Thanks for sharing!

Appreciate the info Flyfisher! My old Aggie roommate and I were on the White just yesterday for trout. We had a great trip and caught lots of fish. Rainbows and Browns and even a small Cutthroat.
We are always catch and release fishermen anyway. Gotta save that fisheries for future generations for sure!
Thanks again for sharing the info!

So there's nothing wrong with the trout already in the rivers or the rivers themselves, just a stocking hatchery can't keep up because it is damaged?

That is correct.

87Flyfisher said:

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That is correct.

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will be interested to see effect on size of fish next year - that is an amazing fishery even with all the trout kept on the average trip

Yes, a lot of us are hoping that this can be a starting point for less harvest or more catch and release zones.

Sure hope so. Needs to happen.

Gunny456 said:

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Sure hope so. Needs to happen.

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Game belong to the public, not just anglers with the most expensive gear.

https://www.tu.org/magazine/fishing/trout-talk/is-catch-and-release-angling-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/

What exactly is the point you are trying to make on my comment of agreeing with what 87Flyfisher said? ….and how does that have anything to do with that article you linked? Not following you sir.

Gunny456 said:

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What exactly is the point you are trying to make on my comment of agreeing with what 87Flyfisher said? ….and how does that have anything to do with that article you linked? Not following you sir.

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I was trying not to post an opinion and was hoping the article would spark some conversation as to if catch and release is really a solution or a biased preference.

Catch and release isn't some magic solution. Mortality rates are no joke in released fish and often understated because you can't prove how many fish die hours or a day later in most studies. Just those that float or look like they will die at time of release. Especially trout which are extremely fragile.

And as the article discusses, heavy pressure (including catch and release) is one of the biggest drivers of low fish numbers since they change their behavior, feeding, habits, etc. from it. It's why states are starting to adjust their restrictions to how often you can fish a water body and limiting float and guide trips.

So, if an ecosystem can't support the low numbers of fish from the average Joe that may catch the low limit numbers a handful of times a year, then that ecosystem probably can't support the retired weekly fisherman or the commercial guides that pressure it every day or week. And as the article states, just hatching and releasing more fish is counterintuitive to the goals of Trout Unlimited's conservation efforts.

Where my opinion comes in is that if the above is correct, the tax paying resident public should be prioritized instead of weekly catch and release hobbies and ensuring commercial business viability. Or at worst balanced. Because like I said, at the end of the day game is supposed to belong to the public, not commercial interests like guide services and Orvis retail sales.

I'd suggest limiting the number of times or frequency a person (and especially commercial interests) can fish each body of water instead of telling Bob he can't keep 2 trout this fall.

AgLA06 said:

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Gunny456 said:

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Sure hope so. Needs to happen.

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Game belong to the public, not just anglers with the most expensive gear.

https://www.tu.org/magazine/fishing/trout-talk/is-catch-and-release-angling-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/

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Where in the thread, or in the article you link, was there any discussion or comments about it being about anglers with "the most expensive gear" ? I read the article linked. It was a opinion article written by a guy 4 years ago. His last sentence says " Follow all the best catch and release practices."
I am still trying to understand why you reply to my post and call me out with a statement that "All the game belong to the public, not just anglers with the most expensive gear.
All I did was agree with 87Flyfisher on his comment. Where did I, or 87Flyfisher, say anything about the game not belonging to the public or that only anglers with expensive gear should be the only ones that can catch fish??? I never said or implied either.

AgLA06 said:

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Gunny456 said:

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What exactly is the point you are trying to make on my comment of agreeing with what 87Flyfisher said? ….and how does that have anything to do with that article you linked? Not following you sir.

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I was trying not to post an opinion and was hoping the article would spark some conversation as to if catch and release is really a solution or a biased preference.

Catch and release isn't some magic solution. Mortality rates are no joke in released fish and often understated because you can't prove how many fish die hours or a day later in most studies. Just those that float or look like they will die at time of release. Especially trout which are extremely fragile.

And as the article discusses, heavy pressure (including catch and release) is one of the biggest drivers of low fish numbers since they change their behavior, feeding, habits, etc. from it. It's why states are starting to adjust their restrictions to how often you can fish a water body and limiting float and guide trips.

So, if an ecosystem can't support the low numbers of fish from the average Joe that may catch the low limit numbers a handful of times a year, then that ecosystem probably can't support the retired weekly fisherman or the commercial guides that pressure it every day or week. And as the article states, just hatching and releasing more fish is counterintuitive to the goals of Trout Unlimited's conservation efforts.

Where my opinion comes in is that if the above is correct, the tax paying resident public should be prioritized instead of weekly catch and release hobbies and ensuring commercial business viability. Or at worst balanced. Because like I said, at the end of the day game is supposed to belong to the public, not commercial interests like guide services and Orvis retail sales.

I'd suggest limiting the number of times or frequency a person (and especially commercial interests) can fish each body of water instead of telling Bob he can't keep 2 trout this fall.

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Sir this is a Wendy's.

Anyway, thanks for the update Flyfisher. Instead of driving to the White today, I'm going to Fayetteville to see the Ags hopefully pull out a W. But will be out there in a few weeks. Wanting to try around Calico, as I've never fished that stretch. Being on the White in the fall is a beautiful time to fish.