Fishing Tournaments

[Guest]

Bass are not stocked in eastern Ontario. Maybe not anywhere in Ontario. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Why? Probably because there is no need to. The populations are stable, by and large, and are reproducing on their own at a satisfactory rate, so it seems.

I'm not sure on this one. I will check with some friends at the MNR and get an answer. Stocking is just one way that can benefit the fishery. There are many other projects where the funding could be used. Fish disease research, water pollution studies, spawning and netting surveys are just a few off the top of my head.

So, all this money- did I see a figure of $5,000

It's an example, don't take it literally.

Possibly because we don't believe it to be so as there is no evidence to support the "possibility".

And finally we get to the point that I was hoping to discuss with my initial post. Tournament anglers believe they aren't doing harm, while many other anglers do, such as myself. There just isn't enough evidence to support either claim. You and I could argue until we're blue in the face, but in the end, neither of us has that vital piece of evidence to validate our claims. How do we get that answer, funding!

The MNR is under funded (I think they just had another 20% cut), and there is an unwillingness on the part of most people to give necessary funding to irresponsible organizations. We have the means no doubt, we just don't have the medium.

As has been brought up in other posts, most anglers feel they would be willing to "support" the fisheries at higher levels than what we see at present.

I agree 110%.

HW

[fishforfun]

Ok we agree most anglers would support legitimate programs. Can anyone suggest some and maybe we as hawk talkers can work towards helping out these programs. I for one have no problem contributing and giving of my time to help coordinate our efforts. I think this would be a positive result from all our discussion in this thread.

[big-o]

WOW.....this is a good discussion..... I do believe now....not a few months ago...but now, that a well run tournament will not hurt the fish population in any lake....Yes ED I said that....What CCB said makes sence...I still don't like tournys...but thats my opion only!!!!!!! but to paint them as the reason for declining stocks in any body of water is Bull...Ed Told me once that I'm fishing with the same old Pattern for thirty years, try changing and see if there is a differance...so i changed ...my bass were bigger this year than they have been in years....the fish were always there ...I just had to change,adjust to new Ideas....and if all of us older guys would try to change i think that all would find there are lots of fish....you just have to relearn how to catch them ....So in a Nut shell...the fish are healthy and lots of them...if any thing we should worry about Acid rain , raw sewage,....ect!!!!!!!!!!

Plowjack.... not all Americans litter...I realy hate to see one set of people singled out...last year Topwater wrote a post to appoligise to the poeple of Port Hope for the litter throwen all over by the shore line Anglers i was there for three days....not one of them was from the U.S. all Canadians so lets not single them out every time we go on a rant

[Guest]

FFF,

Being that I'm primarily a muskie guy, I only know of organizations supporting muskie conservation, although, many of their projects help fisheries in general and would benefit other species as well.

For the proposed Ottawa FH muskie outing, I have proposed that all anglers give $5, which will then be donated to our local muskie conservation organization. If this is a successful endeavour, it may spark more interest. Let's call it a "pilot" project.

For all the bass, walleye, trout, salmon, and other species guys, can you help us out here? Are there comparable organizations in your realm?

HW

[Guest]

Big-O,

When did I single out Americans?? I said nothing of the sort.

The only thing that I said was that there are waterbodies in the US that are now suffering due to angler negligence. It's not a generalization, it's a fact, and it's certainly not a crack at Americans.

Where are you getting this from?

HW

[fishforfun]

HW now were moving in the right direction. CCB using HWs links I looked at the tournament rules, these tournies are serious about conservation and should be commended for that (you could never enforce those rules in a derby!) you opened my eyes THX. As anglers we need to work together as one voice and move forward.

[Legend]

Ok, this one is simple. If no-one is eating Bass when fishing in tournaments, what's the real problem?

Personally, I'd like to see a few tournaments for Sheepshead, Brown Bullheads, Gobies, Mooneye, and Sunfish!

Thank goodness for Carp tourneys, mind you, they'd be better without the Marquis of Queensbury rules!

Legend

[ganman]

CCB you make a ton of very valid points....HW you do also. In some ways you are both correct.

But it's all about circumstance.

I don't like tournaments but in a democratic society until we can prove that they hurt the fishery then I'll have to live with them.

BUT........

Big O says we have lots of bass......I'm still out on that one. BTW BO on Charleston Sunday the Senko's were stone cold but I got 2-20" smallies and a couple in the high teens on a white Big O. Ok, back to the discussion. How are our bass doing? I remember fishing a OV Pro Bass tourney years ago on Big Rideau and I saw first hand what happens when bass see a steady procession of boats and lures. I wonder about stress. This season on some lakes and days it felt like the Big Rideau on the last Sunday of the tourney.

I don't think there are many facilities in eastern Ontario capable of holding a tournament.

Case in point.

The outlet ramp on Charleston Lake. It's single lane. The dock has space for 6-7 boats. It has parking for maybe 10 trailers.

Sorry but that facilty is not adequate for even a tournament of 20 boats while accomodating the needs of others. If just one non tournament boater using a public ramp is inconvienced by your tourney than sorry boys time to find another place to hold your tournament.

That goes for any other group activity.

I think a permit should be required for tournaments. I think a notice should be posted of the upcoming event.

Now...

Gotta remember next time before I post....Pilsner Urquell cans have alot more beer than regular beer cans........but Czech beer.....mmmmmmm!

[big-o]

HW

Sorry it was NOT YOU that singled out the Americans please accept my apology

plowjock wrote:
Also if you see the number of Americans coming up here to Rape our waters, it is unbelieveable how much damage they are doing to our waters.
Garbage and tin pop cans in the water,camping sites a mess with garbage no respect on the water for people, property, or NATURE

Plowjock...this is plain wrong

[Markus]

HW

Sorry it was NOT YOU that singled out the Americans please accept my apology

plowjock wrote:
Also if you see the number of Americans coming up here to Rape our waters, it is unbelieveable how much damage they are doing to our waters.
Garbage and tin pop cans in the water,camping sites a mess with garbage no respect on the water for people, property, or NATURE

Plowjock...this is plain wrong

phew! Thought you may have had a visit from Alexander Kieth.

[grumpy7790]

Hello,
its really not necessary to have a launch big enough to hold all the boats and trailers during a tournament. During an event on the Rideau, teams launched from four or five different locations and meet a predetermined location on the lake. As for dockig, teams usually do not dock. They pull the boats out immediately. For 30 boats, this takes less than forty minutes.

G

[wolfe]

WOW - controversial topic and lots of solid points and worthy opinions throughout the thread.

However, I do take offense at the comments from plowjock regarding Americans "raping" the Canadian waterways. Having been called (tongue in cheek, or maybe not? ) a possible "PETA" advocate on this board, you will not see me spewing litter, targeting fish out of season or handling my catches with anything but TLC & respect for their well-being -- I am 100% catch & release. (Nor do I shout profanities, belch or scratch myself -- at least in public! )

I would hope that plowjock didn't mean for the words to come out as strongly as they did, but it's hard to read them any other way. As an American who has vacationed in the Rideau Lakes for almost 30 years, I have only the utmost reverence for your beautiful lakes, wildlife and other natural resources. I am surely not the only Yank to fit this bill.

W.

[Markus]

Good points Wolfe! Let's not go down this road again though..lets continue with this awesome topic about how tournament anglers should contribute more to our fishing resources because of the harm they induce on the environment! Best discussion we've had in a while.

For a quick recap...

...Hawgs positon is great and he's dueling with one of halk talks most senior banter'r. He's fighting from the heart and has made a strong arguement.

...CCB has returned from vacation and the bordom of 9 inch brookies has driven him to search back through past posts to reserect an old thread he feels is worthy of further discussion. CCB has maintained a great position and has already prematurely claimed a victory.

...A few other posters have contributed a little humour and also some good facts...and none committing openly to a side since the wrath of CCB has returned.

...Big-O has obviously been into his dusty trucker pills and has misquoted one of our leading debaters and has temperarily stalled the topic.

I look forward to the thread continuing now that we're back on track...

[Brad]

I have read many post on this subject for and against . This is my two cents worth.
As far as Aim concerned giving the government more money that won’t go to what it was raised for is and I think you can count on that, is a large waste

[Canadian Bacon]

This board as we all know is a board for opinions as is this thread!
I have enjoyed reading this discussion and have my own opinions on the subject. At this time I choose to keep to myself.
I would like to ask the participants on Hawk-Talk to refrain from categorizing like it has been done in this and some other Threads.
An opinion is one thing but lumping all Americans or all Canadians into one group just doesn't hold water!! There are good and bad in every group..I feel more good than bad. It's the way I feel about small social groups..cities...provinces and States and countries...everything!! Because you have seen one bad apple it doesn't mean you should chop down the whole tree..the others are more than likely tasty and juicy!
A while back the same type of thing was said about Quebec, I thought at that time we may have squashed it and that wouldn't happen again...
We have fantastic people on this board from The U.S., Quebec, Ontario and other Provinces, I sure would like them to stay and share thier stories, so I hope we can make sure everyone feels welcome at all times!! I for one love the fact that our American cousins are joining our message board and would love to go down to thier waters...and they are alway welcome in mine!!!