I am interested in everone’s opinion on a matter that has my dander up. Our Game Warden’s have not answered the question to my satisfaction, yet!
We have many streams designated as “Artificials Only”, yet the majority around here fishes them with spinning rods, spincast rods and Berkely Power Bait Paste or Trout Nuggets, imitation salmon eggs (you know, the little rubber balls with salmon scent in them), or corn-flavored dough bait, while sitting on the bank, effectively cutting off anyone wanting to drift a fly or lure downstream. You also cannot wade past them. You must get out of the water and walk way downstream and re-enter the stream-bed to resume fishing. I have also seen people lately fishing with GULP artificial worms (made from chopped up nighcrawlers). This is currently allowed (sort of…they’re not sure either). I do not feel like this is in keeping with the spirit of “Artificials Only”. To me, “Artificials Only” means lures, flies, wading, stalking and proper etiquette and respect for the environment…and much more. None of which would be met by bait-fishing! I like to bait fish, too. But I do it at the lake and larger rivers and not where there are signs that say “Artificials Only”. They are going to have public hearings on new regulations for next year soon.
What do y’all think? Do prepared baits and still-fishing meet the criteria for “Artificials Only”?
Gig, If I’m right, in Wyo. artificial means just that. If your bait is made with anything natural, or anypart of a natural occurring food item, you are illeagal.
Most people I know use only flies or hardware with no scents or dough, etc. when fishing artificial only areas.
Gigmaster,
You have a long hard battle to fight if you’re going to change a tradition of bait fishing!
When spinning equipment crossed the Atlantic after WW2 our local flyshop owner said…Thats the end of fly fishing unless we outlaw it. It wasn’t the end…some of us limited our methods and our catch while others carried onion bags full of fish home with them.
People who are otherwise upright and law abiding become scofflaws of the worst type when it comes to game laws.
Wardens and judges who won’t enforce the laws lead me to suspect that they wear dark clothing as they sneak along the trout streams, scurrying from tree to tree not to avoid being seen by the trout…but by other fishers as they plop hudge nightcrawlers into the riffles.
The only answer is to enforce the game laws and that may mean big fines! Thats the only thing that works. Too bad but thats the way it is.
Artifical only doesn’t include prepared baits. In fact, in several states, you can’t use organic smells like shrimp oil on your fly or lure since it’s based on a bait by-prouduct. I don’t see how you can stop people from still fishing - if someone wants to toss a fly on a lake and let is sit for hours that seems like their perogative.
If your game warden hasn’t answered the question perhaps you should get a hold of someone at the division of wildlife who defines the regulations. Then have them talk to your game warden so the story gets set straight. People shouldn’t be fishing power bait of any kind in artificial-only water, it defeats the purpose of the original intention of the regulations.
My personal interpretation of “artificial only” would not include any prepared baits or scents. However, I would think that the intent is, in part, to prevent the introduction of “undesirable/unwanted” species(minnows) to those waters(I could be wrong on this). My thinking is that at least some prepared baits/scents probably contain ingredients that could ultimately be harmful.
Mike
You get caught using anything but flies or artificial lures (spoons, plugs, spinners) normally referred to as hardware in an ALO water in Maine and your gonna get a summons if you get caught.
ALO and FFO in northeastern states means exactly what it implies. Fly Fishing Only and Artificial Lures Only. That means “lures” not prepared baits, or dead live baits, etc. etc.
Later, RW
“We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours.” -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-
I can’t believe that if you chop up something natural in little pieces and then reassemble it, the bait becomes artificial. I guess that makes a hamburger artificial food. I will have to go with Maine’s policy on this one. The spirit of the law is clear if not the application. 8T
You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it’s a real short camping season.
To me, artificial only means crankbaits, spinners, spoons, jigs, plastic worms, etc…
If it’s not in the regulations, it should be put in there outlining exactly what is allowed… The dough baits and little things you put on hooks I don’t think should be allowed in an artificials only area…I consider it bait, even though it’s not real or live bait.
“If firearms cause crimes and kill people, all of the ones I have must be defective.”
Howdy Gang
I do feel that you and the rivers fish are being let down.
The idea of not useing bait was to reduce GUT HOOKING fish. As you know seldom will a fish live if gut hooked. Were with a spinner lure or fly the hook is in the mouth of jaw.
This makes releasing the fish easier and if it is undersized it will live.
What I hate the most is the dang jars on the bank, in the water, they do not disolve.
Push your State for help in curbing the problem, Signs and enforment.
RW,
And thats the way it should be. Hopefully we will get something like that going here in NY state sometime and eventually and maybe but don’t hold your breath!
Up here, the regs state if its Live bait ban on some watersheds. On Salmon rivers, its Fly Only. Live bait bans means live worms are legal.
On fly only rivers, the specifications are more precise and limit hook sizes. One fly per line (no droppers), no tandems. Size limits depending on the config (single, double or treble).
A fly is described as having no spinning parts and no wire wraps, beads etc. Also no metal on the line, leader nor tippet. (split shot or lead core). They recently changed the description to eliminate the use of “putty” to sink the line/fly.
IMHO, artificial only doesn’t mean fly only. Then again, that’s my interpretation based on the regs I live by up here.
I like it this way, … How about you all, Would you like fly only waters to exclude the use of “lead” (split shot as well as lead wraps and bead heads) ??
I am a multigenerational native Georgian. I know N. Ga waters well, and know that the corkers in Murray, Gilmer, Fannin, etc. don’t care much about the regs. There are plenty of bait containers along the banks of Noontotla and many other artificial waters.
I’d suggest that you take pictures of the containers and send them with a photocopy of the regs and a letter to local enforcment office and the head of DNR at Social Circle. Raise hell until you get what you want.
You also have the right to petition the DNR to amend and clarify regs if the local enforcement guys believe that there is some ambiguity in the definition above. I do not believe that there is. I deal with DNR regs and lawyers frequently. You can get things done is your raise it long enough and get to the right people.
Who is the game warden in Murray Co now? On most recent occasions up that way, I have seen the feds more than any state guys.
[This message has been edited by Rawthumb (edited 04 April 2005).]
[This message has been edited by Rawthumb (edited 04 April 2005).]
fcch
I would like it very much! We (at least most of us) limit ourselves in some way. For a long time I fished drys only no matter how many flashes I saw near the bottom. Then after being frustrated time and again while others were catching fish, I allowed myself the use of soft hackles (unweighted only)then bead head nymphs.
As time goes on I get lower and lower on the
sportsmanship scale. This season I’ll use heavily weighted nymphs! In 2006 my plan is to use live bait…and in 2007 I’ll use dynamite as my great uncle did back in the olden days. Half a stick here, quarter there whole stick in the bigger holes. I’m saving up now for grenades and “ash cans”. Anyone know any reliable arms dealers who wouldn’t charge too much for their wares?
Soon to be known as:
Ol’ “Get 'em inny way ya can” Bill
California regs are more specific using the phrase “artificial lures” , which includes flies and excludes manufactured stuff like powerbait and such. Molded Soft plastic baits that may include natural fish oils or material are lures and many be used.
The local game wardens should not be confused. Your state fishing regulations should have a definition of “artificials only”. If they don’t, submit some definitions from other states during the public hearings.
In Colorado, moldable baits are not allowed in artificial only areas. Even small plastics, like twister tails are not allowed.
Here’s the definition for Colorado from CDOW Fishing Regulations brochure:
DEFINITIONS
ARTIFICIAL FLIES AND LURES: Devices made entirely of, or a combination of, materials
such as wood, plastic, glass, hair, metal, feathers or fiber, designed to attract fish. This does not
include hand-moldable material designed to attract fish by taste or smell. It also doesn?t include
devices smaller than 1-1/2 inches long with scents or smell attractants attached. Molded plastic
devices less than 1-1/2 inches long also are not considered artificial, as well as foods; organic
bait such as worms, grubs, crickets, leeches, minnows and fish eggs; and manufactured baits
such as imitation fish eggs, dough baits and stink baits.