My brother Mark Nale (column author and part of the study) and Mark Jackson could not post here, so they asked me to post this for them. There are many details to the study that Mark Nale could not include in his brief column. The study authors hope that this will clear up any misconceptions about the research. Mark Jackson wrote this clarification -- so here goes.
The Assault Continues ………….. First and foremost, I love to fish for trout with all methods including bait (minnows), artificial lures, and flies (March browns, sulphurs, light Cahill, slate & green drakes, caddis, and of course the Patriot. On the wet side, I enjoy nymph fishing and occasionally having fun with a Woolley Bugger or Green Weenie”). I have had the good fortune to fly fish with guys like Charlie Meck (he taught me the Tandem Method) and to Spin Fish with the likes of the Nale brothers and their homemade spinners. We are blessed with some outstanding waters here in the state of Pennsylvania. I too believe there is a need to having more special regulation waters to allow for those wanting to have reusable stream and fish populations that create additional quality angling hours and opportunities. I also believe that our Class A Wild Trout Waters should be considered for “no harvest” or “Catch & Release” regulations. With all of that being said, I am one of the organizers of the Bald Eagle Creek Trout Tournament Mortality study. The other study organizers include the nationally known and highly respected Dr. Robert Carline (principal author) and Mark Nale (Retired Biology Teacher and recent President of the PA Outdoor Writers Association). Bob is a fly fisherman and Mark is a Spin Fisherman. All three of us are members of Trout Unlimited and Life members of the Little Juniata River Association. Others participating in helping with the study include people like Cecil Houser (Retired PFBC Chief of the Cooperative Nursery Program), George Jackson (Retired PFBC Fish Culturist and Pathologist), and William Voigt (Long Time Volunteer Coordinator of the Yellowstone National Park Fly Fishing Program).
After reading a number of the posts from yesterday’s article, I felt it important to provide some additional clarity about our study.
1. First and foremost, the fishermen (including men, women, and children with all different skill levels who participated in this study were not pre-selected and in year one had no idea that they were going to be part of a trout mortality study. What they signed up for was fishing in the Bald Eagle Creek Trout Tournament, which is now in its 18th year. A majority of these participants already knew from prior years events and fishing in other similar events, that the primary objective was to catch tagged trout and bring them back into the check in station in “Live Condition”. The incentive is that the trout were worth money (Approximately $17,000 it total prize money paid by local business and individual sponsors for this fundraising event). So, every effort was made to keep the trout alive until they were checked in. Certainly a different mindset than fishing special regulation waters but very similar in regards to the care exhibited by the fishermen with the handling of the trout. So, the participants only became aware of the study during the actual tournament. You cannot get much better than that for an unbiased study!
2. Secondly, the participants were not limited to any tackle or hook restrictions and were able to fish with what they thought would make them successful in catching tagged trout.
3. Trout used were subject to extreme amounts of handling stress both before, during, and after the event.
4. I fish a substantial amount of time on two World Renowned “All Tackle” trout streams in Central PA including Spring Creek and the Little J. In addition to those who enjoy fly fishing on these waters, there are many of my friends that fish both with live bait and artificial lures. In fact, a previous study conducted by Dr. Carline conducted on Spring Creek revealed that in the Benner spring section, which had good public access, 38% of the anglers used bait, they accounted for 52% of the fishing pressure, and 52% of the total catch. Their catch rate was 1.25 trout/hour. In Fisherman's Paradise, the catch rate was 0.77 trout/hour. The Benner Spring section supported a higher density and more trout longer than 13.5 inches than did Fisherman's Paradise.
5. More recent stream based (moving water) bait fishing mortality studies in a handful of states including PA, ID, CT, MD, and WI, have provided overwhelming evidence of much lower mortality from bait fishing (when done properly like in a Special Regulation Area) that supports the notion that more “All Tackle” Special Regulation waters should be considered. Many of the older studies were conducted in raceways or in lakes or ponds.
6. I would suggest that we all take time some time to learn more about these recent mortality studies that have taken place and that it is time for all of us (Fly, Spin, and Bait Anglers) who care about the resource to work together on preserving it.
In closing, The real “Assault” is on the clean-water environmental regulations that affect all of our fishing. Going forward, why not have all fishermen work together to push for more catch & release special regulation waters for all to enjoy regardless of tackle methods?
