By Dusty I don't know if that statement is neccasarily true. These folks in Hartford usually take the path of least resistence, meaning they bend to those that make the most noise. And you can't leave the politics out of their decisions either. If the local Representatives are getting complaints about tournament anglers using up the parking, you can bet that DEP HAS to do something about it.

What really steams me is when a group of ski boats get together for the day, they don't need any type of permit yet a couple of buddies get together in three boats and want to bring a big fish back to the ramp to compare the days catch, this is considered a tournament or "organized event" Aren't the ski boats doing the exact same thing?
Or how about the group of buddies who trailer up 6 or 8 jet skies to go riding together for the day. Isn't that an organized event? Yet they don't need a permit, but, the five boat tournament has to jump through hoops to go fish.

One thing I can think of that we can do is to Police ourselves in regard to parking. I wanted to do a Bashan tourney but was told we could only have 5 boats due to lack of parking. I thought about this and the way I see it and I'm speaking in terms of smaller CTF events and maybe club tourneys also. Being we are all coming and going at the same time I see no reason why we couldn't double up parking by putting one truck in front of the other or if tight parking space placing two trucks sideways in front of three other trucks. I figure parking like that will allow room for 8/9 boats instead of 5 while taking up the same amount of parking space.
I think everyone wins that way more boats for us while still plenty of room for the public.
If anything I think we need to govern ourselves and be consicous of what's going on around us to
make a better public image of Bass tourneys

Chris, Mitch, Dusty

Its hard to explain but I agree with each of you. Mitch we definatly have to stick up for our rights as fishermen. We pay for that privledge.

Dusty and Chris, I also see your point about being careful of how we handle tournaments. There is some room for improvement.

But my overall feeling is that EVERYONE needs to improve on how they use the water. Too many times while fishing, there have been jet-skis buzzing, and pleasure boats that cut us off. We are not the only ones at fault.

The negative responce is from the people that complain. Do we have to report more issues?? I for one would hate to, but if we are going to be put to issue, than maybe its time we did something about what happens to us.

I don't think the DEP, Boating, or othewise is against us, I just think we don't complain enough. This could be our own fault because we don't want to draw attention to us.

MAYBE ITS TIME WE DID

Jim

I don't want anyone think that I am ok with the DEP limiting tourney permits, changing rules so that we cant have the alotted 50% of the parking, etc...cause I don't want to see it as much as any of you.

Pski...the whole permit for 3 guys going out and fishing and comparing a catch..REDICULOUS, I agree completely. BUT< 4 boats full of wakeboarders can go buzz around a slalom course for 8 hours without any such permit!!!!!!!

But I can't completely agree with this statement, every decision is made by considering all options and people involved...just look at the thread on this site about changing summer regulations on some trout lakes...and the bass management has had MANY complaints, but they are doing what they feel is best for the lakes.

This may be tough for many of us to handle, but tournament fishermen in CT DO NOT have a good reputation with the public...there have been too many cases of parking issues, dead fish floating at the launch...and here is one that many of us don't think of...POWER LOADING!!!!!!!! WAY TOO MANY launches are nearly ruined in CT because of the big bass boats power loading onto their trailers!!! Yea, not all of the damage is done by tourney guys, but it is a significant chunk!

I think writing the representative may be worth while, but I think(and this is an informed opinion from talking to MANY at DEP)that behavioral changes are NECESSARY to ensure that continued strick regulations can be avoided!!!

It is up to everyone what they choose to do, to each his own...but I have made it a goal of mine to ensure that every tournament I run and attend will abide by the set regulations to ensure that tourney can continue to occur in CT!!!

By Dusty We're talking about two totally different departments within the DEP though. Fisheries is a tiny portion of Bureau of Outdoor Recreation while Boating , who makes these parking rules has a completly different Bureau Chief and falls under Parks. Parks has different priorities than Fisheries. They could care less about tournaments other than they are a thorn in their side. Fisheries, generally, has no issue with tournaments.

Certaintly not the only reason, but one of the reasons that there is no State ramp on Waramaug is due to the Parks division not wanting it there. That is their park and a boat launch would just be another burden. Boating falls under Parks, Boat launches fall under Parks. Our issue is not necassarily with Fisheries, it ought to be aimed at Boating/Parks. Dusty, can you provide us with the name of the Bureau Chief of Parks? I believe this is the person that needs an earfull. Carbon copy all messages to DEP Commisioner, Gina Mcarthy and your local Representative also.

Just to be an idiot though, I wonder if a tournament permit application would be approved if it was indicated that it would NOT be catch & release? No law against a group of folks getting together to collect a bunch of fish for eats right?