I can see your point and frustration. Thanks for the info as well.
As far as the info is concerned, there should be a huge number of brown trout in the 20+ inch range or else we have more problems on our hands than regulations. We have had 2 years of these new regs and 2 years where a brown 18"-23 15/16" can survive harvesting. I would contribute that more to the regs than the rivers ecosystem. Although they tend to go hand in hand.
In reality the "trophy" fishery they are wanting to create in my eyes in not a bunch of 20+ inch fish. While that is a nice fish anywhere just not what I would consider a true trophy. Show me browns in the 30's and you have a trophy fishery. But unfortunately to get to that point you have to let some fish grow.
Since we are talking trout for food, I think a solution you may be looking for is not as much regs based as stocking numbers based. Maybe more rainbows, brooks stocked and less browns since they are doing so well would solve it. I wouldn't have a problem with that knowing the browns that do get stocked should be okay until they reach 24" pending a rogue striper comes their way.
Last edited by Travis C.; 09-13-2012 at 12:26 PM.
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