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NH F&G Are You Listening?

Hello,
I just read the previous thread and was unable to attend the gathering yesterday. My reaction to this whole 1 rod per angler proposal can be summed up in one word: disgust. I'm trying to be nice here and not say what I really feel about it. Why would F&G propose 1 rod per angler? Are they deliberately trying to tick off and alienate the solo angler? If that's the goal then I would say it's working. Seriously, this rule clearly favors the guides and large boats with multiple anglers. DO you seriously think the solo angler with 2 rods causes more harm to the fishery than those boats with multiple lines out? This makes absolutely no sense and is so backwards thinking it's ridiculous. All this does is make the solo angler never want to fish in this state again. The NHSA proposal is at least reasonable and gives a fair shake to all involved. In other words,it's not so ONE SIDED! To simplify the ruling and to not have semantics involved the new law could read: 2 rods per angler with a maximum of four rods per boat. Everyone could live with this and I feel it is the fairest for all involved. F&G do the right thing and abandon this ill advised proposal. Once you alienate a whole group of anglers, you may never get them back. With the financial crisis this state is now in, can you really afford to do this?

Chris

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening?

Chris
I'm not trying to take the wind out of your sails, and I am not sure which previous thread you are referring to. But I was at the gathering, I believe Steve Perry of NHF&G eloquently and firmly told us that these are suggestions. Within a few weeks they will become proposals They will become a law only after the proposals are open to public discussion and then discussed by the commissioners. Furthermore, I believe he said that the suggestion you are referring to, (the one rod per angler never came from F&G) went something like this- The first angler on a boat may use two rods. Any additional angler on the boat may use one. Others on this site mentioned the "lone" angler. I may be wrong, but I think not. As far as I am concerned, If limitations, on rods are required, This is the most equitable solution that I have heard to date.
Contrary to one of your major points, I believe NHF&G has considered the lone angler very carefully. It would be easy for some to say, we all payed for our licenses. Why does he get two rods and we get one each?
I have read the "two rods per angler and four per boat" suggestion, numerous times. I can not see anything fair and equitable at all about that. What is the rational and where did the random #, 4 come from? Let's hypothetically, use this years rules, there are two guys in one boat, and a solo angler in another. Then there is a "bigger" boat with three guys in it. All things being equal, did the bigger boat do more damage to the fishery and environment then the other two? They all used two rods each. There were two motors running the first two boats and one running the third. The one boat used less Winni real estate than the other two?
Sorry to be so windy, and I hope this clears things up for you.
I believe that NHF&G has the anglers as a whole and most of the subset's interests at heart and are working within their means to do the best they can for them.
Richard

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening?

Fishrod, Just curious were did you read or hear about the 2 rods/per maximum of 4, several times ??? Myself, I honestly have not heard that one yet.

I could be wrong but the NHGA (guides) and NHSA (Salmon guys) don't have a maximum limit on rods in their proposals. If F and G did limit maximum number rods per/boat, I would think 6 would be more fair to the guides and bigger boat people as well as the smaller boats. For some reason I think I heard they can't really set the number of "rods per boat" because that could hypotheticly leave a licensed angler without a rod to be legally used. (not sure where I heard this or it's authenticity)

I have a bigger boat and like to invite 2 or 3 friends along, let’s say 3 of us total. The Guides Proposal would give us 3 rods, the NHSA would give us 4 rods.

To get 6 rods the Guides would need 5 clients plus the guide with the Guides Proposal. To get 6 rods on we'll say my boat with NHSA proposal, I would need me and 4 others on board. Aint happening to often, other than the Derby, I never run more than 6, most times we run 4. So unless we are talking about 50 footers, I don't think we need be concerned with # of rod limits. Under the ideas being discussed 6 is a practical if limits can be set per boat.

So if a maximum number of rods/lines are proposed I would say 6 would be a better number than 4 and that would not happen too often on any boat.

I really couldn't figure out the rest of your post, I'm sure it made good sense, I just had a hard time figuring it out.

I hope my above examples were easily understood, they were in my mind, but then again I wrote it.

Remember as Fishrod and Steve Perry pointed out, these are only suggested proposals, there is a process that has to be followed..

All of this discussion means nothing if F and G Director does not see or hear it, we/you need to e mail the Director ASAP with your ideas and show up at the meetings when dates are set.

Big John

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening?

Sorry I missed the gathering. It sounds like it was a big hit.

Just getting on the message board for the first time over the last several days.

First things first. I disagree with all the proposals....with the exception of mine....two rods for the first two anglers and one additional rod for every additional angler. The boat rod limit would be set by its capacity.

The one rod proposal from Steve Perry and the guides association should be tossed out for the simple reason that it will further hurt the lakes region economy, the guides business and the bottom line for Fish and Game. Not to mention really limit the participation when they need more.

The NHSA (fishing not snomobiling) proposal of two rods for the first angler then one for each additional is is not unreasonable and I am sure well thought out but I can't buy into it.

The reason that I disagree is it would not allow myself and my son, wife or whomever I invite on my 16 footer to have to rods.

Read this and tell me how many of you would have to have a conversation like this.

The conversation with my son would sort of go as follows. Hey Scott lets go salmon fishing at Squam on Saturday. Sure Dad. We get to the lake and I put two rods out (F&G and Guides) or I put three out (NHSA). Now he purchased a liscence as did I and he says Dad where is my second rod? Well Scott you (or I if I'm a good Dad ) I don't get a second rod because the fish in this lake are skinny and short(which we know isn't true but that is the reason for the change). Scott says then why does that boat over there (I'll use the Barge for only an example) get to use more rods(unless F&G's proposal is law)? Well Scott he has a larger boat that can hold more fisherman. Then the discussion goes on to why can't I have a larger boat then on to what I don't want to hear but know it is comming....THIS ISN'T FAIR and I DON'T THINK THAT I WILL GO FISHING IN NH FOR SALMON AGAIN. I don't want to hear this from my son!

We don't want to turn off the young anglers....we should give them every reason to participate.

I will e-mail the Director and all the other addresses that are available to lobby for no changes to the current law.

Thanks for all the updates...I wouldn't be as well informed as I am now if not for this site.

Oh by the way ..... how much of the hook wounding is from Ice fishing? Know one knows....the answer to this. Do we have to stop all open water salmon fishing for a few years to find out the percentage of hook wounding caused by Ice fishing?

Thanks,

Roger-

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening?

John
The "2 rods per/ max of 4" suggestions that I have read came from individuals posting here and other forums, not from an "official" group. Sorry about the confusion. The limitation of rods per "boat" makes no sense to me. I believe it should be based on, licensed anglers. I think that NHSA has the most equitable proposal that I have heard, given that rods have to be limited. I think it, rightfully so, gives consideration to the angler who fishes alone. Re: rest of my post, I probably should have prefaced my "hypothetical example". Lets consider the first two boats (group #1), as best friends, (3 anglers total) using two "small" boats. Then consider the third boat (group #2)(3 anglers), best friends, who have the option of using two boats, but chose to fish on the "big" one. Both groups used the same amount of rods, using the current rules. Which group did the most damage to the fishery and environment? Which "spread" of the two groups covered more water? This is just my perspective on the "big boat" criticism that I have read in the last several months.
Richard

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening?

Fishrod
John
The "2 rods per/ max of 4" suggestions that I have read came from individuals posting here and other forums, not from an "official" group. Sorry about the confusion. The limitation of rods per "boat" makes no sense to me. I believe it should be based on, licensed anglers. I think that NHSA has the most equitable proposal that I have heard, given that rods have to be limited. I think it, rightfully so, gives consideration to the angler who fishes alone. Re: rest of my post, I probably should have prefaced my "hypothetical example". Lets consider the first two boats (group #1), as best friends, (3 anglers total) using two "small" boats. Then consider the third boat (group #2)(3 anglers), best friends, who have the option of using two boats, but chose to fish on the "big" one. Both groups used the same amount of rods, using the current rules. Which group did the most damage to the fishery and environment? Which "spread" of the two groups covered more water? This is just my perspective on the "big boat" criticism that I have read in the last several months.
Richard


Fishrod, "I see said the blind man", thanks. There are many possible scenarios. 3 men on 1 boat (NHSA) 4 lines, 3 men each on his own boat (NHSA) 6 lines. Maybe I shouldn't have said that ?????? But most people I know prefer fishing together on one boat, for many reasons, even if it means less lines total in the water..We aren't all hogs and it saves money on gas, launching, etc..

I personally don't want any line/rod changes at all on "all" the other lakes or maybe Winni either but rather better de-hooking techniques, barbless hooks, education, maybe bag limits, etc. More funding, etc. etc. But I have to not only agree with the NHSA but respect my own opinions and ideas as well, so in addition to backing the NHSA, I will send in my own personal ideas.

HEY FISHIN SQUAM AGAIN, "WATCH OUT FOR MY HUGE WAKE" ha,ha. I'll put you down for Tuesday fin clipping if ya can make it. Let me know when you can squeeze in a day on The Barge.

I’m thinking of leaving from my driveway in The Barge and driving it all the way to Squam Thursday, just need a little more rain and might have to MapQuest it.

Big John

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening?

Just wait john the salmon will come to you. With all this rain they should be in Mass. Any time now . Then you won"t have to worry about. Any of these proposed changes.

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening?

Hi,
Fishrod,the post I was referring to was started by John Sampson and called "Gathering, F&G hearing, Fin clipping etc." I wasn't at the gathering so I was getting my information from this post. Maybe I misread it, but I was under the impression the proposal put forth was one rod per angler. If I was wrong about this then that is a good thing in my opinion. Solo anglers could live with the 2 rods per individual angler and one rod for each additional angler on the boat scenario that you mentioned. If it truly is one rod per angler then I go back to what I originally stated and find this grossly unfair to the solo angler. Maybe someone from F&G (Liza) could chime in here and clear up what exact proposal will be presented to the public. Either way, I plan on contacting F&G and expressing my opinion to them.

Thanks,
Chris

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening?

solo = 1 person =2 rods so wouldnt it change back to i rod per person when iput someone in the boat with me

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening?

Devils advocate here... My opinion is a good fisherman with one rod can out fish most people with two. My one rod i only ever fish with keeps me plenty busy! I think the best thing to manage an individual lake would be to cut down on the number of fishing days if quality needs to improve or the lake is "under performing". Plenty of other places to fish if Winni needs a couple days off. Any reasonable fisherman would gladly do so if it meant bigger and better quality fish down the road. .02 added

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening?

I'll be the first one to admit that my motivations are a bit selfish (I think we can all admit that) but if the goal of limiting # of rods is to reduce the take, then any combo that allows 4 or more rods per boat is not going to be very effective IMHO.

4 rods is the perfect amount for my little boat and I have posted days very similar to guys with 8 or 10 line out. If the fish are active, you are on the right pattern, depth and speed, you will be very busy with 4 rods. Now the extra rods will add a few additional fish but I would bet if you could (which you can't) scientifically measure it, I would bet that the additional rods beyond 4 probably only account for a small percentage of the days take.

Furthermore, all the rod limit proposals I have seen target one group over another. You can't make the guides and big boat guys happy without targeting the little boat is solo guys. You can't make the little boat/solo guys happy without blasting the big boat guys.

Why disenfranchise either group when rod limitations are probably not the answer we should be looking at? Why not try less invasive solutions such as:
-banning trebles
-barbless only
-banning nylon nets
-increase the size of stocked fish (already being worked on)
-implement a "salmon tag" to generate revenues to improve the hatchery quality

..let these ideas ride for a few years and if the fishery continues to struggle - then get down and dirty.

The Winni Derby folks stepped up and cancelled the derby (the effect of which is still up to debate in my opinion). I would like to see the Rotary Derby folks step up also and change that derby to focus major prized on lakers (not rainbows...which have a HUGE salmon by-catch as a result). Perhaps the Winni Derby folks could bring back that derby and do the same...change the top prizes from salmon to lakers to incourage the targeting of lakers over salmon...at least until the fishery is deemed "healthy" again.

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening?

This is the first time I am posting on here after 2 years of lurking. I attended the gathering for the first time and thought I would get involved a little.
I agree with MikeF the problem that need fixing seems to be having to many injured fish. The best way I can see to help fix that problem is not the number of rods out but how do we lower the number of injuries on release. I think the first step should be banning trebles and or barbless hooks only. That way everyone still gets to catch fish (and makes it a little more sporting with no trebles or barbs)and keep the same number of rods. No us against them. Limiting the number of rods just means fewer fish are caught but injuries to those released will still be there. Obviously fewer because less fish are caught. We are all out there because we love to fish. Lowering the number of fish caught makes it a little less fun. Fix the problem at hand fish injuries!!!
Vin

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening?

Winnie Vinnie
This is the first time I am posting on here after 2 years of lurking. I attended the gathering for the first time and thought I would get involved a little.
I agree with MikeF the problem that need fixing seems to be having to many injured fish. The best way I can see to help fix that problem is not the number of rods out but how do we lower the number of injuries on release. I think the first step should be banning trebles and or barbless hooks only. That way everyone still gets to catch fish (and makes it a little more sporting with no trebles or barbs)and keep the same number of rods. No us against them. Limiting the number of rods just means fewer fish are caught but injuries to those released will still be there. Obviously fewer because less fish are caught. We are all out there because we love to fish. Lowering the number of fish caught makes it a little less fun. Fix the problem at hand fish injuries!!!
Vin


There are many in your camp, be heard.

I for one know how hard and long it can take to de-hook a Salmon with regular hooks. Many never make it when we release them either, they may swim away, but the damage is done.

I don't use barbless hooks and they are hard to find, but I know guys who crimp the barbs and they say a fish can be released in a split second and be back in the water.

We dont need to buy and change hooks, or spend hours crimping hooks, just bring some good plyers on board and crimp them as you put them out. I've done a few here and I run my finger over the barb afterwards, aganst tte sharp part, they don't grab my skin at all.

And I agree a lot less fish will make the boat as they do with barbs, better than running less rods.

But it would be harder to enforce, only bad thing.

Big John

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening?

Many many good ideas on here ...One thought came to mind what IF a few of the problem lakes that need a break are closed a little early each year while others stay open to the normal time ???? Going along this thought we all could still fish during the normal season but give the fish a chance to grow before winter ? Thanks to all the effort everyone has
put in to this cause .

Fishinelectrician

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening? Not unless you contact them

Glad to see so much response to this issue. Please understand that the NHSA's recommendations are not made lightly. I can't speak for all in the room, but I don't believe that anyone of us wants any change at all. This comes from the harsh reality that salmon #'s and weight are significantly down. The hook wounding has dramatically risen to 30% which means that almost one out of every fish caught already has this injury, and if they don't before we boat em, they will if we release them. So F&G has a much more complicated problem before them. Logically, if you think about it, reducing the # of lines will definetly reduce the catch. We want to try and help them make a decision that is more angler friendly. The issue of closing the lake early would represent a huge problem. Imagaine if you booked your vacation 2 years ago, and the week you are scheduled the lake just closed to fishing....

As to treble versus single hooks, I have it from a F&G biologist that there is NO evidence that this will reduce the hookwounding at all. Developing and practicing the best catch and release skills possible is the only way to minimize this problem. A rubber net is also a must as the problem this represents can not be collected, fish kill due to being in the air 2 long, and losing their protective "slime" for lack of the actual term. We must also be careful to try and protect this.

If you want to have a voice attending the F&G rules proposal meeting is most important. Everyone who can attend, should. We make sure to post the date, time and place here on the Website when it is determined.

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening? Not unless you contact them

The other Russ Johnson
Glad to see so much response to this issue. Please understand that the NHSA's recommendations are not made lightly. I can't speak for all in the room, but I don't believe that anyone of us wants any change at all. This comes from the harsh reality that salmon #'s and weight are significantly down. The hook wounding has dramatically risen to 30% which means that almost one out of every fish caught already has this injury, and if they don't before we boat em, they will if we release them. So F&G has a much more complicated problem before them. Logically, if you think about it, reducing the # of lines will definetly reduce the catch. We want to try and help them make a decision that is more angler friendly. The issue of closing the lake early would represent a huge problem. Imagaine if you booked your vacation 2 years ago, and the week you are scheduled the lake just closed to fishing....

As to treble versus single hooks, I have it from a F&G biologist that there is NO evidence that this will reduce the hookwounding at all. Developing and practicing the best catch and release skills possible is the only way to minimize this problem. A rubber net is also a must as the problem this represents can not be collected, fish kill due to being in the air 2 long, and losing their protective "slime" for lack of the actual term. We must also be careful to try and protect this.

If you want to have a voice attending the F&G rules proposal meeting is most important. Everyone who can attend, should. We make sure to post the date, time and place here on the Website when it is determined.


Russ,

Can you explain what numbers that are down are you refering to?
I agree with you that the hook wounding is a by product of poor handling and not taking the damaged fish in your creel.
The weight issue is a result of either not enough bait or too many fish competing for the bait.

If the number of lines are limited wont the fishermen stay out longer to catch the same number of fish thus increasing the number of line hours? Reducing lines only will contribute to a reduction in number of lines per boat and perhaps not line hours fished.

Thanks for you help.

Roger-

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening? Not unless you contact them

Well, the #'s piece is the most confusing. My best understanding 2nd hand is that F&G had to do multiple nettings to get the #'s they looked at, so this comes from their fall netting studies. Don't know if you went to The Gathering, but Bill Finn presented a wonderful set of graphs regarding size, # and hookwounding, but the # issue seems decieving, but not in light of the reported multiple netting anecdotal info.

My best understanding of the info is that all of what we are discussing has impact on the problem. I hate to get off the water at any time, any day. So I try and fish as long as I can and practice catch and release. I think I am among the majority. I keep only those I know will die. But if we are all out there, fishing better (I would never call myself a good angler, but I know that I am better then I have ever been). So I boat more, catch and release more, and so on, and so on. Another way we can all help is practice volutary restraint. Try and reduce hours/days fished. So that we can continue to fish and have fish there for the catching. This is a very difficult issue, and totally voluntary. I work all week long, so when I do finally get a chance to fish, I want to make the most of it. I know that I am just like most other's who post here, most of us can only fish a few times a month/season. My hope is that if I fish a little less now, I can continue to fish for the rest of my life, not just today. Still, trying to make me behave is next to impossible......

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening? Not unless you contact them

Russ...the other Johnson

Thanks for the reply. I wish I had been at the gathering but family comes first.

The netting numbers that you speak of are I believe a good indicator of the salmon population in our lakes. Did those reduction in total numbers account for the undersized salmon put into the lakes the last two years. I have seen the data from the last several years and they do tell a story. One thing I know fishing many hours at Squam is that the one and two year old fish are practically non existent both in the fall netting and the fishing creel. I don't mind catching large older fish but there are two age classed missing from that lake and I presume the other lakes as well.

My point is if you go just by the numbers and don't look beyond the surface for all the underlying contributing factors it never becomes corrected and perhaps some restrictions are placed on the fishery that aren't based on all the information and aren't needed.

In the long long ago past the salmon population in all our lakes have increased and decreased based on a number of factors such as available bio-mass, fishing pressure, fish kept, carefull release, health and size of the stocked fish and so on....This has happened before and the fishermen go away....then as the population gets healthier and word gets out the fisherman come back. It is somewhat self correcting with a little help from our biologists at Fish and Game...thank goodness.

Self restraint is a tough one...just ask Mr. Sampson. I've fished with him.

Thanks,

Roger-

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening? Not unless you contact them

Curious to know how the salmon are making out on Newfound and the other lightly stocked lakes. I have fished Newfound alot in the past and rarely catch salmon.Stocking 25k a year in winni and 500 a year in Newfound, would be interesting to see the comparison in fish quality, health and hook wounds.

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening? Not unless you contact them

Come on Russ and F&G. Have you never released a single hooked fish vs. a treble hooked fish. There's a HUGE difference IMO.
Rarely does the treble hook only have one hook embedded. And after you get one of the hooks released and you're working on the second one, the fish wiggles and your released hook gets embedded a second time.
All this time the fish is out of the water and handled a lot more than just releasing a single hook.

I don't believe that single hooks get swallowed deeper than treble hooks-at least that's not my experience.
Treble hooks HAVE to cause much more severe hook wounding than single hooks IMO.
Cal

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening? Not unless you contact them

Amen Cal. My thoughts on treble hooks, exactly. I believe NHF&G's position is that they don't have evidence or maybe data to support that. Perhaps because, in a netting survey it is impossible to determine what kind of hook did the damage. If I had to guess, I would say the anglers among F&G would tend to agree with you.
Richard

Re: NH F&G Are You Listening? Not unless you contact them

That was not my opinion, that was a stated opinion from F&G that was based on facts, as I reported. In truth, I haven't fished as extensively with singles to have an opinion. But I did ask another expert opinion who has fished singles hooks and their response was that there is no easy answer, singles represented yet another problem when catching shorts, potential lethal hooking. I think it still remains the intent of most if not all of us to be as conscientious as possible. If it isn't, it should be. I know that the folks I speak with all intend to swap to single hooks. Obviously, I will develop my own opinion soon enough. But I will be very mindful of both of the expert opinions I have solicited when I develop my own.

And we all know that practicing careful catch and release, keeping the injured only and releasing all healthy, rubber nets, etc, to name only a few will go a long way in the conservation of our fishery.

Tight lines all, the season is upon us. Good fishing!