Too Far, Too Fast, Too Long

[Trav]

I feel your pain about the guilt of old pics. I have boxes of them where hundreds of pounds of fish a day came out of the waters.

[Daddy Carp]

Hey, I don't hold it against you "old guys" you didn't even make a dent in them. Now the factories with chemical polutants, the agies with chemical run off, the land developers in removing natural filters and the Gov. for managing the raising/lowering of lake & river levels that kill off millions of spawn each year......different story! Them I will not forgive!

Happy New Year to all!

[Trav]

I really dont feel guilty for very long, Haha, was fun catching them and eating them. Good memories

[jscheetz]

DC this was one of your more lucid rants. I think you are right with the concept of protecting the vibe of the "spirit" of fishing. I tend to get more obsessed with catching bigger and more fish when I am in a place like Taney, when you know they are there and it is expected to catch a ton of fish. That is why I like the little mountain streams and places where maybe 2 people have been all year - then I tend to not really care much about the fish but enjoy the place, which brings us back to what Thoreau said "Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."

JS

[Daddy Carp]

JS, Thanks for the response. It looks like you and I are pretty much of the same opinion as to what it takes to make an enjoyable fishing outing. It is possible there may be some variances caused by different generational concepts. You appear to be aprox. 30-40 yrs. This is a generation when competiveness became an important factor in almost any endeavor or undertaking. I think my generation was the responsible one for pushing that concept through preasure on our kids to be in all the sports and to be the best with no room for error. The Sat. back-lot-ball games were organized into "little leagues" and treated like it was "pro ball" with millions at stake. SORRY! That invironment created a possible subconcious preasure to always be the best, the winner and do what peers think & say. I think if you can learn to shut out the inner-feeling, that others are watching and judging all the time, you can better enjoy a day of 2 or 5 fish on Taney and call it a memory. The only one you have to compete with is yourself. The rest are so busy doing likewise or keeping track of everyone else, they won't even see what you're doing. No need to seclude for total enjoyment; Next time your on Taney and you start to feel like your "falling short" and we're watching to kibbits....Just hollar out real loud --- "darn it!! Trav, Carp, Caddis--keep your eyes on your own pole, I'm fishin my way with this one". Even if were not within hearing distance, you'll feel a whole lot better and the guy that had been crowding your area.....He'll give you plenty of room the rest of the day!! LOL Hey Pal, God Bless and have trophy catch.

[Project Healing Waters]

Yes, fewer and smaller fish are better than more and bigger. Slow boats with polluting 2-strokes are better than fast boats with much cleaner and quieter 4-strokes.

[Daddy Carp]

Yes, fewer and smaller fish are better than more and bigger. Slow boats with polluting 2-strokes are better than fast boats with much cleaner and quieter 4-strokes.

Ya right PHW, ROF-LMAO.....Any time you want to sell some of your smoke, something that good and potent should brin a fortune. Have a good one & catch something

[Daddy Carp]

Here is an article I came across on the MDC site. You may have seen it:

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Twin Pines Conservation Nature Center open, many events already on calendar

The new facility brings nature-centered crafts, games and outdoor activities to the heart of the Ozarks.

WINONA, Mo.-Southeast Missouri residents have a new educational and recreational resource in their back yard. Visitors to the heart of the Ozarks also might want to visit the newly opened Twin Pines Conservation Education Center (CEC) for a glimpse into the region’s natural and cultural history.

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It looks like they are trying to make a very good "hands-on" program aimed at students and educators as well as the gen. public. It appears that they focus on wildlife, birds and alot on the forest and the history on the Ozark Forest Lands. Interesting read if you have the time>