Watched "Release" over at Chum, and it makes me want to do something about NJ's archaic put-and-take fishery dogma. So much beautiful water is devoid of trout because of some false sense of entitlement to keep what you catch.
If the water can hold the trout, the trout should be given a chance to hold the water. Wild Brookies. Hatchery Hold Overs. Smarter, Older, Bigger fish. This is the goal.
A few weeks back, I was out exploring some water with a best bud. We walked up on three mini booze bottles, a broken jar of power bait, and a stringer with a 18in Rainbow Hen laying on the bank of a pool with half her body tanned from exposure. Pissed me right off.
Not sure what it would take to change the culture of trout fishing in New Jersey. Probably an envelope with a wad of cash, a conversation with the Govenor in a back alley, and a comped weekend at the Belaggio. No doubt a grandfathered compromise would be needed, like giving the bombsquad some designated waters so they can live out their need to harvest hatchery pigs over a three day span after stocking. It shouldn't require much water, maybe a mile or two, as they are accustomed to fishing shoulder to shoulder. A media blitz would be needed to reach the none-reading types. Maybe get Obama to fish with Matt Lauer on the Pequest.
Obviously, this is a young idea of mine. We'll see what germinates in the next little while. Bbut one thing is certain; NJ trout need a fin up.
If the water can hold the trout, the trout should be given a chance to hold the water. Wild Brookies. Hatchery Hold Overs. Smarter, Older, Bigger fish. This is the goal.
A few weeks back, I was out exploring some water with a best bud. We walked up on three mini booze bottles, a broken jar of power bait, and a stringer with a 18in Rainbow Hen laying on the bank of a pool with half her body tanned from exposure. Pissed me right off.
Not sure what it would take to change the culture of trout fishing in New Jersey. Probably an envelope with a wad of cash, a conversation with the Govenor in a back alley, and a comped weekend at the Belaggio. No doubt a grandfathered compromise would be needed, like giving the bombsquad some designated waters so they can live out their need to harvest hatchery pigs over a three day span after stocking. It shouldn't require much water, maybe a mile or two, as they are accustomed to fishing shoulder to shoulder. A media blitz would be needed to reach the none-reading types. Maybe get Obama to fish with Matt Lauer on the Pequest.
Obviously, this is a young idea of mine. We'll see what germinates in the next little while. Bbut one thing is certain; NJ trout need a fin up.
Labels: catch and release, NJ
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