Sports Fishing Opens Evolutionary Can Of Worms

CBS San Francisco ^ | June 16, 2015 | Devin Powell

[Ben Ficklin]

"Yet more wasted tax dollars on a stupid study"

Its not a stupid study because fishermen spend money. And the taxpayer dollars that pay for it come out of the pockets of fishermen(licenses and excise taxes on fishing equipment and supplies).

They have known about this a long time and most states use a largemouth breeding program to counter the this phenomenon.

[MrB]

“Timid” and “Aggressive” genes existed in the bass and were not added due to mutation.

Indeed, as you said, it’s not “evolution” when the aggressive ones are caught and don’t pass on their traits. It’s an environmental “forcer” that allows the less aggressive bass to reproduce more.

It is a form of selection, albeit “unnatural”. But it’s not evidence of “evolution”.

[Ben Ficklin]

"I need some help"

I have a lot of experience fishing smallmouth in the Ouachitas and I will tell you that the streams in AR are better fishing than the ones in OK. The Cossatot is the best but there are places on the Little Missouri that are good.

The first thing you need to do is look at the USGS river guages on the river that intend to fish(found on the internet). Tropical storm Bill probably has the river running high which will kill the fishing.

As some suggested, inline spinner baits always work well. Mepps and Panther Martins are the highest quality. The Rooster tail is a cheapy that often malfunctions(won't spin). Floating/diving crank baits 2-3 inches long work very well and can be twitched as well. But they have to be shallow running because you will be fishing shallow water.

It is best to wade fish them as boats/canoes spook the fish. If needed, use a boat as transportation down river, but fish on foot. Wear light weight pants made of polyester that don't hold a lot of water and wear good booths made of synthetics. Thick soles will protect your feet. Be careful because the bottom of those rivers are slicker than owl shit; don't walk on flat rocks. Also be careful because the cottonmouths are aggressive.

The best seasons are Feb 15- April 1 and Oct 15-Dec 15. Its gets damn hot down on those rocky rivers in May, June, july, Aug, and Sept.

Catch and release.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Ben Ficklin :" .. the taxpayer dollars that pay for it come out of the pockets of fishermen(licenses and excise taxes on fishing equipment and supplies ."

Those monies derived from licenses go into a 'general fund',
and are not identified nor directed to go into fisheries expenses or maintenance.

[Ben Ficklin]

"Not a cent of fishing or hunting license fees goes to the state's General Revenue Fund or other accounts used to pay for non-outdoors-related state programs or services. All of it goes directly into the Game, Fish and Water Safety Fund-officially, Fund 9-which, by law, can be used only to fund TPWD programs." Source

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Ben Ficklin :" All of it goes directly into the Game, Fish and Water Safety Fund-officially, Fund 9-which, by law, can be used only to fund TPWD programs."

Well , that's not how it is here , behind enemy lines.
Micro-manager Andy Cuomo considers the 'general fund' as his personal piggey-bank of goodies to be distributed among the government elite as re-election favors.
Congrats on being in a reasonable state ; my loss (for now).

[HereInTheHeartland]

“What equipment do I need to buy and what lures should I use.”

Sticks of dynamite work very well.

[VerySadAmerican]

Thanks for your insight. Having grown up in Arkansas I know all about the cottonmouth. During mating season, which is April and May if I remember correctly, they will attack ANYTHING in their territory. And when they bite, they don’t let lose. Scary stuff.

What is your opinion on wearing waders?

I’ll be on the river the 29th so hopefully Bill will have done it’s damage and be done with. From what people are telling me the fish are down deep in the cooler water.

Maybe I can catch a few. Personally, crappie and bass are the best tasting fresh water fish.

[piasa]

Smallmouths in Missouri in very clear streams are fun to catch on fly rods with trout lures, or leadhead maribou jigs on spinning reel rods. Try different colors, for me, brown or black , white, and varied shades of green, covers different light conditions and work just fine. Haven’t had much luck with red or pink.

[piasa]

4 lb test is fine. If you’re not using a spinner or spoon but a very light leadhead marabou jig , trim the feathers so they aren’t too long or else timid fish will just grab the part aft of the hook. Cast, then let it sink a bit. Then pull the rod up slow, then reel as it comes back down, repeating in short bursts so the feathers get a chance to flare out periodically. You want it to look like a nervous minnow coming up to snatch a bite and retreat to the bottom.

If there’s weed on the bottom you can add a tiny bobber.

Works on trout too... sage green looks like an aquatic bug.

[Ben Ficklin]

New York Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources

Here they talk about funding with most of their money coming from the Conservation Fund which collects the license fees.

The second source is the federal aid which is the federal excise tax on fishing, hunting, and boating.

The third source is the general fund.

The State of Texas also has an excise tax on sporting goods. A fishing lure in Texas is very high priced but it includes the 12% fed excise tax and the 12% state excise tax

[Ben Ficklin]

Wearing waders in the summer is hot and sweaty.

Stream fishing is vigorous activity because you are usually walking over rocks, constantly stepping up and down, like walking up and down stairs.

[VerySadAmerican]

Thanks for your advice. My wife called the place a while ago and the guy told her it flooded but the cabins didn’t get any water. I said “Good. That means there shouldn’t be any snakes hiding under the beds.” Now I just need to find me some stove pipes to wear over my legs.