Barren Fork

[Al Agnew]

16 hours ago, netboy said:

If the landowners didn't want you in there, wouldn't they simply put up some No Trespassing signs?

That's usually the case on small streams.  And it's kinda the rule I go by...if there is a place to park and a lack of purple paint and "no trespassing" signs around that place to park, it probably means the landowners are okay with you being on it (as long as you don't do something to make a nuisance of yourself).  Unfortunately, a whole lot of pinheads DO make nuisances of themselves, or worse, which prompts landowners that used to be okay with it start putting up the purple paint and signs.  And another access is lost for all of us because of the pinheads.

Which is why I get so completely ticked off at the people who insist on publicizing small creeks and enticing more people to them.  Invariably, some of the people they bring to the creek are pinheads.  MDC has a vested interest in a LITTLE bit of publicizing a wild trout creek like Barren Fork, but even they should be a little circumspect about talking it up.

[feather n fin]

On 10/23/2022 at 6:33 PM, ColdWaterFshr said:

Had fun exploring this tiny little creek for about an hour while on my way down to 11 point.  Access is difficult as I discovered, but I did manage to fool one little beauty on a stimulator.  Beautiful area.  Needs more exploration.  Is it okay to wade all the way down the creek as long as you stay in the water?

 

 

Congrats! Very cool.

[ColdWaterFshr]

10 hours ago, Al Agnew said:

Which is why I get so completely ticked off at the people who insist on publicizing small creeks and enticing more people to them.  Invariably, some of the people they bring to the creek are pinheads.  MDC has a vested interest in a LITTLE bit of publicizing a wild trout creek like Barren Fork, but even they should be a little circumspect about talking it up.

Not ticked at me I hope.  Its a pretty little creek and I caught a single pretty little fish.  I don't think Barren Fork is in danger of becoming the next Bennett Springs due to my little trip report.  

If anything, I'd like to see the wild creeks like this get more attention.  Not that I want to see cars parked there the next time I go . . .  selfishly, I want it all for myself.  But isn't that a narrow view?  particularly when it comes to protecting such rare resource like this for the long term?  It deserves at least SOME attention.  

I get what you're saying about the pinheads though.  But suppose its a pinhead who owns property on this creek and starts trashing it?

People need to expand their imagination of where to go and and how to fish and what to target, and in the end I think you become a better steward of wherever you prefer to go and fish.  Outlet #3 at Taney, yeah, I've done that once.    What else is there?  How do you challenge yourself and seek out a new adventure?  Is that 100th stringer of stockers you landed as thrilling as the first stringer?

99.9% of the people who trout fish in this state will never bother with a place like Barren Fork, . . . . and thats okay.  I've driven by it so many times, I'm glad I finally pushed myself to go and explore it, even for just a few minutes.

[mic]

12 hours ago, Al Agnew said:

Which is why I get so completely ticked off at the people who insist on publicizing small creeks and enticing more people to them.  Invariably, some of the people they bring to the creek are pinheads.  MDC has a vested interest in a LITTLE bit of publicizing a wild trout creek like Barren Fork, but even they should be a little circumspect about talking it up.

First... then why have a threads on them here if we can't talk about them.  Secondly... I buy my license and pay for my trout stamps to support DNR.  I would like to have knowledge of the public areas.  Thirdly.. my experience is this is overblown in Missouri.  Most people I talk to lost five flies in the trees and didn't catch anything or one four inch fish and never come back.  There is only a small group of people who like small creeks, got to hike to get anywhere, and fishing with flies.  Those creeks get more damage from road trash and locals to don't love it enough to enjoy it.  

[fishinwrench]

58 minutes ago, mic said:

First... then why have a threads on them here if we can't talk about them.  Secondly... I buy my license and pay for my trout stamps to support DNR.  I would like to have knowledge of the public areas.  Thirdly.. my experience is this is overblown in Missouri.  Most people I talk to lost five flies in the trees and didn't catch anything or one four inch fish and never come back.  There is only a small group of people who like small creeks, got to hike to get anywhere, and fishing with flies.  Those creeks get more damage from road trash and locals to don't love it enough to enjoy it.  

Totally agree.  Personally I have seen more places destroyed because not enough people were aware of them, than I have seen lost because too many people were aware of them.

[tjm]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

Personally I have seen more places destroyed because not enough people were aware of them, than I have seen lost because too many people were aware of them.

I'm lost here, how were places destroyed by people not going there?

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, tjm said:

I'm lost here, how were places destroyed by people not going there?

Abuse/destruction/pollution by farmers, nearby landowners, gravel pirates, road crews, ect.  that assume that nobody would notice.....and that nobody would care. 

The more FRIENDS a place has, the more oversight it has.  

I know that, especially around my area, places are posted "No Trespassing" by people that don't own, and don't even know who truly owns the property.   They'll even call the Sheriff and have you cited for trespass......when they have absolutely no authority to do so.   In many cases the law doesn't even check to see if the ones "reporting it" are even the owners.    It's total BS !     If you're cited for trespass and take it to court.....then the bona-fide OWNER should have to appear....... but they, nor anyone in their behalf, never does.   

The county just takes your money, and adds a mark to your "criminal record".....cuz they think you're stupid......and most folk are.   

If you are ever cited for trespass, make sure the prosecutor DOES HIS JOB !     You can do this by saying....."Hey, I talked to a guy that SAID he was the owner, and he gave me permission to be there......then here comes THIS GUY!     So now what? ". 

[tjm]

18 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

 If you're cited for trespass and take it to court.....then the bona-fide OWNER should have to appear....... but they, nor anyone in their behalf, never does.   

really? I've never been on either side of this, but I sure thought that only property owner/lessee could prosecute trespass and that any trespass citation had to go to court?  You may need to take that citation and receipt for the fine to  the state police for fraud investigation?

[fishinwrench]

40 minutes ago, tjm said:

really? I've never been on either side of this, but I sure thought that only property owner/lessee could prosecute trespass and that any trespass citation had to go to court?  You may need to take that citation and receipt for the fine to  the state police for fraud investigation?

No sir, the county prosecutor is who decides whether or not a crime was committed.   And they are quite often wrong....... or fail to have all of their facts straight.     

I can have you immediately removed from almost anyone's property, with nothing more than a phone call, and can possibly have you convicted of trespass, and fined, for being there.  Whether I have any authority to do so or not.   

Cops aren't ever going to give up their "We had a report of...."   path to rights infringement.   And by not doing so, opens doors.   Lots of them.   

We really need a cool lawyer on this forum 😁

[tjm]

21 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

We really need a cool lawyer on this forum

yeppers