02-25-2009, 11:05 PM
[size 2]Hikes in Fishing and Hunting License Fees in the Offing
Posted by Shore Publishing
Filed under: captain morgan, fishing
The state’s in a pickle and we all know it! The proposed hike doubling fishing and hunting licenses certainly may help Connecticut overall, but since this is a selective increase—that is, dollars paid by only those benefiting—then it would be fair and appropriate that these funds go to offset budget expenditures affiliated with the associated activity.
A majority of sportsmen/women encountered hardly ever object to cost increases, provided they go directly or indirectly to benefiting said recreational pastime. Benefits derived might be in the form of enhancing the environment, bolstering stocks, maintaining fish management areas, and public launching sites, conservation enforcement, etc.
It’s extracting fees from sportsters and diverting them to non-related causes via the General Fund that gives the appearance of impropriety and unfairness. So where are these proposed fee increases headed? And will our proposed saltwater fees go into a Conservation Fund as the statue mandates when and if passed by the legislature? Let’s hope so.
Some feel as though an increase in license fees is a tax while others feel that raising the state income tax is the real tax. Regardless, it’s where the dollars are ultimately applied that most folks relate to and how it affects them as individuals. Fishing and hunting are activities handed down from generation to generation. Some participate for sport, others for sustenance. Doing our part to continue that tradition is important to posterity.
When an angler or hunter encounters someone in need, rarely will they opt out of sharing their day’s bounty. So would be the case if asked to do their part in helping the state out of this pickle. After all, we live and glean fish and/or game within Connecticut’s boundaries. Helping to maintain a productive, safe, clean, and flourishing environment is important and should be a top priority. However, if the increase in fees is disproportionate, there could be a backlash with fewer licenses being sold and less revenues collected. Something to think about.
[/size]
[size 2]On the Water/Ice[/size][size 2]
Breaks in the weather pattern hinted that changes are in the near future, but we still need to get through March. A touch of warmer weather, then a low front matched with a mixed bag of precipitation produced light snow, sleet, rain, and slush. At times, winds on Long Island Sound kicked up, gusting in excess of 30 knots and creating peak waves of four to six feet. Yet much of the tidal river ice broke up, allowing anglers to hit the banks.
Considering that Feb. 28 is the last day in Connecticut to fish stocked waters—with the exception of the catch and release Trout Management Areas (TMAs), Trophy Trout Lakes (open through March 31), and the Sea Run Trout rivers—fishers rallied at those rivers throughout the week. Fishing was good at the mainstays like the Hammonasset, Salmon, Housatonic, and Farmington.
Ice fishing is still productive in many parts of the state, however, care must be taken as to which lakes and ponds should be considered—especially along the shoreline. Tread lightly and carry safety gear as well as heeding any warning or caution alerts. In spite of our shifting weather, most species of fish are producing flags on tip-ups and bending light jigging rods.
The panfish bite has been good, walleye mixed, largemouth very good, and trout quite cooperative. Broodstock salmon continue to take baits at Mashapaug and Crystal lakes, while northerns have been preying on large shiners at Bantam and the Connecticut River. Check out some of the smaller, less frequented ponds north of the shoreline since they’ve been surprising anglers with nice bass and perch catches.
Now that ice released its grip at access points to the Thames, Connecticut, and Housey rivers, striped bass fishing has picked up. It’s easy to stress out these holdover fish so take care when releasing them back into the school. Soft plastics, small jigs, and flutter spoons have been doing well, especially when dressed with a tail.
[/size][size 2]For all things fishy, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...
Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan[/size]
[signature]
Posted by Shore Publishing
Filed under: captain morgan, fishing
The state’s in a pickle and we all know it! The proposed hike doubling fishing and hunting licenses certainly may help Connecticut overall, but since this is a selective increase—that is, dollars paid by only those benefiting—then it would be fair and appropriate that these funds go to offset budget expenditures affiliated with the associated activity.
A majority of sportsmen/women encountered hardly ever object to cost increases, provided they go directly or indirectly to benefiting said recreational pastime. Benefits derived might be in the form of enhancing the environment, bolstering stocks, maintaining fish management areas, and public launching sites, conservation enforcement, etc.
It’s extracting fees from sportsters and diverting them to non-related causes via the General Fund that gives the appearance of impropriety and unfairness. So where are these proposed fee increases headed? And will our proposed saltwater fees go into a Conservation Fund as the statue mandates when and if passed by the legislature? Let’s hope so.
Some feel as though an increase in license fees is a tax while others feel that raising the state income tax is the real tax. Regardless, it’s where the dollars are ultimately applied that most folks relate to and how it affects them as individuals. Fishing and hunting are activities handed down from generation to generation. Some participate for sport, others for sustenance. Doing our part to continue that tradition is important to posterity.
When an angler or hunter encounters someone in need, rarely will they opt out of sharing their day’s bounty. So would be the case if asked to do their part in helping the state out of this pickle. After all, we live and glean fish and/or game within Connecticut’s boundaries. Helping to maintain a productive, safe, clean, and flourishing environment is important and should be a top priority. However, if the increase in fees is disproportionate, there could be a backlash with fewer licenses being sold and less revenues collected. Something to think about.
[/size]
[size 2]On the Water/Ice[/size][size 2]
Breaks in the weather pattern hinted that changes are in the near future, but we still need to get through March. A touch of warmer weather, then a low front matched with a mixed bag of precipitation produced light snow, sleet, rain, and slush. At times, winds on Long Island Sound kicked up, gusting in excess of 30 knots and creating peak waves of four to six feet. Yet much of the tidal river ice broke up, allowing anglers to hit the banks.
Considering that Feb. 28 is the last day in Connecticut to fish stocked waters—with the exception of the catch and release Trout Management Areas (TMAs), Trophy Trout Lakes (open through March 31), and the Sea Run Trout rivers—fishers rallied at those rivers throughout the week. Fishing was good at the mainstays like the Hammonasset, Salmon, Housatonic, and Farmington.
Ice fishing is still productive in many parts of the state, however, care must be taken as to which lakes and ponds should be considered—especially along the shoreline. Tread lightly and carry safety gear as well as heeding any warning or caution alerts. In spite of our shifting weather, most species of fish are producing flags on tip-ups and bending light jigging rods.
The panfish bite has been good, walleye mixed, largemouth very good, and trout quite cooperative. Broodstock salmon continue to take baits at Mashapaug and Crystal lakes, while northerns have been preying on large shiners at Bantam and the Connecticut River. Check out some of the smaller, less frequented ponds north of the shoreline since they’ve been surprising anglers with nice bass and perch catches.
Now that ice released its grip at access points to the Thames, Connecticut, and Housey rivers, striped bass fishing has picked up. It’s easy to stress out these holdover fish so take care when releasing them back into the school. Soft plastics, small jigs, and flutter spoons have been doing well, especially when dressed with a tail.
[/size][size 2]For all things fishy, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...
Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan[/size]
[signature]
