RRWidow
Posts: 24
Joined: 3/31/2009
Status: offline
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I have read a lot of varying opinions about license costs, stamps, access, stocking, etc. I didn't want to reply to 20 different threads although I do want to throw my 2 cents into the mix. First of all I'll say this about the cost of fishing:
To catch the fish I've got the gear
A rod, a reel, and a case of beer
a fishing boat to get me there
twelve dozen plugs and lures to spare
there's just one thing that's buggin me
I've added and subtracted until I can't see
with all my figures I have found
A fish costs $50 dollars a pound!
That being said, and lightening the mood, let's look at the cost of some other popular recreation:
Round of golf = $30-50
Gun raffle ticket $20-100
Sporting event ticket $40-150
downhill ski pass $24-36
Movie with the wife and kids $30-50
dinner out for two (not fast food) $50-100
fast food $15-20
The point is this, $37 for a whole year of entertainment is cheap, but I agree that we deserve the most bang for our buck. Is everything being done that can be done? No way. Could a lot of improvements be made? ABSOLUTELY!!!
In regard to Walnut Creek: It is the busiest (albeit the only) facility on the shoreline of Pa west of PI. I reviewed the plan for its expansion and it was really exciting. The cost was determined to be between 8 and 10 million dollars! Granted, half of that was for various permits, red tape, and BS, but it always costs twice as much for the government to do something right? It was determined that it was not cost effective and would only benefit a small portion of license buyers. So it was tabled indefinately. Meanwhile, those of us who pay for Lake Erie stamps and only use the Lake are getting our share of the funds used for (mostly) stream access. Why? It is cheaper to make more people happy. We need better access there. Charter boats need bigger docks for the 25-30' class of boats. If the docks were there for bigger boats, we could free up the ramp and courtesy docks for dozens of other boaters every day. There was also to be a fish cleaning station, gas pumps, snack bar, extended break walls, and various other improvements. Too bad it isn't happening any time soon.
Idea: Split the stamps up. Lake Erie stamp = $5 used ONLY for Lake Erie boating access improvements. Lake Erie tributary stream stamp $5, used for that purpose to include stocking steelhead. Trout stamp $8, used for access and stocking trout of all varieties.
Speaking of stocking: Put more browns into the system that stand a chance of returning. I.E. steelhead replaced salmon (more bang for the buck). Now, put browns in that won't be subjected to nearly 100% catch mortality in the streams. Last year in Olcott 40,000 browns were dumped right into the harbor where they could hit the lake within 1/4 mile. This was done May 27th. Wonder why there are big browns in Ontario?
Tourism: One day non-resident license in Ohio = $11 (no stamps required)
One day in Pa with all privileges = $26
One week in New York = $25
Want to drive people to other states? The PFBC is doing a good job at it.
Kids license: I don't mind the cost or the principle, but I would bet we won't be happy with how the money is spent. I want to know how it will be used before it is implemented. Kids programs? What will these entail? It costs more in gas to drive the kids fishing than their license would cost. I also don't want to see kids and/or parents harrassed or fined if they don't have the license. What better way to deter kids from wanting to fish than running into legal problems?
In Ohio, you can buy a one day license for $11. Then, if you decide later to buy the annual license, you can send in the $11 dollar license for a refund. Pretty good idea huh? Nice to let people try it out, then reward them for continuing to fish and spend more money.
Salmon stocking in Erie: More bang with steelhead, yes. Kings and coho are eating machines. Our stock of smelt is only 6% of what is was 20 years ago (according to Chuck Murphy at 2008 PFBC guide meeting). Was it the salmon, the zebra mussel, who knows? Can the lake sustain the pressure of more apex predators? That is highly questionable. And yes, our salmon loved the deeper water off of Long Point. A fact that Canadian commercial fishermen discovered and expolited. When US fishermen complained, Ontario started stocking a dimmunitive amount of salmon in an effort to stave off the political ramifications. All well and good, but their commercial fleet still harvested the lion's share of the fish we paid to stock. They still have a salmon stocking program as far as I know. That is why we run into a stray king or coho now and again. Browns would be a better expenditure.
Limits:
Walleyes:
At the last guide's meeting in 2008, all were in favor of reducing the walleye limit to 5. This should have been done back in 2006 when we had the huge schools of 15-18" walleyes from the 2003 hatch but it wasn't. We are now nearing the end of those fish and subsequent year hatches were below average. The 2007 hatch was reportedly good, so we will start seeing legal catches from that hatch next year. I don't know the exact figures, but imagine how many more walleyes would be in the lake (and spawning this spring) if only the limit would have been 5 fish. On my boat alone, in one year, we are looking at 200 fish. How many baby walleyes can come from 200 fish? I know what you are thinking: "Then why don't you practice what you preach and just keep 5"? Well, I run a charter boat and the clients are entitled to catch their legal limit. How would you feel if you paid for a charter and the captain told you that he was going to cut you off? Well, many of those reading these forums wouldn't mind I guess, but most would be quite displeased.
Perch:
30 is a good number. It took a while to balance things out between Ohio ans Pa, but I think 30 is sustainable and provides adequate reward for the effort. And I was glad to see the size restriction come off. I'll take 7 1/2 inch perch all day. My kids don't get any bones when they eat the smaller ones. And god bless the person who ridiculed those who throw perch back for the seagulls. Sure, if it is 4-5 inches and you can't even get a fillet off of it, reel it in very slowly and do your best to give it a chance to return and live, but throwing back 8-9 inch fish to try and catch a 10-11 incher is ridiculous! What are you going to get? Another bite of perch at best. Go out again, have fun again, and catch another 30.
Steelhead:
Catch and release is getting very popular so reducing the creel limit will have negligible effects at increasing the stocks. Currently 3, two would probably be adequate without upsetiing many. And 5 for the "put and take" fishery from opening day until September 7th is better than the 8 it used to be, but who really fishes for that opening two weeks of trout season to fill their freezer? I would like to see that reduced a bit so we might see more browns returing (or just wait to stock them like I mentioned they do in Olcott). In fact, let the kids keep them, and make adults throw them back in....
Okay, I have more but I'll give you credit if you read my whole dissertation this time around, LOL. By the way, I have told all of this to my state reps, and numerous PFBC people.
I have lived along the banks of Elk Creek and fished Lake Erie and the tribs my whole life (39 years). I want to see our fishery continue to flourish as much as anyone. Get these kids off of Nintendo and cartoon network and get them on the water!
P.S. You can begin assaulting (and insulting me now) LOL.
Brian Mills
Something Catchy Charters
The Liar's Den guest lodge
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My 2 cents (more like $37) - 
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