ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, September 8, 1996 TAG: 9609090111
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: OUTDOORS
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
A move by Trout Unlimited to turn the Jackson River below Gathright Dam into an artificial-lures-only fishery has angered bait fishermen and caused a division among trout anglers at a time when cooperation is vital.
During a series of public hearings held by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries this past week, TU was pictured as an ``elitist'' organization composed of fly fishermen dedicated to ridding streams of bait fishermen, a reputation the organization has worked hard to overcome during recent years.
``What you create here is an elitist class system,'' said Richard Pauley of Daleville, who spoke against the artificials-only proposal during a meeting in Roanoke. ``Trout Unlimited should be inclusive, not exclusive.''
This is its goal, said Bob Belton, the chairman of the Virginia Council of Trout Unlimited. The organization sees itself as being ``big enough and wise enough to accommodate all sorts of interests,'' he said.
``It could not be, or could not be perceived to be, an organization just for fly fishermen,'' Belton said. ``We thought that was a bad position to take and would result in an organization that would be very small and very ineffective. We have a whole lot bigger vision than that.''
Belton's comments were made following a hearing in Clifton Forge, where the Jackson River proposal drew significantly more opposition than support.
``I'm a bait fisherman and I'm proud of it,'' said Paul Armstrong of Weyers Cave. ``I'd hate to see a change where other people couldn't fish this section [of the Jackson]. Everyone, from Orvis anglers to fishermen with Zebcos and bait buckets should be able to fish it.''
``I consider myself a fly fisherman and a bait fisherman, but before that I am a parent,'' said Pat Harrison of Covington. Youngsters, he said, can't be expected to learn how to fish with an 8-foot fly rod.
Trout Unlimited has pressured state fish officials to place an artificials-only regulation on at least a portion of the Jackson tailrace for two years, saying single-hook artificial lures (flies, spinners and jigs) would be less harmful to trout than bait. Under the current regulation, any tackle may be used, but all trout caught must be released.
The artificials-bait debate isn't the only controversy surrounding the Jackson. The Virginia Supreme Court is expected to rule this year on whether the public has the right to fish private sections of the river. Gary Martel, state fish division chief, said his staff had been directed not to make any regulation proposals until that decision is rendered. After that, proposals would be considered to place regulations on the river that would offer sections for both catch-and-release trophy fishing and put-and-take fishing.
When an artificials-only proposal wasn't part of a new-regulations package introduced by fish division biologists in late August, TU took its request directly to the board of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The board agreed to give the proposal a public airing and vote on it Oct.24.
``This has nothing to do with elitism,'' Belton said. `` This is an issue of sound science and fisheries management.''
The Jackson, from Gathright Dam downstream about 20 miles to Westvaco Dam in Covington, is a major cold-water fishery that must be viewed as more than a local stream, he said. ``We need to take extra-special care of special rivers.''
But even some TU leaders privately have expressed concern over the timing of the proposal and its potential to polarize fishermen.
``I think it was ill-conceived, and I think the timing was bad considering the court case,'' said Dubose Eggleston, who lives in Waynesboro and is active in TU projects.
Said Dennis Jack of Covington: ``I don't have anything against fly fishermen or Trout Unlimited, but I think we should all work together for more fishing, instead of taking it away.''
LENGTH: Medium: 71 linesby CNB