BIg Bash Continues

[teal101]

It's just funny to see the two sides of this forum.  When someone posts about a guy misidentifying a big game animal and killing it the entire forum wants a lynch mob.  Same thing when a guy shoots 8 ducks instead of 7, lynch him he's destroying the resource.  But with fish it's different, after all they're just fish right?  Breaking the law is breaking the law.  Sure a lot of us do break laws every day.  Turns with no turn signals in our cars, slightly over the speed limit, etc.  It doesn't make it right, just like how lifting a wild fish out of the water isn't right.  People do it all the time unfortunately, but those who know the laws and don't are the true stewards of the land who know the laws in order to protect the resource.

/soapbox

[Button Nubbs]

how is this now turning into a fly vs gear fisherman debate?

 

I am not a big fisherman as many of the board members posting on here are. I can see how the fisherman are all "fired" up about this gentlemen posting pictures of an illegal fish. I know I personally would be "fired" up if someone posted an illegal big game animal on here since I am a hunter. I really don't think the guy knew what he was doing or else the pictures would have not been put up; ignorance on his part. But; I think the point has been made that he made a mistake so I don't see how continuing to rub the dudes face in the mud is going to help. If these fish are so close to being extinct then why doesn't the state do more to protect them? I think that the state should adopt some sort of program that Montana has for the identification of bear in their state. If a person plans on fishing a certain lake, stream or river he/she should have to take a fish identity test so they know the difference. If they can't pass the test then they don't fish. 

the state is doing more to protect them. the want to shut down the river earlier and earlier every few years.

[TheHunt]

Because some yah hoo put that in his response in page 2 of the thread.  And we are off on another tanget.   

[WSU]

The picture, which apparently included the dude's hands in the gills with a nearly dead fish, is the exact reason the law was enacted.  If people were capable of responsibly handling fish (not having hands in gills, only out of the water for a few brief seconds, not dragging them on the beach or dropping them in the boat, etc) then there would be no law.  But, people are either unaware of the harm or don't care.  So, we now have a law in an attempt to prevent the very thing that has people upset.  Personally, I wish people could act responsibly and that I could take a native out of the water for a 2 second photo of such awesome fish.  I cannot do so legally thanks to others who screwed it up for the rest of us.

I do think that some of these instances are the result of people who just don't know better.  Not everyone was born knowing the proper way to handle a fish. 

[teal101]

how is this now turning into a fly vs gear fisherman debate?

Fly fishers are a bunch of cigar smoking, wine drinking, homosexual yuppies

Just carrying on the debate

[Button Nubbs]

Whew... Glad I'm a gear fisherman...

[rasbo]

nothing or nobody is safe from bashing ...I cannot wait till Im perfect and without flaws..I Know, why wait, not gonna happen

[CountryslickR]

The picture, which apparently included the dude's hands in the gills with a nearly dead fish, is the exact reason the law was enacted.  If people were capable of responsibly handling fish (not having hands in gills, only out of the water for a few brief seconds, not dragging them on the beach or dropping them in the boat, etc) then there would be no law.  But, people are either unaware of the harm or don't care.  So, we now have a law in an attempt to prevent the very thing that has people upset.  Personally, I wish people could act responsibly and that I could take a native out of the water for a 2 second photo of such awesome fish.  I cannot do so legally thanks to others who screwed it up for the rest of us.

I do think that some of these instances are the result of people who just don't know better.  Not everyone was born knowing the proper way to handle a fish.

Just handle the fish properly and with care, hold it so the head and gill plates are still in the water, quick pic, then its back to nature...your absolutely right about that the law is for the people that drag the fish up on the rocks and then kick them back....a short fight, proper handling and a quick pic will not kill a strong "wild" fish....and yes, the eyes do tell the story in a pic...

[huntnnw]

how is this now turning into a fly vs gear fisherman debate?

Fly fishers are a bunch of cigar smoking, wine drinking, homosexual yuppies

Just carrying on the debate

isnt that the truth

[CountryslickR]

how is this now turning into a fly vs gear fisherman debate?

Fly fishers are a bunch of cigar smoking, wine drinking, homosexual yuppies

Just carrying on the debate

isnt that the truth

LOL!!! Specially the ones that guide on waters that aren't their local waters and think they own the place! or are completely rude at the takeouts....lol...but yes, you do speak the truth!

[7mmfan]

I don't konw why i'm even bothering adding my two cents to this, but I feel compelled.  For everyone out there that is fly-ignorant, a 10' 8 weight fly rod is about the same strength as a 10' med - med/hvy spinning or bait casting rod. Now being one of those lowly GUIDES that everyone is talking about, I can add input from both sides. I have guided both gear and fly anglers and to this day still fish with either technique depending on the day, location, and species pursued (of course its easier to fling a float rig with a spinning rod when you drank too much pinot the night before  ).

I will admit that many guys with a fly rod in their hand to tend to fight fish for to long, but I think it has more to do with the number of fish that they have actually caught on that rod and their knowledge of how much pressure they actually can put on the fish. I've caught well over 1000 steelhead and about 1/4 of those have been on fly rods. I can land a 12# wild buck just as fast with a fly rod as I can with a bait casting rod and definitely faster than I can with a spinning rod, but that is because I have caught many,and know the limitations of my rod, leader, knots and hooks. You have to admit that most anglers we see on the river (both gear and fly anglers) probably play their fish too long because most of them have caught very few of these fish and its almost a day ending experience when one gets away.

In the future, rather than crucifying someone on the river for playing their fish too long, put YOUR rod down and go help them out. They may be a novice and need some pointers. You want people to know how to handle fish correctly and not play them to long? Then teach them! That was and is my favorite part about being guide is seeing that AHA! moment when someone figures it out. . . oh and tying up the launch on a river 500 miles from my house while I tie a custom nymphing leader onto my 11' Sage switch rod, while smoking a cigar and airing out my second bottle of cabernet.  Thanks guys!

[CountryslickR]

Great response! I actually love fly fishing on the Henry's Fork and rivers of the like (for beautiful browns and bows), but you are right, the majority of the people playing fish too long are inexperienced....I am a guide supporter, they bring money to the resources and interest to the great sport of fishing/hunting to people that may otherwise not partake, but there is something to be said for a guide that is polite, curtious and friendly.......i am friends with a handful of guides in-state, and out, including bc..and for the most part around Wa if you are fishing with gear and a fly guide comes near, they act like you are the vale....haha...tight lines!! hope everyone is catching steel!!

[biggamehunter]

You can definately tell that we are getting hard up for some new threads.  This thing is ancient.

[rasbo]

time tested,never fails

[bearpaw]