I don't know why you've decided to miscontrue what I wrote so that you're somehow the victim.  That's for you to sort out.

Grown-ups can disagree without being adversaries, and I'll never understand why  it has to be a parochial pissing contest between SWMO anglers and Meramec anglers, or anyone else. I hunt deer in St. Francois County, jtram- well outside the point restriction zone.  I've lived in SWMO and I've fished Shoal Creek, Center Creek, the Elk, Big and Little Sugar creeks.  They're fine.  Chief says I have a standing invitation in his canoe any time I'm down that way, and I'd happily take him up on it.  Not only would I do those things- I have.  Not that it matters, of course. 

There is no pissing contest between Meramec and SWMO anglers, it was made up by a fake Indian with nothing else to do.