The Future in PA is Grim!

[nymphingmaniac]

I understand and appreciate your input that counteracts mine, and I say that to all posters who have made points that counter mine, and I still disagree. I think this sets a bad precedent. It is irrelevant how many bookings a landowner might get or how much money made. What matters is that there is now an avenue where a landowner can make a profit and remove all liability from allowing someone on their land. Yes, the website states that it is helping to open up otherwise unavailable waters, and that may be true for now, but how long until the "leases" start to gobble up tons of private water that is currently open? When will landowners begin to close their sections only to then list them here. The owner responded to me, and he said he would never partner with a landowner who does that. I'll believe that when I see it.

Maybe I am crazy, but I don't see anything good coming from this.

"where a landowner can make a profit and remove all liability from allowing someone on their land."
I disagree with this statement, but landowners don't know this. It reduces liability though. Without seeing the actual hookstr policy that claims coverage, you don't know. The waiver the clients signs is just a speed bump to lawsuits, not a prevention. Many a company have lost cases where the plaintiffs signed a waiver.

I 100% agree nothing good. I wonder about the impact though.

 

[tjsingle]

I don't see any good coming from it either, especially if people start ponying up money to fish these sections of stream.

Unfortunately in the world we live in, people want to get their slice of the pie. For example a land owner on Spruce might see whatever the lodges charge and say well why can't I get a slice?

 

[TimMurphy]

Dear Board,

While I completely despise the concept of paying to freshwater fish, I have a few more concerns about this model.

From viewing the properties listed the descriptions and pictures are lacking detail. Paying to fish section of wild trout stream and arriving to find you bought a pig in poke is a real possibility from the descriptions. Without more details how do you know that you didn't just pay to fish the most marginal section of water on the stream. There are lots of 6-inch riffles in the pictures.

Reading the Q&A for landholders I find it surprising that there is no review section for the anglers' impressions of the property while the landowner can review said anglers. Likewise, I don't see any notations about refunding cancelations or perhaps the better word, rainchecks. Booking a trip in advance is always a bit of a gamble, but seeing flash flooding in the area the day before your trip seems to leave the angler hanging. Every fishing charter I've ever been on has a weather clause. I've had trips canceled and refunded due to weather conditions. Unless I'm missing something that isn't a possibility here.

I also see the potential as was mentioned above for other landowners to see how fellow landowners in the area are faring and decide to turn their property which was formerly open into a pay situation.

Bottom line, I'm just glad I am getting old. Everything will cost money to do eventually.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[chief17]

I do not like the name however. Leaving out a letter or a vowel to seem cool and hip is overdone. Should be changed.

There are posts with zero fee or a minimal fee. I do not like the charges of $100 or $150. That just seems greedy.

I agree. I don't know what aggravates me more...the business concept or spelling of the business name lol

 

[tomgamber]

"where a landowner can make a profit and remove all liability from allowing someone on their land."
I disagree with this statement, but landowners don't know this. It reduces liability though. Without seeing the actual hookstr policy that claims coverage, you don't know. The waiver the clients signs is just a speed bump to lawsuits, not a prevention. Many a company have lost cases where the plaintiffs signed a waiver.

I 100% agree nothing good. I wonder about the impact though.

If there was pressure to force these fishery "owners" to have to carry a certain amount of liability insurance, this could make a fish for fee enterprise less attractive. I had to carry a million dollars of liability just to shoot weddings 20 years ago. Way less dangerous than fishing.

Are guides required to carry insurance?

 

[TimMurphy]

If there was pressure to force these fishery "owners" to have to carry a certain amount of liability insurance, this could make a fish for fee enterprise less attractive. I had to carry a million dollars of liability just to shoot weddings 20 years ago. Way less dangerous than fishing.

Are guides required to carry insurance?

Dear tomgamber,

Yes, from the PFBC website:

Charter Boat Operators and Fishing Guides Requirements​

• Display their Charter Boat/Fishing Guide permit on a hat or an outer garment in plain view
• Possess a vaild fishing license and permitting appropriate for the waters they are fishing (and ensure the same for all workers and customers)
• Possess and maintain General Liability Insurance
• Possess and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications.
  • BLS does not include first aid training. A separate first aid course would be required,
• If using a boat, Charter Boat Operators/Fishing Guides must also possess a Boating Safety Education Certificate issues by the Commission or another state in accordance with NASBLA or a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC)
• Permittees must provide proof of all requirements upon request of a Waterways Conservation Officer (WCO)

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[lycoflyfisher]

BTW, if you haven't visited the site, look near the bottom.

"
Hooksetr partnered with the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited to support the 2026 Lycoming Creek cleanup."

I am curious if this TU chapter knows this company is whoring off them to grant legitimacy?

Some leadership of that TU Chapter was also in a management role of a water authority local to that area that owns many thousands of acres of property with several really good wild trout streams that they do not allow angling on. They allow hiking, mountain biking, birding, snow shoeing, limited hunting, but no fishing.

 

[rustbeltwilds]

Not good I hear ya...but when easy money or any money is a easy grab all thoughts of decency go out the windows money corrupts when money is your god then there's no room for the real one coz it's never enough to satisfy greed greed greed