Do you want me to be your biologist?

[Snakebite]

I have an interview for the Western Oregon Warmwater biologist position. What do you folks want? It's been awhile since I left the little ponds, and have worked on the BIG pond in the last 16 years. Obviously the person in the position will work with constituants who care about their fishery. So, to wit, what attributes would you folks consider for a biologist in your camp? Trust me, I've been involved with warmwater fish(propagation, management, and "issues" in the past). Preferably a PM would be good, but I have to be on the road for days starting tomorrow up to the interview date. So, respond soon if you wish to give me some advice that I can cogitate on and/or respond to.

I just want to do as good as I can, during the interview, and help out the program to the best of my ability, if I'm chosen for it.

Ifish too!
SteveK

[ExBassGuide]

<font color="red">More catch a release only lakes! If you can't get that to pass then make more lakes have a only one bass over 5 pounds in a life time rule for lakes like Hagg Lake.</font> 95% of the bass fishermen are C&amp;R fishermen, That is the fish they target. But when a live worm fisherman gets lucky that should not hurt our fishery! PLEASE PROTECT OUR FISH!
EBG

[1bigfish]

PM sent.

Good luck on the interview. It would be nice to have an ifisher looking out for us.(or at least have someone to blame :grin:)

[ExBassGuide]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f353/ExBassGuide/cpranim.gif
Please make more lakes C&amp;R!

[shalom]

Pm sent.

[BassinFever]

Ten Mile Lakes are still IMHO the best Bass lakes in the state, but I can`t help but think it would be even better if it were catch and release only. I fish it a lot and I don`t catch many juvinile bass, less than a pound.

[Dave Smith]

<font color="red">More catch a release only lakes! If you can't get that to pass then make more lakes have a only one bass over 5 pounds in a life time rule for lakes like Hagg Lake.</font> 95% of the bass fishermen are C&amp;R fishermen, That is the fish they target. But when a live worm fisherman gets lucky that should not hurt our fishery! PLEASE PROTECT OUR FISH!
EBG



I am with Roger on this one! In a dream world, I would like: Weeds (and Bass) back in Devil's, more lakes managed for trophy fisheries, not numbers!, Bass out of Crane Prairie, Wickiup, and Davis (let the flames begin), a lake or two where crappie and/or bluegill is really a focus- numbers and size, finally, no walleye or Northern Pike introductions. Just generally consider bass as what they are: a real asset to this incredible state, and follow the LEAD that bass fisherman have taken: promote catch and release and make it madatory in some more places, except that there has to be a way to weigh and release fish in places such as Dorena, for when I catch my state record- he he. Good luck!! Dave

[DJD]

I would like to see Fern Ridge promoted as more of a trophy lake

[ExBassGuide]

Yes a trophy crappie lake too!http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f353/ExBassGuide/smlyBossed.jpg

[BassinFever]

I would like to see Fern Ridge promoted as more of a trophy lake



I wouldn`t care if they didn`t have "Any" fish in that mud hole. There are many other lakes to fish than that No cover, no structure, no nothing mud hole!

Sure, there is some, I`ve seen it empty, it`s just not woth it to me. :shrug:

[BBQbassin']

As a fellow bio, I think a guy in that position should make an effort at decriminalizing warmwater fish, in particular the great bronzeback, to the mass majority of Oregonians. Oregon warmwater fishing is a great resource and needs to be managed with focus on minimizing the exotic species impacts on native salmon. That being said, I think it is very possible that with the decrease in native salmon populations the fishing pressure will shift from a salmonid base focus and economy to an increase in fishing for species like the smallmouth bass and it is important that as this shift occurs we recognize that without good warmwater management practices we could also be looking at problems associated with our smallie populations. It is possible for both fisheries to coincide and that should be the goal of not only the warmwater biologist but the salmon biologists and the local population as well. Your job will get alot esier as the years go on if you can educate the salmon honks. Now, in order to accurately answer the question in the title of your post.....I don't know...What are your management goals with the warmwater resources of Oregon?

Good luck getting the job.

[lor]

<font color="red">More catch a release only lakes! If you can't get that to pass then make more lakes have a only one bass over 5 pounds in a life time rule for lakes like Hagg Lake.</font> 95% of the bass fishermen are C&amp;R fishermen, That is the fish they target. But when a live worm fisherman gets lucky that should not hurt our fishery! PLEASE PROTECT OUR FISH!
EBG



Nothing personal Roger, I enjoy reading your post and appreciate the maps and other information you freely give to people on this board and others.
But I really dislike arbitary rules like this.

Its easy for someone who may have accomplished all there fishing goals of getting the big fish to say that all in the sudden, everyone should have to live by a standard I may have adopted for myself or others in my class.

There are people out there who you may not know that like to eat these fish you consider trophies, be it crappie, bass, etc. And they contribute to the economy, buy licenses, etc the same as you.

Rules like this only harm the little man who may not have your aspirations.

Here is a statement you made that gives me insight into your attitude on this subject and it really concerns me.

But when a live worm fisherman gets lucky that should not hurt our fishery!


So what if he's using a worm, if its legal that's his right.Last time I checked, bass are not endangered or even threaten, so why is there a perception that harm will come from lucky live worm fisherman.

These rules only create an environment for bringing in big fishing tournaments which only benefit a few while stepping on the many of locals who may have supported the fisheries.
Or worst, turning something simple and innocent like fishing into a high brow, elitest activity.
There is enough of that in flyfishing, please keep it from here.

If a population will support it and its not abused.
People should be able to catch and keep whatever they want without these extremist rules.

Whatever you do if you get this position, do what you can to increase opportunity without making a paradise for the few at the expense of the many. Let the warmwater fishing experience be a complete experience of catch and release if desired, but also eating one's catch if that's a person's perogative.

Again, nothing personal, I just see things differently.

[fisher guy]

Thanks Lor for sticking up for us. I know that when we go fishing for warmwater fish it is to eat and for fun. Also we fish with worms most of the time for bass and seem to outfish the casters that go right by us. It is alegal way to fish and shouldt be thought of as less because you like your way best.

[ExBassGuide]

Go figure, meat fishermen! Lets go kill that golden goose!
If the state would stock bass like it does trout or salmon I would not have a problem with (bass) meat fishermen. 95% of the bass YOU EAT have been caught before and then let go!
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f353/ExBassGuide/cpranim.gif

[tnj8222]

theres nothing legally wrong with eating a fish. but when you want to go catch some descent fish you have to c&amp;r. i have ate bass and im sure i will again.. but i do know if i do again it wont be a big bass just a few 12 or 13 inchers. i dont think its about if its legal or not... i think its more respect for the people that want to c&amp;r that type of fish.. imho trout are stocked to eat why not just get some power bait and toss some trout in the pan? i have seen 10 pound trout caught and then killed.. if i fished for trophy trout i would be disapointed they didnt return it to the water. it takes a very long time for alot of fish to grow!

[Hunt'nFish]

Lor &amp; EBG, I think we all want the same. Big bass and lots of them. The big water like the willey and CR will never be C&amp;R for the salmonoid reasons.....but Why not a few lakes C&amp;R only?? I'm with Dave, sure would be nice to fish Devils and have a chance at a BIG Ol Largemouth.

I like to keep a couple for the pan now &amp; then too, but I'd also like to be able to go fish a lake I KNOW has some BIG ones in it because of C&amp;R only rules. We can have it both ways. But it will take a warmwater bio that "listens" to the people, not just following along with the salmonoid bio's wishes.
Good luck on the interview! :cheers:
Hunt'nFish

[Thecrease]

I don't agree with the total catch and release lakes produce big fish. I have fished Lake Barrett in San Diego (total catch and release on all species) on numerous occasions and the bass there are not trophys by anyones standards. In fact there are so many sometimes they die off.

Don't get me wrong it is a good lake and on great years the average fish is 2 pounds but you hardly get a lot over that. I used to have a lot of hundred fish days there but in the years of drought or when the shad die off the fishing takes a nosedive for about 3 years. You knew it was coming when you started catching bass with 4 pound heads and 1.5 pounder bodies on em.

I think a slot limit might be the better management tool. Get rid of some of the smaller fish and preserve the big ones.

Clayton

[ExBassGuide]

Nothing personal Lor, but you are wrong

I am willing to look over your argument for meat fishermen so lets go step by step over your points.
The rules I propose are not arbitrary they are well thought out and my thoughts behind my statement are cogent. You say you like to eat bass that’s fine in SOME lakes but all fairness more than 75% of bass fisherman are C&amp;R only and in that vain 75% of the lakes should be C&amp;R only in an attempt to protect the bigger sized bass they are after. How many lakes in Oregon are C&amp;R only today???? I know of less than three lakes in the entire state! I’m not for stopping people from catching and eating bass, I am strongly against any one keeping a bass over 5 pounds there is no excuse for any one to keep a bass that big in EVERY lake in the state. If you are catching them for food you will get more pounds of fish meat by going after the 1 to 2 pound bass. You can catch them in greater numbers. Lets look at Hagg lake the limit for bass is one per day. Hagg is a small lake with allot of fishing pressure, it is also a small mouth trophy lake. This lake is not a tournament lake You will never see and big tourney on this lake it is WAY to small and the limit is not conducive to tournaments. Most people that catch bass on live worms are not even targeting bass. And if they know they are going to a lake that is C&amp;R only they should pick another lake.

Your statement: “These rules only create an environment for bringing in big fishing tournaments which only benefit a few while stepping on the many of locals who may have supported the fisheries.” Can you name one C&amp;R lake any place that has brought more tournaments??? No never happens!

Your statement: There are people out there who you may not know that like to eat these fish you consider trophies, be it crappie, bass, etc. And they contribute to the economy, buy licenses, etc the same as you. Do you have a $30,000 bass boat and $1,000 in tackle and rods that cost over $300? Nearly all bass fisherman spend MUCH more the any worm drowner. So you buy hooks and worms ok that’s $3 I can loose $30 in lures on a fishing trip! So your argument about you contributing to the economy is flat out WRONG! You have had access to ALL our bass for way too long! It’s Time We have some lakes for the majority! I’m only asking for say 15% of all lakes to be developed as trophy lakes that every one can enjoy the thrill of catching a monster bass and the pride in knowing you did not kill it.

As it stands now you have 99.9% of all the lake in the state that you can keep bass out of and we have almost none! Lets be a bit reasonable and think of the future. Look at the salmon, sturgeon, trout, steelhead &amp; walleye all are hurting do to meat fishermen. And they stock all but one of those! Maybe we should get five pound bass stocked in to more lakes, yea right that will NEVER happen so the fish we catch today are the fish we will catch tomorrow. I’m not asking for every lake just 15%, Like Hagg! In some lakes we need to thin out the snaller fish and that is when you come in. A big fish is far to Valuable to catch only once! I takes 20 years to replace a 7 pound bass. Lor you are the few! Just remember you are in the minority and you want all the lakes! that does not sound very open minded does it!
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f353/ExBassGuide/b8fe81fc.jpg
Roger

[RascallyRabbit]

I'm honestly not comfortable with making a lake strictly catch and release for bass. I've seen this before and what you eventually end up with is a lake full of small fish! I'd much prefer a slot limit, tailored to individual lakes.

I also think that there would need to be a way to document these big bass we would be releasing, so that our state record (bass) would benefit from the increased management on some of the lakes.

Steve/RR

[BBQbassin']

Snakebite,
I think what this thread should tell you is that you will have your hands full with education and outreach...even with some of the experienced and seasoned anglers!

Good luck this is just the begining.

[1bigfish]

I'd much prefer a slot limit, tailored to individual lakes.
Steve/RR

I was not going to start a debate on what I wanted to see happen with the bass fisheries in Oregon so I just sent Snakebite a PM explaining my thoughts. But since the debate has already started….

I think RR is dead on with slot limit, tailored to individual lakes. And would just add that some lakes and rivers might also benefit from Maximum size limit. For example most of us here have seen the old debate on “is the Johnday River a world class fishery?” Yes you can catch 100+ bass a day but you may only have 5 or so that are over 16 inches. Lots of fish? Yes. But mostly dinks. I would like to see a slot limit for that river that allowed bass between 10 and 13 inches to be kept and all other bass above or below be released. Or perhaps give the Johnday a Maximum size limit of say 15 inches in which all bass over 15 inches must be released. In either case it would have to be one that makes sense for that body of water and would have to change as the fishery changed.

I don’t really fish Hagg Lake but from what I have read on I fish for years now, and due to the size and pressure on that lake, would it make more sense if it had a Maximum size limit of say 15 inches to protect the bigger bass while giving the meat fisherman the chance to still take home their one bass but protecting the lake from being stripped of the good breading fish?

I think the day of just a statewide 12 inch Minimum limit needs to end. Each body of water is different and needs to be looked at individually.

Just my thoughts at least.
Flame away.

[Dave Smith]

Snakebite,
I think what this thread should tell you is that you will have your hands full with education and outreach...even with some of the experienced and seasoned anglers!

Good luck this is just the begining.

BBQbassin: before you get too snuggly with your fellow bio about us poor uneducated fisherman, you might want to consult the record of the COUNTLESS times a group of hunters and fisherman have saved a resource from a disasterous call by a bio, and the sad times they didn't get the chance.

Dave

[BBQbassin']

BBQbassin: before you get too snuggly with your fellow bio about us poor uneducated fisherman, you might want to consult the record of the COUNTLESS times a group of hunters and fisherman have saved a resource from a disasterous call by a bio, and the sad times they didn't get the chance.

Dave

You're very right Dave. I would like the record to state that I also like to snuggle with the fisherman.

[iangler]

Another vote for slot limits. But the problem would be enforcing it. I've seen too many "meat" fisherman take home what ever they want probably because they don't know the rules and don't care to know. A higher fines, and BIG SIGNS should be put up (with phone numbers to call for violators).

[ExBassGuide]

Slot limits to protect bass over 4 pounds sounds great to me (on most lakes!)
I do fish a lake that is C&R only and so does Dave and we get some good bass out of it but the lake is small and the C&R helps keep the numbers of quality fish in the lake.

I Like slot limit as long as it protects quality bass somehow, it just takes to long for nature to replace a big bass and the state will NEVER stock big bass in all of our lakes like they do with trout. so we need SOME controlles and I would not mind controls in most lakes (like 90%).:cool:

[Super Fluke]

EBG when I went to hagg not to long ago we stopped by the store that is by the lake, it made me a little mad because I flipped through the scrap book and there were alot of BIG DEAD BASS:sick: It's those trout fisherman that catch them and keep them because they don't know any better. I think soon Hagg is going to fall off because people keep to many big bass bass, I didn't catch any big smallies from Hagg this year. My dad got one big one that was four pounds but none over five. My dad and I have got about 15 big bass this year and almost none of them were from Hagg.

Nick

[ExBassGuide]

Hagg would be a GREAT lake to put in heavy controls on not keeping any bass over 12 inches. But in saying that I think that you should be able to keep a bass in a live well or on a stringer (not in the gills) when a possible state record is caught. And the state should have some one on call in every region to come and weight the fish to certify it and then the fish can be released! This would save more fish too!

[DJD]

I wouldn`t care if they didn`t have "Any" fish in that mud hole. There are many other lakes to fish than that No cover, no structure, no nothing mud hole!

Sure, there is some, I`ve seen it empty, it`s just not woth it to me. :shrug:
In defense of the "mud hole" I would conservatively estimate that lake produces a half dozen or more fish over seven pounds every year! I fished tenmile for years and six pounds was my largest fish. In the last FIVE years I have weighed in five fish over 7 lbs myself and some of my fishing buddies(whowould rather I kept quiet) have too. In my eyes that is some mighty fine fishing, if you dont mind a healthy dose of skunk to go with it!

[Salty1]

THINK SCIENCE!!!

The opportunity to consistently have Big fish catches is no longer the luck of the draw situation as it was 50 or 100 years ago. It is now virtually predestined when you have quality lakes/rivers which have been granted PROTECTED trophy status. Understand - there is no one single magic formula that covers making them all trophy waters. In a great many, slot limits on take or size become or even some combination will become the the answer to get the waters producing "monsters". Yet on other bodies where over-population is an severe issue, those "meat hunters" (which are typically scorned) do everyone a favor by culling down the predators and making more prey/food available for the faster growth of remaining fish.

So in essence, you need to BE a biologist AND have well honed skills which know the waters on a scientific basis to make those difficult choices. So my suggestion is encourage them with your input and positive thoughts of what you'd like, but respect their decisions on what can and can NOT be done.

One last thing - get yourself out their and volunteer to help - what you'll learn from them in a day - will last a lifetime. :applause: :dancingman: :applause:

:bowdown: Bulid it...and they shall come.

[Dave Smith]

Hagg would be a GREAT lake to put in heavy controls on not keeping any bass over 12 inches. But in saying that I think that you should be able to keep a bass in a live well or on a stringer (not in the gills) when a possible state record is caught. And the state should have some one on call in every region to come and weight the fish to certify it and then the fish can be released! This would save more fish too!

YES YES YES!!!!

Salty, that notion of you NEED to be a biologist to help and just tell them what outcome you want and then just back off: again, I don't want to go into details, but if needed I can- of the times that hunters and fisherman have informed and advised biologists to the point of getting them on track or back on track or sometimes opening their eyes to solutions and realities. Some do a ton of field work- some do very little. I have met and worked with MANY that were really not very interested in their field- it was just a stepping stone to something they were interested in. The key is to be cooperative and helpful, and to do your homework but still be mindful of the fact that there may be alot of details that you are unaware of. Most of them love to get a hunter or fisherman's point of veiw. Dave

[Jon55]

Yes you can catch 100+ bass a day but you may only have 5 or so that are over 16 inches. Lots of fish? Yes. But mostly dinks. I would like to see a slot limit for that river that allowed bass between 10 and 13 inches to be kept and all other bass above or below be released. Or perhaps give the Johnday a Maximum size limit of say 15 inches in which all bass over 15 inches must be released. In either case it would have to be one that makes sense for that body of water and would have to change as the fishery changed.

Here I find myself. C&R only will not necesarily make bigger fish. We have read scientific reports that say overcrowding limits size. If you want a real trophy lake, you might have to remove a lot of 12" - 14" fish. Each lake is different. A good biologist will take everything into consideration and change his recomendation as conditions change. A limit of only one over 16" is not a bad rule. Most people who can catch a large fish are not the kind that will keep it anyway. Tight lines all!

[BassinFever]

We now have and have had for the last two years a slot limit of nothing kept over 15". I still see lots of people taking fish bigger than that home. It`s posted everywhere, but people are ignoring it at the marinas that don`t get checked like at the ramp. The owners of the marinas are doing there best, but they can`t stop all of them. I see people with 5#`ers on a stringer. I tell them that that might be the most expensive meal they ever had, but some just ignore me.

[ExBassGuide]

It is not hard to understand when a big bass is eaten no one will ever catch that fish ever again! Till it becomes a brown trout:( .

Thank god the better fishermen C&R!
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f353/ExBassGuide/small.jpg
This fish is swiming with the fishes:laugh: and I hope it ALWAYS will!

[DJD]

Slot limits and restrictions are of liitle value if no one is willing to enforce them. Perhaps heftier fines would encourage more tickets being given out to violators

[Snakebite]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions!:)

Yes, it appears that it will be a HUGE challenge for whomever gets the job, But I always rise to challenges!

I just got back from my interview, and I'm not at all thrilled with my performance, but I feel I answered all the questions to the best of my ability.
Who knows, I've gotten jobs before when I thought I bombed the interview:shrug:

[ExBassGuide]

GOOD LUCK!!! I hope you get the job.

[RascallyRabbit]

Yes, good luck.

[Salmonator]

Your statement: There are people out there who you may not know that like to eat these fish you consider trophies, be it crappie, bass, etc. And they contribute to the economy, buy licenses, etc the same as you. Do you have a $30,000 bass boat and $1,000 in tackle and rods that cost over $300? Nearly all bass fisherman spend MUCH more the any worm drowner.

I've fished in Oregon for almost 30 years for nearly every species (have a 9.2 lb largemouth one the wall) and know hundreds of people that fish also. I personally know ONE bass boat owner and I'm pretty sure he spent less than 5K for it. However I Do know several bass fishermen. My 16 year old kid is an avid and mostly CNR bass fisherman and he fishes out of a $400 boat. He also catches half a dozen fish a year between 5 and 8lbs in the small lakes around albany. Maybe you should all just trade in your $30,000 rigs and buy a jon boat instead of imposing sanctions on entire lakes that are used by the fishing public to benefit the group that is probably the one that is the true minority?



You have had access to ALL our bass for way too long!

that statement is just scary.

I don't know about you guys, but if I caught a 20+ lb steelhead it would be much less satisfying if I knew it had already been released a dozen or more times in it's life. The state already manages the warmwater lakes for the public. You should really take a good look around you before claiming to be the majority that want's these lakes to go strictly CNR.

[Dave Smith]

I don't know about you guys, but if I caught a 20+ lb steelhead it would be much less satisfying if I knew it had already been released a dozen or more times in it's life. [/quote]

So, is it better knowing that it probably has never seen a lure or a human before?

:help:

[1bigfish]

The state already manages the warmwater lakes for the public.

Granted I have only lived in Oregon for 11 years now, but I have seen little if any "managing" for warmwater fish. I fish on at least a dozen different lakes and river each year and have not seen any rule changes for any warmwater fish. The only rule changes I have ever seen since I have been here are for trout, salmon, or other "coldwater" fish.

Correct me if I am wrong but I have heard that there are only two biologist in the state that are for the warmwater fish. The rest are all for the trout, salmon, ect. Not quite sure how two people are going to "manage" the whole state.

Let's face the facts. The bass are just not much of a concern to the state. The state may "manage the warmwater lakes", but they do little to manage the warmwater fish. Unless the state starts taking steps to manage the warmwater fish it is going to be up to those of us who prefer warmwater fish to try and save them.

Just my :twocents:

I will step off my soapbox now.

[1bigfish]

I don't know about you guys, but if I caught a 20+ lb steelhead it would be much less satisfying if I knew it had already been released a dozen or more times in it's life.

So, is it better knowing that it probably has never seen a lure or a human before?

:help:[/quote]

Good point Dave. A fish that has never seen a lure is easy to catch. Trying to catch a fish that is hook shy, that takes more skill. I think it would be more satisfying having to try and out think the fish then catch one that doesn't know any better.

[Salmonator]

So, is it better knowing that it probably has never seen a lure or a human before?

:help:

Good point Dave. A fish that has never seen a lure is easy to catch. Trying to catch a fish that is hook shy, that takes more skill. I think it would be more satisfying having to try and out think the fish then catch one that doesn't know any better.

I used to think the exact same thing. After catching several fish pushing 9, and then finally getting one (and losing a few that were a guaranteed 10+) I used to tell Scheele that it took less skill to catch a 20lb steelhead than a 9lb bass. Of course being the non-bass fisherman that he is, he called BS. And here I am 15 or so years later still trying to catch my first true 20lb steelhead.:laugh:

Bass and panfish are for here for everyone to catch. They were the fish that most anglers in the state got started on and if I see a 7 year old kid catch a 7 pounder on velveeta cheese from the bank, he should have every right to take that fish home (oh and yes I've seen this happen). They are a tough fish, they are in damn near every body of water in the state, and I don't think any group of anglers should push to get any public body of water reg'd to CNR only. Especially for a fish that is in no danger of going extinct any time soon.

[Dave Smith]

Salmonator, I see your points. I don't think we're in any great danger of having radical changes to any of our warm water fisheries real soon. We can't even get a no-limit catch for warmwater fish on Crane Prairie (which I am basically for). If you have caught sevaral bass pushing ten pounds without even much effort, or have watched a young kid catch a seven pounder on Velveeta, then it is no wonder you consider them easy. Most of us do not, but nor do we consider a 20 pound steelhead easy. The difference is: a 20 pound steelhead is basically the luck of the draw, with the exception that is has made a trip or two up the river the previous year(s). But it has probably never been caught and certainly would have no way of becoming wise to fishing. A ten pound LM is a rareity to begin with (mid-valley private farm ponds and gravel pits are by far the best chances) but now you have to get that fish to bite after a LONG life of being constantly fished for. Add to that most of us fish on public lakes, and now you have a tough one. I have fished for both and know that steelhead are mostly a matter of timing and putting in time, but bass take a ton of skill and finesse- I like them both!! BTW: I mounted Scheele's big steelhead and was just re-cleaning and re-arranging that mold about an hour ago.
Dave

[Salmonator]

My point wasn't really to make it sound easy to catch big bass, I simply used to focus on the 4 or 5 weeks out of the year when it sometimes "seemed" easy. If I had to live on 5+ lb bass from May to February, I'm sure I'd starve:smirk:

PS: what a good looking steelhead mount that is!

[1bigfish]

Salmonator,

Not sure where you were "catching several fish pushing 9, and then finally getting one (and losing a few that were a guaranteed 10+) ", but if it was in Oregon you should be holding the state record by now. Yes, I have caught a few over 10lbs in my lifetime but not in this state. If I were catching bass like that around here I would never bother fishing anything but bass. It takes a long time for a bass to reach that size in here in the Northwest and those are the fish that need to be released to breed.

As for someone catching a bass on velveeta cheese, what's you point? There was a thread on the community page not too long ago asking what the stangest thing you have caught a salmon/steelhead on, and there were some really stange things on there. Just because someone gets lucky and catches a fish on a bait a fish has never seen before does not mean that it doesn't take skill to catch a fish on a bait or lure it has been caught on before.

And most of the people I have talked to around here did not grow up fishing for warmwater fish they grew up fishing for trout.

You are right bass are not in danger of going extinct any time soon, but then again if you asked anyone 100 years ago if the salmon would ever go extinct they would have laughed in your face. And now due to poor management some of the runs have gone extint. I am not concerned about bass going extinct. I am concered about the size and the heath of the bass in this state. Just having a flat 12 inch minimum limit on bass for 90% of the state is not the answer. I also don't think that having most of the lakes being C&R only is the answer. If you had read my post closer to the top of the page you will see I believe that each lake and river should be managed individually. If managed correctly there will be plenty of fish for the meat fisherman and larger fish for the sportfisherman. It can be done but it is never going to happen with people just assuming "They are a tough fish, they are in damn near every body of water in the state, ... Especially for a fish that is in no danger of going extinct any time soon."

[BuKuBass]

I would like to see a slot limit for that river that allowed bass between 10 and 13 inches to be kept and all other bass above or below be released. Or perhaps give the Johnday a Maximum size limit of say 15 inches in which all bass over 15 inches must be released. In either case it would have to be one that makes sense for that body of water and would have to change as the fishery changed.

There is a slot limit on the John Day.
From Cottonwood Bridge upriver to Service Creek, which is the section that I normally fish:
5 fish per day, no more than 1 over 16 inches.
all bass between 12 and 16 inches must be released unharmed.

When a smallie has attained 12 inches, I believe it has earned the right to "live long and prosper". I usually introduce a half dozen from 10 to 11.99 inches to bacon grease after the fillets have been rolled in BBQed potato chips.

A slot limit, 2 bass per day none of which can be between 12 and 16 inches, was implemented at Oxbow Reservoir 20 years ago and it has turned that rez into a great fishery.

[Salmonator]

Salmonator,

Not sure where you were "catching several fish pushing 9, and then finally getting one (and losing a few that were a guaranteed 10+) ", but if it was in Oregon you should be holding the state record by now. Yes, I have caught a few over 10lbs in my lifetime but not in this state. If I were catching bass like that around here I would never bother fishing anything but bass. It takes a long time for a bass to reach that size in here in the Northwest and those are the fish that need to be released to breed.


Nope, never caught a state record. Never even landed one over 9.2. And the lake that I caught these fish in IS public and gets fished very heavy and is planted with trout. I simply stopped because I lost interest in bass fishing after doing more salmon and steelheading. I really enjoy bringing home the fish I catch and after eating largemouth a few times I really didn't see the point in spending the time catching them.

I'm not sure why I'm posting this pic but what the hell. The fish was submitted to Ricks taxidermy in Albany and I'd say for a skin mount it is holding up pretty darn good for 14 or 15 years. The fish was weighed at work on a calibrated chemical scale ( I walked in to my swing shift 10min late because of this fish). The bluegill is a full 6" long....

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/bass12.JPG

[Dave Smith]

GREAT MOUNT. Bad paint job. It is holding up, nicely and what a great fish- nice job on catching that one! Salmonator, you have the same problem I do: There is just too many fun things to do in this paradise of a state. Salmon and steelhead are so much fun, then we have big game, turkeys, waterfowl, trout, albacore, the list could go on. Rick in Albany must be Rick Farthing? I also cleaned and moved a mold yesterday of a fish he caught (18 pound, or so steelhead) but I never got to casting and mounting it, neither did Ron Pittard. Ron just gave me bunch of new molds including some incredible steelhead and Cohos. Dave

[raptorschild]

I've read this thread from front to back, and i can understand, for the most part, all points made.

With that said, I think what some of the "meat fisherman" are missing is that the C & R supporters arent asking to make all lakes C & R! All they are asking for is a few lakes that have the great genetics to become trophy fisheries. Between OR, and WA there are thousands of lakes. Why cant a few of the big fish producing lakes become C & R, or if not C & R, then at least managed for monster fish?

"meat" fisherman can go anywhere to get meat. Trophy fisherman can't just go to any lake due to genetics, cover, etc. . Lets keep things in perspective, and find a way to give and take. I think all EbG is saying is that 100% of lakes are set up so meat fishers can have their way. Why can't 15-20 % of lakes become trophy fisheries? Do the meat guys need free reign on all lakes??? I doubt it.

I also think that if you are going to have a trophy fishery, you need selective rules, due to the fact that bait fishing probably Kills more bass inadvertanly than any other method. You've got the guy thats not paying attention and when he gets over to his doubled down rod, the 5lb smally has the worm hanging out of his arse!

thats my 2 cents on the issue.

Good luck getting the position.

[1bigfish]

There is a slot limit on the John Day.
From Cottonwood Bridge upriver to Service Creek, which is the section that I normally fish:
5 fish per day, no more than 1 over 16 inches.
all bass between 12 and 16 inches must be released unharmed.

When a smallie has attained 12 inches, I believe it has earned the right to "live long and prosper". I usually introduce a half dozen from 10 to 11.99 inches to bacon grease after the fillets have been rolled in BBQed potato chips.

A slot limit, 2 bass per day none of which can be between 12 and 16 inches, was implemented at Oxbow Reservoir 20 years ago and it has turned that rez into a great fishery.

BuKuBass,

Oxbow Reservoir is one of my favorite places to fish. The only problem with it for me is the distance. Oxbow is a perfect example of how a slot limit can make a great fishery. Of course it is not just the slot limits that help make it a great fishery, the Oxbow Reservoir is also a C&R only fishery for half the year.

Yes there is a slot limit for that section of the John Day, and I am so glad that the state actually is trying to protect the bass in that stretch. But wouldn’t be nice to protect the rest of the river? I guess I would just prefer that it was mandatory that everyone had to follow your example of keeping and eating only the smaller size bass.


I'm not sure why I'm posting this pic but what the hell. The fish was submitted to Ricks taxidermy in Albany and I'd say for a skin mount it is holding up pretty darn good for 14 or 15 years.


Salmonator,

First of all let me say that is a nice looking fish and congrats on catching it.

I know why you posted the pic. You wanted to make sure that everyone believed that you actually caught the fish. I for one never doubted that you did. I just found it hard to understand how you had caught that many big fish in Oregon. But now seeing that it was caught 14 or 15 years ago (which is before I even moved to Oregon) I now understand. My question is simply this, do you think that you could go back to that same lake next year and still catch the same number and size of fish you did then? If not then is it because you are not as good at bass fishing as you once were? (and I’m sure you are still as good) Or is it because the lake no longer produces the same number of big fish that it did years ago?

I think that what most of the people are saying here is that if we don’t address the problems soon it may be to late. I hear it all the time from the salmon/steelhead guys that the fishing is not as good as it used to be when they were kids. Now the list of rules and restriction for salmon and steelhead are so long and so complicated it almost takes a PHD to figure them all out. If the state would have started protecting the salmon and steelhead 50 years ago, the way they do today, do you think you might have a true 20lb steelhead by now? Most of the people that have posted here, like myself, don’t have all the answers but would like to see a little more proactive protection for the warm water fish that we take such joy in catching.

In 2006 there were no rule changes regarding any warm water fish in the state of Oregon. Should there have been? I personally can think of one that could use a change. St. Louis Ponds (Marion Co.) has a limit of one bass per day. I took my nieces and nephews there this year and could not believe the number of 6-7 inch bass sitting a few feet from shore staring at you waiting for you to through your line out. They were starving. In some of those ponds the small bass are so over populated that I am sure that their size is, or will soon be, stunted. Here is a case where it would be better to keep more bass and thin them out a bit. But I bet when the regulations for 2007 come out there will be no change for those ponds.

Of course simply changing the rules will not help one bit unless they are enforced. As several people have already noted there is just not enforcement of the regulations that are already in place.

[shalom]

Snakebite ,
Were you at the obpc meeting last night to hear Virgil Moore ?

[kc1]

Ooooh, sorry about the lousy mount, salmonator... Maybe you can catch another and have it done professionally.

[kc1]

A buddy of mine caught a 7.25 lb.'er and insisted on using a local taxidermest... the paint job looked a little better than yours Salmonator, but it was still a shoddy job.

[Salmonator]

Dave, it was submitted to Rick Farthing and I say submitted because I'm not sure if he did the mount or not. I'm kinda thinking he might have outsourced it. He also did my first mallard drake. That's been 18 or 19 years ago and it would have looked superb still if my cat hadn't climbed on the mantle and pulled it's butt off :( . Even patched together it looks pretty good.

KC1, a few more worthless digs and you'll get to 40 posts...

[Dave Smith]

KC-1: building bridges, I see. How does your nine pounder look? At least we can always give Salmonator's a new paint job- he he.

[Super Fluke]

I'm having the best taxidermist(sp.?) in oregon do my smally.

[Super Fluke]

Oh ya I will post a pic of it in December or January, I can't wait to see it.

[kc1]

KC-1: building bridges, I see. How does your nine pounder look? At least we can always give Salmonator's a new paint job- he he.


Mine looks like this: I didn't feel the need to kill her, so she's still swimming in the pond I caught her:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/kckaye/basspic-1.jpg

How does your 9lb.er look, Dave?

[Salmonator]

Mine looks like this: I didn't feel the need to kill her, so she's still swimming in the pond I caught her:


Now that I've seen your "CnR" skills i'm suprised you care whether she lived or not...

[kc1]

Now that I've seen your "CnR" skills i'm suprised you care whether she lived or not...

My CnR skills? I'm certain she swam off unharmed, unlike the one on your wall...

[Dave Smith]

well, if you really want to know, my nine pounder is coming along great. I am working on it at the same time I am doing Superfluke's 8 pound smallmouth. I am thinking of hanging it next to my 11-3. Any more questions?

[kc1]

I guess my point is, take measurments and photos and let the fish go... A replica looks much better, lasts longer, and you have the satisfaction of catching the fish again.

[kc1]

An 11.3 YOU caught in OR? That's impressive, I'd like to see a pic...

[Super Fluke]

I agree with you kc1, replicas look way better than skin mounts. When either my dad or I get an 8 we'll get a replica and let the fish go, so we can get that same fish when it is nine or bigger.

[STGRule]

Gentlemen, please understand that some people do things differently than you do. As long as it's legal, we won't disparage others. Period. It may be time to review the Acceptable Use Policy.

[kc1]

Allthough I disagree and I am only defending my character against the likes of Salmonator and Dave Smith, I will abide by any decisions you will make in the matter, great and mighty STG...

[Super Fluke]

:yeahthat: I don't see any other fights on the other threads like the fly fishing one.

[shalom]

Snakebite
Were you at the OBPCLUB meeting when Virgil Moore spoke ?

[Salmonator]

I am thinking of hanging it next to my 11-3. Any more questions?

Yea, was that 11-3 a skin mount and if so, were your hands shaking like mad?:smirk: I'd liken that to doing open heart on the president...

[tnj8222]

i would mount it to. wow everybody this thread is getting some personal attacks. kc nice fish, and great job on releasing it. the mounts paint job does look a little off. but its still a great fish.. and you have to remeber thats a old mount. there have been some improovments to the taxidermy business

[Dave Smith]

Naah, I caught my 11-3 in Ca, ofcourse. I wish I could get one in OR like that. I have seen a few in these public waters that might have been that big and have caught quite a few over 8, but still trying to get one over ten. Everyone says you need to fish in private ponds in the mid-valley to get one, but I will keep trying on the public lakes. I have released all my fish, even though I make fish replicas myself. I cannot bring myself to kill one though I could sure use the molds. Every once in a while someone brings me a fish that died or they found dead, or a state record- I have accumulated some nice molds this way without having to kill any myself. Yeah, KC1: that is a great fish- very healthy looking and nice work on catching and on releasing that beauty. Dave

[kc1]

I think ponds are the way to go for big bass in OR (like the one that gave up the current state record). Don't overlook the public access ones though, Dave. Especially the ones that plant put-and-take trout all winter. They may be fished heavily by some trout fishermen, but nobody seriously targets the bass.

[Super Fluke]

I now of a farm pond that has big bass were may dad's friends got a six out of it and there are some that are a lot bigger. There are some other public lakes that have big bass that you can get almost any time you go in the spring. Then there is Hagg that has a lot of big fish but they're really hard to get, but when you may get one it may be a state record.

[Snakebite]

Sorry folks, someone else got the job. Lots more experience statewide I'm told. I guess what I learned on the big pond over the last 15 years don't count for much on the little ponds.

[Dave Smith]

Well, that just means there is something out there better for you. Good try and keep up the good work.