Just sayin'

[FlyinFish]

Trust me, I was an elitist long before I was a fly fisherman.

[Artin]

No fish = no license revenue= less Wardens and money to protect what wild fisheries that we do have.

Bob, I will need to disagree about this comment... At this time it's more like this FISH= licence revenue = license revenue get's placed into the black hole (CA general fund) never to be seen = less wardens who cannot possibly monitor efficiently = stupid DFG coming in and creating new idiotic regulations by a bunch of morons (ie: the striper situation up in the delta, whatever happened to that?).... So I don't really see why I should even buy a license other than I'll get a ticket... What a crock!

But I do agree that businesses hurt when fishermen stop going to the valley. But at the same time... do you want what is happening at the Kern with all the trash and undesirables in your neck of the woods?
It is true that bait and lure fishermen outnumber us... Actually I use bait and lures too from time to time.... Chasing big game out in the ocean. I don't frown. I do know that I get really * when I see styrofoam worm cups and caps, dipers, power bait jars etc on the streams.... (Now not to sound like an elitist but I don't think I've ever see a fly fisher leaving his/her slippers next to a creek) or clean camp and leave all kinds of disgusting crap, uneaten food dirty laundry trash bags etc. Although some of my closest friends fish with bait and I fish with them often and don't care really about it. I do know that they clean up after themselves and respect that others will use the same resources. Now that being said it is more prevalent in the non fly fishing community to leave garbage around and that is my problem.

Also, I did prefer the Eastern Sierras of about 15+ years ago when we could literally drive up Fri. night and find a legit campground at PV... only $6 a night.... yea $6 a night... without the hoards of people calling in or reserving online for their once a year camping trip etc.... California has turned into a zoo..... It sucks, and when I'm able i'm outta here but for now I am putting up with what it has to offer.....
I remember getting there and driving around at midnight in the campsite and looking for the best spots... Finding an average of 14-16" fish all over... those days are gone and now with litter and the average 8-10" trout is not really worth it to drive 4 hours... Thing's have changed. For the better of the local economy but for the demise of nature I think.

The above being said,

I didn't intend to start an argument with my post. I just thought it was funny how differently most of us on this board see the outdoors compared to others. I like my fish pictures to be slick colorful and natural as much as possible... I love the look of fish half in water and half out... Just pointing out contrast.
Sasha, by the way, we have a food called cutlet that uses bread crumbs... o so good Arvin can chime in on that! DELICIOUS! I think I'll have my wife make some tonight!

Artin

[Artin]

Craig, that link is giving me an error, cant see the page.....

But i think this is the article you were referring to

http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/HTML/artic ... incent.htm


Artin

[Artin]

I completely agree with that study and article by the way! Go big country state!

Artin

[darrin terry]

Good read, Craig.

[Dry Fly Rie]

Wow. Like Darrin said, a great read. Thanks for posting.

[Papasequoia]

That is a great article, Craig, thanks. I have read bits and pieces about the history of that change to non-stocking in Montana over the years, but that really gives the whole picture.

[Waterborne]

Trust me, I was an elitist long before I was a fly fisherman.

LOVE THIS QUOTE!!!

[briansII]

Does anyone think that would fly(no pun intended)in Cali? I'd have to send the bucket waaaaay, WAAAAAAY deep in the optimism well, to think that would ever happen in California.

briansII

[BobK]

No Way! Compare the populations of the 2 states. And to compare the Kern to the Eastern Sierra is absurd. You are talking day users, partying, swimming and a big population center an hour away compared to a destination area with a very little total population base. I know, I've argued this before, but Most (not all) of us started with something besides a fly rod in hand. Bobk

[Artin]

Most (not all) of us started with something besides a fly rod in hand. Bobk

Darn right!
Salmon eggs are a killer @ the Kern, crickets murder fish on the Owens, there is a shop by lake Elsinore that sells some crazy dough with corn flower garlic and honey man the carp are hypnotized....

Artin

[Bakoguy]

Let me get on the soap box.
The two areas share something. Lack of enforcement by DFG and Federal Forrestry. If the areas were more heavily policed and violaters (illegal streamside campers and non license holders ) seriously punished the rivers would be cleaner and full of more fish.
This will not happen until both of those parties receive the monies generated from violations and licenses. As was pointed out the money now goes into the Black Hole of the general fund. There is no incentive to seek out people breaking the law. Only recently have I ever seen a warden on a stream in California and of all places it was the Upper and Lower Owens busting fly fishermen mostly.
The CHP gets 100% of the revenue from license violations and the one thing I took away from traffic shool is "they will bust you quicker for a reg violation than speeding".
If the Fly Fishing Federation could generate a large enough collective voice there might be a chance to effect a change through the legislature to redirect the money from the general fund.
Then, I think you would see more positive enforcement.