Flies Only

[Scudly]

Did you know The first "flies only" trout regulation in America happened as early as 1907? Can you guess what state?

William B. Mershon, a wealthy lumberman from Saginaw, Michigan, and T. E. Douglas, a lodge owner on the North Branch, flies were the only legal method of fish capture on a large portion of the North Branch. Mershon first advocated for this legislation once he purchased several thousand acres adjoining the river as a means to protect juvenile trout and keep people off his portions of the stream. The law went in and out of effect between 1907 and 1928 and provided interesting commentary on the conservation movement's struggle to form a cohesive identity. Although Mershon's law was repealed due to a lack of scientific support, it did launch interest into the conservation merits of fly fishing and started the legacy of fish conservation for which the Au Sable is famous for and would eventually lead to the creation of Trout Unlimited.

Did you know that Michigan currently has an increasing number of flies only water?

What other states have flies only regulations? Anybody know? Montana and Idaho were checked out and neither have. Apparently North Carolina has for sure. I am not aware of any other states aside from NC and Michigan.