Anyone made a trip this year?

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

Just from hanging around there and observing.  

I mean, the water is clear (usually) so you can see how many fish are there, and they supposedly dump 2.5 fish per estimated tag sold EVERY DAY during the regular season.  And I only see a couple folks toting a stringer on any given day.     

You can see the stocking truck, it sits there in plain sight.  So if there isn't a big wet spot under it.....guess what?   It hasn't been used that day.  

A quick assessment of the overall stream population can be made at anytime just by looking to see how many fish are crowded around the outlets.   When there are only a couple of fish chilling near the outlets you can safely assume that the overall numbers are low.   

The place plummeted down hill about 8-10 years ago.  Shame really.  I don’t even bother making the 10 mile side trip in my way to Taney anymore.  I got a dog park a couple blocks away I can go to.  

[Flyfisher for men]

34 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

The place plummeted down hill about 8-10 years ago.  Shame really. 

Guys, what exactly changed?

I don't get there enough to really be able to tell, at best a few days a year. 

[fishinwrench]

19 minutes ago, Flyfisher for men said:

Guys, what exactly changed?

In short, basically, they bought all kinds of new equipment, did a major upgrade to the hatchery......and the result of that within the park and the "Trout management areas" appears to be less fish numbers overall, and less average size.   They've all but completely stopped stocking Browns.    

The only thing that "improved" was the amount and size of Rainbows that they haul to the city carp ponds every winter.   It's as if that is their only real goal now. 

You would have had to live through the GOOD YEARS (back when they didn't have near as much fancy equipment) to truly grasp the downfall, I suppose.   Because they did WAY BETTER when they had WAY LESS.   It's just stupid, and makes no sense whatsoever.

[oneshot]

Years ago couple guys came from Springfield wanting to catch Trout..

We went using one Rod and Reel all 3 of us caught our 5 fish limit on Salmon Eggs in 30 minutes.

oneshot

[Flyfisher for men]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds very sad. 

[laker67]

Fishinwrench and sio3 stated the facts. With a brand new state of the art hachery, that no longer can produce the numbers of trout that the old facility did for years and years. The 30 lunkers that fw saw in the rearing pool, used to be the number of lunkers that I could find on the creek in any given day. I know that several are in favor of the urban program, but to me it is a slap in the face. And should be to any regular fisherman that frequents the park through out the year. The wife and I decided to make an afternoon trip today. Fishing was so poor, that we bailed early and visited with my uncle who lives close by. The last time we had a good number of decent sized fish, was when the hatchery flooded a couple of years back. That tidal wave of fish ran out in a hurry. 10 lb browns were stocked in a few select urban locations this year. It has been a long long time since I caught a 10 lber at bssp. Been a long time since one existed. Reduced rainbows and no browns. But they add new urban water every year.  

[dave potts]

They say there are three stages of fishing:

1) Catch a lot of fish

2)Catch a big fish

3) Just enjoy going fishing

Maybe they are trying to push everyone into stage three!

[dave potts]

I know I don't make a huge number of posts but with over 400 posts I think I deserve a little classier title than "Hornyhead Chub"

[tjm]

Who decides the distribution of wildlife funds and fish into the urban areas. the Commissioners, the Director, some middle management bureaucrat or the truck drivers? Who is guiding the programs? Can we make a change?

[Ryan Miloshewski]

I fished the Niangua in March and perused BSSP. I would much rather hit the river and float than fish the park. Not now, but in the winter. Plastic hatch is probably strong on the Niangua now.