06-07-2008, 03:51 PM
It seems to me that the DWR has become quite adept at using biological solutions to deal with chub problems. Be it Bear lake cutts, tiger trout, smallies, or other modes, they have had success in dealing with chubs by a number of means in different types of lakes. I am confident the biologists will be able to formulate a plan that COULD work. (Also, the thought of a slot on the tigers causes me to lick my chops as an angler. The tigers in Scofield are doing incredibly well and a 20+ fish day of 20+ inch tigers would be beyond excellent)
The problem that the DWR faces however, is political. All of the above plans require protection of the predatory fish, and thus special regulations of one sort or another. When these are proposed, a segment of anglers, as well as local businesses and county politicians, start complaining that their ability to harvest fish and fish "like they always have" is reduced and they attempt to fight the regs that biologically make the best sense. Look at Strawberry. Fishing there is good beyond belief at most times, however, we still hear bi%*&@ and moaning about the regs from those that think it is a mortal sin to release any fish and feel the need to harvest a ton of fish. Scofield was designated as a place that could "take" more harvesting (8 fish limit) and now if special regs are proposed, you can bet that there will be a lot of griping and worse from these people. I hope that the DWR has the cajones to stand by their guns and do what is right biologically in spite of political pressure.
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The problem that the DWR faces however, is political. All of the above plans require protection of the predatory fish, and thus special regulations of one sort or another. When these are proposed, a segment of anglers, as well as local businesses and county politicians, start complaining that their ability to harvest fish and fish "like they always have" is reduced and they attempt to fight the regs that biologically make the best sense. Look at Strawberry. Fishing there is good beyond belief at most times, however, we still hear bi%*&@ and moaning about the regs from those that think it is a mortal sin to release any fish and feel the need to harvest a ton of fish. Scofield was designated as a place that could "take" more harvesting (8 fish limit) and now if special regs are proposed, you can bet that there will be a lot of griping and worse from these people. I hope that the DWR has the cajones to stand by their guns and do what is right biologically in spite of political pressure.
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