02-22-2013, 09:11 PM
[quote MasterDaad]
Those of us who trophy fish Scofield are not getting "a few big fish" here and there.
We are getting several. More and bigger than at other lakes, not fewer and smaller.
There are several nearly World Record size trout coming out of Scofield. In the last 12 months, the state record for Tigers has been broken twice there. And several others have documented 25"+ fish.
There is a very real question about the sustainability of Scofield as is. If it is not sustainable, then yes, there's not a lot of choice but to kill it.
For at least this year, I'm guessing you'll see more photos of me with some trophy fish coming from Scofield
[/quote]
I will not argue one point that you made here. I completely agree with you. Scofield is certainly in a very good position RIGHT NOW. Maybe even for next year. This is exactly why the DWR has already come out and said that they are waiting to do anything. You won't find any of us arguing against this. But, as you mentioned, the question is long-term sustainability. What you guys will find is that the long-term sustainability is NOT possible. The chubs will prevent smaller fish from getting through that bottleneck in order to switch to a pisciverous diet and grow large. But, right now, you have some very big fish. Catch them while you can. It will not last. In the future, the lake will need poisoning. That's exactly what me, Fshrmn, and bobber-boy are saying.
[quote MasterDaad]You do not have an example of another lake to support the theory that killing it will make the trophy fishing better.
Many lakes are currently managed just as you propose.
The results are not as you predict.
.[/quote]
Wrong. We have example, after example, after example to support this theory. Otter Creek, Minserville, Piute, Johnson Reservoir, Strawberry, etc., etc., etc....
This is a known management strategy. When growth rates deteriorate due to competition from rough fish, you poison the lake to remove them. After the poisoning, trout experience high growth rates which result in large fish in a short amount of time. Given the right scenario (Scofield? PANGUITCH LAKE) you will have trophy fish in a short period.
If you want the best example of this theory, then look at Milton Taft's state record brook trout. Guess when that brook trout was caught? 3 years after a rotenone treatment.
[signature]
Those of us who trophy fish Scofield are not getting "a few big fish" here and there.
We are getting several. More and bigger than at other lakes, not fewer and smaller.
There are several nearly World Record size trout coming out of Scofield. In the last 12 months, the state record for Tigers has been broken twice there. And several others have documented 25"+ fish.
There is a very real question about the sustainability of Scofield as is. If it is not sustainable, then yes, there's not a lot of choice but to kill it.
For at least this year, I'm guessing you'll see more photos of me with some trophy fish coming from Scofield
[/quote]
I will not argue one point that you made here. I completely agree with you. Scofield is certainly in a very good position RIGHT NOW. Maybe even for next year. This is exactly why the DWR has already come out and said that they are waiting to do anything. You won't find any of us arguing against this. But, as you mentioned, the question is long-term sustainability. What you guys will find is that the long-term sustainability is NOT possible. The chubs will prevent smaller fish from getting through that bottleneck in order to switch to a pisciverous diet and grow large. But, right now, you have some very big fish. Catch them while you can. It will not last. In the future, the lake will need poisoning. That's exactly what me, Fshrmn, and bobber-boy are saying.
[quote MasterDaad]You do not have an example of another lake to support the theory that killing it will make the trophy fishing better.
Many lakes are currently managed just as you propose.
The results are not as you predict.
.[/quote]
Wrong. We have example, after example, after example to support this theory. Otter Creek, Minserville, Piute, Johnson Reservoir, Strawberry, etc., etc., etc....
This is a known management strategy. When growth rates deteriorate due to competition from rough fish, you poison the lake to remove them. After the poisoning, trout experience high growth rates which result in large fish in a short amount of time. Given the right scenario (Scofield? PANGUITCH LAKE) you will have trophy fish in a short period.
If you want the best example of this theory, then look at Milton Taft's state record brook trout. Guess when that brook trout was caught? 3 years after a rotenone treatment.
[signature]