LOL VB, that's getting a bit too technical. Especially since most who were born when it was legal to snag are probably long since dead (unless they grew up on the Great Lakes). Difference is, most can pickup a spinning rod and at least get the rig out there. Some can never pickup how to cast a fly rod, even with teaching (know a few guys who gave it completely up even after lessons at shops). What I'm getting at is it shouldn't be what rod you have in your hand, it should be what you're using on the other end. Bait /scent restrictions are great. Lots of other things can be used in their place.

And, my Granddad wouldn't been royally ticked if he was alive today and wasn't a flyfisherman (luckily, when he died at 98 a couple years ago he was an avid fly and gear fisherman). He grew up fishing the Hoh and OP from the 1910's to his death. I know if he didn't fish flies, he'd probably been tiffed a bit. But there are others not in that boat. Under your premise, chances are those guys will STILL be fishing that way. If they're snagging, they'll STILL be snagging. But bait/livebait to "selective gear" is a whole different ball of wax. Most people can easily adjust. I know my Dad and I have on alot of rivers we've fished for years that have went to selective rules. That's just a change up of what is on the end of your line.