Calling all Louts. The NY DEC has proposed a ban on fishing from inside a boat on the upper West Branch of the Delaware. This proposal is in no way based on science - it is purely the work of a lone biologist who prefers wade fishing over boating. This is just another attempt at limiting our fishing freedoms and I strongly urge each of you to click on the link below and speak out against this proposal! Imagine if the reverse were true and boaters outnumbered waders and passed legislation to ban wade fishing. How would waders feel then? Since the Louts participate in both types of fishing, please speak out during this public comment period. If you had done so previous to Feb. 6th, you need to do so again as the DEC has revised its original proposal and any and all comments posted prior to that date will no longer be considered. This is a trick used in the past by the DEC to avoid or greatly reduce negative comments on a particular topic. After they’ve passed limiting (to the fishery or to fisherman) legislation in the past using this trick, they’ve stated that “there was little opposition to the proposal”. Remember that NY’s DEC does not answer to an autonomous fish and game council as does New Jersey and other states, so politics are alive and well in the DEC! I urge each of you to email the link and tell the DEC “NO on # R4-5″. You do not need to live in NY to do so.
February 15, 2007
Bob Sutton said:
February 17th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Here’s what I sent them:
“Your proposed regulation limiting times and places that drift boats may be used to fish the Delaware serves a pathetic, elitist trend among a small, vocal minority of fly fishermen who would have you banish boats entirely if it were in your jurisdiction to do so. Drift boats are one of the few options disabled fishermen have to access the fishery. Creating further impediments to their participation in a regulated sport violates the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act and represents unconscionable pandering to romantic wing-nuts at the expense of fairness and good sense.”
Brian Cowden said:
February 20th, 2007 at 9:08 am
That might just be the angle that is needed to put an end to this sham proposal. I remain very concerned about the elitist trend towards land/water access in the US as we move closer every day to the English chalk stream model of pay-to-fish. In Wyoming late last year, a 6 year battle wrapped up between a wealthy couple attempting to restrict fishing access to “their” river which was deemed navigable waters (and Wyoming is one of the many states that practice English Common Law regarding water access). The two sides, the wealthy couple and the group of conservation groups, realators and developers spent 5 million(!) bucks on the battle. The couple lost and fishermen are once again floating or wading below the high water line. Imagine how many acres of land could have been perserved or access secured with 5 million!