11-06-2008, 12:28 PM
[cool][#0000ff]There are likely to be some minor modifications in the spearfishing regs for next year, but mostly as they pertain to Flaming Gorge burbot harvest...such as being able to use artificial light, etc. But, otherwise, don't look for anything special on walleye spearing. They will be restricted to the same size limits as hook and line angling.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I used to do a lot of spearfishing in salt water so I am somewhat knowledgeable and respectful of the sport. Most serious spearfishermen are probably even more "discriminating" in their harvest than the average angler. They enjoy the underwater adventure, and seeing all the fish in their natural element. Shooting a couple of large fish to show off...and then usually to eat...is just the final part of the whole experience. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]To me, the taking of the large walleyes is a two sided coin. On one side, removal of the largest fish from the gene pool is always a concern. On the other side (as you mentioned) those larger fish are definitely not the best table fare. And, many of the spearfishermen who hunt for the table are tuned in to that and shoot smaller fish if they are planning to eat them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I do not think spearfishing will ever be a contributing cause to any decline in walleye fishing on Deer Creek. Extreme water level fluctuations and poor food supply are much greater limiting factors for the numbers and sizes of the wallies. Spear fishermen do not harvest even a fraction of the numbers caught by anglers. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Many of their outings focus on shooting the numerous big carp in Deer Creek. I have seen pictures of some of the carp they bring in...huge fish and huge stacks of them for the group. Ditto for Starvation and Flaming Gorge. They doubtless remove far more of the big carp than anglers ever do. Too bad that Utah Lake is such poor visibility. They could have a lot of fun and make an impact there too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, back to those giant walleyes. You and I both know that the biggest ones develop living and feeding habits that make them mostly unavailable to all but a select few (lucky) anglers. It is nice to dream about hooking and landing one of those big ol' bigguns, but the truth is that we never fish in the right place...at the right time...with the right lures to have a shot at the very largest fish. With the exception of the time they are vulnerable on the spawning beds, the biggest fish are seldom seen or harvested by anglers. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, we can always dream.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I used to do a lot of spearfishing in salt water so I am somewhat knowledgeable and respectful of the sport. Most serious spearfishermen are probably even more "discriminating" in their harvest than the average angler. They enjoy the underwater adventure, and seeing all the fish in their natural element. Shooting a couple of large fish to show off...and then usually to eat...is just the final part of the whole experience. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]To me, the taking of the large walleyes is a two sided coin. On one side, removal of the largest fish from the gene pool is always a concern. On the other side (as you mentioned) those larger fish are definitely not the best table fare. And, many of the spearfishermen who hunt for the table are tuned in to that and shoot smaller fish if they are planning to eat them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I do not think spearfishing will ever be a contributing cause to any decline in walleye fishing on Deer Creek. Extreme water level fluctuations and poor food supply are much greater limiting factors for the numbers and sizes of the wallies. Spear fishermen do not harvest even a fraction of the numbers caught by anglers. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Many of their outings focus on shooting the numerous big carp in Deer Creek. I have seen pictures of some of the carp they bring in...huge fish and huge stacks of them for the group. Ditto for Starvation and Flaming Gorge. They doubtless remove far more of the big carp than anglers ever do. Too bad that Utah Lake is such poor visibility. They could have a lot of fun and make an impact there too.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But, back to those giant walleyes. You and I both know that the biggest ones develop living and feeding habits that make them mostly unavailable to all but a select few (lucky) anglers. It is nice to dream about hooking and landing one of those big ol' bigguns, but the truth is that we never fish in the right place...at the right time...with the right lures to have a shot at the very largest fish. With the exception of the time they are vulnerable on the spawning beds, the biggest fish are seldom seen or harvested by anglers. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But, we can always dream.[/#0000ff]
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