Gordon Proctor wouldn't have stood for this.

[Phil Lilley]

Brian- You're blessed to be able to fish that area every day - be there to pick up trash - THANK YOU for that!!  All of us appreciate your efforts.  Thank you for talking to people about the regs and even helping anglers by showing them the right way to catch fish.  You have years of experience - again - you are a blessed man for having that opportunity for most of your life.

You know our situation - we have 2 agents per county.  MDC isn't picking on us (Taney).  It's how it is.  It's a big machine - everybody wants their piece of the pie protected.  

Fact is when the water doesn't run, more ppl fish below the dam.  More chances to poach.  When the water runs, less chance.  

I've talked to the agents - they say when they're patrolling Taney below the dam with the water off, they can start at one end and write tickets as they go down the bank.  And when they get to the end, they can go back up and start over and keep writing them.  It's endless.  It doesn't stop.  That's the way it is and that's the way it's been since the dam was built.  It's the way it was in the mid 70's when there are huge rainbows being caught on roe during the spawn.  And we still have one of the best trout fisheries.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I have read the above response 13 times... each time harder to understand that everyone just accepts what is happening.

Seeing as how I cannot do those things - why are others ?

[tjm]

Quote

Branson, MO receives over 9 million visitors each year

and a population of 13,000?  that's an average  of 24,657 foreigners per day or about  twice the population. all wanting to throw something away. I'm only surprised that you can still find the river/lake under all the plastic straws and gum wrappers.

I'd help you pick stuff up and cuss the miscreants if I was close enough to be able to fish there, but given the distance and high quality roads of the region I can reach three other states easier than I can get there. Phil says you are  lucky to have that kind of fishing every day and he may be right, since he has it too.

Was Gordon Proctor a somebody that we should all know? The name rings no bells for me?

[tjm]

9 hours ago, Brian K. Shaffer said:

harder to understand that everyone just accepts what is happening.

Have you got any specific ideas about how to fix the problem? Perhaps get Branson Police Department involved? several times per day? Highway Patrol? 

Sometimes it's hard to know the difference between what can be changed and what must be accepted, I can't see any way that most of us can change that situation.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

https://forums.ozarkanglers.com/topic/33397-m-d-c-film-for-you-trouters/

 

 

[ollie]

Brian, I admire you for your efforts and commend you for them. I just gave up years ago. I used to be in charge of the stream team down here on Hickory Creek. Key word there is "used" to be. After cleaning up all day along the stream only to go back the next day and see more trash just finally weighed on me and I decided I can't anymore. I think the one that really got me was going down there the next day and seeing a guy throw a beer can into the creek right in front of me with no regards. I asked him why? His response was, "oh, there are some people who come through here and clean up every so often, so I don't worry about it". Needless to say, I was livid at that point. This was the next to last clean-up I was involved with. That is small scale compared to what you are talking about as well.

[fshndoug]

Brian it doesn't do much good calling the poaching hotline. It seems every time that I call all you hear is I will pass the information along Most of the time the violators have long since gone by the time an agent would arrive any how. What needs to be done is very large sign with the regs on them with a list of possible fines at all the common upper access points by the cable ,wood steps ,below the toilet building and the upper boat ramp. And people please don't tell me there are signs up already because they are not the type I'm suggesting. I seldom see an agent down there writing tickets for violations.

 

 

[trythisonemv]

On 7/8/2023 at 3:22 PM, Ryan Miloshewski said:

I think a big issue is it's the easiest and most accessible area to fish in the area for people visiting. They don't read the rules, or feel the need to, they just want to fish while on vacation. Don't get me wrong some of the locals are just as bad, but the majority of the infractions and lack of respect I've seen are from people who have no clue. Most of the folks take very kindly to correction. I usually say "do what you want, but *insert rule or suggestion*." Of course there are always the people who don't care. 

The trash is a product of society. Disrespect for the resource is way easier than respect. Lisa Beumer said there was an agent down there last night in plain clothes wading. I was checked a couple Sundays ago on the water by Chris. I hope it becomes a regularity. 

Couldn't agree more milo... people are a holes and lack ethically direction. I always tell idiot people they are breaking the law... 70 percent sa I had no idea... 30 say f you 

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I stopped by the Missouri Department of Conservation Branson office and spoke with Shane Bush.

He has assured me that help is on the way. The Branson Police Dept agreed as well.

We can expect big changes - visible - and otherwise.

________________________________________________________________________________

Gordon Proctor was a past hatchery manager long ago when the bait rules changed.

He lived in the hatchery managers house, and he didn't take no guff.

Many thanks to all - humbly, Brian