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Fly-fishing only?
For what reason are select fisheries deemed "fly fishing only" Assuming I catch and release(as I always do), what is the difference what type of rod and reel I use? I can understand how a worm might catch more trout(but not as exciting of course), but I would think that lighter tackle( fly rod) would take longer to land the fish and increase its chance of dying. Or maybe its just to promote fly fishing, which I am in no way against. So why is that rule in place?
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generaly flies have 1 hook, and fish tend to take them in the lip. However, if you have a rod that matches the fish you catching you sould be able to get the fish to the net in a timely fasion.
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When a fish eats bait it tends to swallow it and the fish is often killed when the hook is being removed.
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Anthony, in the places I fish, it isn't flyfishing only, it is flyfishing/artificial lures only. So I can only answer that part of the question.
In those area's designated for flies and artificial lures only, the waters are either strictly catch and release, or they have very stringent harvest policies, such as only 1 fish and it must be over 20 inches. In those waters, they have outlawed bait, because fish are much more likely to swallow bait, be hooked deep, and die even after being released. In many places now, even scented plastic lures are now considered bait and are illegal.
Hope this helps and that others will know more about fly fish only waters.
Ed
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Hi Anthony,
It has nothing to do with whether or not you release the fish. For example, a river could be "catch and release only" and also be "fly fishing only".
There are various reasons why some rivers might be set as "fly fishing only". For example, bait fishing often doesn't require as much skill to get to the point where you can catch some fish; I caught fish with a worm on a hook when I was under 5, for example. So, fly fishing will result in fewer people catching fish, and so few fish are killed which maintains the fish population. Remember, just because you put the fish back does not mean it's going to live! That all depends on how well you treat it upon release.
Also, baited hooks will result in more "gut hooks", where the fish swallows the hook more deeply. Again, this could lead to a higher mortality rate even for released fish.
In other words, whether rightly or wrongly, limiting a river to "fly fishing only" is often simply a way of limiting the number of anglers on a given stretch of water. This in turn will reduce the number of fish killed (whether or not they are released is irrelevant; it's how many fish die that influences the fish population).
So, if a game warden finds you spin fishing, or bait fishing, in an area designated as "fly fishing only" then the game warden will consider you a poacher. And, all your statements about "But I would have put them all back" are entirely irrelevant. The designation is not about "methods by which you are allowed to keep the fish" but rather "the methods by which you are allowed to attempt to catch the fish." Notice, you are considered to be "poaching" just by attempting to catch fish in an illegal manner. So, if you were to "put a net across the river", you are poaching even if 1) no fish have yet been caught in your net and 2) you tell the judge that you intended to put all the fish back.
I'm sure there are other reasons, and that the reasons for any specific water way can sometimes be unique to that area. The best way to find out "why" would be to contact the appropriate government department who make the rules in the first place and just ask them why is such and such fly fishing only? What are the reasons for designating a water way as "fly fishing only"?
- Jeff
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I've often pondered the reason for the "Flyfishing Only" designation, too. And here are a couple of reasons I think it is used.
1) The hooks are most often small single hooks, most baitfishing hooks are large and/or treble type which are difficult to remove safely.
2) There is a very noticeable absence of lures, bobbers and monofilament littering the shores and trees in these designated areas.
Neither of these might be the reasons for the specific designation, but they're the ones I like.
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There's almost nothin' wrong with the first lie, it's the weight of all the others holdin' it up that gets ya'! - Tim
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Good points. I just thought of another one: fishing with live minnows is one way to ensure that a population of non-native shiners is introduced into that bodie of water. At my pond, people always use shiners, and you may think "big deal its just a tiny shiner" but I have seen firsthand, a huge golden shiner beat a trout to my bait and eat it.
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On a side note, this strict rule enforcement on fisheries is a new concept to me, so I sont mean to sound like I intend to break rules, I'm just not used to it.
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So far here is my stance on this rule:
Good points-
-Reduces spin fishing liter(bobbers, line)
-Decreases the odds of a deep hook
-Eliminates risk of introducing live minnows into the water
-Reduces number of fish
-And we all know fly fishing looks more classy http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif
When I bait fish, I use single, size 6 barbless hooks. Infact, I use fly hooks for my bait fishing, so
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I think it's meant to keep the cammo clad blaze orange or cheese slice chapeaud types out.
And It's sad that I HAVE to include a http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif lest some here find the statement "offensive" and not as intended.
Mark
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I'd rather be in Wyoming!