Food For Thought

Xnjb707X · Senior Member

RE: Food For Thought

mx19 · Senior Member

There are tons of fish in putah...I hooked well over 20 smaller fish out of 2 spots last time out down at #5....Just have to know when and where they are...I learned from others and putting 40+ days on putah a year ....Just cause they are not being caught dont mean there not there....

Berryessie wrote:

In my fly fishing career I have not found a wild trout fishery to expect big numbers of fish. I am sure when Putah was being stocked many anglers had epic days and numbers of fish to brag about. Those days are over, say good bye. I know the creek well and have had a pretty good year fishing it. I think the main thing is to set your expectations correctly. I feel like many anglers go out and have a slow day and the only reason they can come up with is that "oh the fishing has really gone down hill" or "it's a really bad year." It's like all other wild trout fisheries I have fished expect quality fish not quantity. Putah takes on the characteristic that you will be challenged and will have to work for your fish. Thats the reward and you are paid in the beauty of a wild healthy trout who fought like he was twice his size and had your heart pounding through your waders. It's not easy or everyone would do it.

hobbs · Senior Member

Xnjb707X wrote:

hobbs wrote:

I'll copy and paste my point for you, "As I keep repeating this isnt just about Putah. Its about people's attitudes, being good representatives of our sport and not heading down the path of over regulation."

Dont choose parts of my posts, please read and understand the whole thing. And also, with your prevailing attitude, Im pretty sure we dont really agree on much at all.

Lets keep any further banter thats solely directed at each other to PM to spare everyone else. All I ask is that if you respond to my posts on the open forum please thoroughly read what I wrote then really consider a thoughtful response.

Thanks,
Robert

-- Edited by hobbs on Saturday 8th of January 2011 06:48:11 PM
This is a Putah Creek fly fishing forum.. so in that case it is.

You're right, but the words I tend to focus on are "fly fishing" forum. Im pretty sure everyone on this blog fishes other streams throughout the state, not just Putah Creek. My concern is that a few people on here probably bring their attitude with them where ever they go. Also, why do people spend so much time talking about other rivers/species of fish on here if its just about Putah?

Its really a shame that these discussions tend to go this direction because they could be very thought provoking and productive. I thought thats what blogs like this were supposed to be all about. Also from what I have seen on past posts is you better not talk about your day of fishing on here, and definitely dont post pictures either for the fear of being chastised. Maybe in the future I'll just stick to guessing the names of rivers and posting gear I have for sale.

-- Edited by hobbs on Sunday 9th of January 2011 12:55:13 AM

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

-- Edited by LilWhippersnapper on Tuesday 11th of January 2011 11:18:12 PM

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

-- Edited by LilWhippersnapper on Sunday 9th of January 2011 02:20:42 AM

Black Cloud · Senior Member

The majority of fly fishermen don't litter but the majority of bait fisher men do. The trash on the creek this fall was was much less than previous years, next fall should be even less .

SBroadley · Newbie

mx19 wrote:

There are tons of fish in putah...I hooked well over 20 smaller fish out of 2 spots last time out down at #5....Just have to know when and where they are...I learned from others and putting 40+ days on putah a year ....Just cause they are not being caught dont mean there not there....
When I started this thread it was to share what I thought was an interesting perspective on Catch & Release vs. Catch and Keep. I think that it's important to be objective and also consider that Catch & Release is not without some impact on fish mortality. There have been many studies on the subject and most that I've read conclude a 1-5% mortality on mouth hooked trout. Assuming we all land our fish quickly and handle our fish properly the mortality is probably 1-3%. Because I know that we're all very sensitive to the health of Putah let's be conservative and use 3% as our expected mortality rate of C&R fish. In the example above, 20 fish x 40 days per year = 800 fish. 800 X .03 = 24 dead fish/year. I too have likely contributed to similar mortality rates on Putah. mx19 and I are but two of dozens (if not hundreds) of conscientious fly fisherman who have taken some unintended mortality toll on the creek. Considering the legions of frequent fly fishermen, several guides, fly fishing classes, and club outings on Putah, certainly the impact of C&R was one contributing factor to the decline of the fishery. We as C&R fishermen own the responsibility for this impact and should hold ourselves accountable as well. I'm not suggesting that we all put our rods in the rafters and take up bowling. I'm simply sharing that we should consider our own footprint and not look at C&R as being without impact. Perhaps we might not catch huge numbers of fish just because we can. Instead perhaps we might self-impose a "limit" of released fish per trip. Or maybe cut the hook at the bend and simply fish for the strike. Hey, to each his own, I'm fine with someone releasing 1500 fish per year too. I'm just suggesting to at least consider your own personal impact and then do what you feel is fair.

My final comment, perhaps a bit off subject, is that we should use these forums to share information and as a resource to build unity among our ranks not as fodder for divisiveness.

Good fishing!

-- Edited by SBroadley on Sunday 9th of January 2011 08:01:29 PM

-- Edited by SBroadley on Sunday 9th of January 2011 08:02:05 PM

hobbs · Senior Member

Thanks SB, thats one of the best and most informative posts I have read in a while. Its really nice to see someone put some thought and a little time into their posts. Also I couldnt agree more with what you said at the end. We are all on the same team and we should all strive to be good representatives of our sport, the sport of fishing (not only fly fishing).

Robert

-- Edited by hobbs on Sunday 9th of January 2011 10:25:35 PM

hobbs · Senior Member

Black Cloud wrote:

The majority of fly fishermen don't litter but the majority of bait fisher men do. The trash on the creek this fall was was much less than previous years, next fall should be even less .

Its simple logic that with fewer fishermen in general you are going to have less trash. It only takes a couple irresponsible bait fishermen to leave worm containers and powerbait jars lying around to give all bait fishermen a bad name. Most of the garbage I pick up is along the road (thrown from cars), are we gonna ban people from driving on Hwy 128 next? I mean c'mon. Lets be honest, this isnt about litter, its about a negative attitude toward basically anyone who isnt a C&R fly fishermen. This attitude is not good for the sport and its not good for the future.

All I am trying to convey on this thread is that we fly fishermen need to strive to develop an attiude that helps promote the sport, not drive people away.

Robert

-- Edited by hobbs on Sunday 9th of January 2011 09:55:09 PM

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

-- Edited by LilWhippersnapper on Tuesday 11th of January 2011 11:17:49 PM

hobbs · Senior Member

Wow...Im at a loss for words. I would really love to have a live discussion because obviously Im unable to convey my thoughts without stirring the pot and upsetting others (a select few others). Also for some reason I cant seem to make simple concepts make sense through typed text. So this all being said Im done with this thread and will do my best to not stir things up in the future. Again, Im sorry SB that your post went awry and Im sorry to everyone else that had to deal with the silliness that took place on this thread.

Robert

-- Edited by hobbs on Tuesday 11th of January 2011 11:07:03 AM

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

-- Edited by LilWhippersnapper on Tuesday 11th of January 2011 11:12:41 PM

rgloft · Senior Member

Eric YOU JUST DON'T KNOW WHEN TO QUIT , I FOR ONE AM TIRED OF YOU'R COMMENTS

YOU EVER WONDER WHY SO MUCH OF YOU'r comments are deleted ?

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

-- Edited by LilWhippersnapper on Tuesday 11th of January 2011 11:12:29 PM

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

There you go Richard. I deleted my posts just for you. I don't want you to bash my head in with a baseball bat.

jdfishing · Newbie

Thanks Hobbs, for sharing your point of view. You are right on target about the mentality of some fly fishermen. I have fished Putah Creek on and off for over 30 years, with both flys and bait. I have practiced C&R and catch and cook. Some of my fondest memories are of watching some little tyke catch a little trout under a bobber. But, those days are gone. They are what they are, for a lot of reasons we can't change. For all practical purposes, Putah Creek is for fly fishing only, and it's pretty obvious some folks are real happy about that. I wonder how many of them grew up with a $600 Orvis fly rod and reel in their hand and never dunked a worm under a bobber with a $20 Zebco? Well, now at least we won't have to contend with all the trash those nasty bait fishermen leave behind and suffer the consequences of those same people carrying stringers of 18" trout home. Nope, now we just get to rub elbows with the fly rod carrying adults who have some notion that their license to fish Putah Creek is more sacred than most others.

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

Jeeez you guys or should I say a very select few. The vast majority of us all started fishing with spinner or bait rods and then through the love of fishing in general graduated to the fly rod (including myself). Now with that said lets just please stop all of the inflamatory language and comments,thats not what I started this site for. My hope is that this site will benefit the creek by bringing awareness to issues that have plagued this creek for decades and so far we have accomplished that, but some of these threads are in my mind becoming counter productive.Honestly I am at times almost embarrassed by the comments made by some of you, I believe we're all adults here so lets start acting like it. Greg "Bono" Bonovich

DJ Cal · Member

Well said Greg.

I have been reading this board for a few years, and generally have found it fun and informative, but I have also witnessed a lack of civility and common sense by a few, particularly during the winter spawn. Collectively, you may not always agree with each other, but surely you can treat each other respect, no?

I take no sides - we are all adults and live to the standards we set for ourselves, no doubt. Good karma is a reward unto itself (and bad karma catches up with those of ill will).

DJ Cal

hobbs · Senior Member

I agree jd that we all need to keep things in perspective. I too started fishing with the old push button zebco and grasshoppers that I caught in the field or worms that I dug up in my mom's garden. I understand fully that Putah is a unique place but its the attitude and mentality of fly fishermen thats important. This attitude is carried wherever you vist to cast a line.

I apologize if I contributed to the inflammatory language on this blog. I am doing my best to keep the petty banter to PM with a select few members who seem to have a problem with me and/or my reasoning. Also, I maintain that my intention is to not stir the pot, yet to simply express thoughts, ideas and concepts.

Bono, thanks for providing this sight. It can be a very good educational and social resource.

Robert

-- Edited by hobbs on Wednesday 19th of January 2011 09:40:33 AM