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Flatbrook Action Alert!!!

NJpatbee

NJpatbee

Can be found on NJ/NY/PA waters!
There are proposed changes to the NJ 2014-2015 Fish Code that would have a positive impact to the existing 4.2 mile fly fishing only stretch on the Flatbrook, which is open to all tackle for the first 9 days of the season, and then allows general kill regulations for the remainder of the system. The proposed Fish Code would change the entire 4.2 mile stretch to Catch and Release for trout and allow artificial lures only. The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife believes that the existing population of wild brook trout will have the chance to flourish, and that hold over stocked trout will be given the opportunity grow and adapt to the wild surroundings. Some of us have been working for this type of management on the Flatbrook for decades and we need your support.

NJ fly anglers please act! Also, to the anglers of our neighboring States, please remember that anglers of NJ have always been there to support and improve your fly fishing resources, so please help us out!

The public has a 60 day comment period that ends November 15th, 2013. Please contact the NJ DEP and state your support for the proposed Fish Code changes and its positive impact Flatbrook at the following website:

<!-- m -->NJDEP-Rules & Regulations-Comment on DEP Rulemaking
 
Please take action as we fly anglers that prefer C&R on some of our better trout waters need your help in getting these proposed amendments approved for next year and beyond. Thanks!
 
This will be a great change to a section of stream that tends to get "fished out" in a hurry. I will get as many folks as I can to comment and support.

~James
 
This will be a great change to a section of stream that tends to get "fished out" in a hurry. I will get as many folks as I can to comment and support.

~James
 
I just entered my support. Takes two minutes. You can cut and paste this:

I support changes to the 2014-2015 fish code to change the 4.2 mile section of the Big Flat Brook that is fly fishing only now and open to all anglers for the first 9 days of the season, to lures and flies only, catch and release only.
 
Oliver10 said:
I hope this goes through. If it turns out to be a mistake they can always change it back.
Click to expand...

The science all points to major success for this 4.1 miles of the Flat Brook. It's also nearly twice our longest TCA and that is a good test of the added river miles versus a KLG which is over 2 miles or the Point Mtn. TCA which is only 1.1 miles.
 
R&C is good but for artificial lures it should be single hock only to increase the survival rate.
 
KAfly said:
R&C is good but for artificial lures it should be single hock only to increase the survival rate.
Click to expand...

I agree, but the Division biologists (at least some) will point to studies that disprove that belief. Still, they know that bait is often swallowed too deeply for effective C&R and have eliminated that. We did used to have the upper Musky no-kill which required single hook flies only w/ no barbs or smashed down barbs. That spot went away once river temps routinely hit 80 F in summer months many years ago now. But there was a precedent set for single hooks and barbless at that. Baby steps....
 
Maybe I am a little too cynical in my perspective on this whole no-kill reestablishment. Although this would take resource pressure off the native population, it will add more fishing pressure. I will explain why; typically in a no-kill stretch of a stream, the stocking of that portion of the stream becomes very limited or non existent. Consequently stocked fish do not have the genetic make up to withstand the warmer water temperatures that native fish can endure. If a summer has extremely warmer temperature then usual, a fish kill would ensue just leaving native trout.(adding fishing pressure on them) Where the state is suggesting the catch and release only is on free stone streams (having no thermal stability) If the state decides to limit or completely eliminate stocking on the CR's. You might find dead zones and you may catch an 8 inch bookie here and there. I have not read the whole document on the proposal. Is the state going to maintain the population with the stocking program? I do not have the answer to that. But when I see the phrase no- kill, that is a buzz word for we want to eliminate stocking in that stretch to save money. The state can not enforce the rules on the TCA now, how can the possibly maintain a no-kill. I remain skeptical
 
The Division plans to maintain a stocking program on this stretch of the Flat Brook. They may adjust the #s downward over time as they have on most TCAs, but that is TBD by biology and not internet posters. As for stockies dying due to thermal issues, the Flat Brook in this 4.2 mile stretch during the hottest summer ever recorded in 2012 hit a one-time high of 74 degrees and that was a single reading at one gauge that records every 15 minutes. So 74 was a spike and the max. spike seen in the hottest ever summer. That's nowhere close to lethality for any species, stocked or wild.
 
Rusty Spinner said:
I agree, but the Division biologists (at least some) will point to studies that disprove that belief. Still, they know that bait is often swallowed too deeply for effective C&R and have eliminated that. We did used to have the upper Musky no-kill which required single hook flies only w/ no barbs or smashed down barbs. That spot went away once river temps routinely hit 80 F in summer months many years ago now. But there was a precedent set for single hooks and barbless at that. Baby steps....
Click to expand...
I can't help but wonder of the studies that "disprove that belief", included mostly in-line spinners and spoons. A study that included "plugs", might yield different results.

Based on personal observation, lures with gang hooks (like a Rapala), are prone frequent lethal gill damage.
If the fish takes the front hook in the mouth, the rear hook is normally right at the gill opening, and likely to snag a gill during the fight...... If the hooks are attached with "split rings", removing one isn't a big deal....
 
Got out yesterday on a WTS only caught one, found some discarded tackle. Wire line with multipile snelled hooks off it and a big egg sinker. Something I might have used for fluke in the ocean. People are crazy. I just wish they would enforce the current regs
 
I wanted to move this up in the sequence of threads and ask again for support for the Flatbrook C&R stretch. I attended the public hearing on the matter and the response has been surprisingly light - about 100 opinions expressed. No count on how many pro or con votes but we will need additional support for the fish code to change. The proposed code change also changes the Ken Lockwood Gorge to catch and release only. 2 quality NJ C&R sections of trout stream would be great for our region.

Thank you again to those that have responded and if you have not I ask that you please do so.
 
My two cents (in favor) have been posted. But I have to say that without F&G actually enforcing ANY! of the rules none of this crap makes any difference.
 
Alan_B said:
My two cents (in favor) have been posted. But I have to say that without F&G actually enforcing ANY! of the rules none of this crap makes any difference.
Click to expand...

I agree! I find worm containers in claremont all the time. They need to let local police write tickets for violations of F&G code and the municipality gets a cut of the tickets just like speeding tickets.
 
Still time to voice your support.

As with any new program there are questions and potential changes for the future, but this is a quantum leap for NJ trout fishing and our surrounding States. If you have not already done so, please take the few minutes to demonstrate support for the program.
 
Rusty Spinner said:
during the hottest summer ever recorded in 2012 hit a one-time high of 74 degrees and that was a single reading at one gauge that records every 15 minutes. So 74 was a spike and the max. spike seen in the hottest ever summer.
Click to expand...

That is when I pee'd on it.
 
Folks - Public input on the proposed change to the NJ Fishing code ends tomorrow. Thank you to all from this site that have expressed support and for those that have not, there is still time.

NJpatbee said:
There are proposed changes to the NJ 2014-2015 Fish Code that would have a positive impact to the existing 4.2 mile fly fishing only stretch on the Flatbrook, which is open to all tackle for the first 9 days of the season, and then allows general kill regulations for the remainder of the system. The proposed Fish Code would change the entire 4.2 mile stretch to Catch and Release for trout and allow artificial lures only. The NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife believes that the existing population of wild brook trout will have the chance to flourish, and that hold over stocked trout will be given the opportunity grow and adapt to the wild surroundings. Some of us have been working for this type of management on the Flatbrook for decades and we need your support.

NJ fly anglers please act! Also, to the anglers of our neighboring States, please remember that anglers of NJ have always been there to support and improve your fly fishing resources, so please help us out!

The public has a 60 day comment period that ends November 15th, 2013. Please contact the NJ DEP and state your support for the proposed Fish Code changes and its positive impact Flatbrook at the following website:

<!-- m -->NJDEP-Rules & Regulations-Comment on DEP Rulemaking
Click to expand...
 
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