WDFW is seeking comments on the following propsal-
see http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/do/newreal/jan2201a.htm
Proposal would allow anglers with certain disabilities to use spin gear in
fly fishing-only waters
Olympia- At its next regular meeting in February, the Washington Fish and
Wildlife Commission will hear public testimony and consider a proposal
that would allow anglers with permanent disabilities to their upper
extremities reasonable access to waters designated fly fishing-only.
The meeting is scheduled for Feb. 9 and 10 at the Best Western
Southcenter, 15901 West Valley Road, Tukwila. The exact time the issue
will appear on the agenda is still to be set; check the agency's web site
for details later this month or call the Commission office at (360)
902-2267.
Current fishing regulations allow only fly-fishing gear, which typically
requires two hands and mobility, to be used in waters designated as "fly
fishing-only." There are 20 waters in Washington designated for fly
fishing-only. Under current regulations, anglers with disabilities cannot
effectively take advantage of the opportunities these waters provide.
Allowing anglers with disabilities use of spinning gear to fish on these
waters will provide them access to these opportunities, because spin gear
may be operated with one hand.
The issue was raised this past fall when an angler with a permanent
disability protested changing North Silver Lake in Spokane County to a fly
fishing-only water, contending that restrictions on fly fishing gear limit
his ability to fish in fly fishing-only water. Subsequent discussions
between the angler, USFWS, the state Attorney General's Office and the
WDFW resulted in an agreement to modify the agency's fly fishing-only
definition.
Commissioners are expected to take testimony, then discuss and decide on
the proposed regulation change. The proposed rule would allow anglers with
the inability to use one or both upper extremities to apply for a
fly-fishing special use permit by presenting a letter from a physician.
The fisher would be issued a special use permit in the form of a letter,
which he or she would be required to carry while using spin-casting gear
in fly fishing-only waters.
Gear regulations with the special permit would include:
* Spin-casting gear with a casting bubble would be allowed.
* Monofilament line with no limit on the breaking strength of the
line would be allowed.
* The leader beyond the bubble could not exceed 15 feet in length or
have a breaking strength greater than 12 pounds.
Hook size and barb restrictions, fly fishing requirements and bait and
weight prohibitions would not change.
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Scott D. Craig The members of this genus (Salvelinus)
Fisheries/Aquatic Biologist are by far the most active and handsome
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service of the trout, they live in the coldest,
Lacey, WA. cleanest and most secluded waters.
Check out the homepage No higher praise can be given to a
http://www.eskimo.com/~craigs Salmonid than to say, it is a charr.
(Jordan and Evermann 1896)
