Trout Stream Bullies
Bullies Oppose C&RI ruined a perfectly good Thursday evening this week.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) held an open forum in Gaylord to solicit public comments concerning trout stream regulations and the possible extension of “gear restricted” stream designations. The results were predictable.
The catch-and-kill bait fishermen were on hand to dig in their heels. Although they have free rein on over 99.5% of all trout stream miles in the state, they weren’t about to give up another inch of stream water to gear restrictions, or no-kill fishing rules.
Fly fishermen were on hand to tout the merits of the catch-and-release angling ethic, asking for a few more miles of dedicated water to enhance their limited opportunities.
The DNRE was on hand to listen politely, and to evaluate which of the two user-groups would become the most obnoxious and difficult to live with after the DNRE submitted their final recommendation to the Natural Resources Commission.
Michigan has about 19,000 miles of trout streams. Out of all those river miles, only 3 short segments (totaling perhaps 25 miles) are under “flies only catch and release” rules. Another 7 segments of stream are restricted to artificial lures and flies, but still allow for the harvesting of trout. Any angler that wants to fly fish in water where the only appreciable trout mortality is due to Mother Nature, not anglers, is required to drive to either the Au Sable River system or the Pere Marquette. Fly fishers need to plan on a 6 hour drive from the western U. P., or a 2 ½ hour drive from the southern part of the state. At $2.79 per gallon . . . well, you do the math.
Despite these glaring facts, the catch-and-kill crowd kept admonishing the DNRE that any changes to the status quo ought to be made in the best interest of the resource, based on sound scientific research and evidence. There is, however, one indisputable scientific fact that the catch-and-kill crowd conveniently continues to ignore:
Of all the hook and line methods of angling (bait, fly fishing, spinners and spoons), bait fishermen have (by FAR) the highest rate of unintentional hooking mortality. Fly fishing has the LEAST. The bottom line is that sub-legal (and non-target) fish caught by bait anglers, have a much higher propensity to die after being released, than do fish of any species or size, caught by fly fishing anglers. That fact, in itself, ought to tip the scales in favor dedicating a few more river miles to catch-and-release fly fishing. When you consider the inconvenient distances fishermen have to travel to enjoy a quality catch-and-release fishing experience, a few more miles, scattered around the state, actually begins to make sense.
Beyond Catch & Release: Exploring the Future of Fly Fishing
It will be interesting to see how the DNRE responds to the demands of this small group of vociferous anti-catch-and-release users. Will these bullies retain their white-knuckled grip on 99.5% of all trout streams in Michigan? Or, will the Department see fit to extend a little more protection to the resource by opening up a few more river miles to the catch-and-release ethic. Only time will tell.
