Wild Bow Update

[Aaron]

An update on the Wild Bows:

For those that care about the health of the LMF, I think this is a clear indicator. There have been obvious signs this year, as well as past, that there is a good holdover population and wild reproduction. Its been well known for some time, but it has really shown this year. Specific areas have really done well in respect to reproduction. They just are not in the obvious heavy pressured waters/stocking holes. Take a look for yourself. Please share pics of the par marked wild guys if you catch them.

Thanks to Jeff for letting me take a quick pic of the zoomed in Bow.

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[golferjeff]

   This is one from the trip with Aaron.  He had a lot of orange in him.  Go up Spillway and have fun!

[dlinzy]

I sure hope a bunch of them can make their way into Lost Creek as I'm fearful once they hit 10" they become table fare.

Denny

[breeden3]

Denny, even on the most heavily bait fished lakes and streams in Colorado, there are still plenty of fish. To think that all the babies will get pulled out is ridiculous. Lost Creek is one of the best places to find the little ones. And Lost Creek is never devoid of fish. They just tuck up along and under the banks. They get "conditioned" very quickly to not eat bait. And Aaron, we do catch quite a few still in the heavy pressured holes! They are all over Spillway. Especially in the Cardiac Hill entrance holes.

Kevin and I have been catching quite a few wild ones over 10" up Spillway in certain areas.  

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[bradbessett]

They are all fair game once they get big enough for the tourists to eat. Remember this is a put and take fishery.

That said, I still think what they are doing is a great thing for the fishery. Those that are wild are going to be a whole lot more selective and definitely harder for people to catch. I would think it's safe to say that the bulk of them are going to be safe from bait casters/tourists.

[stephenl]

The key to a healthy fishery is balance. Fish must be stocked and taken out. A degree of catch and release with catch and keep is necessary to keep a balance. bag limits, size limits, catch and release, breeding and stocking work together.

Some fisherman just keep fish according to limits, others catch and release only. Still others do both, and there are those break the laws and ruin things for the rest of us.