Another Reminder

[Trout Commander]

I may be opening a can of worms -- or Royal Wulffs -- here but it really is best to refrain from fishing right now. Even if the fish are not on a redd if they've recently bred they are likely in a weakened state and particularly vulnerable. Catching them, playing them on the line etc can potentially be fatal.

So while I truly admire everyone on this thread for trying to understand what redds look like in order to protect them, I do feel that those of us who are continuing to fish during this time of year are kind of robbing Peter to pay Paul: avoiding redds because you rightly care about the long term health of the resource while at the same time potentially (if inadvertantly) killing fish.

As I said in an earlier post this is a good time of year to watch fish, look for redds, use the openness of the woods to make new discoveries about the creek and generally revel in the miracle that are these fish. And, while you're at it, pick up trash, tires etc so that when we do go back to fishing in a month or so the experience and the creek will be that much more pristine.

Threads like this just remind everyone about these streams. Increasing pressure by reminding everyone that these streams are here can't seem like a good idea to anyone who has the mentality to avoid the redds yet there is one (or more) that pops up every freaking year. It's like the tools that get on national websites and blab about these places and think they are doing the stream a favor.

[Andrew324]

Threads like this just remind everyone about these streams. Increasing pressure by reminding everyone that these streams are here can't seem like a good idea to anyone who has the mentality to avoid the redds yet there is one (or more) that pops up every freaking year. It's like the tools that get on national websites and blab about these places and think they are doing the stream a favor.

I hope I understand Trout Commander's post correctly. I didn't mean to start the of annual debate about the "ethics" of fishing during the spawn, or accidently cause more fishing pressure. I really just meant to alert folks who may be thinking "should I hit Crane or Taney?" that there are redds now so that they can either avoid the stream or be careful. Yes people talk about this every year, and maybe beat it to death, that's why I titled the thread as such.

[Arofishing]

I may be opening a can of worms -- or Royal Wulffs -- here but it really is best to refrain from fishing right now. Even if the fish are not on a redd if they've recently bred they are likely in a weakened state and particularly vulnerable. Catching them, playing them on the line etc can potentially be fatal.

So while I truly admire everyone on this thread for trying to understand what redds look like in order to protect them, I do feel that those of us who are continuing to fish during this time of year are kind of robbing Peter to pay Paul: avoiding redds because you rightly care about the long term health of the resource while at the same time potentially (if inadvertantly) killing fish.

As I said in an earlier post this is a good time of year to watch fish, look for redds, use the openness of the woods to make new discoveries about the creek and generally revel in the miracle that are these fish. And, while you're at it, pick up trash, tires etc so that when we do go back to fishing in a month or so the experience and the creek will be that much more pristine.

I am cognizant of what you're saying, but my thought process is that I'm not going to catch any darn fish anyway . My first trip there I crossed the creek with my foot in the water a total of one time. The second I crossed more like five times, but I was always conscious of where I stepped and avoided the spots Andrew told me about previously. I treat each and every trip as a learning experience and I'm hoping by my fifth trip or so I'd actually be in a position whered I'd be disappointed if I didn't catch one. At this stage I'm having a hard enough time not losing flies and presenting flies in a manner that doesn't scare everything. In sum, I really don't view myself as a threat to the fish.

Additionally, we've been blessed with some really nice days recently. Crane is the closest place where I can get outside, enjoy the weather, and do something I really enjoy. If the NFoW was closer I'd have no reservations about going there instead.

[FishmastaZERO]

Ive been leaving the fish alone to do their thing ,the debate could go either way,but ill just leave them to do there businesjs . In my opinion the mdc should close the completly wild streams for the spawn like they do in some places ive fished in michigan. Its a good thought prolly will never happen but in my opinion would lead to more sucessful spawning /mortality of fish after the spawn by being played to much...just a thought ...taneys a mabe 15 min. Further at the most (from springfield anyway)

[troutbum479]

I fished Crane on Monday and saw some redds without fish on them. I did see one redd with two fish hanging around it. I imagine the weather probably had them jacked up since its been a mild winter so far.

[Andrew324]

Made a visit to the stream on Friday. Didn't do much fishing as the weather was cold and windy. Did manage to capture a short video of two fish on a redd. I didn't disturb them but got a nice little video of them doing their thing. They appear in the center of the shot in the light patch of gravel. Very faint. Cool though. Water remains low but the flow has been enough.

[laker67]

I have not been to the creek in years. Does MDC allow the trapping of river otters along crane creek? I keep having these terrible thoughts of a family of otters completely destroying crane creek's population of anything that swims.

[Andrew324]

Laker I think they do allow trapping along Crane Creek, but I'm not 100% on that. I've seen a few guys out there that looked like thats what they were doing. I would like to see someone do some trapping out there because I think the otters are really chowing down at the lower wire road.

[ness]

Did manage to capture a short video of two fish on a redd.

Is that what they call 'fish porn'?

Sorry.

[Andrew324]

Is that what they call 'fish porn'?

Sorry.

Happy Valentines Day! Plays best in 780HD.