If You Could Interject Any Species

[Trav]

Typically, I use 10# for pretty much everything. I jig 25 to 40 foot holes with swarming hornets, lil georges, or even 1/2 oz spinner baits that I modified with a 5 inch sluggo instead of a skirt.

I have caught alot of big ones but my biggest didnt even hit 15 pounds. Those records have to be down there somewhere though.

I might have to steal a bunch of 8 inch rainbows from the hatchery and drop them in those holes. Maybe that will pick up a 20+ brownie. Haha

[SKMO]

Not really wishy washy....its all about money.

Has it ever occurred to anyone that it is not "all about money"?

Has no one here read the staggering statistics about the decline in the fisherman / fisherwoman population? More so the overall decilne of general outdoors activities; hunting, fishing, hiking, etc.

Could it just be possible that MDC is catering to and responding to a group of people who enjoy and appreciate their only known outdoor experience: fishing for and catching and Heaven Forbid eating a few fish. The trout fishery is pretty artificial, but so is everything related to the reservoir fisheries. In fact the only legit "way it was" fishing is being done in the rivers. All the rest of us are hangers on and hypocrites when we start to preach "Fisheries Management" and what is "right".

We as a society are losing our connetivity to all things related to the outdoor world. Our kids are not having the exposure and experiences we had.... generally.

It's not about money, it's about preserving a heritage, and I think MDC (though not perfect) is doing an admirable job of trying to recruit new outdoor "users". I do not think it's anything to do with $ coming in, it's about their recognition that we need more people connected at all levels. That 12 year old kid with the Zebco outfit, and his peers, will be making our resource decisions in a very few years.

I had the opportunity to hear Richard Louv speak about 6 months ago. http://richardlouv.com/ One thing that struck me and I will never forget is a quote from a youngster who stated "I cannot play outside because there are no electrical outlets there".

That is where we are headed. Actually that is where we are now. We need to turn it aound and if it means more and easier fish to cach in an "artificial environment" so be it, let's start from here.

Now we can go on discussing what you and I want to catch in our favorite waters and what weight line to use.

[bigredbirdfan]

Gentlemen and Ladies (because I know there are some on the forum).

You might luck out and land one of these 20# plus browns with 10# line maybe if you are extremely lucky given the debris in the water now.

I have my doubts. I think you need some 50# line to catch a world record fish in this lake. I would venture to guess a fly rod won't be what lands the newest record in lake Taneycomo.

As for Big Brown Trout Arkansas has had the world record 40lbs 4 ozs for 16 years and Taneycomo or all of Missouri has yet to yield a trout anywhere close to that. 26 lbs 13 ozs is not close. That throws in all of the other brown trout water in the world hands down.

[Trav]

Bman caught a 16# Brown on a fly rod.

And I watched guys pull in 60# tarpon down in Panama with fly rods.

I have pulled in 30 pound stripers with 10# test, and there are tons of record fish caught on 4 and 6# test.

[bigredbirdfan]

Bman caught a 16# Brown on a fly rod.

And I watched guys pull in 60# tarpon down in Panama with fly rods.

I have pulled in 30 pound stripers with 10# test, and there are tons of record fish caught on 4 and 6# test.

You are correct sir on the Tarpon. But keep in mind that they are targeting fish that size and expect them.

I don't think that most of the guys below the dam count on that fish 20 lbs plus nor do I think fish world record size are even up there. I agree with you that they feed on stocker rainbows and are probably further down Fall creek on down waiting to be stocked themselves.

Have you also seen fish break off your 10# line??

[drew03cmc]

You are correct sir on the Tarpon. But keep in mind that they are targeting fish that size and expect them.

I don't think that most of the guys below the dam count on that fish 20 lbs plus nor do I think fish world record size are even up there. I agree with you that they feed on stocker rainbows and are probably further down Fall creek on down waiting to be stocked themselves.

Have you also seen fish break off your 10# line??

here is a question, since you are playing the "in theory" game. What kind of tackle was the current world record brown caught on?

Ultralight spinning gear with 4# monofilament line.

Also, you obviously have never hooked a big catfish or carp on your fly rod while bluegill fishing, have you? You can land any fish if you can maintain 1# of pressure on the fish. Eventually the fish will get bored and give in. Now, is that the most humane thing to do? No, but who is to say you should not keep a 40# brown, as he is near the end of his lifetime anyway? Now, during the fall, you can definitely have an honest shot at a 15+# brownie. In fact, there have been fish seen in upper Taney that are longer than the World Record.

SKMO wrote:"Has it ever occurred to anyone that it is not "all about money"?

Has no one here read the staggering statistics about the decline in the fisherman / fisherwoman population? More so the overall decilne of general outdoors activities; hunting, fishing, hiking, etc."

Ok, you are right, there number of licenses is going down. We know this, we have discussed this. However, the one thing I have to say to your entire statement, is this: Why then, if it is not about money, would the MDC adamantly oppose the introduction of an apex predator to Taney or ANY other trout water in the state? The trout programs are their cash cow, that is where a VERY large sum of their money comes from. Doubt me, ask them.

This entire thread was about interjecting one species that is not already there, or enhancing the population of one species that is currently there.

[bigredbirdfan]

If Taneycomo Rainbow is all about the money then why don't they require a daily trout tag below the dam? Sounds like the best way to raise a couple of thousand dollars each day anyway.

Or is this some kind of Branson Tourism and MDC conspiracy we don't know about?

[Danoinark]

Here are the reasons...it was a mitigating factor between the COE, State, and other agencies. Its the same with the entire White River system.

http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2001/04/10.htm

[Greg]

One of the MO state record trout caught several years ago was caught on a fly rod I believe. I can't remember if it was a rainbow or a brown and the record may have since been broken but I'm sure it was caught on a fly. You probably have a better chance of catching a really big trout in the lower lake on spinning or baitcasting tackle but us fly guys catch some big ones at times too.

I've seen plenty of really big trout in the upper lake over the last few years. They tend to hide and not be visible during the daytime but come dusk they really start coming out.

Are we approaching the longest OAF thread ever with this one?

Greg

[drew03cmc]

It is not a conspiracy, but the reason you do not have to pay to fish for trout, is the presence of some other fish there in the same water. You could on one cast catch a rainbow, and the next catch a white bass or walleye. You never know. I, for one, feel that if they wanted to grow more LARGE trout there, they need to find a way to control things like the rock snot and things of that nature that impede the natural food chain which caused the large fish to begin with. Scuds, sowbugs, small nymphs all live among the gravel and rocks, but cannot escape the crap.