Fishing Forum

I've been busy all summer building a 35' pontoon boat to accommodate wounded warriors and children with disabilities in their wheelchairs.One day a week during the summer I strive to take a veteran fishing to fill my need to be on the water and to says "Thank you" to a veteran or two.I use my 22' center console for this. This week-end was typical except the vet I had a board has been helping with the big boat on his days off. This was my way of saying thanks for not only serving our country, but helping with the boat project as well

We left the dock at Oasis at dawn. 28 Degrees of biting cold with water temp of 57. under blue skies and no wind. A promise of a beautiful day.

We began our search working the shoreline casting Rapalas with the electric trolling motor quietly doing its job. The first fish came to the net after 30 minutes, Not a big fish, about 5 pounds, but a promise of a good day.

Six hours later when we quit for the day, we had put 14 northern in the net and lost 3 others. Two of the pike were small, 14"ers and the others ran from 5 to 10 or 12 pounds, not big but good fish. The big trophy fish had eluded us but it was still a great day with perfect conditions.

I have fished Yuba for many years and have caught a great many trophy fish as well as had many and many days without a bite. When the big (15 to 25 pound) fish began to get rare as everyone was killing them, I whined at the DWR to put a slot on them to protect this great fishery to no avail.

After 2 or 3 years of good spawning conditions, it appears that the reservoir has a healthy population of 1, 2 and 3 year class pike,with a few giants as well, but few other game fish.

Although Yuba can be finicky at times she can measure up to the best Pike waters in the country when conditions are right. Why go to the east when there is great fishing here?

I am even more convinced that a slot needs to be in place and anglers encouraged to kill and consume the fish under 26 inches to maintain a trophy fishery. It would be a shame to lose this great northern pike fishery and end up with a lake full of stunted hammer heads.

I encourage you to go catch some pike before the reservoir freezes up, they are good table fare and worthy fighters on light tackle.

If you are a disabled veteran and would like to join me fishing for a day at no cost, please call me and we will get something scheduled.
Captain Steve Henline, Hand in Hand Outdoors 801 592 7809
[signature]

Good for you Steve. I am sure the fishing gods and all of the other gods are smiling down on you.
[signature]

I personally use your suggested "keep" zone for pike. I'll keep one up to about 28" -- but anything over goes back in the water.

Glad to hear it is still good biting down there. I have one more boat trip down to Yuba on the rotation before ice.
[signature]

I spoke to some locals that live in Levan and have been fishing Yuba for over 10 years. One of the guys even has his pic in the Seqouia store of his monster pike. He had concerns about the pike population.....especially the 6 limit.

From what he told me he spoke with the DNR several times only to hear that they didn't care about the pike. He said he was told that they care more about the carp, perch, and other game species as they wanted a family fishery where everyone would get a chance at fish.

I personally would be up for any reg that would help boost the population and help the size of the pike at the same time. That could be done in several ways and I would be open to what the DNR would say would be the best method to accomplish this goal.
[signature]

[quote TyeDyeTwins]

I personally would be up for any reg that would help boost the population and help the size of the pike at the same time. That could be done in several ways and I would be open to what the DNR would say would be the best method to accomplish this goal.

[/quote]

I would love to hear some of the ways that could be accomplished. One typically either has one or the other but not both.
[signature]

5lb pike make me a happy camper.

Just waiting for my 40+ incher!!!![:p]
[signature]

It's unfortunate, but there is no management plan for Yuba and there hasn't been for many years.

Many states manage for Pike and trophy trout together, there are countless lakes in the mid-west and Canada that have tremendous walleye and trout fisheries that have northerns as well. Conditions may, indeed, be different, but the fact is the DNR has done little or nothing that I am aware of and I have had countless conversations with the Dept..

If they plant trout in the reservoir the pike eat them, if they plant walleye....the same fate.

I don't profess to know the answers, but until they do something different......Its a northern pike fishery and a very good one. Take advantage of it. Northerns are great table fare as well as superb fighters.

If nothing is going to be done due to numerous conditions and politics involved with water rights, etc, manage the fishery they have. Without slots or someother methodology Yuba will follow the fate of other lakes and turn into a water with countless small northerns and little else.

My object is not to criticize the DNR. they work hard and have acheived tremendous results to make Utah a better place to fish. Drew Cushing and his staff should be congratulated for their ongoing work and successes.

lets enjoy what we have here in Central Utah, but use common sense in what we release and what we kill.
I too have instilled my own slot. I will kill and eat any pike under 26'. The only bigger fish I will kill will be a state record or one that has no chance to survive releasing.

As anglers, we are the constituants and we have the right to express our opinions as to how the states fisheries should be mangaged and we are encouraged to do so by the DWR. Our input plus sound biology will determine what our children will have as opportunity in the future. Good fishing to one and all of Utah. I will see you on the water. Captain Steve Henline. Hand in Hand Outdoors, a non-profit organization
[signature]

SALUTE to you pezvela on reaching out to the community to provide wounded warriors and handicap children with a wonderful opportunity to have a memory making trip fishing.

I would recommend being very persistent on your desire to have a slot on Northern Pike in Yuba considered. Meaning constant e-mails providing justifiable rationale. Is Yuba considered a Blue Ribbon Fishery? If so this would help I would think but thats just me.

When was the last time Yuba had a gill net or electro shocking survey done by the DWR to get a feel for the abundance and variety of fish? Has any type of creel survey or any survey been done by the DWR wrt the fish species consideration at Yuba. How does the DWR feel about Yuba and what are the angling potentials the state would like for that body of water? As you indicated there hasn't been a management plan for Yuba in years. So recommend you asking DWR to include a survey management question on Pike in Yuba for next year if the DWR has a survey again.

Fish get big for a reason its called selective harvesting no matter the species of fish. And that is dependent on the angler. Until something is put in the guidebook folks will keep a big Pike as its the biggest fish they've ever caught even if it is say 35"....catching a fish over 40" and for us over 45" pushing 50" does one 'really' get the true meaning of a trophy fish. Until something is put in the guidebook on Yuba its up to anglers to educate other anglers on why fish get big.

Here's a good read from Minnesota on Northern Pike Management that I'm sure you may already have read. Note what it states about Growing big Northern pike

[url "http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish/northern/management.html"]http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish/norther ... ement.html[/url]

One thing I've learned is persistence, persistence, persistence including having other anglers voice this same persistence. Can't hurt as all you can do is keep pressure on and don't give up.
[signature]

Another question that comes to mind is. Does Yuba have a minimum pool level set in place to help protect the fish throught the winter months?

Without this no regulations will help if the level gets drawn down to low on dry year cycles.
[signature]

Especially if you not sleeping in the tent on a freezing night. [laugh] [] []
[signature]

There is NOT a conservation pool at Yuba Res. Funny thing is I just talked to the VP of the Deseret Irrigation Co. yesterday and he reported that IPP owns 85% of the water in Yuba. They use the reservoir for storage but if they need the last drop they will take it.
[signature]

That sucks big time!!!!
[signature]

I didn't mean to take away from this post with yuba facts.... GOOD ON YA PEZFELA TAKING VETS FISHING!!!!!!!
[signature]

Thank you for your kind words. A little bit about the boat; Her name is Freedoms Dream. She is specifically built to accommodate wheel chairs. She is 35 foot long with a 10' beam pontoon hull, 200hp Outboard. half canopy, Rigged to fish. State of the art electronics, fish cleaning station, rod racks, all USCG safety equipment, etc. downriggers, rod racks for 12 rods, tackle storage drawers, etc. A handicapped marine toilet will be finished after her sea trials
She can carry 6 wheelchairs and seat 12 additionally with a licensed captain and mate.
We built her from the pontoons up and it has taken 6 months, but now she nears completion. I hope to have her on the water next week for sea trials.
NO veteran or child with disabilities will ever pay a dime to be on board. We will need volunteers to help when we are on the water fishing. If you are interested in helping when we begin, please let me know.
When she is finished in the next few days I will post pictures of her if anyone would like to see her.
Captain SteveHenline 801 592 7809
[signature]

I can't wait to see this monstrous pontoon. A nice finishing touch would be the U.S. flag in the starboard rear side, just a thought. You will be providing some people a fishing dream come true that's for sure.
[signature]

Wow Steve sounds like you've been busy since you left the point. Thats really awesome that you are building a boat to take the vets fishing. I will be excited to see a picture of it.
[signature]

Way to go Steve!
[signature]

Hi Pikeman,
I missed seeing you at the Powell this summer. Here is a couple of pic's of the boat (Freedoms Dream) She would have been finished today except for the graphics, but since its snowing she'll have to wait a day or two.
As I noted earlier, we built her to accommadate vets and children in wheelchairs, but of course, she will not be limited to those individuals. The horrors of war often leave invisable scars.
I've put my mission statement below so you'll see what we strive to acheive. Thanks for your kind words. I might be calling you to help. God knows it going to take some to accomplish this dream. Warmest regards, Steve

[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[center][font "Calibri"][#0000ff]Hand in Hand Outdoors, Inc[/#0000ff][/font][/center]
[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[center][font "Calibri"][#0000ff]A not for profit organization[/#0000ff][/font][/center]
[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]Mission statement [/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]To provide opportunity forunderprivileged and disabled children and veterans to experience outdooractivities to enhance their lives through education, experience and directparticipation in fishing, boating, shooting and camping. [/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]Goals [/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]To build partnerships withorganizations and individuals that share this goal in order to provide maximumaccessibility to those we seek to serve through: education, awareness,participation and activities. [/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]Education: Conservation iscritical to the goals of Hand in Hand Outdoors, Inc. Children are important asfuture stewards of the land and waterways, assisting them understand theseissues allows them to be part of the solution and is a foundation of a lifetimeof conservation and enjoyment of outdoor activities that can enrich theirlives. [/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]Awareness of the conservationchallenges that face all of us is a goal we foster through both education anddirect participation in outdoor activities. [/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]Vision [/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]Children: Our nation’s greatestasset is her children. Unfortunately many, by no fault of their own because ofcolor, disabilities or simply underprivileged will never know the wonder of theoutdoor world around them. Hand in Hand Outdoors’ mission to take thesechildren aboard our vessels, manned by our professional captains and staff toshare with them these simple things that bring so much gratification to us;fishing, boating. To educate them about the environment, their cultures, themeaning of stewardship of the land, the air and the waterways. [/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]To provide both veterans, disabledveterans their families as well as children (both disabled andunder-privileged), through cooperative partnerships, the opportunities toparticipate in outdoor events, such as boating, fishing, hunting, shooting andcamping in a safe and emotional gratifying manner to enrich the life’s of thosewho might otherwise not have this opportunity. [/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]Specifics [/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]Veterans: The debt we as anation and our local communities owe to those who wear our nation’s uniformscan never be paid. Hand in Hand Outdoors’ mission to provide those service menand women with resources to enrich their lives through participation in theoutdoors with guided fishing, boating, camping, hunting and shooting sports.This is achievable by using our own staff and fleet of boats and partneringwith others that have the same passion to make this worthwhile goal achievable.[/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#0000ff][size 3][/size][/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]Captain Steve Henline (Founder) [/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]329 North 300 West[/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]Spanish Fork, UT 84660[/#0000ff][/font]
[font "Calibri"][#0000ff]801 592 7809henlinesteve@yahoo.com[/#0000ff] [/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[signature]

Just following your trail Robbie. Thanks for the kind words. Come down and see the boat when you get a chance. She's going on the water very soon for her sea trials. I'd like you to be aboard if you can. Thank you for what you do with your organization. Regards, Steve
[signature]