So, what are your associations and how do they work? Why do they exist? Is TPWD stocking not enough? Just curious is all.

I love my local lake of Bridgeport and i wonder if we should have something similar. Would like to give back to the lake in some way I guess.

The Ray Hubbard Assoc talked to the guys at Tawakoni that are in charge of their association. We all know what a great fishery Tawakoni is, big Hybrids and humongous Sandbass. We decided we would start a program like the LTSA and try to improve the fishing at Hubbard. We have not been at it long, starting on our 3rd year and we are just now beginning to see the growth from our work. Yes the TPWD stocks Hybrid fry but we are sticking fingerlings and the mortality rate is a lot better
Bottom line the RHSA is a group, which is always open to the public, is trying to make Hubbard as great of a fishery that Tawakoni is. We take donations, we sponsor family friendly tournaments, we have dock breakfasts periodically. At all of these there are prizes, giveaways, great food and most of all you get to network with all of the Hubbard regulars. We stay on top of the fishing. And don't mind sharing that information. When special events come up they are always posted here on the forum for everyone to be invited.
We would like to invite everyone that can make it to come out and see for yourself what a great group of guys and women represent the RHSA.

Interesting. So how many fish do you stock each year and at what cost (roughly)?

Someone has to help keep the lakes stocked when you've got professional guides doing this on a regular basis.

We are definitely going to start one up here and I've been talking to Oklahoma and Texas both on it.to answer the question on how much they cost fingerlings are roughly $.20-$.25 apiece and they are 2 to 4 inches long

Good for you Chris. Maybe you can get all the guides on Texoma to each kick in $0.25 each for every fish they kill during the year.

It's funny you say that Rex because we were thinking a lot more than that we were thinking more like a dollar each fish you kill because they have a 50% survival rate and 2 to 1 would be a nice gesture.I can't speak for everybody but I do know that me and the ones I know are going to donate.I have tried everything in my power to stay home by catching Sandbass and fishing for smallmouth and catching stripers I can and trying to release his many impossible but now the lake has went completely orange I'm just doomed and afraid I'm going to be forced to do it as well

Awesome idea.

Come on down Chris. Tawakoni would love to have you.

The question is, how does an organization like this get permission to stock whatever lake they choose? Who do you talk to? Bridgeport is a TRWD controlled lake. Do they give permission or TPWD?

The RHSA stocks 150k fingerlings at each stocking. So far we have had 2 stockings totally supported by the RHSA and again we have only been at it 3 years. Each stocking cost $10,000 dollars. Arkansas certified fish are suppose to be the heartiest and there are 2 strains of Hybrids. I do not know which one we order but one is suppose to be better than the other. We also try to coordinate the delivery of the fish with LTSA's delivery and we share that cost.
The TPWD dept. still stocks their annual or bi-annual amount. We are simply helping the process and in turn coaching members and friends on catch and release. There are plenty of sandbass in the lake to catch and eat.
I also think the state record or maybe it is the lake record is around 18lbs, so we know these 7-8 lb Hybrids that are being kept have a long growth period left in them.

This interests me also. I was first introduced to this type program when fishing with Matt C. at Twok. I quizzed him on it, and the concept seems good to me.

In for Bridgeport?

Maybe we can talk Keith, Jbobo and a couple of others into it as well.

My question is:
Do the stocking reports include the fish purchased by those 2 associations?

Yep, BPort, its handy at 17 miles away.