Wednesday, September 12, 2007

No to Silver Creek reg. changes


The Nature Conservancy has served as steward of the Silver Creek Preserve for more than 30 years. We manage the preserve to protect an exceptional cold water ecosystem. We also welcome recreational use that does not impair the creek's natural environment. In 2006, 6,000 visitors from all 50 states and 14 foreign countries came to enjoy Silver Creek's clear waters, wily trout and scenic vistas.

Silver Creek's serenity contrasts sharply with the controversy recently sparked by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's proposed new fishing rules for the stream. The draft rules—reviewed at an open house meeting last night—would permit anglers to keep up to six brown trout of any size daily. This would mark a big change from Silver Creek's long history of catch and release only. The rules would also allow fishing from boats on stream reaches currently reserved for wading and float tube fishing.

After talking with state biologists, academic scientists, as well as local anglers, The Nature Conservancy has decided to ask Fish and Game to withdraw the proposed regulations.

The department wants to allow the lethal take of brown trout in order to maintain a balance between brown and rainbow trout. While the conservancy shares this goal, we believe that Fish and Game should take more time to review the science, involve the public and shape fishing roles that earn broad angler support. We offer our help to the department in undertaking these tasks. In the meantime, we think the proposed rules go too far, too fast.

We are unaware of any demand from the public for boat fishing on the upper reaches of Silver Creek. This area has a confined channel and receives heavy wading use. The existing rule works to avoid conflicts between boaters and waders and helps maintain the peace and quiet of this special place.

Dayna Gross

Silver Creek Preserve manager




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