Fishing Reports 5/23-24

[rainbow]

Bet those folks knew what they were doing was a gray area. The sighns cleary say no plastics in the trophy area. I am like Bill everytime I get involved with somthing like that it doesn't go well. Guess I am not much of a diplomat.

Start off by telling them a buddy was fishing with (whatever they are using that's not legal) and he got caught and fined $250.00. The game warden took his picture from far off with telephoto lens and then showed up and wrote the ticket. Just wanted you guys to know so you would get stuck with a big fine. Works evertime.

[bigredbirdfan]

Im not going to jump in on the stupid bait debate. I think trophy areas are nothing but a restriction on my freedom to catch and release unharmed with any kind of lure I want. I digress (but not without comment I'm sure).

The color of jig that limited our boat out on was 1/8 oz tri green (my partner fished) 1/8 oz ginger (for me), both caught fish but I seemed to have to work much harder then him. He even caught a 17" rainbow in front of White River Fish Company. Most fish were not on bank but about 15-20' from it in about 7-10 of water. We were productive sunday, but I don't understand how you guys caught any fish saturday p.m. I couldn't keep moss off my bait for 5 seconds. Opted to drink beer on the dock instead of waste my time flicking moss off my stuff.

[Fly_Guy]

The likely culprits are out of towners, who probably think that purchasing the fishing license and trout stamp ought to be good enough. I can understand - if you are coming for a family trip and only fish for a few hours at trophy area while the wife is shopping at Appletree Mall, you just paid a lot of $. If it was me and I paid up to MDC, I'd want to go to the area where I'm most likely to catch fish in #s and size (trophy area) and use whatever means to catch them (if they were to be released anyway). Still doesn't make it right.

Bill's approach is the best. If we as citizens can't help enforce our own laws, no matter how small and silly, we may as well go in for total anarchy! Next thing you know, people will be keeping brown trout and committing arson.

I would suggest a sign that says something to the effect of "Soft plastic baits do not work in Trophy Area - trout have been educated by SoH Fish Hatchery"