Just when I thought we might be in the clear. Flows on streams in Pierce County spiked again with last nights rain. Streams are running a bit wild this morning. More rain may be on the way.
Since my guide trip had to be cancelled this morning due to high flows I will try and catch you up a bit.
This years Eau Galle- Rush River Sportsman’s Club Trout Fishing Contest was won with a beautiful plump 18 3/4″, three pound, brown trout. The Pierce County Herald posts the winners and pictures each year and I have been tracking the fish since the 90’s that have won the contest over the years. Here is a story I wrote last year about it so you can get some perspective about the size of the fish that have one this contest in the past. http://graygoatff.wpengine.com/2013/05/05/run-baby-run/ I think this is a great tradition. I see more kids on the river than at any other time of the year. Teaching a kid to fish, no matter the method, and letting them discover the wonders of the river is the first step. Imparting sound conservation ethic is the follow-up.
Spring Conservation Congress Hearings-
IF YOU FISH TROUT IN WISCONSIN YOU SHOULD LOOK AT THIS !
As you may or may not know, The Conservation Congress is the only statutory body that advises the Department of Natural Resources on how to responsibly manage Wisconsin’s natural resources for present and future generations. They have open hearings every spring and fall to discuss possible changes to resource related regulation changes. The public (from any state) are allowed to vote on these proposed changes as advisement to the DNR.
There were 5 questions in regard to changes in stream trout fishing regulations. All the proposed changes attempt to provide YOU with additional trout fishing opportunities. Some involve the lengthening of season. The ideas for these proposals were based on science and/or surveys of trout anglers. I was invited by the DNR to take part in a Task Force to help craft these proposals. The meetings were filled with political and social issue discussions. In the end, I thought that the compromises and considerations made left the DNR with a sound science based set of proposals to provide all concerned with additional trout fishing opportunities.
Much to my surprise all but one of these proposals was voted down state wide. In Pierce County, where you fish, all of the proposals were voted down. I was blown away, again. Look at the results. They are questions 22-26. Spring Hearings You can view both state wide results and county results.
Pierce County has long been a hot bed of controversy over its trout fishing regulations. It is complicated. For over 20 years I have listened to the concerns of land owners, social and special interest groups, recreators and resource managers. On the bright side, there is a common thread. All are very protective of the resources. On the surface this is a positive. Below the surface it is murky. The difficulties of politics are apparent. However, there is a system in place for your voice to be heard(herd). For now, using the current system is the clearest path to enabling yourself the additional opportunities the DNR is offering up to trout anglers. I am encouraging you to take the time to use it. There will be more opportunities for the public to comment on these issues. I will get you the dates and mechanisms. This one is up to you. Yougottawanna.
8 users commented in " Here We Go Again! "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackSpeaking to the politics I’ve seen posts on other fishing forums where “catch and release” opportunities are viewed as preferential treatment. Some will even go as far as claiming it’s “unconstitutional”. I see all of the non-harvest expansion proposals were voted down.
JL
Yes, I believe you are correct. I do believe the heart of the matter lies between the concept of harvest, and/or the opportunity to take part legally in the act of fishing and catching, without harvesting. I am always interested hearing these opinions and I would appreciate it if you would share some of these sites. Not sure about the constitutionality issue but as you know there are no lack of opinions on the forum boards.
For me, I can happily sit in both camps. Born from a family heavy with Wisconsin fishing tradition, I learned important lessons from my grandfather and father. Before passing, both realized that the limit harvesting practice (and above, in some instances) they took in their youth, probably caused the demise of the walleye and perch populations in the family lake. Their thoughts on this practice evolved as they saw the results. In later years, the practice of fishing became more about being on the water with friends and family and showing me the ropes on how to be successful at angling, while also imparting the knowledge that the resources were in fact limited. At no time did they instruct me against harvest. We practiced both harvest and release, with no pressure on one or the other. They allowed me their knowledge and let me decide for myself. Today, the river is a place I love to be. Fishing is one of many activities that I partake in, but not the only one. I have no issues with harvest and eat trout on occasion on the same day they are caught. I do practice release on the vast majority of the trout that I catch. The activity of fishing for me is not exclusively tied into harvest.
The lesson learned is that both conservation and harvest are important responsibilities and tools to be used by both anglers and fisheries managers to sustain healthy trout populations. Science proves out what direction management needs to pursue to protect these valuable resources.
I see they voted “yes” on extending the trout season to October 15th. A couple of questions you might be able to answer:
Would that regulation go into effect next season? Would that be a statewide regulation or could that regulation be different depending on which county you fish in?
Thanks!
No, not next year. The process is 3 years long. These proposals, if approved, would go into effect 2016. It would be state wide I believe. There are still things to be hashed out. Remember, at this point these are only proposals.
Andy,
I’m pretty alligned with your take. With the learning curve, fly fishing takes a decent commitment on the part of the fisherman. It makes sense to me they generally have a more balanced approach on the fishery. I’m sure the same goes with Musky fisherman. The State is in a pretty unenviable position. They obviously would like to create more fishing opportunities while still maintaining and/or improving the fisheries. It’s got to be a tough balancing act with respect to harvest. I’m reminded about manufacturing with respect to: quality, price or time. You can get one, might be able to get two but you can’t get all three.
Yup
What is the purpose of the no fishing week prior to the state fishing opener. It’s probably the stupidest fishing regulation I’ve ever heard of!
Sixex
The week long closure was implemented when the early catch and release season was put into place in the late 1990’s. Because of the complicated social issues regarding harvest and non-harvest philosophies, land owners and special interest groups, the “week long closure” regulation was born in order to allow the early trout season to even exist. This divergence in philosophies has again appeared with the new DNR non-harvest regulation proposals. Realistically, the system is in place in Wisconsin to allow for more non-harvest opportunities. However, enough of those anglers are just not showing up to make their voices heard when the opportunity for public comment or voting arises. The plain and simple truth is that this is an election. The election of new trout angling proposals/opportunities. The vote is based on the users of the resources and more importantly who shows up to vote. IF YOU FISH FOR TROUT IN WISCONSIN, YOU ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE. Admittedly I have missed opportunities to vote in the past where I thought my vote would not be needed. I ended up kicking myself. Don’t end up kicking yourself. Vote and comment when the opportunity arises. I will keep you updated.
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