MDC Blue Ribbon Trout Slam

[Devan S.]

There will undoubtedly be people that lie about it or use historical catches to get the bling. I don't believe there is any real verification process. 

I'm thinking I'm gonna give it a shot. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

46 minutes ago, Devan S. said:

There will undoubtedly be people that lie about it or use historical catches to get the bling.

Man if somebody has to lie to get that they are a real loser. 

[FishnDave]

This sounds interesting.  Gotta start somewhere.

The Iowa DNR has a Master Angler program.  Might be similar to what MO has?  I haven't checked into MO's yet...

They've had one for as long as I can remember, where if you caught a fish species by legal methods that met a specified minimum length or weight, they would send you a certificate.  In 2011, they started a NEW Master Angler program.   You still get a certificate for each Master Angler fish you catch/submit, and now once you catch 5 different species that meet the minimum length or weight requirements, you get a "silver" medallion.  When you reach 10 different species, you get a "gold" medallion.

In a way I was bummed when they started the new program, because I don't fish the same way I used to when I was younger.  At this point, I'm mainly flyfishing, so I'm unlikely to catch some of the species I used to, such as Flathead Catfish.  But you can view the records online now, so that's kind of interesting. 

Anyway....I got it done.  First person in Iowa to do it entirely by flyfishing.  How about that?  😁

Looking forward to moving to MO in a few months!

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Man if somebody has to lie to get that they are a real loser. 

I'd lie about it before I would drive 400 miles just to catch a couple 7" rainbows.  I already know for a fact that we're all capable of doing it, so who would be impressed by it?  😅 

What is the actual accomplishment there ?   That you can drive and find the place?

[Devan S.]

39 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

I'd lie about it before I would drive 400 miles just to catch a couple 7" rainbows.  I already know for a fact that we're all capable of doing it, so who would be impressed by it?  😅 

What is the actual accomplishment there ?   That you can drive and find the place?

I would say its less about the accomplishment. More about the experience and a token of doing it. 

 

The same way with literally any number these kids of deals. 

[FishnDave]

44 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

I'd lie about it before I would drive 400 miles just to catch a couple 7" rainbows.  I already know for a fact that we're all capable of doing it, so who would be impressed by it?  😅 

What is the actual accomplishment there ?   That you can drive and find the place?

Its a participation trophy.  In an age where participation is reportedly on the decline, it can't hurt.   It might encourage some folks to go visit places they wouldn't otherwise bother with.  MDC already has the patch deal where you collect patches from 4 locations if you catch an 18" or bigger trout from them.  Similar to the program in the first thread entry, but tougher to earn.  Everybody is different....this will be fun for some, just like tournament fishing is fun for some, or sitting on a cooler with an adult refreshment watching your line or bobber is fun for some.  Whatever gets you outside, do it.

[fishinwrench]

It would be a cool accomplishment for my youngest kid who is just getting started with fly-fishing.  

Too bad she can't drive yet.  I'll taxi her for a bronze, she can go for the gold after she gets her license. 😊

[snagged in outlet 3]

3 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I'd lie about it before I would drive 400 miles just to catch a couple 7" rainbows.  I already know for a fact that we're all capable of doing it, so who would be impressed by it?  😅 

What is the actual accomplishment there ?   That you can drive and find the place?

I agree.  They oughta give you a gas card.  My dad drug me all the country to catch some dink’s.  I’ll take a tail water any time. Or the parks back in the day with 18” plus trout.  

[jdmidwest]

My dang vest weighs too much now, why would I want to tack another chunk of worthless metal on it.

The real reason for the program, not enough interest in MO small trout streams.  Big promo to sell more trout stamps.  Feed the cash cow.

[fishinwrench]

It's a natural progression I think.  Every fly fisherman in this part of the country goes through a phase where they get all misty-eyed about little stream bred rainbows.   

When I went through it I built a sweet little 7'6" 3wt and had a special waist pack loaded with gear for chasing "wild rainbows", and even carried a flask of Dickle's sippin' whiskey and a pinch hitter to celebrate every catch.   I used to smoke alot of Columbian Gold back then 😎 

Georgia and Tennessee ruined me on itty bitty trout streams. Missouri just can't compare.