Trap, fished the zone since it opened. In my opinion its uglier than ever. But maybe that's just my mind playing tricks on me. Ya know, when chuck and duck first came about (it was not called that back in the day) it was an honest attempt to catch winter steelhead. This slash and thrash tactic up in the zone is pretty gross though. But yes, it is a put and take fishery. You are 100% right. This is the first year I've ever seen the hatchery closed to the public, and the most dead steelhead I've ever seen and heard of. I just hope that "we" haven't gone past our means and "taken" too much from what's been "put"...
I fish the LFZ alot and it is horrific. I have seen sideways ripping, mono on fly reels, too much weight , running line. ect ect ect. The fish are abused for a picture. I say something and am told to F off. I have called and no one shows up. Last year I was almost physically ran off a spot because somebody was ''saving'' a spot for his buddy who was up in his car sleeping. I know because I saw him. There are some good folks that fish there and there are people that feel entitled because they drove 4 hours and we need to bow to them because they come and spend money in town. I say shut it down or police it. Better yet turn it into a kids only area. Under 18 only.
your right and your wrong you are welcome to fish the spot but you are a quest you are on our state land using our state esaements fishing for fish we stocked on a river we clean ..... I want you fishing next to me and you do have every right too but when I go to PA to hunt or fish I say thank you and keep in mind I am a quest in that state I personally have never favored "special water" makes no sence to me that as a flyfisherman I need special water ..... and chuck and duck was never a legit way to flyfish neither was a mooching rod ,we all know it it's salmon tactics now being used on steelhead......I again thing it's time fisherman and the state be honest admit kings don't hit make a honest salmon season and legalise tactics so salmon fisherman can get their fish then shut that completely off and have a real steelhead season with realy tactics legal.......this is my opinion from what I have seen for the past app. 50 years of salmon in the riverThere was no respect from them period. The guy literally said ''we drove here 4 hours and this is our fing spot'' There was close to 40 yards of real estate between the two guys, a mile on the river during prime time. I would of happily fished there and moved when he came back if asked, but I was told and it was a demand. I did not stay and it was close to an hour before the guy came back...........Trap hit the nail it's about respect and many people treat their trip here like it is a free for all with no rules, leaving the mess for everyone else to look at and clean up. It sucks waiting for that 1 in a 100 fish to hit, they are too molested to do so. I have also caught plenty in the Oswsegatchi river and other rivers up north on spoons to know they will hit though. I would not be averse to a one month snag a thon before the steel come in. Let them at it and let them leave, then let the people that want to fish for steel and the few remaining salmon have a crack at it.
So you guys are saying that if someone that drove up there to fish should bow out to any local that wants to fish the spot he was in first because he does not live there.Oh and money from non resident licenses goes towards raising all the fish put into the river the same as residents.As far as cleaning up... I have watched plenty of cars with NY plates on them leave trash everywhere also.