Since I'm partial to fly fishing, I just had to read the 4 page thread of that title. I had to work late the last couple days, so it took me two nights to get through it. Disappointingly, it wasn't all that much about fly fishing. But it got me to thinking, especially Bruce's contention that WSR isn't that far removed from statewide fly fishing only regulations. I thought, gee, maybe he's right. Fly fishing has been evolving in ways that would make traditional practitioners roll over in their graves.

I crack up over the comments about snobbish fly fishermen. It's not that I haven't met any, but they've actually been fewer than the snobbish and incredibly rude spin casters, bait casters, jet boaters, drift boaters, bait-container littering, and let's see, who else is there to offend? Of course, maybe it's only cuz about 10% of the state's angling population are fly fishers (hard to figure with so many cross-overs).

But since WSR isn't the cure-all for all that ails our fishery resource, I tried to come up with a regulation package that would actually achieve conservation while preserving opportunity, altho I'm not sure it's actually fishing opportunity.

I think the first step is to designate all waters of the state, rivers, lakes, Puget Sound, Columbia River, and Pacific Ocean, beaver ponds, you name it, if it's wet, it's fly fishing only - year round. Oh, and of course, that's for all species of fish. Assuming all species could or might be angled for. Which might be a stretch. And naturally, for all people - all races, ethnicities, religions, cultures, sexual preferences (no kinky exceptions, either).

Now you may think this is extreme. However, I'm concerned it doesn't go far enough. Have you seen the way some of these so-called fly fishers are practicing the craft these days? Carbon fiber rods, reels with disc drags that can stop a truck. Lines made of miracle fibers and materials, you know, better living - and fishing - through chemistry; lead core, sinking lines that sink faster than lead; floating lines that an anchor can't sink. And fly reels loaded with monofiliment nylon line. Huh? What for? And how is that like fly fishing? And leader materials that are not to be believed. Weighted flies. And "strike indicators", which are not even very sophisticated floats or bobbers.

It gets worse my friends. Breathable waders - so anglers can wade, cast, and fish in comfort. Imagine, fishing in comfort, and trying to pass that off as really fishing! What a bunch of wusses! We all know that real anglers expect to suffer, and accomodate it with enthusiasm.

And boats. Jet boats. Drift boats. Rafts. And now comes the armada of individual pontoon boats. Whatever happened to beating the brush for miles . . . in heavy, sweaty Hodgman waders? Next thing you know, there'll be jet skis for every fly fisherman. Whether it has anything to do with fishing or not.

It's becomming increasingly clear to me that to protect the sanctity of our sport, not to mention the potentially significant contribution to fisheries conservation, we have to narrowly define the allowable fly fishing gear type to avoid excessive impact to our ever-dwindling fishery resources. OK, maybe some of the exotic import species aren't dwindling all that much.

The regulations:

Henceforth, no fishing rods other than bamboo, greenheart, or hickory (I have some low income relatives that may have been mistakenly referenced as Neanderthals in that other thread). Flylines of silk, linen, or horse hair. Period. No exceptions. Leaders of gut. No nylon, not to mention flourocarbon. Yuck! And naturally, no lead weighted flies. And no hooks larger than standard wire, size 2. Obviously, no split shot or lead or other weight beyond traditional fly dressing materials. Oh, and fly reels may not have disc drags; not that it is likely to matter; not all that many large fish are going to be hooked.

Naturally, no boats of any kind. And no breathable waders. Neoprene either. Maybe a wader ban. Combine that with a total ban of all boats of any kind, and some folks might begin to think fishing opportunity is seriously threatened.

And if this doesn't bring back the fish populations, Jacob mentioned a great addition to the arsenal: cut the hook off at the bend on all flies. That should really minimize the impact of angling on fish populations. Not to mention what it'll do for the economy. All the money we waste on fishing accouterments could be diverted to more productive, if less satisfying, investments.

I may have failed to gore someone's sacred ox, but I just finished my third glass of wine, so I apologize if I left any one out.

If you actually read this, thank you for your sense of humor. After umpteen multi-page threads that were mindful beyond belief of minutae, I had to try something different.

t.i.c.

Salmo g.