Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dylb on February 08, 2016, 10:17:07 PM
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Hey all,
Just looking for opinions/clarification:
Those of you fishing for rainbow/cutty/bull trout in various river systems that also harbour steelhead... for arguments sake lets say January - April: squamish, chehailis, stave, vedder
Do you purchase and fish with a steelhead tag, even if you have no intent of fishing for steelhead?
I often try to imagine how the conversation with a CO would go in explaining "but I'm not fishing for steelhead!"
Or would it just be obvious based on the tackle you are using that you would not require a tag?
Or do you just buck-up and get the tag just incase?
Thanks!
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Your basic licence must be validated with a conservation surcharge stamp if you intend to fish for steelhead anywhere in B.C. (whether you intend to keep or release your catch).
I get a tag every year even if i don't fish for Steel 8)
money goes to a good cause :)
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Fair enough!
The grey area for me has always been their wording... "if you intend"
I guess the root of my question being how would they prove intent?
For the record this isn't trying to start a debate, just honest curiosity on whether it would be a faux pas/unethical/against etiquette to fish certain waters during steelhead season without a tag, even if honestly fishing for other species.
Thanks again
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It has recently been debated a few times on here. A search should bring it up. I do believe you in not looking for a debate, but you're probably going to get one lol. It's just a bit of a grey area with no clear answer. I'm sure they are reasonable with these rules. I got checked once while fishing for steelhead, with obvious steelhead gear. And what did the CO say? " oh wow you even have a steelhead stamp on your licence!" I'm pretty sure if I didn't, he wouldn't have done anything. Not that I would ever advocate not getting one, I ALWAYS do. But if you can honestly tell yourself that you're not targetting steelhead, and your not fishing heavy drift or fly gear, then I'm sure you're just fine.
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Right on I appreciate the input!
Didn't realize it was a hot topic, so we will leave it at that
Curiosity satisfied, no reason to debate.
Thanks again
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Id suggest getting the tag. If there are steelhead present in the system you have a reasonable chance of hooking or catching one no matter what you are using and regardless the gear youre using except for maybe dryflies and 3 weight fly rod. Many people, myself included do use light gear for steelhead as well...
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Right on I appreciate the input!
Didn't realize it was a hot topic, so we will leave it at that
Curiosity satisfied, no reason to debate.
Thanks again
I've run into CO's on the Squamish a few times this season while targeting trout, and they've insisted on seeing my steelhead tag each time (despite the fact that I'm fishing a 5wt). I didn't get the impression that tackle made any difference to them, they were insistent that I show my tags. Save yourself the hassle, and have the opportunity to fish for chrome.
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It has recently been debated a few times on here. A search should bring it up. I do believe you in not looking for a debate, but you're probably going to get one lol. It's just a bit of a grey area with no clear answer. I'm sure they are reasonable with these rules. I got checked once while fishing for steelhead, with obvious steelhead gear. And what did the CO say? " oh wow you even have a steelhead stamp on your licence!" I'm pretty sure if I didn't, he wouldn't have done anything. Not that I would ever advocate not getting one, I ALWAYS do. But if you can honestly tell yourself that you're not targetting steelhead, and your not fishing heavy drift or fly gear, then I'm sure you're just fine.
Yeah, my experience has been the exact opposite. Could be an individual CO thing, could be the area. But December thru May up there I've been grilled about steelhead, regardless of my gear or what I'm targeting.
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Think of it this way...for 6$, you can stop thinking about it.
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$6.00? ...... You mean $25
from gov bc site.....
"Your basic licence must be validated with a conservation surcharge stamp if you intend to fish for steelhead anywhere in B.C. (whether you intend to keep or release your catch). In addition, a steelhead stamp is mandatory when fishing on most classified waters during certain specified periods, even when fishing for species other than steelhead. Refer to the regional tables for dates and exceptions."
I dont see any 'exceptions' in the Region 2 table
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$6.00? ...... You mean $25
from gov bc site.....
"Your basic licence must be validated with a conservation surcharge stamp if you intend to fish for steelhead anywhere in B.C. (whether you intend to keep or release your catch). In addition, a steelhead stamp is mandatory when fishing on most classified waters during certain specified periods, even when fishing for species other than steelhead. Refer to the regional tables for dates and exceptions."
I dont see any 'exceptions' in the Region 2 table
None of those rivers are Classified Waters. Regardless, just get the stamp.
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish/licences/docs/classified_waters.pdf
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Was witness to a CO checking a angler within earshot of myself who didn't have a steelhead tag. The angler told the CO he was fishing for trout. CO said " okay, it would sure be a shame if you catch a nice 14 pd hatchery steelhead and have to throw it back". That was it, the CO left.
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None of those rivers are Classified Waters. Regardless, just get the stamp.
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish/licences/docs/classified_waters.pdf
Ahhhhh... OK
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Ahhhhh... OK
Honestly this is the one area that is rather easily defined in the regs that people make a grey area.
If you are going to be fishing for Steelhead get the stamp. If you're going to be fishing a system during a time the regs say to get the stamp, get the stamp. If you're going to be fishing and don't fall into the above categories, don't get the stamp unless you wish to pay $25 towards conservation.
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Modify and quote need to be further apart for the mobile users.....
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If you fish for steelhead but try to save yourself 25$ by not buying a steelhead tag, you are a cheap SOB who doesn't even deserve to fish our beautiful province. You are a selfish prick who milks the system to your advantage without even considering that it is money from our licenses and tags that keeps the sport fishery running.
If you never (or very seldom) fish for steelhead yet you buy a steelhead tag every year because you feel that your 25$ go towards a worthy cause, then you are somebody I respect and would share the flow with any time.
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If you fish for steelhead but try to save yourself 25$ by not buying a steelhead tag, you are a cheap SOB who doesn't even deserve to fish our beautiful province. You are a selfish prick who milks the system to your advantage without even considering that it is money from our licenses and tags that keeps the sport fishery running.
If you never (or very seldom) fish for steelhead yet you buy a steelhead tag every year because you feel that your 25$ go towards a worthy cause, then you are somebody I respect and would share the flow with any time.
What if the guy bought a Steelhead tag but parked too close to your truck door? Would you still respect and share the flow with him?
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If you fish for steelhead but try to save yourself 25$ by not buying a steelhead tag, you are a cheap SOB who doesn't even deserve to fish our beautiful province. You are a selfish prick who milks the system to your advantage without even considering that it is money from our licenses and tags that keeps the sport fishery running.
If you never (or very seldom) fish for steelhead yet you buy a steelhead tag every year because you feel that your 25$ go towards a worthy cause, then you are somebody I respect and would share the flow with any time.
Here, Here !!! ;D
I do fish for steelhead but if I didn't or barely did I would still buy the tag because who knows, I could catch a steelhead while fishing for trout. I know LOTS of guys that fish trout and catch more steelhead than you'd think as bycatch and because they have their stamps can take a clipped one as table fair.....yum !
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If you are fishing trout with 15lb main and 12lb leaders, obviously the CO will question that!!!!
If it goes to court, I would assume you will end up losing your case.
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If you never (or very seldom) fish for steelhead yet you buy a steelhead tag every year because you feel that your 25$ go towards a worthy cause, then you are somebody I respect and would share the flow with any time.
I don't fish for steelhead, and have not done so for many years.
While we donate our money to many worthy charitable causes, the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, via a steelhead conservation surcharge, isn't one of them.
And just when I thought I had garnered your respect and we may fish together some day... :(
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Where in the regs. does it restrict gear size. Some gear restrictions apply mostly to barb less hooks and fly fishing only areas of said river or lake.
Look up the definition of angle. A tin can with some line, a sinker and hook could be used and that would be angling and require a fishing license.
It would be really hard to prove intent when the law states other wise. No gear restrictions pertaining to rod, line or reel.
There used to be public voluntary angling, stream swims and other interaction with fisheries that went the way of the dodo bird when certain biologist's took over the provincial leadership. They pushed out the the voluntary segment and hired on a certain group of people to do the fishing which the local anglers had done for years before. At no cost to the province by the way.
I intend on fishing for trout with what ever gear I would like any time I would like other than what the regulations say in terms of restrictions.
If you don't like it get the regulations changed.
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What if the guy bought a Steelhead tag but parked too close to your truck door? Would you still respect and share the flow with him?
As long as they don't tell me to enter on the passenger side, all is good! LOL!
I don't fish for steelhead, and have not done so for many years.
While we donate our money to many worthy charitable causes, the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, via a steelhead conservation surcharge, isn't one of them.
And just when I thought I had garnered your respect and we may fish together some day... :(
Clarki, I'll fish with you anytime. :)
Buy a tag and we can go steelheading too! ;D
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While we donate our money to many worthy charitable causes, the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, via a steelhead conservation surcharge, isn't one of them.
Just out of curiosity, how come?
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Just out of curiosity, how come?
How come I don't purchase a steelhead conservation surcharge stamp when I don't fish for steelhead?
Because I'm thrifty/cheap and don't like spending money on things I don't use. 25 bucks is 25 bucks. I buy tidal and non tidal licenses, I buy salmon conservation stamps for both licenses, and I buy a sturgeon conservation license when necessary, because I use those licenses and stamps when I participate in those fisheries.
But I don't buy Shushwap Lake rainbow trout, Shushwap Lake char, Kootenay Lake rainbow trout, or steelhead conservation stamps, or a classified waters license, because I'm not a participant in those fisheries.
Now my wife and I support several charities, so why do I donate there and not donate $25 (via an unused steelhead stamp) annually to HCTF? It comes down to personal values, I guess. Because the charities that we support are people-centric and I believe that people have more intrinsic worth than fish. I view fishing in a more utilitarian way, and I do not donate money in the same way that I do to a charity.
I donate money to "people" charities because of my personal values and I buy fishing licenses/stamps based upon my use of them.
And 25 bucks is 25 bucks :)
Is that somewhat clear?
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How come I don't purchase a steelhead conservation surcharge stamp when I don't fish for steelhead?
Because I'm thrifty/cheap and don't like spending money on things I don't use. 25 bucks is 25 bucks. I buy tidal and non tidal licenses, I buy salmon conservation stamps for both licenses, and I buy a sturgeon conservation license when necessary, because I use those licenses and stamps when I participate in those fisheries.
But I don't buy Shushwap Lake rainbow trout, Shushwap Lake char, Kootenay Lake rainbow trout, or steelhead conservation stamps, or a classified waters license, because I'm not a participant in those fisheries.
Now my wife and I support several charities, so why do I donate there and not donate $25 (via an unused steelhead stamp) annually to HCTF? It comes down to personal values, I guess. Because the charities that we support are people-centric and I believe that people have more intrinsic worth than fish. I view fishing in a more utilitarian way, and I do not donate money in the same way that I do to a charity.
I donate money to "people" charities because of my personal values and I buy fishing licenses/stamps based upon my use of them.
And 25 bucks is 25 bucks :)
Is that somewhat clear?
Perfect, explained what I wanted to know. I was under the impression that you were suggesting that people should not support HCTF, but good to have that cleared up.
I do agree with you regarding the silliness of being pressured into buying a steelhead conservation surcharge when you are not fishing for steelhead. It's a user fee, not a donation...
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Perfect, explained what I wanted to know. I was under the impression that you were suggesting that people should not support HCTF, but good to have that cleared up.
Oh, I see what you are getting at. No, I was certainly not implying that the HCTF was not a worthy cause.
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It comes down to personal values, I guess. Because the charities that we support are people-centric and I believe that people have more intrinsic worth than fish.
I used to think the same, but my view has changed as I got older. Most charities donate no more than 20% of their proceedings (often not even that!). The rest goes to pay fat salaries to the people that run them. They are little more than corporations, hiding behind the "non-profit" tag for tax purposes. :-\
Paraphrasing Mark Twain, the better I know people, the more I like animals.
I still donate regularly to UNICEF, the Red Cross and a couple local hospitals, as I believe that they are genuinely dedicated to their causes.