The Word of Gord (I couldn't resist the play on words)

[fishforfun]

Some great thoughts and views being expressed here.
CCB is there any proof that the slots were removed due to pressure from local business? I personally thought that when it was announced but haven't heard one way or the other till now.
Legend good point about shifting angler focus to species that aren't under the same pressure as the Quinte walleye.

[Cancatchbass]

fff-

After the limits were changed this past spring, there was an article in the Kingston Whig Standard concerning the changes. The biologists who had done the original studies that led to the slots (and were monitoring the success of the slots- yes, within a couple of years positive results were being recorded) expressed their disbelief that their recommendations were being ignored- if I remember right- in the name of protecting the local economy.

CCB

[fishforfun]

Thanks CCB, a bad move for the fishery

[RJ]

I've stayed out of this one to avoid making myself look like an butt...... that may change if I get a chance to sit down and think for 10 minutes...

Others couldn't help themselves and Websters Dictionary definitions have appeared.....

Fishhawk or Bobber....clean the crap up.....including this post.....Mr.Pyzer would be ecstatic to see this nonsense....

RJ

[fishforfun]

RJ take the 10 minutes and make a post, interested to hear.

[Markus]

.....he's gone to U2.....I'm sure his head will be full of sillyness for awhile. Lets give him a few days.

[Mikey]

Have the people that made the complaint been invited to FH to voice their concerns? (In a respectfull way of course) Maybe by coming to the board, understanding the way it works, and it's "raison d'etre" they would change their opinion... I say invite them! Show them what the board and it's members all about! Who knows, they may end up at a FH event ! LOL! And it may all simply be a misunderstanding on both sides....food for thought.

[Fishhawk]

Have the people that made the complaint been invited to FH to voice their concerns? (In a respectfull way of course) Maybe by coming to the board, understanding the way it works, and it's "raison d'etre" they would change their opinion... I say invite them! Show them what the board and it's members all about! Who knows, they may end up at a FH event ! LOL! And it may all simply be a misunderstanding on both sides....food for thought.

Mikey,
I think it is a great idea - if we are talking about the same thing.

I'll check into it.

[Kpin]

Mikey ya nut, just when I think I've figured you out. You come up with an amazingly sensible, totally reasonable, very unprecictable response.
Sadly, I feel those that cast that black cloud upon the FH clan will not be willing to openly voice what is easier said without any debate.

My sincere hope is that I'm wrong. As...I've said..."we all want the same thing." We all want to fish till we die and have our kids and their kids do the same.

I think Bunk hit the nail on the head when he said its a national issue, not just a regional one. More than one fishery has been devastated due to lack of action. The problem is....how to combat it?

I wish I had a cure all to it. Sadly, I do not. I do however Q "locos" complaining about diminishing stocks and prob. complaining about lack of $$$ coming into the community @ the same time.

Cake and eat it too? Perhaps...Perhaps, I'm wrong. Incredibly the more I read this thread and add my meager comments....I wonder if RJ is right...Perhaps I'm making an butt out of myself. I sincerely hope not...as it is a very serious issue.

[RJ]

I think it's great to see a writer/conservationist of Mr. Pyzer's stature here on FH.Net.....

For those who don't know....His presence was brought on after our adventure weekend at Quinte, in which we got some heat from the lodge owner and his cronies regarding the issue of fish being kept.....highly exaggerated numbers of fish being kept were spread thru the rumour mill in the Quinte area and since then Hawk Talkers have been given a hard time for being part of this great group.....

I compiled a count....the numbers were staggering considering how many fish were caught vs how many were released...yet the rumour mill continued.....

That cannot be helped at this point....it's sad actually....and what comes around goes around and I know where my dollars wil never go again.....

Ok enough of that...just wanted to say that for about a month now...

Mr. Pyzers article is a beautifully written piece.....it outlines all the challenges for our favorite pastime/sport of angling....while he did say we as a group did nothing wrong....I read it as him saying..."you did nothing illegal because the government won't put regs in place to stop you from being able to do what your did".....for the time the article has been up I've thought about it many times...(boring job at times... )...His statement is not much different than the rumour mill creator from Picton.....just put together in a much nicer message....and don't get me wrong here......I'm somewhat in agreement with him....

The removal of the "Slot" limit at Quinte will hurt that fishery beyond imagination in my eyes......I'm betting 80% plus of the fish kept on our weekend were slot fish....I know they were in my boat...(25 and 26 inchers...smallest we caught... ) Had the slot been in place....very few fish would have been kept I'm betting.....it should be back...for next season....though I'd like to see it changed to 20" to 31"... ....the ability to take a true trophy home is fine by me....not just another 11 or 12 pounder....

Community Business pressure is apparently what pushed the MNR to remove the "slot" due to loss of business....yet now the slot is gone and these are the same folks who are giving Hawk Talkers a hard time at their cash registers because they've heard the rumour of garbage cans full of carcasses....can't have it both ways folks....

The outside issues at Quinte are very relevant as well....commercial netting and native fishing does more damage to the fishery down there then we as a group could in 5 years....10 years?... Do these same lodge owners jump up and down about these issues?....they should be....

Are we all concerned about fish stocks?...of course we are....I'm a glass half-full kinda guy.....I think our fishing opportunities in Eastern Ontario are outstanding!....Old timers will say..."the fishing was better 20 years ago".....sure it was.....the pressure on the fish has increased greatly....that is noones fault...can it be controlled?....doubtful....The MNR is planning to lower limits throught the province.....a step in the right direction....but I still don't think many people are taking existing limits of fish home very often.....so whether the limit is 6 or 2....they may only take 1 home the odd time....in my case....I've taken a limit of fish home once in my life...so lowering the limit to me means nothing....

As I'm sure we all know.....Mr. Pyzer and many others have spent their lives working for this cause......we owe them the respect for that....but sadly....lobbying government to address the issue is another thing....sportfishing isn't exactly a hot button issue for politicians....and never will be....so in my eyes, it's up to US.....as anglers...every time we go out and land a fish to make a choice for the fishery.....for the future....I know I will be.....

RJ

[Markus]

Took ya long enough to find your peach box.

Thanks for taking the time to organize your thoughts RJ. Your words are echo'd by a lot of us here on FH.Net.

[g unis]

your staements echo the words here in southern ont.we deal yearly of pressures of commercial industry wanting more quota netting. yet we are delegated to from legislation on limits.it truly is sad sportfishing is pushed into a corner from commercial intrests. you can not have it both ways. quinte will tank and then what. its a little late when the cows are out of the barn. a very delicate issue but how can one fault a fisherman from keeping a meal or a mount. its a personal decision and only that.

[Fishhawk]

Nice piece of thinking RJ - thanks for sharing.

[Trophymuskie]

This tread has really weaken up in the last couple of days. I see some very well writen and thought out post here.

I am really happy to see some positive responces, RJ's was definatly a really good one.

I believe the hardest thing to do is to look at one self and realise of our mistakes and make the change for the positive.

I don't know anything about the stuff that was said from the BOQ locals but I believe the same stuff would be going on here if a bunch of out of towners came here and left with a load of fish. Yes the release rate was a favorable one but when you talk about BOQ walleyes each one is a large spawner ( RJ did mention not catching any under 26 inches ) unlike the pins locals catch and like to keep around these parts.

I see some really good ideas here and maybe one days BOQ will become a sport fishery like the muskie fishing is in Ontario and fisherfolks will go elsewhere to cacth some smaller fish for the table fare. Everyone has the right to eat his favorite tablefare and should be able to do it without wiping out any of our great fisheries.

I do believe that those complaining would be better off going after the pochers filling their freezers then a group keeping some fish from a one time visit.

When guys like myself, Micheal and CCB voice our opinions and concerns, very few listen or take our advice. But when a veteran like Gord Piser speaks more people will listen. BTW I believe Micheal will be able to fill the shoes of guys like Gord in not such a long time.

Like mentioned before we can't wait for the politicians to do something as that will never happen. It's time to step up as anglers and get things done.

Regards,

Richard Collin

[Lunker Larry]

In this day and age it's hard to get the attention of the public with passion, common sense and sound reasoning. You need a soap box or a champion for the cause. Look at the attention and following PETA has raised. Take a fanatic that can raise millions of dollars in support, show some doe eyed animal to recruit some high profile personalities, get in the news regularly and you have a recipe for results. It doesn't matter what the cause is, people now days don't dig too deep and basically rely on what they are shown or told and are influenced by the visceral impression they are left with more than the facts behind it. Their belief is either won or lost in the salesmanship of the organization, not the underlying facts or purpose of their intent. Much of the support these organisations receive comes from people who don't have the slightest idea on what is occuring outside of their paved city environment and who's only touch with nature is the bugs on their windshield or the raccoons in their garbage. Food, clothing, medicine and other essentials of life just miraculously appear in pharmacies and big box stores.
Our problem is we, as fishermen/women, continually rely on an impotent government, provincial and federal, to shoulder our concerns. Do we have any politicians who are passionate about the outdoors and are willing to champion the cause? None that I am really aware of, or, if there is, then it verifies my claim of not getting it out on the front pages of the newspapers or mentioned regularly in the news.
It's tough to make progress or garner the sympathy and support of the people when the news only covers the opinions of the first nations, PETA or the plight of a handful of commercial fisherman while ignoring the reason many of these stories came forward in the first place. 99% of the time it is because concern was expressed about the resource and an attempt to manage it for the benefit of all. The rules, regulations and rights from 100 years ago does not constitute a right to deplete a resource that has changed from that time. Not every fish is Nemo, deer Bambi or bear winnie the pooh!
Sorry, but kinda got wound up as I was typing. My two cents with a nickle tip.