Hey All
As the last of the coho's run through the straight, winter spring fishing is just around the corner. Truly we are blessed to be able to fish for salmon year round like we can. Living in Victoria, it is so awesome to be able to head out whenever the weather is nice and know that there is a salmon fishery in season all the time.
To my point: I have some concerns about the way the winter spring fishery is approached by us sportsfisherman. I remember hearing reports of people catching 20, 30, 40 or more winters in a day, in search of a few good "keepers". What I guess gets me is people reeling in and then throwing back so many young fish which IMO do not have a good chance at survival after the fact. Obviously if the fish is under the size limit than it has to go back, but i believe there are alot of fish that are legal, but because they are only 3 or 4 pounds they get sent back.
To me the winter fishery shouldn't be about size. Sure we all want to catch a nice 12 pound winter, but guys, we should all be happy to get 2 keepers and go home. I seriously think that the year round pressure being applied has a significant impact on the local fishery... i don't think its a coincidence that over the last two years the fishery is really good in december, good in january, ok in february, and so on. These are not migratory fish, but 'our own'.
This winter, I am asking that people at least consider this notion as they wade through fish trying to get one big enough ( i know i sound like a wildlide conservation commercial! ). I am not trying to step on anyones toes, and i am certainly not exempt from doing similar stuff in the past, but one has to start somewhere. I think we can make a difference (wildlife commerical again).
Any Comments?
As the last of the coho's run through the straight, winter spring fishing is just around the corner. Truly we are blessed to be able to fish for salmon year round like we can. Living in Victoria, it is so awesome to be able to head out whenever the weather is nice and know that there is a salmon fishery in season all the time.
To my point: I have some concerns about the way the winter spring fishery is approached by us sportsfisherman. I remember hearing reports of people catching 20, 30, 40 or more winters in a day, in search of a few good "keepers". What I guess gets me is people reeling in and then throwing back so many young fish which IMO do not have a good chance at survival after the fact. Obviously if the fish is under the size limit than it has to go back, but i believe there are alot of fish that are legal, but because they are only 3 or 4 pounds they get sent back.
To me the winter fishery shouldn't be about size. Sure we all want to catch a nice 12 pound winter, but guys, we should all be happy to get 2 keepers and go home. I seriously think that the year round pressure being applied has a significant impact on the local fishery... i don't think its a coincidence that over the last two years the fishery is really good in december, good in january, ok in february, and so on. These are not migratory fish, but 'our own'.
This winter, I am asking that people at least consider this notion as they wade through fish trying to get one big enough ( i know i sound like a wildlide conservation commercial! ). I am not trying to step on anyones toes, and i am certainly not exempt from doing similar stuff in the past, but one has to start somewhere. I think we can make a difference (wildlife commerical again).
Any Comments?