The internet, I wonder what fishing will be like in 10 years

[JGFLYFISH]

Pooled up fish in clear water attract snaggers as well.

I was at HC 3 weeks ago and some guy decided to crowd my stretch of water, even though there were plenty of available runs to fish. This guy started fishing, and at first I just thought the guy didn't know how to cast, but I soon realized what he was trying to do. He was trying to snag the fish he can see pooled up near the bottom. He stayed away from me as soon as he saw my camera.

[lucfish]

That rivers best days are behind it.

Unfortunately, that is probably correct. I am glad I had an opportunity to FF there in the late 70's and early 80's before it was killed in 1987...it has come back, to a certain degree, but a lot of folks who NOW go to that spot have ZERO respect for the regs. and environment. It might not be a bad idea to go back to the winter closures...and F$$k the guides who put their clients over those pooled up Trout...

PT/TB

PlanetTrout: You would be surprised at the amount of guides that did NOT want the winter fishing season on the East Walker or on Hot Cr. There are still a few that will not guide those waters and stick to the LO when they guide in the winter. It's hard to believe that the year around season doesn't have an adverse affect on those waters, as small of an area that they cover. Bobk

Maybe a letter writing campaign to the DFG expressing our dissatisfaction about the year round fishery on the E W might get something changed. It is not hard to catch a lot of fish on that stream when the flows are at the current minimum during winter. The DFG used places like Montana as an example of year round fisheries. Well this is not Montana, it is California and it is full of people who don’t care about the resource. And as far as guides go on the E W, most of the ones I have meet are professional and courteous. I have actually had one tell us we had to move because we were in a spot too long in his opinion, and they wanted to fish it. You know * well they would not leave a spot if their clients were catching fish. The E W has changed for the worse in the few years with the new regulations in place.

Mark

I could write a book about this place and how I feel. Flyaddict you are right about how this was patterned. The thing is the dfg biologist has told me that HE knows this water cannot take the pressure with these low flows, you've got 4,000 fish per mile (supposably) and when the water gets down to 26 cfs the fish up top are basically all jammed in 4 runs or pools. Add to that that the low flows come in the fall when many fish run UP the river to spawn. So you've got all these fish big and small crammed into this confined space, it's hard on them and they stress, then on top of that they get caught, more stress. These fish are not getting a break. But the biologist hands are tied, these marching orders come from a higher source and I personally don't know who that is. As far as getting things changed it sounds good but these higher ups will not change (at least from what I hear) At the meeting they had in Bridgeport about opening up this water year around (I believe their were 3 open meeting thoughout the state.) the dfg biologist was told in no uncertain terms to not comment on any of the remarks. At least 80%, maybe 90 were against opening the water year round and they got there 3 minutes to speak but it was a forgone conclusion. They were opening this water come * or high water, ironic I said high water. LOL Anyway Bob K. is right, we know and fish with many of the guides there and to a man there was not one that wanted the EW open during the winter. My good friend Brad spoke there and mentioned that the opening of the river should be tied to the water flow, something like no fishing til the water flow is 40 cfs. Then you could fish this sometime in March before the general trout season but not before the fish could move around a bit and spred out.To me this makes perfect sense but when does common sense run into the equation. As far as guides are concerned, the guides I know (and Bob K.) would NEVER, EVER guide or fish that water in those low flows. (They won't fish it when the water gets to warm in late July/early August either, but that is a whole other matter.) In fact most of the GOOD guides don't even fish there for fun, they fish there to see how the fishing is and what it takes to get their client a good day of fishing but they don't spend the day hitting all the spots, just enough to get an idea of what to use and when. It's not the easiest thing for them to do. (Not guide their during the low flows.) I mean it is pretty easy for them to get their clients onto fish and they certainly could use the work (money) in the winter when there is not alot of guiding activity, but these guides that I know have too much respect for the resource than for some short term gain. Unfortunately not all the guides think that way and plunder the resource for their personal gain. Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's right. I will not on this forum mention names on who the perpetrators are but if you want to know PM me and I'll tell you what I know.
As far as the fishing... it's not as good as before the river had a season, an honest guide would tell you that, I've seen a heck of a lot more of the fish with sore little red marks from all the times they have been caught and I think (personally speaking) these fish don't fight like they did even 3 years ago. As far as fish size, their smaller now that years past but it still has plenty of good fish, how long will that last, God only knows, I certainly don't. They had a good water year last year so that'll help but I can't help but think about the mortality in these low flows. It's so crowded now it's hard for me to get motivated to drive their like I used too (when the flows are up of course) but that is just me. As I said before I could go on and on but I think that is enough for now. Luc

[Artin]

"Loose lips sink ships"
I remember before we all got online it was quite the challenge to find a descent spot you could call a honey hole. Most never spoke of their secrets and rightfully so. As we see nowadays the internet has completely changed things in a negative fashion. I agree with Luc on that I think with the amount of pressure on some of these rivers they should just shut it down....
Where the $%^& did all these fishermen come from is my question... I remember a few years back there were not that many people who fished. In the Sierras at least.
Sure the communities benefit from the influx of anglers now but at what cost. Most of the businesses in Bishop were there back when.... So I don't know what all the fuss is about. The Sierras have gone to $%!^ in my opinion, just for the fact that people who have no business being there are (trashers, poachers etc.). Now some will disagree, but 16-17 years ago, the quality of people going fishing up there was much better than it is now.
Another BIG turn off for me that keeps me from making the 4 hour+ drive are the crowds. Man, looks like the buffet line at the Wynn! (only it's people waiting for a spot on the water to open up) I don't remember the crowds being that bad. It's unfortunate. Cats out of the bag now. People used to fish down here in the lakes and streams and the sea. Now with all the publicity by (Insert name off fishing publication here) and google it's like all of the sudden there are no retreats, everyone and their grandma is fishing the O or EW. Oh, and if you ask, they're all experts.....

I don't like it! Not one bit.

Why can't I just win the lotto and take off to someplace like Flyinfish or Sasha where people respect their resource and care what happens to it.... * it! I am so sick of California....

Artin

[dsundrwd]

Artin, I agree with what you say "Loose lips sink ships"

What you said is why I love reading various boards but don't post where I fish. There are several posters that would most likely be folks I would like to fish with or share info with, but how do you share that on the internet without your spots getting burned?

[Wildman]

Artin, I agree with what you say "Loose lips sink ships"

What you said is why I love reading various boards but don't post where I fish. There are several posters that would most likely be folks I would like to fish with or share info with, but how do you share that on the internet without your spots getting burned?

Try something like this:

http://www.flyfishingaddicts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1233

http://www.flyfishingaddicts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=5639

http://www.flyfishingaddicts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5790

You can have you cake and eat it too. Welcome to the board. Why don't you tell us a bit about yourself and what attracted you to join us here?