02-07-2004, 09:58 PM
[blue][size 1][cool]I think I qualify as an "oldtimer". I was also part of the transition from Utah's position on closed seasons and no fishing for trout through the ice.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]I came back to Utah (from California) in the mid 70's. At that time there was still a season for trout...about June 1 to December 1 as I recall. On opening day, you had to bring your own rock to stand on if you wanted to fish the more popular spots. Major party time on Strawberry. Wall to wall boats and shoulder to shoulder bank tanglers.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Many states with managed trout fisheries around the country once had this same system. I suppose some still do. There is no good reason for it, it's just policy. Possibly something to do with protection during the spawning periods (rainbows), or difficulty in patrolling and enforcing during winter months.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Anyway, myself and a few other transplants from other parts of the country began lobbying the DWR to at least open Deer Creek to ice fishing...to help thin out the overpopulation of perch. At that time, perch were considered "trash fish". Bank tanglers routinely tossed them up on the bank to rot, rather than taking them home to eat. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]We lobbyists suggested educating Utah anglers to both the sporting qualities and the table qualities of perch...and to have seminars to show them how to catch perch through the ice...and how to prepare and cook them. That we did, with lots of interest.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The first year Deer Creek opened to ice fishing (about 1980), the ice formed the week before it opened on Jan. 1. [/size][/#0000ff][#0000ff][size 1]On new years day, there were a few knowledgeable folks out there drilling holes and finding perch. A few of us were also finding trout...including some BIG browns. Also got a few stray walleyes, even though they had not attained their current population. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Before the ice left Deer Creek that first open season, a whole lot of former troutaholics had gained a new appreciation for perch...and a whole lot of perch had gone home to the frying pan. Now Deer Creek hardly has a perch population, compared with the "olden days".[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]However, it would still be several years before the C&R restriction on trout was lifted. Subsequently, DWR lightened up and opened Strawberry, Scofield and other previously closed lakes to winter fishing. Once the major trout fisheries were opened to ice fishing, there was little need for a season on other waters.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]That's the best my old brain can do. Maybe others might be able to fill in around the edges.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]I came back to Utah (from California) in the mid 70's. At that time there was still a season for trout...about June 1 to December 1 as I recall. On opening day, you had to bring your own rock to stand on if you wanted to fish the more popular spots. Major party time on Strawberry. Wall to wall boats and shoulder to shoulder bank tanglers.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Many states with managed trout fisheries around the country once had this same system. I suppose some still do. There is no good reason for it, it's just policy. Possibly something to do with protection during the spawning periods (rainbows), or difficulty in patrolling and enforcing during winter months.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Anyway, myself and a few other transplants from other parts of the country began lobbying the DWR to at least open Deer Creek to ice fishing...to help thin out the overpopulation of perch. At that time, perch were considered "trash fish". Bank tanglers routinely tossed them up on the bank to rot, rather than taking them home to eat. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]We lobbyists suggested educating Utah anglers to both the sporting qualities and the table qualities of perch...and to have seminars to show them how to catch perch through the ice...and how to prepare and cook them. That we did, with lots of interest.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The first year Deer Creek opened to ice fishing (about 1980), the ice formed the week before it opened on Jan. 1. [/size][/#0000ff][#0000ff][size 1]On new years day, there were a few knowledgeable folks out there drilling holes and finding perch. A few of us were also finding trout...including some BIG browns. Also got a few stray walleyes, even though they had not attained their current population. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Before the ice left Deer Creek that first open season, a whole lot of former troutaholics had gained a new appreciation for perch...and a whole lot of perch had gone home to the frying pan. Now Deer Creek hardly has a perch population, compared with the "olden days".[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]However, it would still be several years before the C&R restriction on trout was lifted. Subsequently, DWR lightened up and opened Strawberry, Scofield and other previously closed lakes to winter fishing. Once the major trout fisheries were opened to ice fishing, there was little need for a season on other waters.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]That's the best my old brain can do. Maybe others might be able to fill in around the edges.[/size][/#0000ff]
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