I really want to have a legitamate discussion in regards to tournament fishing in Utah.
For this discussion there's a couple things I want to keep out of it: 1.Anger 2. Ingnorance
Please, don't turn this into a personal attack on anyone or any group and please be openminded.
Here's the background: Bass tournaments in Utah are becoming increasingly difficult to hold. There is a sizeable group of avid anglers that would love to participate in tournaments held on OUR lakes, but are unable to in light of the restrictive regulations. Tournament variances have been repeatedly denied. The question is why?
Before anyone shoots back and attacks this issue with the idea that tournament anglers shouldn't be treated differently than regular anglers. We've all heard that argument before. It has nothing to do with the individual anglers. They are participants in an event.
The question I have is why not allow variences for approved events? They (DWR) just put into action new laws that will allow tagged fish events on basically all species (including salmonoids). So why is there so much negativity in regards to allowing participants in approved events to weigh live fish and then release them? If the appropriate COR is aquired for an event, why would having a live weighin varience be such an issue?
Like I mentioned earlier, my intention is not to draw battle lines, but to have real discussion in regards to the issue.
Thanks
Joe
For this discussion there's a couple things I want to keep out of it: 1.Anger 2. Ingnorance
Please, don't turn this into a personal attack on anyone or any group and please be openminded.
Here's the background: Bass tournaments in Utah are becoming increasingly difficult to hold. There is a sizeable group of avid anglers that would love to participate in tournaments held on OUR lakes, but are unable to in light of the restrictive regulations. Tournament variances have been repeatedly denied. The question is why?
Before anyone shoots back and attacks this issue with the idea that tournament anglers shouldn't be treated differently than regular anglers. We've all heard that argument before. It has nothing to do with the individual anglers. They are participants in an event.
The question I have is why not allow variences for approved events? They (DWR) just put into action new laws that will allow tagged fish events on basically all species (including salmonoids). So why is there so much negativity in regards to allowing participants in approved events to weigh live fish and then release them? If the appropriate COR is aquired for an event, why would having a live weighin varience be such an issue?
Like I mentioned earlier, my intention is not to draw battle lines, but to have real discussion in regards to the issue.
Thanks
Joe