Clint I think that statement is so very true ..  Seems a tough sell though and cant understand so much why.. My only thought would be that it's not always easy catching fish.. Fun as heck when we do and thats what keeps us doing it but sometimes the fish do win and tough as it is, we must except that fact..  To me it's all about knowing we gave it our best and had fun along the way..
"At least I'm enjoying the ride " 
 
 
 
 

Clint,I have been saying that for years.A Bluegill would n't "bite" if people acted with them like they do for Salmon. The Salmon will hit if you "fish" for them the same as you would a wild trout.Of course there are days that you have a hard time finding what the color of the "day" is and you can't get a hit.....but that's FISHING.
It all boils down to money,if the slobs aren't into fish all day long they won't come back and the McDonalds will lose their business.What they don't realize is that for every slob that stays home there will be a ANGLER to replace him.I know a lot of people that will never fish there again because of the slobs that frequent the SR.

Gerry,I can only hope they did n't go back to the dark side.They were not the only people that I tried to help,there's one guy from Conn. that I gave some tips a couple years ago and I see him every year since,we're friends now.
I don't think the State wants to end the snagging because of money as I stated.If they wanted to they could by first issuing a STONG warning and then follow it with lots of arrests with STIFF fines.The word would spread and those that want to FISH will come and the slobs would stay home.

troutbum21

Jack,  I think the State of NY bears some culpability in the "snagging/lifting" debate.  It wasn't that long ago the "snagging" was a practice protected by law.  Its unfortunate that those who engaged in that practice have never truly modified their behavior.  In fact, they probably taught their friends and children "how to" and the beat goes on.  The proverbial horse is out of the barn and it may take a long time before he is back in.  I dare say that some don't even realize that they are doing something wrong.  Good or bad, success often reaffirms bad behavior. 
Kudos to you for showing these individuals the right way to fish but I wonder if they reverted back to their old ways after experiencing a tough day on the water. 

 
I agree completely, I was that kid at 10-14 slinging weighted trebles, that now fly fishes at 28. Unfortunately there are guys that I fished with back in High School that still snag and are scumbags that ruin the fishing for everyone. And they live here year around. They're the guys getting 25lb test and 12 foot rods standing on the wall wiping the rod around like Indiana Jones. But unfortunately they're to ignorant to want to learn the correct way, or spend the money to change their gear, its inevitable that the SR is gonna be known for snagging and have snaggers around. 
 
But my daugther, my girlfriends son and daughter wont learn how to snag, sure they'll know its wrong and not the right way, as long as everyone does their part and hopefully we can weed out most of the bad guys. 
 
What needs to happen in my opinion is tickets, fines and penalties for snagging and improper fishing. NYS can say they dont wanna lose the money from out of state licenses, but enough fines and tickets, they'll make their money back. 

Even my favorite resterant -the 'golden fishie' is gone now.

Chartist1,  Only time will tell if you made a wise decision.  I know this, last year from Sept 11-14 was an absolute blitzkrieg.

 Good luck- they could easily be running pretty well then as in recent years.
Tressel is always worth a coffee break (reality check/ya cant make this stuff up/hilarious/sad/outrageous/Sat night at the fights -etc etc etc )

I'm going to have bumper stickers made, "The Tressel, A Nice Place to Visit But I Wouldn't Want To Fish There."  LOL 
 
Welcome to Silly Season 2013. 

Lucky,
I was at the UFZ last weekend targeting smallmouth. I'm still learning about the SR. I had also heard prior to my fishing that Atlantics were around-no specifics locales. I shared the UFZ with another nice gentleman and that was it. Man, I love the looks of that water! For 185cfs, it is screaming through there and still deep as heck!

Anyway...I landed 4 or 5, 16-18 in smallmouth in that area before the last one broke me off before I could get my thumb in his mouth. They were hitting a white streamer pattern pretty well. So, this trip I learned the smallies make it all the way up there...success! I'm also learning that the SR is big water, and if the crowds spook you (like me) there's lots of fishable water but you may have to walk.

I saw no salmon, although the first smallie had me guessing. When he didn't run, I pretty much new it wasn't a salmon!

While the eye on the hawk this morning, I do hear tell the salmon bite was very good

I got a phone call late last night from my neighbor and wants to take his boat to the estuary this evening. I'm not usually a estuary guy, but my neighbor is a bit old and needs a young back to help him out. Hopefully I get into something out there and can post pics and kill this itch to fish. 
 
He offered free beer and all the supplies so I couldn't pass it up.  

Neat looking reel.  I think I'll order two, one to fish and one to collect.  He who dies with the most toys wins.   

John, I have a gut feeling that you are going to be surprised on how many fish are in the river.  Good luck.
 

I'm sure the word has gotten around that a good shot of fish, both Kings and Coho's, entered the river today.  Reports of rooster tails moving up stream from first light through the morning.  A repeat of last year in the making?     

Nice to have ya back Andy