One could argue that some of our rivers are being “loved to death.” In the interest of making the fishing better for everyone, how would you feel about giving rivers a little more rest? That could take the form of closing down for a few weeks or months (likely during the winter, or the spawn) where the fishing is now open all year… that could be disallowing the use of split-shot for a certain mile or so of river… making stream temperature closures more stringent and enforcing them… limiting the number of boats permitted to launch on a certain day… whatever.
The question is, simply, would you consider testing the concept of “resting” rivers on a very limited basis to see if the fishing can get better?
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I’m sure the data already exist for many of your suggestions. For example, New York closes streams to trout fishing in the winter. Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania don’t. I suspect all three states do angler surveys. Perhaps some Fisheries Science grad student needing a thesis topic could analyze the data and write it up.
Also, be careful what you wish for. Boating groups could take a cue and try to limit the number of fishermen on their favorite rivers. They have just as much right to the rivers as fishermen.
No split shot? No lead shot I could understand and support. No split shot is just elitist. How about equal river mileage (and equal QUALITY river mileage) for no dry flies? Sound fair?