Steve here from Ultimate Angler. Just found out about the posting yesterday night, and I am sickened by it. It is a tremendous loss to the fishery. We are mentioned in the post concerning the lease, and I just wanted to comment and say that this is the first we have heard of it. If offered a pay to play option, we would
not accept. We do fish on water that is private, but we are not there to play policeman, and have never kicked anyone off of the areas that we fish. We are also there at the invitation of the land owner, not as a part of a lease agreement.
As a shop owner, I am concerned with the lack of public water as it is. Sure, guiding is a big part of our business, but it is nothing when compared to the local and visiting anglers that come in to the shop. With less and less open water to fish, less fish making it into the upper stretches of Walnut, and other local problems, we will do less business overall. The greatest thing that could happen to us as a shop would be to see all the water open for public fishing.
I am also concerned that at some point, the fish and boat will stop stocking fish. At what point will they say too much water is posted, and it is no longer worthwhile. We all know what this fishery means to the local economy, especially shops. Without this fishery, many of us will be gone very quickly. I only know what I have heard from forums and people coming in the shop, so I am sure I don't have all the facts yet, but know that I am concerned as anyone about this, and hope that there can be some resolution to this problem at some point soon.
Thanks, tight lines, and happy fishing
-Steve B