11-17-2006, 01:08 PM
[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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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] [#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Last Tuesday I attended my first Rocky Mountain Anglers meeting. Low attendance but some good discussion.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]State Parks will allow half price entry for anglers during the week just by showing a fishing license. NO Saturdays or Sundays.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]DWR is actively looking for potential sites to set up a warm water fish hatchery...a first for Utah.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#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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