I think I've mentioned before that one thing that we are an interested group of salmon fisher"people" need to consider is that any solution we propose that affects a specific group of us more than the rest of us is going to get strong resistance from that group. Whether that group is ice fisherman, derby goers, guides, or fisherman that can and do hit lakes almost everyday of the week for the season...the solution that will work best means all those groups are affected similarly.
A slot limit is one solution that would affect everyone the same...though it would be interesting to see how that works at the derby because you would need to catch the biggest salmon UNDER the max allowed length. I also like the idea of lowering the daily limit to 1 fish AND raising the minimum size to 18" together. If you can only keep one fish, many of the 18s and 19s would go back...these are your two year olds. Also it would add some gamesmanship to the derby because once you keep a fish to get it weighed...you are done for the day (rods up). That means if you catch a 22, you have to decide if you want to weigh that fish (that most likely won't get a prize or put it back. consequently all those 22s that are weighed but don't qualify for a prize in the past will in the future be put back thus lowering derby mortality.
Anyhow...once again I am thinking out loud. I am up for any solutions that improve the QUALITY of the fishery (size and numbers) - but like many of you, if I feel I am singled out by another group out for their interests at the cost of mine, I would fight that effort tooth and nail. So when thinking of recommendations, consider the viewpoint of the other fishermen. I'm sure there is a solution where we all give a little but nobody is asked to give up the sport the way they enjoy it.
Of course I could be completely wrong...
