Poll for interest in winter Trout Tourny

Allen nailed it.....but he left out one important part.....a ton of shad die and flutter down causing the trout to not only come to the surface but to start gorging themselves.

-Brian G

Hey Brian,
I have a question about the "heaviest stringer" format. And I would've normally just sent you a PM but there might be others with similar questions/concerns.

First of all, this is your deal so you get to establish the rules. And I applaud you for stepping up with this great idea! It sounds like a lot of fun.

With that in mind, here's my comments. It seems, to me, that this format (heaviest stringer) could cause a number of problems depending on how it is interpreted. Are we attempting to catch the 5 heaviest fish possible, over two days of fishing? This may be interpretted (by others, not me) as advocating the practice of culling or catching and keeping as many fish as possible. [Granted, this is how BASS tourneys are run. But they also have penalties for dead fish; all bass brought in to be weighed are released unharmed.] Whereas, it is difficult to safely release a trout after dragging it around on a stringer and weighing it in.
Disclaimer: I am NOT against the idea of catching and keeping 10 trout over a wknd and I don't care if people do keep 10 trout; its totally legal. BUT...I would prefer to not keep 10 trout. In fact, I don't even want 5 trout. There's hardly room in my freezer for the yellowtail+dorado my friend is bring back from Baja next week.

I guess, maybe I will just compete in the Heaviest Fish competition. Because I don't want to 'waste' any fish (especially trout, one of my favorite fish to pursue). Sure, I can just give my 5 trout to somebody...but its not guaranteed somebody will want my fish.



So, my suggestion (can be taken with a grain of salt if you like), is to adjust the Prize percentages a bit. Maybe like 45% for Heaviest Stringer, 45% for Heaviest Fish, and 10% for Junior division. Or something like that.

Sorry for making this sound complicated. I probably should've just suggested we adjust the percentages and left it at that. But I have already typed all this...and it'd be a shame to erase it now (because that would mean I truly DID just waste 10 minutes of my employer's time!) 

And, of course, this is assuming a lot of things...like 1) I will be allowed to participate despite WAF contractual obligations and 2) I actually CATCH a trout!

Thanks again Brian,
PK

Good point for sure. I was running on the assumption that the people would want to go after their two daily bag limits. I mean who would want to toss back wonderful pink meat trout! 

1. Two different pots

2. Change the percentage splits

3. One day tourny with single heaviest fish



Other opinions?

-Brian G

i like sin coast's idea. i think there should be more emphasis on the single biggest fish.

Good point for sure. I was running on the assumption that the people would want to go after their two daily bag limits. I mean who would want to toss back wonderful pink meat trout! 

1. Two different pots

2. Change the percentage splits

3. One day tourny with single heaviest fish



Other opinions?

-Brian G

Brian -

I would vote for one day tourney single biggest fish. Even though they are hatchery fish, I usually only keep enough for dinner for my family and release the rest. I am in as long as I am in town. Have a lot of business trips this winter. Thanks for putting this together. I love trout fishing. 

Scott

Even though they are hatchery fish ...

Although Melones has its fair share of planted rainbows, it also has a healthy population of wild 'bows - some undoubtedly the progeny of planters, but they're still considered wild.   The browns are obviously not native, but I'm almost positive they are self-sustaining.

Furthermore, the larger fish that come out of the lake are almost always wild or hold-overs and aren't raised to monster size and then planted, as is the case with many of the lakes around the Bay Area.

Not my intention to rehash the non-native to native thread, just trying to defend good ole Melones, sorry.  Don't want it to have the stigma of being a planters only lake.


Michael

Thanks for the correction on the planter vs native. I guess the real issue for me is not where the trout came from or how long it has been there, it is about taking only what I can eat. I do however CNR all truly native trout like goldens. I personally don't like frozen trout and have a freezer full of rockfish and tuna. Just a personal choice and not meant to be an "enviromental" or "emo" statement.

Scott

Great idea Brian G.  Thanks for putting this together.

Count me in whenever it is. 

I would be cautious about late November because there is a chance that we could have warm weather and the lake will not turn over yet.  Remember fall of 2005?  Nothing like the upper 70's in late November.

Brian 3d

Hey, Brian, have you set a date for the derby? I'm planning on participating if I can get a nice warm, dry hotel/motel room that is in close proximity to the launch (I'm still chilled from camping in the rain at Del Valle this weekend!). Any suggestions?

Janice aka "Big J"

Sorry for not having any updates lately but I have been buried alive wth work.

I will post an update next week with final details and I will have an official flyer that you can print and have shops post. Unless someone gives me reason otherwise, It will be a one day big fish tourny with an optional side pot for heaviest stringer.


http://www.gocalaveras.com/htdocs/stay/angelscamp.htm

One of the less expensive places is the Jumping Frog Motel. It is probably about 10 minutes from the lake.

-Brian G

Brian, thanks for making it "one day."  Besides the conservation effect, it's beter for guys like me that may oly get one day of the weekend to participate.

this will be fun!!!

Allen

Hey,

THis seems like a cool one, but if I do go, I'll be coming down to the lake from Arnold. Snow on the kayaks during those months if a storm hits.

Melones is a great lake to fish and I'm in if the dates are going to be set soon. That is unless it is in late December when I'll be in Hawaii

Brian, i'm so happy to hear that this tourney is going to happen. i still have a lot of friends in sonora and colombia. i could have them post copies of your flyer in some of the local resturaunts if it is o.k. with you.

Brian, i'm so happy to hear that this tourney is going to happen. 

It is still going to happen correct?  I'm stoked as I just found out that I will be able to attend. The wife was originally supposed to be out of the country on business, leaving me with baby duty but that has changed.

If it does happen, should we look into making our own campsite reservations?  Also, are we limited to launching from a central location or could we launch from other parts of the lake?

You shouldn't have to come up with raffle prizes.  Should we look into sponsors?

This would/could/should be so much fun!


Michael