WDNR Survey Results On Why Anglers Left Trout Fishing

[tinfoilscenario]

I wonder how many people stop driving because the rules are just too difficult to understand. Guess that's about where I put the whole "the regulations are too difficult to understand" argument. What a joke. Maybe people in Wisconsin are just a little slow.

My main argument with WI streams is lack of access. Minnesota and Iowa both do a pretty good job of having visible and accessible stiles. Even if sometimes those stiles are in places that make absolutely no sense(like the two random rotting stiles in thickets on Pine through the older HI).

Also MN and IA both have much more user friendly stream maps. Maybe WI could start there with a better map book.

[Driftless]

agree or disagree.

spin or no spin

numbers don't lie.

[Big Hit]

"the regulations are too difficult to understand" argument. What a joke. Maybe people in Wisconsin are just a little

Seriously. Apparentely reading is challenging for some in Wisco. I guess if you're raised drinking paint thinner many simple tasks become a challenge.

One questions I have if the bait anglers are on the decline who is leaving all the plastic worm containers on the banks of the streams and rivers.

[Driftless]

Reading seems to fine over here. The 12 newspaper that have already run my story and the other dozen I just submitted it to...I sure hope they can read.

[ted4887]

agree or disagree.

spin or no spin

numbers don't lie.

I'm curious as to why you keep saying that. The numbers that you're posting here only go to show that regulations have very little to do with why people are leaving trout fishing since less than 1 out 4 people rank regulations as the reason why they are leaving.

"spin or no spin

Numbers don't lie."

LOL

Edit: Len, what SPECIFIC regulation changes do you want to see? I would like to see you put this into context. Try to back up your reg changes with sound reasoning, instead of made up numbers or your good ol' log book.

[Big Hit]

Reading seems to fine over here. The 12 newspaper that have already run my story and the other dozen I just submitted it to...I sure hope they can read.

Len you are wordsmith with a mastery of Engrish. Thanks for helping prove my point. By the way, what's the best mixer with paint thinner?

[Driftless]

just submitted it to 2 magazines and one more paper.

The average public has the right to know what their tax dollars

are being spent on.

I for one am sick of the tail wagging the dog.

[ted4887]

Since Len has turned to spewing more drivel than normal, I thought I'd post some really random Youtube videos. Let me know what you guys think.

[ted4887]

[Driftless]

Since Len has turned to spewing more drivel than normal

Can't question the cold hard numbers so attack the messenger.

[Big Hit]

It isn't very hard. It's quite a large target.

[Driftless]

I am really glad I got more facts on this survey.

When I go to the WDNR Trout Meetings as a representative

of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress I will have

data to ask about.

[ted4887]

">

[Big Hit]

Since Len has turned to spewing more drivel than normal, I thought I'd post some really random Youtube videos.

I actually find his navie arrogance quite comical. In his backwoods mind, he is right and a legend. To everyone else he's just a blow-hard bozo.

[ted4887]

Can't question the cold hard numbers so attack the messenger.

Ignorance is bliss, huh Len? We can discuss these numbers further at Trout Fest in front of a real crowd. Bring your "data".

[ted4887]

I actually find his navie arrogance quite comical. In his backwoods mind, he is right and a legend. To everyone else he's just a blow-hard bozo.

That could be my new sig line. Lol

Poor Len. Too bad he doesn't have a clue.

[Ufatz]

Hey you guys!! Why can't I access the indicated videos and photos. On my screen I just get a little blue circle with a slash mark through it. What did I do wrong? Anybody know how I fix?

[Ufatz]

Sincer I have taught university fishng and conservation classes and taught a few thousand people basic flyfishing and casting I become V E R Y apprehensive at WHO is going into the classrooms of kids to teach them on these subjects.

There is a real fear that too much of an individuals biases and practices end up in the classroom.

[Driftless]

Bias?

Life member FFF and TU. Chapter Pres. TU. Member PF and DU.

The same stats guy told me that the active anglers trout fishing in Wisconsin break down almost exactly the same as the drop out rate.

25 percent of trout anglers in wisconsin are fly anglers and the rest...the majority are worm dunkers and metal chuckers. Folks that typically eat trout.

The tail should not be wagging the dog.

[hookncook]

guys- numbers don't lie. Especially when they are highlighted in big bold red letters. It must be important.

magazine and news papers that run unsubstantiated or contestable data is usually lacking material from their paid staff so they fill it with fluff from there freebee or discount writers.

The issue that Wisconsin is facing isn't just fishing- it's industry wide and nation wide. Our neighboring states Iowa, and Minnesota did the same survey a couple years ago- same results. This is not new material.

What they are seeing though license sales, or novelty items such as trout stamps are on the decrease, people are still engaging in the outdoors just in other venues such as biking and state park usage. People still need to get in the outdoors.

Lack of access via subdivisions and over crowding on public lands is effecting the hunting industry. It's not a lack of youth getting in the outdoors to hunt- it's the lack of ability to go.

Fortunately, west central and Western Wisconsin has hundreds of creeks that have access to, most of them leased lands- though listed in public information is unknown or has complicated fishing regulations on. When someone publishes a book of public information (trout streams of Wisconsin) they become labeled an "author of a tell all book".

Sadly, suburbia does not have access to these trout streams unless they are willing to drive to get to them. Alas, the decline of the middle class. 4 bux a gallon to travel across the Midwest to fish a stream as wide as a sidewalk seems like a far cry for some.

As I said before, if the powers that be recognize license holder's desire to have a specialized season- they will do it. tail wagging the dog- no. good business- yes.

[Ufatz]

The object is to make certain, if you are going to try to teach people something, that you do NOT introduce your bias. Subject matter in this case not important.

And so you'll know, two things: I was not accusing you of any bias. And the class I taught was called Light Tackle Sport Fishing and included ALL forms of tackle, rigging and various methods. The fly fishing classes were a totally separate thing and a different time and various places.

And as you know, Trout Unlimited makes no distinction between tackle and methods so long as they are legal and ethical.

[hookncook]

One paragraph of a 37 page study states

"Lapsed trout anglers exhibited low levels of commitment to trout fishing (Table III8, page 32). More than twice as many lapsed anglers said trout fishing was less important than their other outdoor activities as said it was more important. Nearly two-fifths (38%) said trout fishing was less important than all (9%) or most (29%) other outdoor activities they participate in. Only 15 percent of the lapsed anglers said trout fishing was more important than all (2%) or most (13%) of their other outdoor activities. Slightly less than one-half (47%) reported that trout fishing was no more or less important than other outdoor activities. This low level of importance is not surprising (they’ve already deserted from participation) and is also a possible predictor for continued desertion."

Nothing to do at all with artificial vs. live bait...

[hookncook]

Numbers speak, but without interpretation they have no voice..

Pages 12 and 15 have quotations from study participants. NONE of them quotes contain verbiage about bait style

"I certainly intend to resume some day when my kids (13 and 16 years old) are out of the house or willing to try something requiring patience and quiet. I also need to free up the time from work and parenting demands in order to concentrate enough on trout fishing and fly-tying.

My decision to stop trout fishing has nothing at all to do with the quality of the resource or regulations, it is about time and priorities.

The fish or fishing had nothing to do with the reason I quit.

Too many things to do and not enough time.

We would fish about two hours travel time away from home, which would take too much time out of my weekend.

I fished with my boyfriend and just wanted a little more ‘me’ time. The quality of the fishing had nothing to do with it.

Fishing is great in Wisconsin! I have a two-year old and a one-year old. I have NO time to fish and I live only 1-½ miles from good waters."

BTW- this study results mirrors Minnesota and Iowa's study from a couple years ago...

[Slabasaurus]

Just gotta say... this thread and the "how have you helped" thread by lenh1 make me feel like rodger rabbit in the scene where he's in the speakeasy, and the judge is knocking "shave and a haircut" on the wall.

One of these days I will bust through the wall yelling "TWO BITS!!!!!!!!"

Until then, I sit back and try to hold it in.

[Igor Drackenwolf]

I am an extremely avid angler. I have a line in the water between 75-100 days a year.

I used to trout fish a lot more than I do now. I spent most of that time up on the North Shore Lake Superior tributaries, with a few ventures down to SE MN. I can say that for me personally, the reason I reduced my time trout fishing was because of the complicated regulations, and teeny-tiny little fish (North Shore stream trout don't get too big until the steelhead run). Mostly the regulations though.

The regulations are so burdensome, meticulous, and seemingly frivolous (although I'm sure there are justifiable reasons for them all). When I feel like I cannot fish without consulting my DNR reg book stream-side to make sure I'm within the law, well, that becomes un-fun. I fish because it's fun.