Proposed Changes to NC Fishing Regulations

Tony Robinson of Morganton.com has some excellent coverage of proposed changes to North Carolina fishing regulations that would define both artificial and natural bait.

Many of the state’s trout waters are classified as single-hook artificial-lure fishing only. The problem that has amplified in recent years is the fact that the law does not define or specify exactly what an artificial lure is. The proposal is to define what artificial lures and natural bait are when used in designated public mountain trout waters.An artificial lure would be defined as a lure that does not contain or has had applied any substance that attracts fish by taste or smell. Natural bait would be defined as any living or dead organism (plant or animal), or part of, or prepared substance designed to attract fish by the sense of taste or smell.

The changes are the result of an effort by anglers to clarify the legality of the use of scented doughs and other baits on delayed harvest waters.

See also this link to coverage of this issue and a call to action for anglers via our pals at the Southeast Fly Fishing Forum.

In other news from the same article the state is considering the additon of new delayed harvest trout waters around my home waters.

Other proposals would affect some streams in nine different mountain area counties. The towns of Spruce Pine and North Wilkesboro would have delayed-harvest trout waters within their city limits. This proposal would add 3.3 miles of new fishing opportunity. In the counties of Watauga and Wilkes, fishermen would gain new opportunities for catch-and-release/artificial lure trout fishing on parts of Dugger and Laurel Creek. Additional trout related proposals would reclassify or eliminate trout water designation from several other mountain streams.

Here is a link to the full text of the proposed regulation changes for 2008 as well as the schedule of the public hearings that will be held. Anglers should be sure to make their voices heard.

Where old bobbers go to die...

Click the photo to get the complete effect

Sport & Competition

Taken from this article in the Baxter Bulletin about fishing the White River:

Cox says he teaches people rod and reel because it tends to lead to more fish being caught.
"You're more likely to catch fish using a rod and reel if you are out to have fun," Cox said. "Fly fishing is more for sport and competition."

Do you have a receipt for that bait?

Via our partner ProtectYourWaters.net where they lead the fight against invasive species in our nations waters, comes this article that tells about a plan to help curb the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicema AKA VHS in the Great Lakes. VHS is a nasty virus that is roughly the fish equivalent to the Ebola virus in humans.

"As a result of a new state law that took effect in late March, fishermen are being asked by state conservation officers to produce a receipt upon demand from the place where they bought their minnows, certifying the bait is VHS-free. They're also banned from transporting non-certified bait by motor vehicle from one body of water to another. The receipt is only good for seven days. "

If you can't produce the receipt would it be suitable to call your minnows "jail bait?"

Bait

Maine is considering a ban on four different kinds of non-native baitfish. This ban would reduce from 23 to 19 the number of bait species that could be sold and used within the state. As you can probably guess the bait shops and the fly shops line up on opposite sides of the river on this one.

Theresa Pelletier acknowledged that when white perch were introduced to Moosehead Lake years ago, the native landlocked salmon suffered. But her views on pike, another species that can take over a watershed, are economic.
"They are money-makers for us," she said. "We have a lot of out-of-staters who fish for pike."

vs.

Mike Holt, proprietor of the Fly Fishing Only shop in Fairfield, said he is very concerned about "protecting native species and preventing the spread of invasive ones." He said he supports banning the four non-native bait fish species, but he questions whether the Legislature should be making the rules. He would rather see Department of Inland Fish & Wildlife biologists determine the best policy.

You'd make a face too.

Found on the site Baitball.com, a tutorial on the proper methods for hooking live bait. I couldn't help but notice the expression on face of the poor fish that got the anal hook.

Ouch!