CA Reg. Changes

[Terry Thomas]

The following is a post from Ralph Cutter regarding reg. changes. Looks to be a real plus for some winter fishing.
T.

The Commission has passed the following changes for '07. There are other changes too, but these affect the Tahoe Truckee area. Frank Pisciotta and Joe Cierna deserve much praise for the cat herding required to get some of these passed.

EF Carson below Hangmans, Little Truckee below Stampede, Truckee between Trout Creek and Grays Creek, and NF Yuba are open to winter fishing, barbless artificials only and zero bag limit.

The Truckee from Trout Creek to State Line, Prosser Creek, and Martis Creek are now artificials only, 2 fish limit with 14 inch minimum during the regular season.

[bigtj]

FANTASTIC NEWS!!!

I didn't know Prosser and Martis were also under consideration for no-bait, it's about time that happened.

This is the best christmas present I could have asked for....NO BAIT TROUT CREEK TO THE STATE LINE!!!

Thanks for the update -

-John

[dtp916]

so what, I can go to the Truckee this weekend? :D

[Matt Frey]

I would hold off on going to the Truckee this weekend. I have yet to seen an effective date on any of this. Although I can't wait to head up there either. :D

[Digger]

I think the changes are targeting brookies farther north also.

Was there any mention of Hot Creek ?

[Matt Frey]

From what I have read in the proposed regs Hot Creek from the State hatchery property line to the confluence with the Owens River will be open year round.

[Matt Frey]

Proposed Regs

http://www.fgc.ca.gov/2006/7_00bregs.pdf

[East Fork]

I think it will be from trout creek to grey's creek only in the winter, not to the stateline.

[bigtj]

Yes that's right, winter fishery on the Truckee trout creek to grays creek. And it will be catch and release, not the slot limit. That's the only complaint I have about the new regs - you can kill fish during the regular season, but not during the winter season. I don't think it will be a problem, only the hard-core will fish in the winter, I just wish it was C&R year round...perhaps one day!

The updated regs don't go into effect until 2007.
:D

[caltagm]

So does that mean it takes effect Jan 1 and I can spend New Years Day on the Little Truckee?

I may have to give up skiing now.

[Matt Frey]

According to the DFG website, the effective date for these regs is still pending. The proposed regs still need to be approved by the Office of Administrative Law and then they have to be filed with the Secretary of State. So it may still be a while. :(

[bigtj]

From the sources I've heard, the regs won't be in effect until some time after the end of the first quarter of 2007, i.e. don't expect a winter trout fishery until next November.

[Matt Frey]

According to Scott Barrow at DFG the effective date for the new regs will be March 1, 2007.

Scott Barrow
Senior Biologist Specialist
Regulatory Unit
DFG Fisheries Branch
1416 Ninth Street, Rm 1341-B
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 651-7670
(916) 651-7672 fax

[dtp916]

March 1, 2007 is the new opening day! 8) I'll have to do a fly fish/snowboard day in Truckee. :lol:

[Bill Carnazzo]

The new regs also apply to the upper American River area, which includes the North and Middle Forks (and I presume the South Fork), the Rubicon River, Long Canyon and Duncan Creeks, and the other small streams that feed the main rivers. Winter access will still be a problem because Foresthill Road is cleared only to China Wall, and Blacksmith Flat Road is cleared only to the turnoff to PCWA's Interbay facilities.

According to the F & G Commission the effective date is still undetermined, but what we do know for sure is that we won't have to stop stream fishing on these and the other covered streams next year on Nov. 15th.

Pressure is minimal on winter-open streams due to the harsh conditions. We learned this during the past few years on the Upper Sac.

[bigtj]

dtp-

I would bet willing to bet a large sum of money March 1st is NOT opening day of the winter fishing season on the Truckee for 2007. The way things work in government it's most likely to be next November 16th 2007, because it will take some time to get signage up etc. Just be sure to check the regs when they come out and don't just head up there because you heard it was open on a bulletin board.

The other thing to keep in mind is that winter fishing is a whole other ballgame. I spent 3 years fishing tailwaters in Colorado and what I've learned there has paid off big-time fishing in winter conditions elsewhere. Be prepared to get familar with a whole different set of tactics. Midge fishing in the deeper holes and selected weather windows are the way to go. You've got to not only pay attention to what the weather is like today, but what it was like last week. A cold, snowy day can have good fishing if the past week was relatively warm, while a nice sunny warm day can offer poor fishing if last week was cold. It's like re-learning a different river fishing in the winter.

[Matt Frey]

I completely agree with bigtj. WAIT until the official effective date is posted by the DFG.

[dtp916]

:lol: :lol: :lol: Guys, i was totally kidding :lol: I'm not going to be up there on March 1st, besides, my car doesn't take chains :x :lol: I ain't trying to get my rims dirty....(that is a JOKE)

I was just getting excited that I have another place to fish in the winter beside Putah and the Lower Yuba....

I've done plenty winter fishing, and you're right on the money that it's a different ball game, way different ball game. :D

[jayclarkflyfishing]

This is indeed good news,but made me think.How are people going to get into the LT during the winter?The road is plowed to the dam at Boca.It is a long way around Boca to the LT.Are some of you gonna ski?or snowmobile?Remember that during big winters there will be alot of snow on the ground and access will be challenging at best.Besides that I am excited to have some local winter fishing options!Jay

[bigtj]

I guess I'd better give my x-country skis a waxing! That will be a blast.

[sacreno]

I always wanted to get some snowshoes!!!!

I can wait till this opens. Even if it only gives us an extra30-45 days of fishing when the those mountain tuna's are gorging them selves for the winter. I have always wanted to see what it was like to fish in the sierras in the snow other than Davis lake when your freezing you @$%# off.

[dtp916]

Hmmmm, I forgot that the snow may not be plowed.....dammit.

Might have to have my dog pull me there with the new hybrid harness he's getting for xmas :lol:

But then again, he'll probably be sinking into the snow too :lol: