Comments on: Arizona Fly Fishing: Catch and Release

By: Fly Fishing Arizona & Greenfish… » Fly Fishing » Arizona Wanderings

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:40:02 +0000

[…] writing a piece on fly fishing Arizona and the sustainability of wild trout populations, I was surprised by the great response that the article received. “Kudos” and […]

By: azwanderings

azwanderings — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:40:14 +0000

I hear you Brandon. I am definitely of the same mindset about keeping a few stockers. Arizona is a phenomenal place to live and fish and I hope it remains that way forever. Thanks for the kind words and kindred spirit.

Ben

By: Brandon

Brandon — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:22:36 +0000

What a great piece, thank you for sharing. I completely agree with everything you wrote. It’s one thing to take a few fish home from somewhere managed as such…I do it occasionally. So far this year my only two fishing trips were both to Deadhorse to fish for the stocked rainbows. I took a few trout home each time, and am ok with that because of where I was. If they aren’t fished out, they probably won’t survive the summer heat. And Deadhorse is managed as put and take, that’s why G&F dumps a few thousand of them in every two weeks. But I have a couple streams I also like to fish where I would never dream of keeping a fish. Barbs are crimped, and fish are handled as little (if at all) as possible. We really live in a great state for trout fishing, and hopefully anglers will understand that steps must be taken to keep it that way. Thank you for addressing this topic, it’s great to have it here where it will get exposure.

By: azwanderings

azwanderings — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:16:42 +0000

Yeah, I like the look of the Pentax Optio. I almost pulled the trigger on it around Christmas but controlled myself. Once this Coolpix bites it, I’m going to get a camera that is at least waterproof and I have heard great things about the Optio, so that may be the one. Thanks for the kind words. Tight lines.

Ben

By: MattK @ GearGuide

MattK @ GearGuide — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:15:57 +0000

In reply to azwanderings.

Ben:
Thanks. I’m also using a Coolpix that’s ready for an upgrade. I hear good things about the Pentax Optio. The W90 is waterproof, shockproof, etc. I believe that’s what Tom Chandler’s using for Trout Underground. And it looks like they’ve just release an updated version (WG-1). I can’t quite bring myself to purchase a DSLR. Heck of a wedding present though. I’d definitely take that over the bread machine we received 😉 Anyway, keep in touch and keep the great posts and reviews coming.

By: azwanderings

azwanderings — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 05:23:31 +0000

Thanks Matt. In the field I use on older model Nikon Coolpix. It works fine, but I don’t know how many more dunkings it can really take. We got a really nice Canon DSLR for a wedding present that I use for the at home photos. I am very pleased with both of them but when the Nikon eats it, I am going to buy something waterproof and shockproof. Hope that helps.

Ben

By: Matt K @ GearGuide

Matt K @ GearGuide — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 02:48:29 +0000

Ben, Great stuff as always. Dig the photos too. Been meaning to ask, what camera are you using these days? I may be in the market for something new. Thanks.

By: azwanderings

azwanderings — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:47:59 +0000

Thanks Iain. Glad you approve. I agree there needs to be more discussion, and also agree these gems should remain hidden. Arizona is an amazing place to live and fish, I just hope that enough of us can keep these beautiful places sacred for future enjoyment. Thanks again for the kind words.

Ben

By: Iain

Iain — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:27:55 +0000

Ben,

As usual, your most recent entry is thoughtful, relevant, and reflects your passion and love for wild trout and the beautiful places they haunt–nicely done. I would agree with you that Arizona is a special place for trout fishing, in the sense that the wild trout fisheries are often rugged, remote, and wonderful, and also highly vulnerable, due to limited population sizes, the stresses of low flows and high water temps in drier years, and a lack of protective regulations for many streams and rivers in the state. Posts like yours can only help to spread the important message of actively working as stewards to help protect and maintain the health of these priceless fisheries. All of the points you touch on are good, and the one about using some discretion when describing certain locations is one I have thought a lot about myself, and practiced when it seems appropriate, at least with the unknown masses.

By the way, that AZ brook trout is a real beauty–nice image!

Tight lines, Iain

By: azwanderings

azwanderings — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:40:18 +0000

Thanks RD. Glad I struck a chord. Honestly, I have this conversation with people all the time and every time I get the same puzzled look and head shake. Not much you can do other than keep fishing and keep releasing. Thanks for the support.

Ben