guys keeping fish in the PM Flies only

[cmu_fly_guy]

Okay, this is a bit second hand but it comes from a good source. On Thursday night my brother went out to the flys only at claybanks. He said there was a large group of guys... "probably seven" that were fishing just upstream from the stairs (you all know the spot) Dave (my brother) waded accross the river and walked up on one of the guys that was making a huge deal about catching a fish. Dave said he thought the guy thought he was someone he knew. (that was a confusing sentence) The guy lifted up a nice fish on a stringer. Dave said that he was in so much shock that they were actually keeping the fish he didn't say anything to them. I'm not sure if i would have said anything either if i were in his shoes. I mean seven guys in a group and one person telling them off. So what do we do about things like that... obviously there need to be more signs on the claybanks. I only know of one sign that says no Kill. Cell phones don't get real good service down there. Anyway just a heads up to all you anglers. Keep your eyes open. Either those guys where really dumb or they have m***ive balls. :) I know mine arn't that big. :o Anyway good luck to all.
Jeremy Winsor

[Moose]

Hey Jer,

Talked to Dave yesterday and he told me the story. Kinda stupid really, you would think people would be smarter than that. Oh well, you gonna be able to join Dave and I wed. night and thursday? Let me know

Moose

[cmu_fly_guy]

Man i'ld really like to but unfortunately cl***es don't get out for me as early as they do for you guys. Plus i have to work friday. I was thinking if you guys get a chance the weekend after easter i'll be back up there. Good luck moose... think of me while your slaying them (figuratively speaking of course)
Talk to ya later.

[cmu_fly_guy]

oh before i forget... Jessi's uncle is going to be up there wed. and thursday... he was wondering if you guys would let him tag along. I'll give dave a call tonight but if you see him before hand give him the heads up.

[dwinsor]

Hey all,
I am Jeremy's brother Dave and I was the one that witnessed the incident on the P.M. I went fishing Friday night and was carrying my lantern b/c the sun had just gone down and I walked right up on these guys that had a large Steely lifted out of the water, and it was on a stringer. I walked down a little further but turned around and went back and when I crossed by the guys the second time the guy that had the fish earlier had tied it to a tree and was holloring about what a great catch it was, I don't know if these guys were too ignorant to know that it was catch and release or that they just had enough money to burn on the ticket that they would get. Either way I have heard the stories of fisherman getting mugged and harr***ed down there so I didn't give them a piece of my mind, but I hope they got caught. Hey Jeremy if Matt and Cody want to come up then they are welcome, it will only be Moose and I so it is not a problem, talk to ya later, happy fishing to all.
Dave Winsor

[Red Moose Lodge]

HI all

Here at the lodge I have reminded a few fisherman that have been headed toward the flies only section. Some with worms others with spawn. I very politely tell them that they are about to have a very expensive fishing trip. I also tell them I have river maps and point them in the right direction where they can use bait and tackle. I wish there was a sign above the bridge telling people that they are entering the flies only water and there is no kill below the bridge.
I also see a few people fishing in front of the lodge and up stream where the season is closed. A week or so ago I saw a couple of guys carrying out a steelie while parked at the grayling hole I yelled at them and they just walked faster ( big balls or just stupid ?). We all need better communication on the river to be able to enforce the laws or more signs to prevent ignorance by law abiding citizens. Maybe we can get a channel on a 5 mile radio going directly to the DNR to help with this problem or just for emergency use ??

[goosedowner]

Red moose,that would be great idea.I always carry my cell on me,but like what was said earlier.Little to no reception.Plus,for as big a "No No" is the No kill section is.There is very few signs on the river or CO's policing the section.I seen a least a dozen filleted salmon along the trail during the fall down by Gleasons.

Hit'em hard!!! Johnnie

[mcflyfisher]

As far as enforcement goes. . . I was told by a C.O. while on the flywater that they only make about 4 trips to the "Snob Water" during the salmon run. I can't imagine they are there any more often than that during the spring steelhead season. He informed me that they didn't think it was very efficient to be there more often as "You guys do a pretty good job of policing yourselves here." When you think about what goes on at Tippy Dam that sort of makes sense. I would love to see a better system of enforcement, but I doubt we will be getting one in the near future.

[BOB@BBT]

Judging by customers in the store, there's a full 1/3 that only comes up one weekend in the Spring, one in the Fall. Many are out of staters that have been coming for years and recall when there was a one fish limit in the fly water. And of those guys, 10% have no idea that there even is a fly only section, let alone a section that's catch and release. While a few are blatant poachers, most guys keeping fish or fishing spawn have no idea that they're doing anything wrong.

[Redleg]

The DNR has been changing the hunting/fishing regulations so frequently, they probably want to save money on signs. I have a router if others want to donate any materials (posts, planks, stain, burgers, etc.). Could set up a meet at BBT and make a couple signs. I'll bet it wouldn't be too difficult to secure permission. ;)

Don

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/1,1607,7-153-10366_15383---,00.html

[BOB@BBT]

Actually not true. When the fly water originally went catch and release, BBT and Johnsons Lodge both offered to pay for some nice wooden signs explaining all the new rules to be placed at M-37, Green Cottage, Claybanks and Gleasons and were turned down. We were told signs had to be done "in house". That offer was evidently stepping on some toes. Oh well...

[Redleg]

Hmmmmmm.....

[waterwolf]

If you compare how well the Holy Waters on the AuSable are marked to how poorly the fly water on the PM is marked it is quite a difference. Maybe we should revisit this issue again?

I think I'll try and bring it up with our TU Chapter this week.

[cmu_fly_guy]

I think signs would be a great idea... i wonder how much trouble one would get into by just placing their own signs. I wonder if the road commission would allow a sign right on the m-37 bridge? I would be nice to have a few signs at each access point both foot and boat accesses.
Later,
Jeremy

[scooter]

Hey all...just thumbing through the forums...I own a sign shop down state (chelsea, mi) and make it up as much as I can to fish the PM. I would be more than happy to help out if signs are needed...

Scott
www.eckland.net (http://www.eckland.net)

[waterwolf]

I wrote an email to Mark Tonnelo of the MDNR on this issue and he sent me this reply:

"That's been a common complaint over the last couple of years. I think
compliance on the C&R stretch is actually quite good, but there are
always a few scofflaws, and then also a few who probably truly don't
realize it's catch and release. Your sign idea is a very good one. So
good in fact, that we did it this past winter! The PM Watershed Council
bought several hundred signs to be placed at access sites. I designed
the signs, see attached. The Watershed Council has been putting the
signs up at all access points in the Flies-Only stretch. We can't get
too crazy with the signs, as we don't want to ruin the asthetics of the
river with the signs. Hopefully though, the signs will alert those who
truly don't realize it's catch and release. Again, great idea, and I
think it will work."

Here is the text from the sign's (I'm not sure how to include the graphics or Mark's attachment):

"Pere Marquette River Quality Fishing Regulations

From M-37 downstream to Gleasons Landing, the fishing regulations for the Pere Marquette River are Artificial Flies Only, No-Kill. All anglers must practice Catch and Immediate Release on this stretch of river.

Answers to some common questions:-It is unlawful to possess live or dead fish while fishing this stretch of river.
-It is unlawful to possess live bait, dead or preserved bait, or scented material on this stretch of river.
-Spinning rods and reels may be used, as long as a fly is used.

Definition of an artificial fly:
Any commonly accepted single hook wet and dry flies, streamers and nymphs without spinner, spoon, scoop, lip or any other fishing lure or bait attached. The fly or leader may be weighted but no weight shall be attached to the fly or to the terminal tackle in a manner that allows the weight to be suspended from or below the hook."

Apparently the signs are in the hands of the PM Watershed Council, hopefully they will be up soon!