MIke I guess you have never been to the Holyoke Dam durning the Shad/Striper Run have seen a few fights there as well as getting a few yelling matches myself with boaters that think they own the whole river. Once had a guy try and swamp me in my canoe because I yelled at him to slow down.
As for getting rid of opening day like we did in Mass it cost the Fish and Wildlife a bunch of money that they never got back do to not having an opening day.
Another thing to think about is the decrease in Lic. numbers and what your do your elected off. look at when they vote on any issuse. THomT
Is the problem really opening day or the amount of stocking that is done for it? If they stocked more evenly throughout the season but still had a large stocking for opening day, is that a better approach? I've got to think people would rather be able to catch trout season long instead of a bunch in the beginning of the season and then far less the rest of the year.
I agree with those who think eliminating opening day would be difficult but if they cut back the stocking done for it little by little and redistriubuted the stocking throughout the season over a period of years I think it would still provide a good opening day while increasing the catch throughout the rest of the season. Over the long haul it would appear that this type of approach would address the issue.
Take it from an old angler. Trout fishing has come a long way in my lifetime here in CT. When I started, the season lasted from April until October. Far as stocking goes, it now begins in March, runs through Memorial Day, starts again in September and into November and then the State throws uin some winter lake stockings as well. Fish being introduced are much larger than they were years ago. Opening Day occurs because of the ecoonomic impact which impacts much more than tackle shops. Campgrounds, restaurants, hotels, many firehouses and other organizations who run breakfasts as fundraisers all get some of the pot. With the many TMA's and wild TMA's now open year around, CT has done well in expanding it's trout fishing. Could it get better? Of course! Opening Day is a starting point for the season and can be a vary positive event.-Alleycat
Mike G a Glastonbury youth ? Don't forget Eastbury Pond. I do like the tradition of opening day. I remember taking thd boys out first day, the circus atmosphere was part of the fun. CT has eliminated opening day for most of us because we do have the option of fishing all year round like the Farmington and Salmon rivers. Leave opening day for the rookies, their dollars contribute to all we have the rest of the year.
I also enjoy the traditions of Opening Day weekend...recently this may be the only chance I get to see some old friends whom I have lost touch with...I plan on taking my 5 year old twins this year for their first...starting a tradition that I hope they will pass on to their children...in the intervening years I hope to instill in them all of the knowledge and respect for nature that my father taught me...it is a beginning and for some an ending...
I recently lost a close friend whom I rarely saw, except for our annual get together on Opening Day...this year he won't be there...and he will be missed.
IMHO, some traditions don't need to be analyzed or subject to logical, rational arguments against them...some just need to BE without question and exist to be relished for what they provide in emotional and psychological solace.
#667826 - 03/21/0509:01 PM
Re: Abolish Opening day of Trout season
MikeG
Member
Registered: 01/20/02
Posts: 13088
Loc: NW CT
Eastbury Pond...............many fond memories !!! Fished it ofton with my dad and friends when I was a kid,and it was always around opening day.Also spent many hot summer days swimming there.Hockey in the winter.
60% of all trout stocked are caught within the first two weeks of opening day.
I reapeat : To me this seems like a great waste of a valuable resource. I would be a fool if I spent 60% of my annual income in a two week period.
My biggest problem is that so many trout are lost the first few weeks of the season.CT has the potential to create a world class trout fishery and is well on its way to doing so with the new regs,I just feel we can still do more to make it an even better.
I agree the traditon is nice and brings people together. But traditons change and new traditons are creatated for future generations to enjoy and carry on.
the state pulls down a ton of cash for the general fund on that day.its like a holiday for the one timers. they buy all their fishing **** again, and get a license again.thats the only reason, Mike your right they clean out the lakes and streams in the first 2 weeks and the guys that fish all the time are left to pick up the pieces. there would be way more fish left around if opening day was stopped.
So let's say we eliminate Opening Day. I have a few questions:
1. When would stocking begin and end in this case?
2. Would fish be stocked evenly throughout the fishing season?
3. Would fish be stocked during summer months when water is low and temperatures may not support trout...a cold water species?
4. Would the stocking patterns that exist today with Opening Day in April REALLY change all that much?
5. Would revenue really "dry up" given that the most popular times to fish for trout are spring and fall?
6. If DEP begins to stock as soon as water levels and temps are close to optimum for the trout, wouldn't you have the same result of 60% of the fish being caught the first 2 weeks, only now it would be the first two weeks of say March?
Either way, I will fish when it is legal for me to do so in as many spots as I can whether I can keep a trout or not.
I think the majority of those of us who have participated in this forum will also do the same.
The point made by Alleycat is well taken...CT has come a long way as far as availability of fishing opportunities for us all.
How many states allow you to fish ALL YEAR LONG?
Even NY with its' great steeelhead, salmon and other trout fisheries open all year still has an Opening Day...and one would have to wonder why?
First off let me say this. I have lived in ma. all my life and I do miss having opening day here. The stocking schedules have not really changed that much either. When water levels and temps are optimum the fish go out. The anticipation of opening day kept a lot of us going throught the winter doldrums. 4am breakfast at the Bondsville Fire station followed by launching on the Swift river was a tradition we followed for many years. Sadly I think that a great number of fishermen were lost because of the changing of the seasons. Many guys geared up just for that time of year. IMHO we don't have many traditions left. That one should remain.
#667830 - 03/22/0502:11 AM
Re: Abolish Opening day of Trout season
Tackleman
Member
Registered: 07/22/02
Posts: 13820
Loc: Suffield/Niantic, CT
I'm with you Bob. I lived in Mass for 20 years but NEVER missed the CT opening day. Sure it's great to fish early in the Deerfield and Westfield but nothing like opening day with my Dad and then my son's in Somers CT on the Scantic. A very nice tradition we always look forward to!
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