FrankTroutAngler wrote:
JasonS,
I'm against FFO because it excludes spinner fishermen for no sound reason, as well as for many other reasons. Hooking mortality is similar with flies and spinners.
I'm in complete agreement here. That's why I'm opposed to FFO sections as well. And to go further, the mortality rate isn't that much higher for actively fished bait versus spin/fly, according to the resident Fisheries Biologist, Mike. My only concern with bait is the invasive species issue.
Kayakers impact the fishing for ALL anglers, particularly on a small stream like Spring Creek where they will be tearing up redds and chasing spawning trout all over creation every autumn.
But this is premised on the idea that anglers have more of a right to the waterway then kayakers. Do you have any data to back up your claim that kayakers will be tearing up the redds and chasing spawning trout? If the data is there to support that claim, then I think limiting or banning kayaking could be in order. Protecting the resource should be a mission of the PFBC, protecting anglers from the inconvenience of kayakers shouldn't be.
I predict that a couple years from now Spring Creek anglers will be complaining vehemently about the kayaks. I've seen a mass exodus of anglers on the Little Juniata River after a wave of canoes and kayaks went though (more than once). Think what it will be like on a smaller waterway like Spring Creek. I could see a fly shop or two going out of business.
Well on the other thread, spinfishing vs. flyfishing, some of the fly fishermen complain vehemently about bait and spin fishermen, does that mean the FFO regs are fair?