State may shift trout-fishing priorities

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California fisheries managers may soon shift away from their decades-old emphasis on stocking lakes and streams with hatchery raised trout, focusing more on improving waterways that can sustain wild fish populations.

The debate is being driven by catch-and-release fly fishermen who say the state has been too focused on supplying hatchery-raised fish to recreational anglers; by environmentalists who say artificially seeding mountain lakes with hatchery fish may be harming endangered frogs; and by California's record $35 billion budget deficit.

The state sells about 2.2 million fishing licenses each year, but doesn't keep track of who fishes for what, so Pert envisions some sort of survey.

I'm suprised they have not come up with the same idea as NJ, the "Trout Stamp". This year it is an additional $10.50 over the $22.50 basic license for residents($20 & $34 for non-res.).

Chico study that found about 60 percent of state anglers fish for trout.

This compromises 1.3 million licenses, I would put the number of pure Trout fly-fishermen at 10%. So go on California piss off over 50% of fishermen.

These catch-and-release purists make me laugh. I see them fishing for stockers just like I do.

The climate on that Board is not entirely friendly to resource interests. According to a local reporter in attendance at the last CA Fish & Game Commission meeting this past week concerning interim rules on the coho, Commissioner Hattoy stated:

"I'm glad to be reminded by the Petitioners (Cal-Trout, Smith River Alliance and PCFFA) that its not about the happiness of those on the Recovery Teams, it is the health of the salmon that matters."

"Sometimes hammers are needed."

"We need to smack 'em (landowners) right now with regulations. The salmon are safer."

Some times you need to "hammer em' and hammer 'em -- it leaves a lot of unhappy, bruised people ...."

Then Commission President Michael Flores voiced disapproval of Hattoy's statement and Hattoy childishly said:

"I'm really happy, when I'm making you unhappy, cuz I know I'm doing the right thing."

The other Commissioners were no in agrrement with the Governor's recent appointee and voted 4-1 that no additional regs should be implemented while the Recovery Teams work on a Strategy Plan.

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