too much pressure?

[carl schenk]

Reading the Dec. 5th report brought a few thoughts.  If fish are distributed throughout the river than it seems that since most fishing efforts are being concentrated in just a few areas we are already providing a self-imposed sanctuary.  It seems logical to assume there are many fish in the system that are receiving almost no pressure at all.  Un6-un12 encompass miles of lightly fished water.  The question is how much the fish are moving.  Do we take turns catching the same fish or do fish from downriver keep replenishing our favorite spots.  Maybe it's time for effort to be put into tagging  fish caught  outside the traditional fishing spots  and see if they reappear upriver.   Perhaps members could agree to at least spend enough time downriver to tag a fish or two during the season. It is possible that  we aren't stressing the area at all.  I netted some beautiful unmarked fish in Nov. and Dec. that sure didn't look like they'd been through the ringer. 

[John Pensyl]

Those Nov/Dec fish were absolutely prestine, many of them almost a clear silver showing very little markings. Wherever those big girls come from I hope they choose to hang out more often. If I can put a kicker on my boat during this off-season I plan to concentrate most of my efforts below black creek next season. Atleast at night anyway. Happy to do whatever I can if the nma decides to take part in a new tagging study.

[Josh Ketry]

Interesting perspective, Carl.  I have no doubt these fish move around. Out to the lake? Who knows....but they move.  The easiest proof of this is the flat in Thompson's Hole where you can literally see if there are fish there (dubbed Sea World for a reason).  Some days there are several fish.  Some days none.  Some days they move shallow.  Some days deep. But they move for sure.....

The divers' observations (like Jim) collaborate this as well. And the sampling studies by Kevin Kapuscinski show there is a healthy downstream population.  He told me some of the best YOY shockings came miles down stream in the mouths of some of the tribs.  He also said the biggest fish he believed they shocked was down by Navy Island (but they never got her in the net, despite several efforts). This was after I went out with them and they netted a super tanker up in the harbor.

The triangle/pressured areas I believe are travel routes and feeding ambush zones for fish moving through the area or temporarily staging in the area.  There are honey holes just like the triangle in other areas of the rivers FOR SURE.  Sheridan is just so close to my house though (10 minutes)...lol

[Josh Ketry]

Navy Island Tigeress