08-16-2010, 06:35 AM
Wow - I do feel kinda beat up on now. [pirate] And I'm sorry you feel that way. But I will say - strongly - I don't agree.
I did make an effort to read up on Idaho laws before coming up on the trip (ya'll have a big book! And I thought Utah's laws were quirky and confusing!). That's how I even KNEW about Bull-Trout (not like you could miss all the signs at every body of water you come to).
Maybe I misinterpreted - but what I thought was meant by "may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately" referred more to - no live wells, no stringers, no hanging on to them, taking them home - rather get the hook out (if you can) and get them back in quickly as possible. As I mentioned - I revived many of the fish, since I was wading in the water. And those fish took off with full-vigor. Each fish was quite quickly returned.
Folks on shore would have had a hard time removing hooks and releasing fish if they hadn't lifted them. The shore is VERY shallow, and rough sand.
I specifically moved to single hooks to assist in easier release. Out of over a 1/2 dozen I saw caught, there was one that was only left with a hook in. There was the one that got dropped a couple times (kids, they try!) - and I cringed each time. But I also swam him back and forth until he kicked away hard and strong.
EVERY fish I touched was with wet hands, held gently from underneath. And I'm sorry - but yes - they were my first bull-trout EVER - and I did practice CPR - catch, photograph, release. I don't consider that a crime, I'm sorry that you do.
The listing of how best to handle and release fish - are suggestions, as I see it. GOOD ones, but it's not that you're breaking the law if you touch a fish with a dry hand - for example, key word - "AVOID".
Spoke with a ranger who checked my "temporary out of state license". He asked if we'd caught any bulls - I told him about the biggy - then he asked if they were released. I told him Yes-Sir! I did tell him about the photos - he didn't question anything about lifting fish out of the water. I even showed him the big-bull!
And as for "specifically targetting" I concur with the other note -
(1) we weren't "specifically targetting" anything
(2) we were hoping to catch Bulls
(3) we were hoping to catch ANYTHING that would bite!
- I don't think there's any law against that! That's why they call it CATCH and release.
Using the same bait - same technique - same location, I pulled in hosts more planter 'bows than bulls, without a doubt. Seems like every fish up there eats salmon eggs.
So honestly - who can tell me they'd prefer to hook into a 10-12 inch newly planted - farm raised - STUPID rainbow, or a 5 lb seasoned SMART/SLY/STRONG Bull? Which is a greater challenge, which a greater reward/satisfaction?
I paid good money for that temp-permit, I planned to use it (cost me more for 5 days of fishing in Idaho, than a full year in Utah).
And as I say all this "we" stuff - there were different families camping and fishing there - "we" were strangers. I was on my own - flying solo. But there was a good comradery and support amongst the anglers there. In particular - this feller with the Big Bull was from Idaho, and seemed most informed, and shared his knowledge with the others. There were some younger kids there, and who knows what might have happened if they weren't watched - but I'll say - this guy stepped up and helped get fish in safely, and returned healthy. I did what I could too.
So riddle me this? How many Idaho Anglers have come fishing in Utah, and brought Corn for bait???
I did make an effort to read up on Idaho laws before coming up on the trip (ya'll have a big book! And I thought Utah's laws were quirky and confusing!). That's how I even KNEW about Bull-Trout (not like you could miss all the signs at every body of water you come to).
Maybe I misinterpreted - but what I thought was meant by "may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately" referred more to - no live wells, no stringers, no hanging on to them, taking them home - rather get the hook out (if you can) and get them back in quickly as possible. As I mentioned - I revived many of the fish, since I was wading in the water. And those fish took off with full-vigor. Each fish was quite quickly returned.
Folks on shore would have had a hard time removing hooks and releasing fish if they hadn't lifted them. The shore is VERY shallow, and rough sand.
I specifically moved to single hooks to assist in easier release. Out of over a 1/2 dozen I saw caught, there was one that was only left with a hook in. There was the one that got dropped a couple times (kids, they try!) - and I cringed each time. But I also swam him back and forth until he kicked away hard and strong.
EVERY fish I touched was with wet hands, held gently from underneath. And I'm sorry - but yes - they were my first bull-trout EVER - and I did practice CPR - catch, photograph, release. I don't consider that a crime, I'm sorry that you do.
The listing of how best to handle and release fish - are suggestions, as I see it. GOOD ones, but it's not that you're breaking the law if you touch a fish with a dry hand - for example, key word - "AVOID".
Spoke with a ranger who checked my "temporary out of state license". He asked if we'd caught any bulls - I told him about the biggy - then he asked if they were released. I told him Yes-Sir! I did tell him about the photos - he didn't question anything about lifting fish out of the water. I even showed him the big-bull!
And as for "specifically targetting" I concur with the other note -
(1) we weren't "specifically targetting" anything
(2) we were hoping to catch Bulls
(3) we were hoping to catch ANYTHING that would bite!
- I don't think there's any law against that! That's why they call it CATCH and release.
Using the same bait - same technique - same location, I pulled in hosts more planter 'bows than bulls, without a doubt. Seems like every fish up there eats salmon eggs.
So honestly - who can tell me they'd prefer to hook into a 10-12 inch newly planted - farm raised - STUPID rainbow, or a 5 lb seasoned SMART/SLY/STRONG Bull? Which is a greater challenge, which a greater reward/satisfaction?
I paid good money for that temp-permit, I planned to use it (cost me more for 5 days of fishing in Idaho, than a full year in Utah).
And as I say all this "we" stuff - there were different families camping and fishing there - "we" were strangers. I was on my own - flying solo. But there was a good comradery and support amongst the anglers there. In particular - this feller with the Big Bull was from Idaho, and seemed most informed, and shared his knowledge with the others. There were some younger kids there, and who knows what might have happened if they weren't watched - but I'll say - this guy stepped up and helped get fish in safely, and returned healthy. I did what I could too.
So riddle me this? How many Idaho Anglers have come fishing in Utah, and brought Corn for bait???