Here is some additional info:
Michigan Coaster Brook Program: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153--130603--,00.html
Detailed Michigan Regulations: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364-113417--,00.html
I would agree that "a mass slaughter" is an overstatement in this article. If you look at the number of streams and tributaries in the upper peninsula (pages 17-28 in the regulations above), you will realize that it would be almost impossible to even attempt enforcement for all of the areas. If you are familiar with the UP, there isn't much up there but land and trees and animals. No major highways (realistically). MCTU is very active in slowing down the stocking, and we are one of the organizations at the table in putting together the sulfide mining regulations (with the same concerns as Mr. Williams expresses - ENFORCEMENT).
His "fillet-and-release" comment is weird - but in the context, he is talking about a group that was complaining about "excessive" regulations, which most of the anglers supported and had enacted. For most of you on this list, if you had 1 18"' trout, you would have dinner, and you would be perfectly satisfied, and probably would not have complained about the new limit.
At the very end of the article, he comments "I remain unconvinced that you can kill any brook trout - even one a day - and expect a truly healthy population over the long term." I would disagree with this statement - with the growth of the C-and-R people, more and more are releasing almost everything they catch. Keeping one now and again will not destroy it.
I think the greater need is continued education. My TU chapter (Clinton Valley), is getting more involved with the local watershed organization to team up, as well as doing educational days at nature centers - this brings in new people who you can teach about the environment, and get kids to realize what it means to respect the water and the nature surrounding it.
On 2/9/06, Ed Roden <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
That issue is still on the night-stand - I'll try and read Ted's rant later today and comment.....if you aren't familiar with Ted Williams, he is an EXTREMELY thought-provoking writer who will usually rub you the wrong way for something. Almost every issue has a letter of somebody complaining they're canceling their subscription because of him, but I have found him to be very thorough in most of his research, even if I don't agree with all of his conclusions.
I would encourage you to do a google search on "michigan coaster brook trout" to find out more. They are endangered, though in the UP more from sulfide mining than from "fillet-and-release" crowds.
I'll add more later....--On 2/8/06, Kevin W. Machon < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On the environmentalist topic, has anyone found Ted Williams article in the
newest FR&R, "Bringing Back The Giants", about great lakes "coaster"
brookies mildly disturbing?
I'm fine with fishing magazines calling for removing dams and new
legislation and even picinkg out any political party for doing whatever
they're doing. But this article seems to cross some line. A couple
passages (and I'll try to not otally remove them from context):
"Although Wisconsin and Michigan still allow the mass slaughter of potential
coasters in most of their tributaries," and "In 1989, despite an ugly
confrontation with the fillet-and-release crowd-". C'mon! Slaughter?
Fillet-and-release? What does that even mean? Keep some and release some?
I know folks on the list here keep sone fish they catch for the freezer
(gasp!) - bass, trout, panfish, whatever - and I have some in my freezer -
bass, trout, panfish and whatever - although I release 95% of what I catch
as I'm sure most of you all do, too. I don't need to feel guilty about
eating what I catch, and I don't think anyoe who legally catches and keeps
fish. This article seems like over the top browbeating.
Has anyone else senn this and have any reaction? Or am I totally
overreacting?
Sorry - had to vent.
Kev
Proud Member, Fillet-and-Release Club (whatever that means)
Ed Roden
flyfished at gmail dot com
- OR -
flyfished at questquality dot com
--
Ed Roden
flyfished at gmail dot com
- OR -
flyfished at questquality dot com
