Dear Sir:
The letter entitled "Is Angler an Elitist" from the Oct. 23 edition of The Terrace Standard is misleading. The author implies that Rob Brown is responsible for the new catch and release regulation for stream caught trout and char. Although I know that Rob supports the regulation, he does not have the authority to make such a rule. The regulation was imposed, after consultation with local sport fish adviser groups, by fishery professionals in the Ministry. The decision was made as part of a province wide move to give vulnerable fish stocks, particularly Bull Trout, some protection.
Also the author using a minimum of data seems to claim that fly fishing is just as effective at catching fish as spoon fishing. Based on my experience and discussions with others, this is simply not true. Except for selective lake fishing and low clear rivers, fly fishing as defined in the synopsis, is the least effective fishing method. The regulation definition of fly fishing is - angling with a line to which only an artificial fly is attached (no float, sinker or attracting device). Using a fly rod as a float rod can be very productive but is not fly fishing.
The author is concerned that a regulation to change the Zymoetz River to fly fishing only is being promoted. Simply, with a 3 per cent to 6 per cent mortality rate with released fish, catching more fish kills more fish. Therefore using a less effective fishing method would increase overall fish survival. Perhaps a better rule, that would more fairly share the resource, would be catch one fish, release it, and then go home. On crowded waters in south B.C. some enlightened anglers are practising this now. But then how to enforce it?
Doug Webb,
Terrace, B.C.