President’s Message

 

      There have been some changes to the board since the last newsletter was published.  The most noteworthy change is that Bill Lamberson volunteered to take over the position of newsletter editor.  Thank you, Bill.  Bill had been vice president, so that position is currently vacant.  As vice president, Bill would have been the logical next president.  However, the position of newsletter editor is probably more important to the long term future of our chapter than is the office of president (After all, Millard Fillmore and I are proof that anyone can be president). 

 

      Jeff Bridges has moved on to Michigan and Bryan Chilcutt agreed to assume the duties of secretary, so we have a recording secretary again.  This leaves Bryan’s former board position (Conservancy) vacant.  Jim Washabaugh volunteered to be the webmaster for our chapter’s website, so look for positive changes in that area.  These changes mean that the officer position of vice president and the board position of Conservancy are currently vacant.  If any of you are interested in filling these positions until the election in November, please let me know as soon as possible.

      Bryan Chilcutt and Jeff Witten represented the chapter at Bass Pro’s Night with Conservation March 30.  John Wenzlick manned a table at the annual Day with Wildlife.  The Jeff Jr. High Sportsman’s Club used the chapter’s fly tying equipment and materials for a fly tying experience in early April.  Paul Hiene is using that same material to teach a fly tying class at the ARC April 23.  Thanks to those members who continue to volunteer their time and expertise to these sorts of activities.

 

      Spring is one of my favorite seasons for trout, bluegill, bass, and crappie fishing in Missouri.  I hope all of you get in the fishing you want to do before the heat/humidity of full summer arrive in force.  See you all at the May meeting.

 

Jon Deal. 

                       

April Chapter Business

 

A motion was made to accept the board’s recommendation for donating $3000 to the MCHF Cold Water Fund.  The motion was seconded and carried.

 

A motion was made to accept the board’s recommendation for a $300 expenditure for purchasing 20 copies of “A Good Day’s Fishing” by James Prosek to place in the libraries of Columbia’s elementary schools.  The motion was seconded and carried. The books will be placed in the libraries for next school year and will have a book plate noting they were donated by MMTU.

Bryan Chilcutt - Secretary

 

TU Duck Fishing

 

In an effort to expand opportunities for chapter members, the Mid-Missouri Chapter partially sponsored a trip to Michigan for three of its leaders to study catch and release duck fishing.  Chapter President Jon Deal, and members Bob Hook and Ken Scott, joined host and guide Ron Barch in Hastings, Michigan for a three day outing during the annual spring duck fishing season.  Although their host ably demonstrated the technique, (see photo below) the locals found the new sport surprising challenging.  Weather may have been an issue.  It is well known that duck hunting is best during “weather fit for ducks”, Deal commented, “The weather was lovely...actually too nice.  Bright sun all three days. Really more bluebird weather.”

 

If you want to give this new sport a try, appropriate tackle includes a moderately stiff 7 or 8 weight rod and a matching reel capable of holding at least 150 yards of backing.  The reel must have an adequate drag.  Subtlety is not an issue so shooting head lines are recommended.  Specialty duck shooting tapers are currently in development by major line manufacturers and may be available next season.  The ducks are not selective with respect to fly pattern, although it should be weighted.  Lead shot of course is strictly prohibited. 

 

A readily available opportunity for Mid-Missouri duck fishers may be the locally abundant population of Canada geese.  While this larger game has occasionally been fowl hooked by anglers seeking fishier quarry, they are seldom landed because of inadequate tackle.  It will be important to use enough rod when seeking the big birds.

 

Despite their lack of success in landing ducks, our local adventurers and their host had a good time.  Perhaps Carol Barch, Ron’s wife, after hosting the group on Sunday evening summed it up best by saying, "Ron, those guys are just as weird as you are".

 

The Missouri Department of Conservation received a copy of the "White River Minimum Flows Reallocation Study Report" from the Little Rock District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on August 9, 2004.  Based on a review of this document, the Department favors the National Economic Development (NED) plan (TR5) for Table Rock Lake.  This plan seems to be the lowest cost alternative for implementing a minimum flow plan while resulting in the least impact to hydropower, flood control and in-lake recreation. 

The NED Plan TR5 would authorize the reallocation of two (2) feet of storage from the conservation pool of Table Rock Lake to ensure a total instantaneous minimum flow discharge of 400 cfs (i.e. an increase of 280
cfs over that amount already released as leakage, house generation, and hatchery water supply).  In addition, efforts to improve habitat conditions in the tailwaters with enhanced minimum flows, including any
power generation facility modifications, should also include the latest technology to enhance dissolved oxygen in the water released.

It is the Department's position that fish and wildlife impacts have not been fully mitigated along the White River as a result of construction of the five multipurpose White River reservoir projects (e.g., Table Rock Lake).  Therefore, the Department feels strongly that minimum flows should be viewed as mitigation for the loss of aquatic habitat capable of supporting a native fishery, requiring all costs to be 100% federally funded, including the cost of storage.  A final decision on this subject will likely be made in the U.S. Congress in the near future.  Anglers, and angling-related businesses with an interest in the habitat conditions in Lake Taneycomo should voice their opinions on these proposals so that all affected parties can be heard before a final decision is made.