There is an important webinar on Oct 3 on the bow river fishery. From my understanding of the data there is a concern that the angling pressure (they call effort) and fish caught is unsustainable. They want to reduce the people fishing (effort) or amount of fish caught. The data shows that during the summer every fish (total amount of fish in river) is caught and released 4 times.
Info and registration here:
https://mywildalberta.ca/fishing/fis...t/default.aspx
Results of 2018 survey in above link
Recent video on bow from fisheries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dxwRCQvpiQ
Short article that outlines the bases of the meeting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dxwRCQvpiQ
So what do you guys think? Assuming that something has to be done, what would you suggest?
I suggested posting more of those signs you see at some fisheries with regs and report a poacher info with in the city. I see too many city people fishing the bow with no license and no idea of regs. Commonly these are younger or older anglers that don't need license so don't know the regs. Also informing the general public of regs would also increase the tips to stop intentional poachers.
It has been suggested before to make parts of the bow fly fish only. I am opposed to this. It would be effective but restrict access to many.
I would support the introduction of barbless and single hook requirement. This would make only a slight difference. There won't be less fish caught but might help mortality. I caught over 100 trout in bow this summer and knowly killed 4. Maybe 1 would have been saved by the requirements. However I mostly fish barbless (unless I forget to pinch) and am experienced so releasing a fish safely so easy. 3 were smaller fish were hook pierced brain and other was larger fish that took hook in gill and too much damage done in landing the fish.
Thoughts?
Bow River Fisheries Education Session (very important)
Threaded Mode
