An Ozark Imposter

[WestCentralFisher]

4 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I wouldn’t give too much info on this site or any other for that matter.  Unless you want company.    I think people vastly underestimate how much internet scouting goes on.   Your post here has already received over 700 views.  

Yeah, I get it. I won't name the stream. 

It flows into one of the large reservoirs in the Osage watershed. That narrows it down to probably a dozen or so streams that roughly match my description (if not more), which I don't think is enough info for anyone who isn't so dedicated that they'll probably stumble upon it anyway.

[fishinwrench]

In this day/age some streams actually need more friends. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

2 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

In this day/age some streams actually need more friends. 

The problem is the not so friendly people.   Unfortunately.  

[WestCentralFisher]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

In this day/age some streams actually need more friends. 

I think there is truth to that. But you have to be careful on who. 

One of my formative experiences as a fisherman was telling a family member about a small pond that officially speaking was a fishless pond, but in reality very much was not. I'd been releasing the fish I caught since it was so small and I only requested if he acted on my info that he consider doing the same.

He responded to that information by taking his buddy the next weekend and filling a giant cooler to the brim. It was a very small pond, basically an oversized pothole. The fishing never recovered from what they did that day at least until I moved out og the area.

Ever since, I'm very careful naming any small body of water that isn't already marginally on the radar. Even to family.

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, WestCentralFisher said:

I think there is truth to that. But you have to be careful on who. 

One of my formative experiences as a fisherman was telling a family member about a small pond that officially speaking was a fishless pond, but in reality very much was not. I'd been releasing the fish I caught since it was so small and I only requested if he acted on my info that he consider doing the same.

He responded to that information by taking his buddy the next weekend and filling a giant cooler to the brim. It was a very small pond, basically an oversized pothole. The fishing never recovered from what they did that day at least until I moved out og the area.

Ever since, I'm very careful naming any small body of water that isn't already marginally on the radar. Even to family.

There's a big difference between a feeder stream and an isolated pond.   

Streams without enough people to love them can suffer badly from gravel dredging, chemical spills, and any number of things.   Your stream has a lifeline of migratory fish, all it needs is enough people that treasure it, to ensure its lasting health. 👍