Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 8, 1994 TAG: 9408090072
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Opening day of the trout season isn't as popular as you might think. In fact, a survey conducted by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries shows that 73 percent of the state's licensed trout fishermen want to do away with it and go to a year-round season.
The survey findings are scheduled to be presented to board members of the game and fish department Aug. 25 during a public hearing in Richmond when new fish regulations are considered.
If the idea is looked on favorably by the board, a year-round season could be in place by 1996. The 1995 opening day isn't expected to be tampered with, since some anglers have set vacations around the March 18 event, and trout hatcheries likely need time to gear up for a year-round fishery.
``The survey was of people out there buying trout licenses, not just people along a stream,'' said Gary Martel, chief of the department's fish division. ``As a result, I think we will be paying significant attention to the survey.''
An earlier survey, conducted in 1986, revealed that 57.6 percent of the licensed trout buyers favored a year-round season. At that time, fish officials didn't think the support was strong enough to eliminate opening day; instead, the season was opened earlier in the spring, and fall stocking was increased.
``In the new survey, the people who say they want a year-round trout fishery has increased significantly,'' said Martel. ``That's an indication that a growing majority of the people like the opportunity to fish throughout the year.''
Martel, who spent much of his career in the department's trout program before becoming chief of the fish division in January, sees a number of advantages to a year-round season.
``By having a year-round season we can optimize our trout program. We can schedule egg-taking over a wider period and have fish in different growth cycles. We can use the different species-brooks, browns and rainbows-more efficiently. The whole hatchery system can be run in a more efficient manner.''
In addition, there will be advantages in law enforcement, he said.
``From when we start hauling until opening day we have to patrol those streams because they are closed to fishing and very desirable to illegal anglers. As a result, the agency has to put out a significant amount of its resource to protect those stocked fish. If we were on a year-round season the fish would be available to anglers as soon as we stocked them. So a lot of what we are talking about is saving money, in addition to providing additional recreation.''
Part of the additional recreation would come during the pretty days of February and early March, and in the fall when stockings would be beefed up under a year-round concept, Martel said.
``If we went to a year-round season we certainly would be doing more fall stocking and more winter stocking,'' he said. ``One of the surprising things in the survey, the fishermen said they would be willing to give up some of the numbers of trout stocked in the spring if those fish were spread out, particularly if there were more stockings in the fall.''
On the other side, many anglers see opening day as a celebration of spring, a time when the streams are full of fish and all anglers are on equal footing. Critics of a year-round season often express concern that hatchery truck following will intensify and fishermen who don't have jobs or who live near streams will be favored.
``Truck following is predominately a problem in perception,'' Martel said. ``Even 20 cars make a tremendous procession. If there are two fishermen per car, which is about the average we use, and all those people catch a limit of fish they have a very insignificant impact on the stocking.''
In the survey, only 8 percent of the fishermen said they preferred to trout fish on the day of the stocking, and 66 percent said they did not consider the stocking date important to when they fished.
In fact, only 5 percent of the fishermen said they preferred to fish on opening day, even through 61 percent reported that they normally were out that day.
The survey turned up support for an increase in special-regulations streams, where catch-and-release is emphasized. Some 23 percent of the participants said they would like to see an increase in such streams. That support leaped to 73 percent if special regulations meant new streams coming into the program.
Martel said special regulation programs are more likely to be developed through bringing new water into the program, rather than enacting restrictive regulations on current put-and-take streams.
``Landowners are beginning to see this as an opportunity where special regulations get them back into the trout program, yet avoid crowds. I think every two years, when we go through the new regulations process, opportunities for additional special regulation streams will present themselves. All the biologists in the western part of the state are actively working to find areas where special-regulation opportunities can be applied.''
Fishermen said they liked the size of the trout being stocked and showed little interest in having bigger fish stocked through a decline in total numbers released.
If board members propose a year-round season this month, it will be up for a final vote in October. Several public hearings, including one in Roanoke on Aug. 31, have been scheduled to receive angler input.
HOW ANGLERS FEEL ABOUT TROUT FISHING IN VIRGINIA
RESPONSES TO A GAME DEPT. SURVEY
73% favor year-round trout season.
64% want more fall stocking.
62% prefer unannounced stocking.
61% say they fish on opening day.
5% say they prefer to fish on opening day.
43% prefer put-and-take streams.
38% prefer special-regulation areas.
19% prefer fishing for wild trout.
55% support $6.50 to $12.50 increase in trout license fee.
70% say they fish for relaxation, the outdoor experience or sharing time with family and friends.
26% say they consider catching trout the most important aspect of fishing.
by CNB