08-14-2006, 11:54 PM
No problem. I'm not offended. Opinions differ on these issues and reasonable folks can be on opposite sides of every one of these questions.
And, let's face it, Poewerbait or not, a guy does have to have some real skill (and some luck) to land a 30+ lb. pike with 8 lb. test, no steel leader, a tiny bait hook, and a trout sized landing net! I'll bet that whole process was something to see.
I don't doubt that, for the most part, the DOW's intentions are good. It's just that their objectives and regulations may not promote what I would like to see promoted. For instance, I think the removal of the slot limit on lakers on Granby is absurd and I think the same thing about the killing of big lake trout in Blue Mesa that the CDOW is encouraging. There is now a DOW policy that encourages killing big lake trout to protect their hatchery pet kokanee salmon, and I definitely believe that to be misguided. I would much prefer to catch and release a 20-30# lake trout than to troll up a 15" kokanee to slap on the smoker. It doesn't mean I don't like kokanee or kokanee fishermen; I just would prefer a different fishing opportunity.
So, no, I don't trust all of the DOW regulations, because they may not promote the fishery I would like to see. And just because something is legal doesn't make it right.
And, yes, I have a problem with the idiots who kill & keep 60 fish, or who use live bait in artificial only waters, or who kill undersized/slotted fish, too. Seize their trucks and boats, chop 'em up, and feed 'em to the fishes!
And thanks for your interest and for posting!
Later-
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And, let's face it, Poewerbait or not, a guy does have to have some real skill (and some luck) to land a 30+ lb. pike with 8 lb. test, no steel leader, a tiny bait hook, and a trout sized landing net! I'll bet that whole process was something to see.
I don't doubt that, for the most part, the DOW's intentions are good. It's just that their objectives and regulations may not promote what I would like to see promoted. For instance, I think the removal of the slot limit on lakers on Granby is absurd and I think the same thing about the killing of big lake trout in Blue Mesa that the CDOW is encouraging. There is now a DOW policy that encourages killing big lake trout to protect their hatchery pet kokanee salmon, and I definitely believe that to be misguided. I would much prefer to catch and release a 20-30# lake trout than to troll up a 15" kokanee to slap on the smoker. It doesn't mean I don't like kokanee or kokanee fishermen; I just would prefer a different fishing opportunity.
So, no, I don't trust all of the DOW regulations, because they may not promote the fishery I would like to see. And just because something is legal doesn't make it right.
And, yes, I have a problem with the idiots who kill & keep 60 fish, or who use live bait in artificial only waters, or who kill undersized/slotted fish, too. Seize their trucks and boats, chop 'em up, and feed 'em to the fishes!
And thanks for your interest and for posting!
Later-
[signature]