Undersized and illegal!

[Thom]

Crappie fisherman:

I didn't jepordise anyones life. This whimp couldn't make it to the parking lot fast enough. I have worked with people for both in the inner city and in prison populations. I know how to use discresion. If you think that waiting on the law to get to the dam will solve anything you are sadly mistaken. I have called many times and have yet to see anyone show up. I never confront anyone without a backup plan and never aggressively.

I don't have any problem with knuckle sandwitches and I refuse to let anyone blantly break the law. I will tell them poitely as I did this genleman who thought he would ignore me and if they have a problem with that....oh well.

[crappiefisherman]

Thom, im not trying to raise any ones dander, but,the wimpy guy could have been hightailing it to the car to get his gun.These days are full of people that have had enough and want nothing better then to get even.You may be the person that gets all their frustrations thrown at.He knows a warden will have a badge and if you dont he knows all you can do is talk.You did what you felt was the right thing, and I applaud you for it. john koch

[hornyheadchub]

Guys taking the law into your own hands will bite you in the end.Some one will some day come apart at the seams and give you a knuckle sandwich.If you see someone breaking the law, call the law.Thats thier job and you wont jeopardize yourself or your young fishing partner.Police get shot at for less offences , why wouldnt one want to play it safe

I read over this thread and failed to find a post that suggested we "take the law into our own hands", could you please point it out? If by "taking the law into your own hands" you mean telling someone who is poaching in your favored water that you are calling/photo'ing/ or informing them of the reg's they are breaking (the only things discussed in this thread as far as I can see), I'll have to respectfully disagree.

[Thom]

I didn't see that either HHC and started to reply with the same conclusion that you had but it seemed that my point was missed anyway. You had to be there. BTW I was within 6' of a fully loaded .357 when most of the conversation occured on the parking lot. That wasn't by chance. As I said I'v been around the block working at Natural Bridge and Union in St. Louis I learned how to control my environment to my advantage. I would never take the law into my own hands but will do anything to assist or support a law officer.

[Tightline]

There are 2 codes,one is the code of law,the other code is a moral one,acting as a guide to independant action within the limits of the law.It is possible to obey the law and yet destroy its spirit and purpose by evasions and infractions of the moral code.The moral code being (Sportsmanship).

I have seen way too many lately,that know nothing about the moral code as well as the code of law!

[crappiefisherman]

concealed huh

[RiverRunner]

It's a sad state of affairs when we have to talk about carrying firearms because of all of the "winners" we run into when trying to enjoy time off fishing. I'm not a real confrontational person, but I'm glad you said something to that guy. The fact that no one had told him that it was wrong or made an effort to stop him made his illegal activities "legitimate" in his mind.

[Thom]

I want to close my comments on this subject on a positive note. This jerk that after I told him he was breaking the law was still going to stay until he saw me dialing my phone was the only jerk that I encountered during the week that I spent at Taneycomo.

I talked to several people on the water ane exchanged information about fishing. I gave away at least 15 flies to folks that had told me that they were having trouble getting hits. One guy from arkansas the next day on the water stopped me holding up 9 fingers. I stopped and the said with a smile on his face that he had already landed 9 that morning and thanked me for the tips. That's how I learned and am learning.

99% of the folks that I meet on the stream and in Branson are very cordial and great to talk to. We stayed at Lilleys' all week and had long cordial conversations with the folks there.

Leonard met us one night and showed my grandson how to fish at night. I couldn't tell who was having the most fun when Zack landed one of his 15 or so fish....Leonard or Zack because each were laughing out loud. Thanks Leonard for a fine time.

It seems that the minority get a lot attention these but the folks and businesses at Branson are people friendly.

My grandson forgot his waders at home so we had to rent them from the folks at riverrun. My daughter commented on how nice they were. In the bustle of getting them back the next day we suddenly realized that we were going to be close to their 5:30 closing. Zack told me that they were getting a note ready to just leave them at the door and they wouldn't charge him another day.

THATS THE SPIRIT OF MOST OF BRANSON AND THOSE WHO VISIT THERE AND WHY I RETURN MONTH AFTER MONTH TO SPEND TIME WITH MY FAMILY AT GOD'S WONDERFUL GIFT OF NATURE AND FINE FOLKS.

[crappiefisherman]

Yes this is indeed Gods country.And me and my family are very close to the lord.I am sorry if I offended you in any way.I was just doing what you were doing by trying to help..

[Thom]

No problem. Different opinions and ideas make the forum interesting and informative. I'll look forward to your future posts.