2018 Freshwater Fisheries Forums

[NJSquatch]

Originally Posted by Dave B.

As for the clubs being able to fish their own waters as C&R during the pre-season closure frankly I don't care either way. We are all able to do likewise on all of the TCA's, WTS's and Artificials Only waters. Some may argue that state fish will move into the private waters...ehh, so what? The nice big club fish will likewise move into public waters and be available for all anglers during the regular open season. They're fish, they swim. I've caught PLENTY of privately stocked fish in public stream sections on a lot of NJ waters over the years. Just off the top the Paulinskill, Musky, SBR, Flatbrook and Pohat come to mind.

Look forward to meeting you as well.

My issue with the private club exception is that it is contrary to F&W's mission statement and rewards an already privileged class of people.

Mission Statement
"The mission of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and manage the State's fish and wildlife to maximize their long-term biological, recreational and economic values for all New Jerseyans."

If the club areas were open to all trout fisherman during the closed period like the TCA's than I would be all for it. Does anyone know how many private clubs there are and how many members are in each? Are we talking about a 100 or so people? Not sure about you guys but I don't think that qualifies as "all New Jerseyans."

[baetis]

Originally Posted by thmyorke1

The fact that the rule was passed was a showcase that the rule-making is pretty flawed, biased, giving exceptions to the groups that have a larger voice in the rule making and adapting process.

.

Private clubs and fly fisherman are a minority and do not have a larger voice. The problem is that people are lazy and/or ambivalent about the rules.

I say congratulations to them for stepping up. There will often be 40+ posts on this board congratulating someone for catching a nice fish, not including lurkers and people who don't post and yet only 12 people will take the time to write to F&G about a proposal that may affect them or they disagree with.

The way I see it, if you can get a core of 100 njfishing members together, you could have a good chance at changing/amending policy.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by baetis

Private clubs and fly fisherman are a minority and do not have a larger voice. The problem is that people are lazy and/or ambivalent about the rules.

I say congratulations to them for stepping up. There will often be 40+ posts on this board congratulating someone for catching a nice fish, not including lurkers and people who don't post and yet only 12 people will take the time to write to F&G about a proposal that may affect them or they disagree with.

The way I see it, if you can get a core of 100 njfishing members together, you could have a good chance at changing/amending policy.

100% agree

[Chrisper4694]

Originally Posted by Lard Almighty

I want to contribute some additional info on the regulation changes, particularly the hot button issues of the barb/hook point restrictions and the private trout clubs fishing during the pre-opening day closure. I filed an OPRA request with the DEP and obtained many, if not all, of the public comments submitted to F&W regarding the fish code proposals. After reading through all ~160 comments I was provided, and evaluating which ones were relevant, I found the following:

Barbless Hook/3- Hook Point Restriction on C&R Trout Waters:
Comments In Favor: 71
Comments Opposed: 40

Private Clubs Fishing During Closed Season
Comments In Favor: 81
Comments Opposed: 12

*Note that "in favor" or "opposed" means the comment applied either to the proposed changes as a whole, or specifically to that issue.

i just want to quickly point out that the barbless and 3 point restrictions are NOT just for sections that are C&R. There are sections of river where you are allowed to keep restricted amounts of wild brown trout, etc.

so basically claiming it is all for the fishs' protection, when making the places where wild trout are thriving, all C&R only would make much more sense. On top of that, most of the best wild trout waters I know are totally unrestricted! 6 wild trout at 9" can be kept!!! those rules don't change, but now i have to modify my gear in the areas fly fishermen decide? yeah it's for the protection of the fish...

all lard's findings tell me is that there were 71 complete morons that commented!

[Dave B.]

Originally Posted by baetis

Private clubs and fly fisherman are a minority and do not have a larger voice. The problem is that people are lazy and/or ambivalent about the rules.

I say congratulations to them for stepping up. There will often be 40+ posts on this board congratulating someone for catching a nice fish, not including lurkers and people who don't post and yet only 12 people will take the time to write to F&G about a proposal that may affect them or they disagree with.

The way I see it, if you can get a core of 100 njfishing members together, you could have a good chance at changing/amending policy.

Well said Baetis. Trying to get more folks from here to become involved in the process is a big factor in my original posting of this thread.

Bear in mind gents, since we are on a 2 year regs cycle right now is the time to begin working on any potential changes for the next cycle. The process is long and involved, and both the legal requirements the Div personal must follow as well as the internal review processes by both Freshwater Fisheries staff and in many cases the DEP legal team, not to mention the field work that must very often be done to support or refute any proposed changes, all of these things take a great deal of time. This long process was a driving force behind the Div going to the 2 year reg cycle in the first place.

Getting your/our views, ideas and opinions heard now provides the best chance for seeing results in the 2020 regs, but there has to be follow-through, not just a one-time meeting attendance.

One thing I would personally like to see happen is an issue someone posted in an earlier thread, that being the Council meetings being held on an evening or weekend to allow for more sportsmen/women to attend. The current practice of midday, mid-week meetings is certainly not conducive to allowing most of the angling and hunting public to participate in the process.

One other item, anyone who belongs to the NJ Federated Sportsmen whether through a club or as an individual, attending your county's monthly meetings can go far toward helping you stay informed of the goings on at F&W.

[NJSquatch]

Official Email Blast from F&W


Results of Round Valley Reservoir Fisheries Inventory and Hackettstown Hatchery Fish Production Top Agenda

Future of Skillful Angler Program To Be Discussed


The first of two freshwater fisheries forums in 2018 will be held Saturday, January 20, at the Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery. The forum begins at 10 a.m. and is the perfect opportunity to learn about current programs and to share views and recommendations.

There will be ample time for discussion with staff to answer questions or address concerns during the question and answer period. There is also time for one-on-one discussions with fisheries biologists following the meeting.

Pre-register (not required but appreciated) by calling 908-236-2118 or by e-mailing njfwfish@dep.nj.gov. Be sure to include name, address, phone number and the number of people attending.

Directions

[AndyS]

Chief Lisa Barno, Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries reported the Fish Code public comment period closed on December 1st. A public hearing was held on November 14th where one member of the public attended.

[Drossi]

Originally Posted by thmyorke1

I simply feel like it's a big exception against the rules that everyone follows just because they have the ability to make those rules.

Surely Im not affected either. I argued in previous threads that they probably already fish their clubs year-round, closure or not, because what game warden is going to stop by a club. Cant say Ive seen one anywhere.

The fact that the rule was passed was a showcase that the rule-making is pretty flawed, biased, giving exceptions to the groups that have a larger voice in the rule making and adapting process.

Surely clubs arent evil or anything, and hey I do agree it's nice that they stock fish themselves. But I dont agree that they should have any exceptions on the code every other NJ angler follows.

Who gives a rats azz that club members can fish club waters during the "closed" season. Geez the "closed" season is barely 3 weeks, not even 3 full weekends. Jealousy is cancer. Give up. Let go.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Drossi

Who gives a rats azz that club members can fish club waters during the "closed" season. Geez the "closed" season is barely 3 weeks, not even 3 full weekends. Jealousy is cancer. Give up. Let go.

As I stated I'm not bothered by the rule. I explained that previously in another comment. It does no real harm, doesn't affect me, and clubs probably still fish the closed season anyway.

I'm just not digging the fact that the official rules are throwing exceptions to a select group.

Continue with that mindset that this group gets a priority and eventually there will be rules that are downright problematic and unfair.

[NJSquatch]

Originally Posted by thmyorke1

As I stated I'm not bothered by the rule. I explained that previously in another comment. It does no real harm, doesn't affect me, and clubs probably still fish the closed season anyway.

I'm just not digging the fact that the official rules are throwing exceptions to a select group.

Continue with that mindset that this group gets a priority and eventually there will be rules that are downright problematic and unfair.

Well said!