10-06-2006, 01:42 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Allow me to extend my personal welcome to our humble forum, and to express my appreciation for your participation. Apologies for popping off if you took my remarks personally. If you read previous posts, you will have seen that I defended your position at the RAC meeting. I AM sympathetic to the processes establishd and the reasons for them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You have difficulty understanding/believing how the perch population "suddenly" exploded. I allow you the courtesy of recognizing your trout-oriented personal tastes, and your apparent lack of experience in perchology...or your lack of time on the water at Yuba in a non-trout fishing capacity. I fish for trout and perch...and walleye and northerns...etc.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Those of us who have continued to regularly fish Yuba, since the drain and replanting, have tried to closely monitor what has been going on, from an angler perspective. Some of us have had training and background in biology and fisheries management. Most have not. But, we are good fishermen who usually catch fish and are capable of accurate observation.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Backing up to late summer of 2005, first we observed large numbers of young-of-the-year carp swarming the waters around the dam. Thousands of them all over the surface. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Not long afterward, the abundant fathead minnows showed up at that end of the lake. [/#0000ff][#0000ff]There were huge schools on the surface and all around the edges. They were seemingly limitless in numbers and the big rainbows came to the party, along with other predators.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The word got out and anglers began flocking to the lake by the first of October '05. Large numbers of rainbows were taken on just about every kind of bait or lures you could throw at them. The trout that were kept were all stuffed with fathead minnows and were fat and healthy.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Throughout the period from October to early December, the fishing peaked about the end of October and then dropped off as the minnows retreated to the depths. During the heyday, some anglers caught a few nice perch, up to 12", but nothing smaller and not many of the larger ones. We were encouraged that some of the planted perch had survived and speculated about how long it would take for a "full recovery". We saw no evidence of the hordes of young perch that had hatched that year, but had gone unnoticed by either DWR or anglers.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Anglers fishing Yuba in the early spring, for walleyes, could not find walleyes. They also did not find many perch. Occasionally one would take a walleye bait or lure, but still no evidence of the hungry horde below.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Now, the spring netting DID produce a lot of perch...with 4 identifiable year classes and some of respectable size. That WAS presented to RAC, but after the "cutoff" date. That was the first indication to either DWR or anglers that the perch were on the upswing.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The nature of perch is that they really do not become aggressive feeders until the spring spawn is over and temps warm a bit. That is usually about May. Well, on fishing trips after mid May in 2006, the perch started showing up. Jigs and baits fished for walleye or northerns began to bring in perch. Anglers trolling for trout began catching perch at all depths and all over the lake. It was a surprise, and nobody had any inkling at that point just how abundant the perch were. They can hide out on the bottom in deep water for months without showing up for anglers.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I fished Yuba several times in June, before the power squadron and the summer crowd pushed me to friendlier waters. Each trip I caught more and more perch...some by accident, and others on purpose, when I wanted to catch SOMETHING.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Anglers began returning to Yuba around Labor Day, after the recreational boating subsided and water temps began dropping. We hoped to find some early trout action. We were also looking for fathead minnows to harvest for winter ice fishing. We found neither at the times and places they could be found last year at the same time. All we found were vast schools of hungry perch. Anglers were frustrated by not being able to even fish for trout or other species without donating bait to perch or having to reel in one of them on every cast made with lures. Trout trollers were exasperated by the pesky perch too.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As moderator for this board, I see all the reports and I also tap into other sources of information. My (un)professional opinion was that the perch population was far outstripping the predator base (walleyes and northerns) and that it could sustain some angler harvest. Members of DWR and other savvy anglers I spoke with strongly agreed. Nobody felt that anglers would make a negative impact on the perch population, even with generous limits.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Somehow I was put in the position of attending the central RAC meeting and submitting my proposal. I was assured that if it was deemed sound, and RAC voted its approval, that the proclamation could be changed in 2007. As you know, the vote was 8-2 in favor. I was encouraged.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]After the RAC meeting, my wife and I fished Yuba in 10 defined areas and released well over 400 perch between us. We verified to ourselves that the perch are all over the lake. DWR, in conjuction with members of RMA, were down there two days later, and found the same thing. According to my sources there were over 400 perch in one net...the largest number ever taken in any Utah water. There were also over 300 in a trap net, which are historically inefficient by comparison.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As I talked with various officials of DWR, RMA and the Blue Ribbon Waters group I kept hearing "There is no doubt that opening the lake to perch would be a good thing...BUT..." The BUT was always going back to procedure. It violated the process. I thought the RAC system was the process. Ultimately, the decision was to "stay the course", in spite of numerous reasons why making the change would have been beneficial.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have been in the corporate world most of my working years and I learned a long time ago that decision making is vital to survival and progress. Major companies would crash and burn if they succumbed to the foot dragging and inability to make decisions that plagues governmental agencies.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Sorry, but I have dealt with agencies and bureaus around the country on a wide variety of issues and it is always frustrating. It is my opinion that people who take positions in government or lodge themselves in committees and councils are there largely for either prestige, comfort, security, benefits, ego massage or whatever. They tend to build their own nests or little empires and they cringe at the thought of making original decisions that anyone else might someday find fault with...to their ultimate detriment. So...we have people in responsible positions that would rather make NO decisions rather than making WRONG decisions.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Sorry to vent on you, Bro. I know you to be dedicated to your work and that you are a well known and respected angler. Nothing personal.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You have difficulty understanding/believing how the perch population "suddenly" exploded. I allow you the courtesy of recognizing your trout-oriented personal tastes, and your apparent lack of experience in perchology...or your lack of time on the water at Yuba in a non-trout fishing capacity. I fish for trout and perch...and walleye and northerns...etc.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Those of us who have continued to regularly fish Yuba, since the drain and replanting, have tried to closely monitor what has been going on, from an angler perspective. Some of us have had training and background in biology and fisheries management. Most have not. But, we are good fishermen who usually catch fish and are capable of accurate observation.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Backing up to late summer of 2005, first we observed large numbers of young-of-the-year carp swarming the waters around the dam. Thousands of them all over the surface. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Not long afterward, the abundant fathead minnows showed up at that end of the lake. [/#0000ff][#0000ff]There were huge schools on the surface and all around the edges. They were seemingly limitless in numbers and the big rainbows came to the party, along with other predators.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The word got out and anglers began flocking to the lake by the first of October '05. Large numbers of rainbows were taken on just about every kind of bait or lures you could throw at them. The trout that were kept were all stuffed with fathead minnows and were fat and healthy.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Throughout the period from October to early December, the fishing peaked about the end of October and then dropped off as the minnows retreated to the depths. During the heyday, some anglers caught a few nice perch, up to 12", but nothing smaller and not many of the larger ones. We were encouraged that some of the planted perch had survived and speculated about how long it would take for a "full recovery". We saw no evidence of the hordes of young perch that had hatched that year, but had gone unnoticed by either DWR or anglers.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Anglers fishing Yuba in the early spring, for walleyes, could not find walleyes. They also did not find many perch. Occasionally one would take a walleye bait or lure, but still no evidence of the hungry horde below.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Now, the spring netting DID produce a lot of perch...with 4 identifiable year classes and some of respectable size. That WAS presented to RAC, but after the "cutoff" date. That was the first indication to either DWR or anglers that the perch were on the upswing.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The nature of perch is that they really do not become aggressive feeders until the spring spawn is over and temps warm a bit. That is usually about May. Well, on fishing trips after mid May in 2006, the perch started showing up. Jigs and baits fished for walleye or northerns began to bring in perch. Anglers trolling for trout began catching perch at all depths and all over the lake. It was a surprise, and nobody had any inkling at that point just how abundant the perch were. They can hide out on the bottom in deep water for months without showing up for anglers.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I fished Yuba several times in June, before the power squadron and the summer crowd pushed me to friendlier waters. Each trip I caught more and more perch...some by accident, and others on purpose, when I wanted to catch SOMETHING.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Anglers began returning to Yuba around Labor Day, after the recreational boating subsided and water temps began dropping. We hoped to find some early trout action. We were also looking for fathead minnows to harvest for winter ice fishing. We found neither at the times and places they could be found last year at the same time. All we found were vast schools of hungry perch. Anglers were frustrated by not being able to even fish for trout or other species without donating bait to perch or having to reel in one of them on every cast made with lures. Trout trollers were exasperated by the pesky perch too.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As moderator for this board, I see all the reports and I also tap into other sources of information. My (un)professional opinion was that the perch population was far outstripping the predator base (walleyes and northerns) and that it could sustain some angler harvest. Members of DWR and other savvy anglers I spoke with strongly agreed. Nobody felt that anglers would make a negative impact on the perch population, even with generous limits.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Somehow I was put in the position of attending the central RAC meeting and submitting my proposal. I was assured that if it was deemed sound, and RAC voted its approval, that the proclamation could be changed in 2007. As you know, the vote was 8-2 in favor. I was encouraged.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]After the RAC meeting, my wife and I fished Yuba in 10 defined areas and released well over 400 perch between us. We verified to ourselves that the perch are all over the lake. DWR, in conjuction with members of RMA, were down there two days later, and found the same thing. According to my sources there were over 400 perch in one net...the largest number ever taken in any Utah water. There were also over 300 in a trap net, which are historically inefficient by comparison.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As I talked with various officials of DWR, RMA and the Blue Ribbon Waters group I kept hearing "There is no doubt that opening the lake to perch would be a good thing...BUT..." The BUT was always going back to procedure. It violated the process. I thought the RAC system was the process. Ultimately, the decision was to "stay the course", in spite of numerous reasons why making the change would have been beneficial.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have been in the corporate world most of my working years and I learned a long time ago that decision making is vital to survival and progress. Major companies would crash and burn if they succumbed to the foot dragging and inability to make decisions that plagues governmental agencies.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Sorry, but I have dealt with agencies and bureaus around the country on a wide variety of issues and it is always frustrating. It is my opinion that people who take positions in government or lodge themselves in committees and councils are there largely for either prestige, comfort, security, benefits, ego massage or whatever. They tend to build their own nests or little empires and they cringe at the thought of making original decisions that anyone else might someday find fault with...to their ultimate detriment. So...we have people in responsible positions that would rather make NO decisions rather than making WRONG decisions.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Sorry to vent on you, Bro. I know you to be dedicated to your work and that you are a well known and respected angler. Nothing personal.[/#0000ff]
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