Go Fishing to Help Save Rodman Reservoir

 

Continued from Journal Page

One of the main reasons that I like tournament fishing is that it allows you to help a good cause and have fun at the same time.

On Saturday, April 16, you can help a really good cause and have fun on one of Florida’s best bass fisheries by participating in the 15^th Annual Save Rodman Reservoir (SRR) Open Bass Tournament. For more information, go to Save Rodman Reservoir’s website or call (386) 326-1112.

Don’t own a bass boat? No problem. SRR has a special small-boat category for craft with engines of 50 horsepower or less. But you must have a working livewell system.

Now, why is this such a good cause? SRR is the first line of defense against Rodman’s destruction, and it needs your support to continue protecting this resource from Florida Defenders of the Environment and its political allies.

No conflict better demonstrates the divide between conservation and preservation than the decades-long battle regarding the fate of this world-class bass fishery and popular destination for camping, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor recreation.

Constructed on the Ocklawaha River during the 1960s, Rodman was part of the Cross Florida Barge Canal project, designed to facilitate navigation from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico without going all the way around Florida.  It was a stupid idea and could have been devastating to the natural beauty and bounty of the Sunshine State.

Realization of its catastrophic potential occurred right about the time we had an environmental awakening as a country. We saw that we needed to do more to protect our water, land, and air. We created the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We passed the federal Clean Water Act.

And we stopped the canal.

But the 9,600-acre reservoir already had been dug. It was filled with water by the Ocklawaha. And because of the unique combination of climate and geology, with perhaps a little magic mixed in by Mother Nature, it quickly appeared as if it were a part of the natural landscape --- except for the dam, of course.

Shallows turned into wetlands that attracted far more numbers and varieties of birds than had ever been there before.  Submerged grasses and other aquatic vegetation provided fertile spawning and nursery grounds for bass and other fish. As Florida Sportsman explained, alligators, turtles, otters, muskrats, raccoons, and other reptiles and mammals also moved in.

According to SRR, Rodman has more visitors than all but 12 of Florida’s state parks and supports more than three times the recreational use of the Oklawaha River.

 Additionally, the reservoir serves as a “sink” for nutrients that otherwise would degrade the St. Johns River, just downstream from the dam. And now that resource managers finally are awakening to the fact that water is limited in Florida and storage reservoirs will be necessary, they have a ready-made facility in Rodman.

But none of that matters to FDE and others on the preservationist side. Rodman is not “natural” and so must be destroyed.  It stands in the way of a free-flowing river.

It represents man’s arrogance and ignorance and, no matter that we got lucky and created a unique ecosystem rich with fish and wildlife and recreational opportunities, it must be destroyed for what it symbolizes.

Those of us on the conservation side see it another way.

Should we dig any more canals in Florida? No.

Should Rodman have been created in the first place? No.

But should it be destroyed. No.

Rodman should be conserved for the wonderful aquatic resource that we created, albeit unintentionally.

Created by man or by nature, it is a resource worth preserving and celebrating. 

Texas, Louisiana Simplifying Rules for Shared Fisheries

Continued from Journal Page

Texas and Louisiana are about to standardize regulations for shared fisheries, including Toledo Bend, Caddo Lake, and a portion of the Sabine River.

Here’s the latest from Texas Parks and Wildlife:

ATHENS—A cooperative effort between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to standardize fishing regulations on waters shared by the two states is nearing fruition.

Waters affected by the proposed agreement include Toledo Bend Reservoir, Caddo Lake and the Sabine River from Toledo Bend dam downstream to the Interstate 10 bridge. The proposal would also redefine the Toledo Bend Reservoir boundary from the U.S. Highway 84 bridge upstream to where the river and the state line diverge.

“This agreement was achieved through diligent effort and amiable cooperation between members of our respective departments,” said Ross Melinchuk, TPWD’s deputy executive director for natural resources. “I believe this compromise will provide meaningful benefits to recreational anglers, enforcement staff and fisheries resources in both states as well as establish a solid foundation upon which to build future cooperative efforts.”

Differing regulations in the two states have long posed problems for anglers. The line between the two states follows the old Sabine River channel down through the middle of Toledo Bend and passes through Caddo Lake as well. An angler with a legal Louisiana catch who drifted across the line into Texas could be cited for violation of Texas regulations.

Texas and Louisiana inland fisheries staff began talks in mid-2010 to develop a suite of standardized regulations acceptable to anglers in both states. In general the current Louisiana length and bag limits are more liberal than the Texas regulations. The compromise regulation proposals generally call for length limits closer to the current Texas regulations while allowing bag limits nearer the current Louisiana regulations.

The proposed compromise regulations for Toledo Bend affect channel, blue and flathead catfish and black and white crappie. Proposed regulations for Caddo Lake and the Sabine River deal with those species plus white, yellow, largemouth and spotted bass. Regulations governing the harvest of black basses, striped bass and white bass on Toledo Bend were standardized previously.

“The original goal of regulation standardization was specific to Toledo Bend Reservoir, but we all recognized an opportunity to broaden our scope and incorporate Caddo Lake and portions of the Sabine River,” said Gary Saul, director of TPWD’s Inland Fisheries Division. “During this process we utilized a mixture of available science and old-fashioned compromise to seek common ground. Agency personnel from both states brought a cooperative spirit to the negotiating table. The anglers we serve deserve nothing less than a complete resolution to this issue.”

Public hearings on the proposed regulations have been completed in Texas. The public can still view and comment on the proposed regulations online until March 30, 2011, at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/feedback/public_comment/proposals/201103_fish_hunt_proclamation.phtml.

 Information for Louisiana anglers can be found at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/proposedregulations.

Public response to regulation proposals and final recommendations by TPWD Inland Fisheries staff will be presented to the TPWD Commission for approval on March 31, 2011. The LDWF is operating on a parallel track for gathering public comment and presenting their findings to their Commission. Target date for implementation of the new regulations in both states is September 1, 2011.

BASS, BPS Say 'I Do'

Continued from Journal Page

I’m so happy. Bass Anglers Sportsmen’s Society (B.A.S.S.) and Bass Pro Shops (BPS) finally have tied the knot.

Of course, I’m not talking about sharing the same bedroom --- or office. And likely they will produce no offspring; both are over 40.

But they’re a team now, with BPS an Official (with a capital “O”) Sponsor of the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Elite Series, and Bassmaster Open Series. In fact, the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open is occurring this week on North Carolina’s Lake Norman.

“This agreement further unites the sport’s most respected brands,” said Don Logan, who, with Jim Copeland and Jerry McKinnis, purchased B.A.S.S. in late 2010. “Anglers everywhere, and especially our membership, will benefit from the offerings from Bass Pro Shops and B.A.S.S.”

McKinnis added, “B.A.S.S. and Bass Pro Shops were pioneers in this sport and remain industry leaders. It’s only right that we pool our strengths to find new ways to grow the great sport of bass fishing.”

And BPS founder Johnny Morris said, “Competing in Ray Scott’s B.A.S.S. tournaments many years ago helped lead to the starting of our company. It is fitting that we now join together in this partnership.”

Those in high places at both organizations might not realize this, but many folks considered them one and the same with interchangeable names for many years. As someone affiliated with B.A.S.S. since the 1980s, I saw this often. B.A.S.S. was “Bass Pro” or maybe “B.A.S.S. Pro.”

And Bassmaster Magazine was “Pro Bass” magazine.

Unrelated to the news of this partnership, B.A.S.S. Times frequently is referred to as “The Bassin’ Times.” As someone who cares about accuracy and facts, this one drives me crazy, and occasionally makes me think about trading in my bass tackle for saltwater gear.

Here’s the official description of both organizations:

About B.A.S.S.

For more than 40 years, B.A.S.S. has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and an expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.

The Bassmaster brand and its multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications — Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times — comprehensive website Bassmaster.com, ESPN2 and Outdoor Channel television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation events presented by Yamaha and Skeeter Boats and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.

B.A.S.S. offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members and remains focused on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

About Bass Pro Shops Group:

Fifty-six  retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 100 million people annually, international catalog and internet retailing, American Rod & Gun  wholesale division selling to over 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide, Outdoor World Incentives also selling Bass Pro Shops gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America  and a restaurant division with 26 locations.

For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog call 1-800-BASS PRO.

Tracker Marine Group – Manufactures and sells Tracker, Nitro, SunTracker, Tahoe, Grizzly, and Mako boats through Bass Pro Shops retail stores and dealers worldwide. For more information go to www.trackermarine.com.

Resort Group – Big Cedar Lodge and other resort properties including restaurants and golf course. For more information go to www.big-cedar.com, www.bigcedarwildernessclub.com, or www.dogwoodcanyon.com 

Survey Shows Anglers Losing Access; Sadly, I'm Not Surprised

Continued from Journal Page

One July morning, I woke up to see a fire burning down by the lake, right next to a dense stand of trees.

When I hurried down to put out the fire, I found food remains, empty beer cans, and discarded wrappers from fishing tackle scattered about.

That’s why I put up a “no trespassing” sign on my property.

I own about 500 feet of waterfront on a small lake. It stretches up the lake from the dam, where it is easily accessible. As an angler myself, I can appreciate that people like to fish, especially along my property, which I have left mostly natural, with a few laydowns as well as a dock to hold bass and bluegill.

For years, I allowed the public  access, even though I occasionally had to pick up after some of them. The fire, however, pushed me too far.

I’d still allow people to fish on my property if they asked. But they don’t. Either they see the sign and stay away or they ignore it and trespass. When the latter happens, I tell them to leave.

Thus, I’m not surprised that AnglerSurvey.com is reporting that nearly 16 percent of U.S. anglers found  one of their fishing spots closed to public use last year, with the leading reason being a “no trespassing” sign.

Here’s what AnglerSurvey.com has to say:

Just over 32 percent of survey respondents said the water they fished or the land they used to access a particular body of water had been posted, preventing them from fishing that location.

The government no longer allows fishing at the location was the second most cited reason, claimed by 23.8 percent of survey respondents. That cause of closure was followed by development of the area by 15.7 percent and then pollution by 7.2 percent.

An assortment of lesser or “other” reasons was collectively cited by 32.8 percent. Respondents could provide more than one answer to the question as some anglers may have lost access to more than one fishing location last year.

“These findings should sound an alarm that lost access to the waters they fish is a very real problem for a number of our nation’s anglers,” said Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com.

“New lands posted as no trespassing are the top reason, but government closures of boat ramps or waterways due to lack of funds or environmental reasons and development along shorelines also greatly factor into limiting angler access. Once these areas are lost to fishing, it’s usually permanent.”

Those who hunt, fish and target shoot are invited to participate in the surveys. Each month, participants who complete the survey are entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of their choice.

The U.N. Way of Fisheries Management on the Way?

Continued from Journal Page

So, now we’re bombing Libya. And whose approval did President Obama obtain before proceeding?

Not Congress. He ignored that body, which represents the citizens of the United States.

Instead, he sought permission from the United Nations Security Council.

I point this out to emphasize what I fear regarding fisheries and our access to them: This administration and its allies in environmental groups don’t care about U.S. sovereignty. In fact, they would be delighted to turn over control to the United Nations.

I’ve suspected as much since Obama convened the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, which since has morphed into the National Ocean Council. The task force consistently endorsed closer adherence to U.N. dictates, including the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Such a policy could interfere with or possibly even negate the North American model of science-based fisheries management, which has proven so successful.

 The U.S. has not signed that international agreement either. “Any treatment signed by the U.S. takes precedence over U.S. law,” said Phil Morlock, director of environmental affairs for Shimano.

“We would be ceding jurisdiction --- and access --- to the U.N.”

Testifying before the Senate Armed Service Committee in 1984, Jeane Kirkpatrick, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., said that ratification would “diminish our capacity for self-government, including, ultimately, our capacity for self-defense.”

So, what do you think? Do you trust this administration and its fondness for the U.N. way of doing things to implement a “marine spatial planning” scheme that will tell you where you can and cannot fish?