same rule in Id. as WA. to not take wild steelhead out of water?????

[GEARHEAD]

the time to strike is now. Bug Thugs that Swing, are at war with those that use Indicators. they are a divided lot, and weak, Lol.
guess this is all my fault, sorry for jacking the post

[woodywsu]

Kimber....You say you do not keep steelhead, hatchery or native. On some rivers, you are breaking the law by releasing hatchery fish. They give us a season on the methow and okanogan strictly for removing the hatchery fish due to the limited spawning grounds. Thus causing more spawning water for the native run of steelhead. WDFW can easily kill all hatchery fish at the Wells Dam adult trap to guarentee spawning ground availability. By releasign hatchery fish, you are breakign the law on these rivers which may take our fishing privelidges away from us. I know they discussed not allowing fly fishign on the methow due to their large catch numbers and low harvest. A majority of fly fisherman release all catch.

[fisheral87]

It's just the WDFW trying to control ethics. You can't. i.e. gun control.
Is a fly caught less green when landed on light tackle? Yes. Does that compromise it ability to survive? You bet. Do some people take care to release their catch with the least harm possible if legally bound? Yep. Have people in the past jeopardized their catch's ability to survive by dragging it along a gravel bar? I've seen it happen. So are we going to ban fly fishing so as to increase survival rates?

WDFW has regulated against removing natives from the water, but could we have accomplished the same end by educating instead of regulating? In this poor fly fisherman's opinion, yes. We have shifted the responsibility of citizenship into the hands of government entities, instead of holding each other accountable for the part we play within society. Damn shame if you ask me.

A friend and I encountered an old timer on the Pilchuck one day. He commented that when he was a kid they would pull fish after fish out in a day. he continued to say that if he had really thought about what he was doing and the long term repercussions of those epic days he would have rather saved a few of those fish for his retirement (To bad you can put them in the bank, old buddy), so that he could have warmed up his hands on a red hot steelhead instead of running through a pack of cigarettes in the rain. Knowledge is power, and voluntary ignorance is not a reason for leniency.

[woodywsu]

I did not mean any of my posts to support banning fly fishing.

[jackelope]

Knowledge is power, and voluntary ignorance is not a reason for leniency

I have a new sig line.

[ribka]

Good points all. Maybe get 10 pages out of this post
 
Last time fished Met the WDFW fish checkers were adamant about keeping hatchery fish. Even mentioned that some guys releasing hatchery fish up there received fines. As stated previously they (WDFW) really want to remove all of the hatchery fish out of the system. Am guessing once number of hatchery fish removed probably closed for all steelhead fishing in the future as in the past. Seems like more and more fishing and hunting oppourtunities are disappearing in our country for the average man with average means; that is another topic.

Most of the knowledgable people who study fish mortality rates in relation to fishing state that play fish as quickly as possible and minimize handling of fish. Water temps play a part too.

I prefer to fly fish over bait because personally more fun and interesting to me and enjoy tying my own flies.  I will admit fly fisherman, not all of course, do tend to be more elitist. I have fly guys/guides on the river give me crap for nymphing for steelhead with my spey rod.

"A spey rod , my good sir, is only to be used to swing flies". "Nymphing with a spey rod is a sacrilege!"

Gear guys tend to be much more friendly too and not as territorial on the lakes and river. But that is just an observation fishing here in the NW. I swear half the time I say hi to a guy fly fishing in WA, MT, OR, WY,  he gives me a look like I just raped his dog 

Machias: I fished in England with my brother, who lives there, and it is really funny how they worship the lowly carp as a game fish in England. They have big time tournaments, special gear for carp fishing. Almost like a salmon or steelhead. Must be from living on that small island and the inbreeding
I say that because my brother is married to a Brit girl. Poor guy

sorry for the highjack

[GEARHEAD]

that comment about the dog, lol that does describe the Look, i normally get when saying hello when passing a bugman, lol. wondering if its just me, guess not. i normally say hello, normal response is to look at my hands if i'm carrying a spin rod, i'm ignored even after eye contact, if i have a bug rod, but also have an indicator, same thing just ignored. even though i flyfish, the majority of the rude and antisocial behavior i encounter are buggers. can't we all get along 

[fisheral87]

I did not mean any of my posts to support banning fly fishing.

I didn't mean to sound as if I was accusing. Under some of the logic I see employed by the WDFW at times it would seem a viable option.   IMO the no natives out of the water is one of these situations. I'm sure there are those who disagree. I do see its purpose but question it's effectiveness.

I too agree that there is some serious hefting of the noses when it comes to fly fishermen. But I've seen guides pulling plugs who think they own the river. (Boy there is nothing quite like working a "Bloody Mary" through the dark green depths is there?!)  

My take is, how ever you want to fish is up to you. If you think you know the best way to catch fish, your behind the tail fin so to speak.

Learn, grow and share your experience.

Now lets hold hands and sing coom bi ya. Sike!    

[fisheral87]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,45321.0.html

Exhibit A, A guy who just wants to have a keepsake of a great day on the water.

[Machias]

Machias: I fished in England with my brother, who lives there, and it is really funny how they worship the lowly carp as a game fish in England. They have big time tournaments, special gear for carp fishing. Almost like a salmon or steelhead. Must be from living on that small island and the inbreeding
I say that because my brother is married to a Brit girl. Poor guy

sorry for the highjack

  I just had my 24th anniversary two weeks ago...to a British girl.    She just got her citizenship last May, we figured after 23 years it was time.

[ribka]

For me and a lot of others fishing  is simply "The tug is the drug" Love the initial take of the lure.

Machias. Very happy it worked out for you. My twin brother married a controlling, how shall I say British $$%^, . I only get to see him once every 5 years or so.I guess it does not come down to nationality. I am not married to An American girl( She is a city girl from Eastern Europe). Took a few years to come to an understanding. Now she loves to fish and hunt. She helped me butcher my last deer and smoke my fish ( steelhead and trout). Glad it worked out for us

Group hug for the gear and fly guys.  :Maybe I can book Oprah or Dr. Phil. We can discuss our feelings

[GEARHEAD]

If i wanted to hug a turdpusher, i could just go to Capitol Hill

[snocohunter]

If i wanted to hug a turdpusher, i could just go to Capitol Hill

Okay you owe me a new keyboard! I just spit coffee all over mine! 

[Machias]

If i wanted to hug a turdpusher, i could just go to Capitol Hill

 

[Houndhunter]

just a heads up, im pretty sure hogquest fished the cowlitz before that rule was around