Referencing Bono's Posting on Reg Changes

Gordon · Member

Referencing Bono's Posting on Reg Changes

booly wugger · Newbie

�� I do not think changing the regs is a good idea.� The rationalizing behind changing the regs is that bait dunkers affect the resource in a negative way while fly fisherman do not.� This is not true the bait guys should be mad at us.� Bait fishermen are rarely in waders while the fly guys go through the yearly stomping of the redds and harass fish droppping eggs all winter.� I have watched many many fly fisherman repeatedly dredge their double fly set-up over� spawning fish then triumphantly hold up the tired fish out of the water for too long for a photo.� A two fly rig is essentially beading� and is double barbless not single barbless.� DFG could stop all winter fishing for this reason.��Who brought in the mud snail?� Fly fisherman,� �the fishing in the lower end of the creek while still good has suffered�and the snail is still a threat to the whole State.� Whats wrong with the fishery?� Much of the bait dunking is up in the campgound and I see more fish in the 20 to 26 inch class feeding in that very area.� Maybe the regs are just right because Putah has in my opinion some of the best fishing in the State for size and numbers.� Maybe the culling of fish is what makes Putah so great.�Thinking of the campground many memories of hard battles with big fish won and lost will live with me for a lifetime.� Lets remember its private property and the owners customers� are primarily bait dunking fish eaters so lets not get thrown off private land.� These are huge hard fighting�beautiful fish if we had a size limit maybe they would be stunted runt fish that you see in waters less pressured.� Yes they are delicious and I will sometimes keep just one fish for eating.� If your motivation to change the regs is to keep putah healthy all it needs is water.� Flyfisherman have a horrible reputation for being stuck up snobs who are always right.�� Seeing a guy decked out in orvis gear looking at some little girl soaking a worm like she is less then human makes me sick.� If you think fly fisherman have limited negative inpact on the fishery think again we have the most,� greg.

Leicafish · Veteran Member

Gordon,

I have spoken to Greg B. and we are trying to get together to talk about it. Maybe those interested in working toward these goals can try to get together sometime. I did see last time when JT and Otter tried to arrange something only they showed up though. I will call you.

As far as Greg M's concerns, I share some of them and they are listed in the previous thread. Although the fishing in Putah is pretty good, especially given its proximity to millions of people, I just wonder if it couldn't be a whole lot better. Maybe I'm dreaming, but I just wonder if it could be on par with waters like the E. Walker or the San Juan. The current regs have been in place for decades so we have a pretty good idea of their result. I don't know what the ideal regs would be--I am not a fisheries biologist. Maybe it would involve closing it down during spawning. Maybe it would be to shorten the general season in the fall to protect the fish when the flows decrease and they are most vunerable. I do know that the use of the creek has increased a ton since the current regs were put in place. You will never know whether you could improve the fishery by changing the regs unless you try.

Gary

flyfishingjunkie · Veteran Member

I have to agree with Greg, trying to change the regs might be a noble cause, but most likely will backfire and might result in the fishery being closed to all fishing in the winter months. Lets face it we Flyfishermen have done our share of damage to the creek, including mud snails and trampling reds. Also we tend to forget that not all fish we release survive, so while me might not keep any fish, if you have a good day on the creek you can be sure that a certain percentage of fish won't make it. Despite all the pressure Putah creek is an awesome fishery and it still offers some of the best fishing for big wild trout in the state, if not the best.

In think the regs that are in place have been good for many years, the problem is that they are not enforced.

In my opinion the issues that need to be addressed are:

1) New Zealand Mud snails. (uphill battle)

2) The trash being left behind by some bait fishermen (some signs might help)

3) Protecting the spawners. (some signs might help and raising awareness)

4) Increase Water flows in the winter.

I am willing to help where I can. I have been picking up trash once in a while, have stopped fishing Putah during the prime spawning periods and have an extra pair of fishing boots that I only use for Putah Creek. As flyfishermen the best thing we can do is set an example, help raise awareness and be good stewards.

JT · Senior Member

It is true that both fly fishermen and those that fish with conventional (bait and spin) gear have their share of problems.� Both leave lead weight, flies/hooks/lures, line, and indicators/bobbers in the water, bushes, and trees.� Fly fishermen trample all over the spawning beds, harass the spawners, and have most likely introduced the New Zealand Mud Snail to the creek.� Conventional gear fishermen leave worm, Powerbait, and salmon egg containers on the banks of the creek and fish out of season.� It is also speculated that taking fish home has a negative impact on the fishing.�

Many of these problems stem from a lack of education.� If fly fishermen knew they were walking all over spawning beds, they would stop.� If fly fishermen knew that they there was a danger of infecting other waterways with the NZMS, they would disinfect their waders.� If people (in general-some of the trash comes from non-fishermen) were raised to respect the outdoors, there wouldn't be all the trash lining the creek.� If bait fishermen knew the regs, they wouldn't fish illegally out of season.� They would most likely fish elsewhere or switch to artificial lures.

Signs on the creek can help with a few of these issues: spawning grounds, NZMS, regulations.� Trash cans are already present at the numbered access areas.� They should also be placed at both parking lots near the bridge.� This won't get rid of all the trash but would help.� Start by raising your children to respect the outdoors.� It's a start.� We can't change everybody, but we can make a difference somewhere.�

I believe that a strict catch and release fishery is not the answer to protecting the fish population.� These fisheries can result in the stunting of the fish due to the over abundance of fish compared to the food and volume of water.� In my opinion, a slot limit would be better.� It can result in more good-sized fish.� It does lead to another problem, however, the issue of enforcement.

Don't be afraid to open your mouth!� If you see someone walking all over the redds, say something.� If you see someone fishing out of season, say something.� If you talk to someone and find out they're new to the creek, inform them of the NZMS.� It's not that hard.� We ALL, as fishermen, need to work together to protect future of the creek.� I would hate to say to my children, "If you only could have seen the creek 20 years ago."

JT · Senior Member

Is it possible for all interested in helping to meet at the creek some Saturday morning?� Bono has tried before and was overwhelmed with the amount of time necessary to put something together.� He just doesn't have the time.� I, personally, don't have the time to do it by myself.� I don't think that anyone of us has the time to do that.� One person cannot do it all.� If the work was divided, things would be much easier.� I think it would be best to just meet and put all the issues that we're willing to fight for out on the table.� From there we can discuss a course of action and divide the work according to everyone's interests/talents.��

redraider333 · Newbie

I as both a Fly fisherman and drift fisherman totally agree with Booly Wugger. He absolutely nailed it on the head. Ive been fishing This creek for about 30 years and like to bring friends and family to spots all over the creek. It is for all who enjoy fishing to fish. There arent many other places around here to fish. If this creek were strickly bait fishing I dont think we would even have a snail problem. That being said, Ive been reading this forum for quite a while and just laugh at the��
(Pre-Madonna, Holyer than thou) attitudes the Strickly Fly fisherman have. Its ridiculous!!!. Its like they built this creek. Ive tried to talk to alot of these guys around the creek to be friendly and they are unapproachable snobs! Dont get me wrong. I totally agree with the regs as they are. In the off/spawning season you shouldnt be able to bait fish; Thats acceptable, My fly rod is able and capable. But come the last saturday in april, Im dunkin all that suits me when im not crushing Bass in the lake.Bottom line is Lighten up and stop�destroying the spawning beds. This creek is for all that love to fish. P.S. PICK UP YOUR TRASH AND MAYBE SOME YOU STUMBLE ON. ITS DISGUSTING. BAIT FISHERMEN ARENT THE ONLY TRASH LEAVERS IVE SEEN ENOUGH OF MY SHARE OF FLY FISHERMAN LEAVE THEIR FILTH.

-- Edited by redraider333 at 18:19, 2007-05-07

-- Edited by redraider333 at 18:24, 2007-05-07

Brundoggy · Veteran Member

In a sense, we are all bait fisherman. Yes our flies are "imitation" bait and it requires a different set of skills to fly fish. But some of the "bait fishing" skills I picked up fishing rivers as a kid certainly transfer to fly fishing, such as high sticking nymphs through the fast water.
We are all out fishing because we enjoy it. The garbage and disregard for the regs are about people and not what gear you use.

JT · Senior Member

I think the focus of this topic has changed from its original purpose.� It appears to me that the real question here is, "How many of you are willing and able to help protect the creek?"� There are clearly some issues that need to be discussed and action that needs to take place to protect the future of the creek.� Things have been done in the past that we cannot change (i.e. introduction of the New Zealand Mud Snail), but we can work together to educate fellow anglers and ensure the health of this fishery that we all enjoy.

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

There is truth to basically everything everybody has been saying(in most part anyway).But bottom line is the quality of fishing in Putah creek has gradually declined over the years,why?I'm not really sure,that's why I think it's important� at least talk to some of the people involved in policy and regulations to see if some positive regulations can take place.I will be meeting with a gentleman and member of this board hopefully next week,he is interested in being a possible leader "for the cause".We are going to meet in Davis in the evening if any of you are interested in meeting with us let me know.And last but not least,we should all be careful about the negative comments I've been reading in the previous posts.The truth is that there is and element of bad people be it bait anglers or flyfisherman I've met my share of both,hell maybe I'm one of them!I do know that some people are not real happy with me being a guide and having a website devoted to Putah creek,but that's not my problem I guess you can't make everyone happy.So lets just keep to the positive and not let this errode into finger pointing and name calling. Thanks Bono