04-16-2009, 02:35 PM
[quote wormandbobber][quote JBinUTAH]
When Utah officials realize the potential of tournament angling in this state, and the economic benefits of attracting major events to our local waters, they will change the regulations to allow a five-fish limit to be caught, kept in a live well, weighed, and then released. Until then, anglers like Tracy and Mandy Myers will have to settle for fishing smaller venues, though no one can take away the fantastic feeling Mandy had after catching her huge bass.[/quote]
BS! Utah officials should never break down and allow special interest groups to keep fish outside of slot limits in live wells...slot limits are in place for a reason and the laws we have in Utah are in place for good reason. If fishermen want to have tournaments fine, but they should never be allowed to hold tournaments where fishermen are exempt from following laws.[/quote]
This is subjective to a particular body of water. There are only two lakes in Utah where a major event [200 boats] could be held [excluding UT Lake], the Gorge doesn't have the faclities to host it and the City of Page doesn't really lobby for these events [shell out cash incentives]. Even if they so choose to host an event the State of Utah would not see much money. They may not even see the license sales if AZ or WY has a cheaper non-resident license.
I would question the actual economic impact tourneys would bring in on our community ponds [Jordanelle]. Most of the participants are locals who will drive home every night and have dinner. Sure there will be a few diehards who travel and lodge, but the majority will drive home or stay with friends.
However, if the state wishes to attract tourism, promote license sales, increase park use, and sell this "live the outdoors" theme, then what better tool than to have some angler holding a 25lb limit of smallies from Lake X. As a added plus there is no better way to check the health of a fishery than to monitor tournaments throughout the season.
It would be an investment that would pay long term dividens and cost them absolutely NOTHING.
I'm convinced the only way to make this happen is for the local county/city officials to apply pressure on the state. They are the home team and these deals are made behind the scenes, not in some ill preceived RAC meeting where the "choosen few" can puff their chest out and grandstand.
Oh yeah, slots limits should be waived for officially sanctioned events. They are open to anyone who wishes to participate.......
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When Utah officials realize the potential of tournament angling in this state, and the economic benefits of attracting major events to our local waters, they will change the regulations to allow a five-fish limit to be caught, kept in a live well, weighed, and then released. Until then, anglers like Tracy and Mandy Myers will have to settle for fishing smaller venues, though no one can take away the fantastic feeling Mandy had after catching her huge bass.[/quote]
BS! Utah officials should never break down and allow special interest groups to keep fish outside of slot limits in live wells...slot limits are in place for a reason and the laws we have in Utah are in place for good reason. If fishermen want to have tournaments fine, but they should never be allowed to hold tournaments where fishermen are exempt from following laws.[/quote]
This is subjective to a particular body of water. There are only two lakes in Utah where a major event [200 boats] could be held [excluding UT Lake], the Gorge doesn't have the faclities to host it and the City of Page doesn't really lobby for these events [shell out cash incentives]. Even if they so choose to host an event the State of Utah would not see much money. They may not even see the license sales if AZ or WY has a cheaper non-resident license.
I would question the actual economic impact tourneys would bring in on our community ponds [Jordanelle]. Most of the participants are locals who will drive home every night and have dinner. Sure there will be a few diehards who travel and lodge, but the majority will drive home or stay with friends.
However, if the state wishes to attract tourism, promote license sales, increase park use, and sell this "live the outdoors" theme, then what better tool than to have some angler holding a 25lb limit of smallies from Lake X. As a added plus there is no better way to check the health of a fishery than to monitor tournaments throughout the season.
It would be an investment that would pay long term dividens and cost them absolutely NOTHING.
I'm convinced the only way to make this happen is for the local county/city officials to apply pressure on the state. They are the home team and these deals are made behind the scenes, not in some ill preceived RAC meeting where the "choosen few" can puff their chest out and grandstand.
Oh yeah, slots limits should be waived for officially sanctioned events. They are open to anyone who wishes to participate.......
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