THANK YOU and I’m glad to this thread now unlocked.
We and other anglers have done just like bassrods did…that is met personally with DWR officials to discuss our concerns with them. We have provided the DWR with additional information to consider and they have been very receptive to our input and insight as anglers. This is how we as anglers make our voices heard. Some very good information was shared and learned by all in attendance I’m sure. I for one appreciated Amy’s willingness to inform folks this was happening and additional information she provided on another forum. THANK YOU AMY!!!
I actually agree with you to an extent on this one. That very reason is why I was unhappy about the decision last year to make most every bass water in Utah have the same regs. I’m tired of them trying to dumb things down. It honestly isn’t that hard to pick up a proclamation and read it. I think each water should be assessed separately and the regulations should be devised accordingly.
Idaho does this a great deal more, and low and behold, the fishing is better. There’s a reason I didn’t spend a single day fishing warm water species in Utah this year. Idaho has slot limits on many of its waters, and it works well.
I’m one of the first guys to poke fun at BASSRODS, but I give him mad props for taking the time to get involved. Seriously, I respect anyone that goes the extra mile, instead of just bitching and moaning on a message board.
As for the bass – I’m not much of an angler yet, so I have no opinion. I really only wish they’d move Sand Hollow about 4 hours closer to SLC so I don’t have to burn $150.00 every other week because I’m addicted to it.
I wish there was a way they could do that, it sounds like an awesome fishery, but it’s unlikely I’ll make it down there anytime in the near future. Someday I’ll have to do a southern Utah fishing trip.
I can probably out fish bassrods in any tournament if I wanted to, and I have caught likely more big largemouth bass in a single year than he has in his lifetime. Bass are super abundant, I found that food supply is what makes some waters get trophy potential. It has nothing to do with fishing pressure. People simply don’t harvest enough bass to do any damage and eliminating a good number of bass helps produce giant fish. Statewide bass slot limits are too restrictive and won’t help bass populations because bass populations are simply overabundant and don’t need any help. Just say no to that type of radical thinking.
It cracks me up that a bunch of you are getting all lathered up about Cliff going to the WB meeting and expressing his opinion. It should be pointed out that the WB only passed the material that went through the RAC’s and the removal of the Joes Valley closure. Cliff’s proposal wasn’t passed, the spear guys stuff wasn’t passed, no other controversial regs were snuck in. If you disagree with what he said so much, why don’t you guys show up at a RAC or the WB meeting and say so. You do have that right.
Next year may indeed have some controversial stuff come through the RAC’s. If you don’t get your voices heard by showing up to the meetings or at minimum, contacting the DWR through emails, you have nobody to blame but yourself. So get off the computer in your mom’s basement and show up.
Man the last time I told people to get off the computer I got a warning from a mod telling me the next time I said that I would be off BFT for a few weeks.
Perhaps you missed the part where this post was locked, but then unlocked.
Maybe I wasn’t clear before - so I’ll say it more direct - ENOUGH of the personal attacks. I’m glad that you are confident in your bass-ing abilities, but there’s no reason to be bragging off on Bassrods.
As has been said - he had an opinion, he attended a meeting and shared his suggestion. You have your own opinions, and are welcome to them.
Lets leave the school yard jabs and personal attacks out of the picture please. A lock is one click away.
A year or two ago they lifted the “only one over 12” rule of a few lakes. Had also seen notes in the proclamation suggesting more harvest of smaller bass. So I’d agree - there was a push to increase harvest. I’d be curious to know what impact the 12" change has had.
RE" I’d be curious to know what impact the 12" change has had."
When I helped with the Jordanelle gillnetting, the biologist said that there weren’t a lot of small bass harvested in numbers and was concerned that the ratio of large bass harvested vs small bass was too high.
Many knowledgeable anglers and biologists agree that we don’t harvest enough small bass from our smallie lakes. The big bass are another matter.
When I helped with the Jordanelle gillnetting, the biologist said that there weren’t a lot of small bass harvested in numbers and was concerned that the ratio of large bass harvested vs small bass was too high.
There you go, straight from the biologist’s mouth. I really don’t understand everyone’s obsession with taking home big fish. It seems so antiquated, I don’t really understand why so many people still feel this way. Selective harvest is the way to go. Smaller fish are lower in toxins and taste better too. It’s better for everyone, fish and anglers alike, if we harvest the smaller fish.
Thanks for the kind words and many, many thanks to those who’ve taken the time to talk to their local biologists, attend an open house, take the annual survey or comment at a RAC or Wildlife Board meeting. I know our fisheries personnel have really appreciated your input over the past year and want to continue hearing from you.
We’re finalizing the 2013 Fishing guidebook right now and should have it online in either late November or early December. I’ll drop a note here as soon as it’s posted.
