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[cool] [#0000ff]After my failed cru e to get the perch blockade removed from Yuba, and learning more about the process for getting changes made in the regulations, I have become more active in "the process". Part of that includes attending meetings and getting involved with Utah angling organizations.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Last Tuesday I attended my first Rocky Mountain Anglers meeting. Low attendance but some good discussion.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yesterday (Thursday) I sat in on the Utah Anglers Coalition meeting at the DWR offices on North Temple from 4 PM to 6 PM and then trucked down to the Stonefly Society meeting in Midvale from 7 PM to 9 PM. Whew![/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Roger Wilson and Walt Donaldson of the DWR fisheries program were present at both meetings yesterday. They outlined some of the new things that are coming down the pike for Utah anglers. The new proclamation will be out soon and will outline most of that, but here are some excerpts from the discussion, as well as I can remember them without notes:[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]State Parks will allow half price entry for anglers during the week just by showing a fishing license. NO Saturdays or Sundays.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]New/reconditioned hatcheries will be coming on line soon and will add 50% to the amount of trout to be available for stocking over the next couple of years.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]DWR has approval and a budget for adding to their fisheries staff. A new position/person will be responsible for warm water fisheries, urban fishing and public education.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]DWR is actively looking for potential sites to set up a warm water fish hatchery...a first for Utah.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]DWR is concerned about the decline in license sales over the past few years and is aggressively exploring every possible avenue to increase angler opportunities and to rekindle interest in fishing. They are open to ideas and suggestions. I have a whole list of new recommendations that I am going to present at the next May RAC meetings and will also be printing and distributing to angler groups in advance...to avoid "blindsiding" DWR.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]According to Roger Wilson, one of the biggest concerns at DWR fisheries right now is LACK OF HARVEST. There is more of a "Catch and Release Mentality" among Utah anglers on some waters and that has resulted in overpopulation and stunting of some fisheries. DWR is preparing a list of some of the waters in which more harvest is requested.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As I get more involved in the workings of the Utah fishing scene, I will try to keep BFTers aware of what's going down. I will also be encouraging more of you to attend some of the meetings and to make your voices heard. Right now, the hunting groups are far better organized and vocal than anglers. If we want some changes made, we have to go through the process and convince the appropriate agencies and people that there is a good reason to make the changes.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I will be offline most of the day today (goin' fishin') so if I do not respond to any responses until later, tough stuff.[/#0000ff]
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Well done Pat. Let us know how we can help.
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Thanks for the info, and thanks for taking the time to try to make a difference. No matter what TubeBabe says, you are a pretty good guy ]
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[black][size 3]Hey Thanx Pat ![/size][/black]
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[size 3]I'm glad at least one real angler showed up for the smoke and mirror show.[/size]
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[black][size 3]You wrote:[/size][/black]
[size 1][#0000ff]According to Roger Wilson, one of the biggest concerns at DWR fisheries right now is LACK OF HARVEST. There is more of a "Catch and Release Mentality" among Utah anglers on some waters and that has resulted in overpopulation and stunting of some fisheries. DWR is preparing a list of some of the waters in which more harvest is requested.[/#0000ff] [/size]
[black][size 3]Somehow, when I combine the above statement with the Yuba Perch situation, Most of what I hear is a little political DWR double speak.[/size][/black] [black][size 3]If they want harvest, why not let a little harvest happen ?[/size][/black]
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Great report, I'm glad that someone who is as interested in fishing as you are, takes the time to voice an opinion where it may do some good.
The information on new happenings is of interest to everyone, and better yet, sounds like the State has some plans to improve the current conditions.
Utah does have some great fishing for a "dry" state. When you compare it to other states that have so few waters, I think that Utah does quite well.
I have several out of state friends who would give anything for the chance to catch the hugh macs we have available at the gorge. And if it's numbers of good fish someone is looking for, you can see by recent postings, that Strawberry is giving up some great fishing.
Good job Pat.
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great news for the half price entry during the week, that suits me just fine, sence I work weekends and fish mondays and tuesdays.
it will be good to get those old hatcheries back up and running.
hey Pat, sounds like the DWR has a job waiting for you.
later chuck
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Would you post meeting dates and times? I'm pretty lazy about keeping up on those kinds of things, but I check this site pretty much every day. A reminder a day or two in advance might actually be enough to get me to a meeting.
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[cool]Nice job, Pat. I'm guessing that the number of licenses has declined due in part to the "new" regulations at 'da berry. I've heard some old timers tell me that they don't want to fish it anymore "since you can't really keep anything." Old habits die hard I guess. There's still that mentality in this state that if you can't take 8 15 inch trout home with you, then "it ain't worth it." People like that don't realize that it's folks just like them that screwed up the fishery anyway because there weren't any cut's left that were big enough to eat the chubs in there, that (probably) same type of guy took live chubs there to use as bait in the first place, thus re-introducing chubs back in the lake.
Sorry, just had to vent a little. O.k., off my soapbox I go.
On a different note, I'm glad to hear that they are getting a warm water hatchery going. It will be nice to get more bass, Wipers, walleye, bluegills, crappies (and whatever else they plan on raising in there) into our warmwater fisheries, like Utah Lake, Willard, Pineview, etc...
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One of the organizations for those of you interested in strawberry is the Strawberry Anglers Association. Membership fee is $10.00 a year. They meet on the first Tuesday of each month, except December. Next meeting Jan. 2. Each month they have a speaker. Last month was Alan Ward Head of the Strawberry project. His talk was on the state of the lake. Members are always asked to help with gill net surveys, planting of fish and other projects. I have helped with the gill nets and also planting of fish.
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[#ff0000]TUBEDUDE FOR PRESIDENT!!!!![/#ff0000][#000000] Good on ya pat. You're what the angling community has needed. [/#000000]
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While your at it, have them raise fish that don't care what color of lure or shape they will eat.
Good work on the other stuff.[cool]
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[#0000ff]State Parks will allow half price entry for anglers during the week just by showing a fishing license. NO Saturdays or Sundays.[/#0000ff]
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So if I go wakeboarding on a weekday and show my fishing licence is it still half price? No hissing, booing, or throwing rotten fruit please![cool]
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Great report, I would have liked to have attended the Stonefly meeting myself, but work (as usual) nailed me down. A couple comments,
[size 1][#0000ff]"DWR is actively looking for potential sites to set up a warm water fish hatchery...a first for Utah."[/#0000ff][/size]
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This is excellent news! I would imagine this will enable the division to more easily provide popular warmwater fish species like wipers and tiger muskies at a lower cost and greater availability. It was my understanding however, that there was already a "warmwater' hatchery by Lake Powell.
[size 1][#0000ff]According to Roger Wilson, one of the biggest concerns at DWR fisheries right now is LACK OF HARVEST. There is more of a "Catch and Release Mentality" among Utah anglers on some waters and that has resulted in overpopulation and stunting of some fisheries. DWR is preparing a list of some of the waters in which more harvest is requested.[/#0000ff] [/size]
I guess they gave the Green river below FG as an example (too many snakey browns) but did they provide any other specific examples or species? Very interesting stuff. Some may not know this, but the current proclamation already has a list of waters where the DWR is asking for more angler harvest.
Anyway, thanks for the report and good luck on the water today. It looks like a great day to be out.
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[cool][#0000ff]Bad form to reply to my own post, but I need to reply to several inquiries.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]First, I will become an active member of both UAC and RMA after the first of the year. As such, I can invite others and I can post meeting schedules and agendas. Since both organizations work closely with DWR, I will also have lots of inside info to pass along on a regular basis.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also, I have several topics and agendas I plan to escort through the RAC process, starting next May. I will be periodically reminding other BFTers of what they must do, and on what time schedule, if they have something they would like to present. You will hear me preach often and loud...DON'T COMPLAIN, COMMUNICATE. This means that if you don't like something, show up and state your case. Can't hurt.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Fishhound: The Yuba issue has nothing to do with the need for harvest on other waters. There will be a list provided, but think Green River, Provo River and some other trout waters that are overrun by small stunted browns...to the detriment of cutthroat and rainbows. Lake Powell stripers are another issue as are the hordes of stunted brookies in many high altitude waters. Yuba will open and it will be harvested...in 2008. In the meantime, go fishing somewhere else.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]O4t: Few would deny that the changes in Strawberry regs contributed to the drop in license sales. For generations, whole families were used to loading the coolers, to take home and turn the fish into freezer cardboard. Everybody felt that if they were able to harvest a large limit every trip they got their money's worth from the license. Hopefully the increased limit and improved fishing on Scofield can help take up some of that slack. By the way, it is reported that the tigers are growing and doing well in Scofield.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]doggonefishin: You are right. Wipers are produced near Lake Powell. But, all the catfish stocked by the state in urban fisheries are purchased out of state and trucked in. Cheaper than buying Utah raised catfish at this point, but cats are a big part of the urban fisheries and a Utah DWR hatchery could help a lot. Same for bass and bluegill. Currently those needs are met by scrounging from Mantua or other established fisheries.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You are also right about the Proclamation listing waters and species in need of greater harvest. But, most Utah anglers don't read the Proclamation or spend any time on the DWR website, so DWR has to keep pounding that same nail.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Bigcat: Even if you show your fishing license, you will not be allowed in with a wakeboard, jet ski or other water toys. At least that is my recommendation. You just go head on 'til your head hurts and watch out for the surface to surface missles that are loaded in two of my rod tubes.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]In Reply To:___________________________________[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]State Parks will allow half price entry for anglers during the week just by showing a fishing license. NO Saturdays or Sundays[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]that aint going to help us with annual park permits[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Bigcat: Even if you show your fishing license, you will not be allowed in with a wakeboard, jet ski or other water toys. At least that is my recommendation. You just go head on 'til your head hurts and watch out for the surface to surface missles that are loaded in two of my rod tubes.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [#0000ff][#000000]Dang it![mad] I forgot about those darn surface to surface missles![shocked] Don't worry.....as an avid fisherman 12 months out of the year and an avid wakeboarder only 3 months of the year I have an healthy respect for the fishermans perspective of the power squadron. I know what it means to steer clear! I not only obey the distance rule but above and beyond that am usually out of range of even your S to S missles! [/#000000][cool][/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff] [/reply]
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[cool][#0000ff]AS you probably know, that new "concession" is not designed to help avid anglers with season permits. It is designed to encourage both park use and to get more people to buy fishing licenses. It is a good thing for folks who can fish midweek and who can't afford or won't buy the season pass.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Not a biggie for some folks, but another example of some of the things being tried to boost fishing.[/#0000ff]
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What is the cost of the annual state park pass? I have not purchased one before. I hate to pay the entrance fees at Hyrum and Willard, so I usually go somewhere else like the Idaho lakes that don't require an entrance fee. I would hit Willard more often with the reduced fee. Acey
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[cool][#0000ff]Living as far north in Utah as you do, it would be questionable as to the cost effectiveness of an annual permit, unless you were really hot and heavy on Willard...where a one day shot is $9. The midweek cost will be half that, rounded up to the next dollar...$5.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Checking in on the State Parks website, this is what they have to say:[/#0000ff]
[#996633]Utah State Parks Permits
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[#000000]Annual Permits - Your Ticket to Utah State Parks[/#000000]
Utah state parks offer you the great outdoors - from high country mountains to expansive red-rock canyons to lakes and streams, truly some of the most spectacular areas in the state. And your ticket to it all is a Utah state parks annual permit. Whether you frequent one favorite state park, enjoy exploring all 45 state parks or only can spend a few days, there is a permit just right for you.
[#000000]Multiple Park Permit - [/#000000]$60 Allows cardholder and up to seven guests in the same private vehicle day-use entrance into all 45 state parks.
[#000000]Single Park Permit[/#000000] - $30 - $50 depending on park. Allows cardholder and up to seven guests in the same private vehicle day-use entrance into one park of choice.
[#000000]Five-Day Pass - [/#000000]$12 Day-use entrance to all Utah state parks for five consecutive days.
[#000000]Special Fun Tag[/#000000] - The Special Fun Tag is free to Utah residents 62 years and over or Utah residents of any age with certain physical challenges. Allows cardholder and up to seven guests in the same private vehicle unlimited day-use admittance to all 45 state parks and a $2 camping fee discount Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays.
[#000000]Other Information[/#000000] - Multiple Park Permits and Special Fun Tags are available at all state parks, region offices and the administrative office in Salt Lake City. Single Park and Five-Day permits must be purchased at a state park.
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i believe i paid $70 for a park pass....paid off in about 3 months of fishin trips...good deal if you fish a lot
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