Did they shoot themselves in the foot?

  • tony_apisa
    E. Moline Illinois along the Rock River
    Posts: 1180
    August 22, 2005 at 1:49 pm #1247291

    The FLW Walleye Tour Championship is being held in Moline IL. this year again. The states of Illinois and Iowa have a slot limit (20 to 27in.with one over 27) on the Mississippi River. This year the state of Illinois has waived the slot for this tournement. Also the state of Iowa has a no-cull rule where Illinois does not. No slot and you can cull but there is one huge draw back to this. The anglers can only fish the Illinois side of the river. Is it worth losing half the river to fish for these two exceptions?

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    August 22, 2005 at 2:25 pm #379594

    Wow… an exception for one group of anglers not available to all? I hope mass quantities of peoples in the area protest that descision. I know I find it to be completely distasteful.

    mossydan
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa
    Posts: 7727
    August 22, 2005 at 2:38 pm #379599

    I agree James. Part of the reasoning im sure is that its only a tournament and to make an exception for a group of sports fisherman when it dosen’t apply too all the fisherman, then it shouldn’t be. They forget that these tournaments promote fishing and fishing for walleyes and its these tournaments that help the local businesses. Theres alot of positive reasoning why they should lift the cull rulls. They might say that this group shouldn’t get special treatment but these tournament fishermen have to put up a sizable amount of money to fish it. If it promotes a desirable hobby then theres no damage done to any group or any resource. The benifits far outweight any negatives.

    scottsteil
    Central MN
    Posts: 3817
    August 22, 2005 at 2:59 pm #379603

    I am fishing the tournament but I don’t agree with the decision to lift the slot. I think it opens the door to those against tournaments in the first place. But, two things to consider.

    This has been done before for a tournament on the same body of water.

    The FLW contract with Moline was signed before this slot was put in place. The slot went on the River just before last years Championship.

    With that said, we should have to live with the slot, just like everyone else does.

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    August 22, 2005 at 3:07 pm #379610

    Scott, once again you prove your character. I’m sure you and the other professionals in this event would have handled the slot with grace and put on a good show for those attending the weighins. I’d like to be a little bird in the crowd now to listen in on the chatter in the crowd. I bet there will be more than a little negative banter about this descision.

    gary_wellman
    South Metro
    Posts: 6057
    August 22, 2005 at 3:40 pm #379617

    Is this a “kill tourney”?

    tony_apisa
    E. Moline Illinois along the Rock River
    Posts: 1180
    August 22, 2005 at 4:05 pm #379628

    No it’s not Gary.

    gary_wellman
    South Metro
    Posts: 6057
    August 22, 2005 at 4:25 pm #379629

    Well,

    If it was a release tourney, then I could see a small amount of reasoning in behind the culling and not abiding to the slot limit.

    However, that is the only reason………

    Jack Naylor
    Apple Valley, MN
    Posts: 5668
    August 22, 2005 at 11:59 pm #379709

    Do the tournament sponsors, big corporate business think that they are above the law and have to change to state rules, just for the sake of drawing a bigger (watch the weigh in) crowd. Pro’s are Pro’s, and can fish with the rules, it is the same for everyone. It would be impossibe to police the middle of the river. Can the tournament and pro’s trust everyone to stay on one side of the river?? Probably or more accurately MAYBE. Fish the with slot, and state regs, and JUST NOT WORRY about it, and fish the whole river. Sure makes much more sense to me.
    Jack…

    ivanbrehmer
    Johnston, Iowa
    Posts: 89
    August 23, 2005 at 12:03 am #379710

    Quote:

    Wow… an exception for one group of anglers not available to all? I hope mass quantities of peoples in the area protest that descision. I know I find it to be completely distasteful.

    I agree

    RandyK
    Posts: 27
    August 23, 2005 at 12:13 am #379712

    I’ve lived over 40 years in Illinois on Pool 14, with my income supporting local businesses, restaurants, gas stations, etc., and my state taxes going to Springfield for all those years. Should an out-of-towner expect to get better Illinois fishing regulations than me just because he stays in a motel, buys a few meals in a restauarant, and fill his gas tank before he drives home? I certainly don’t expect to “buy” any special priviliges when I vacation in Northern Minnesota for two weeks each year, spending between 2,000 and 3,000 dollars on cabins, gas, food, etc.
    I have no objections to this tournament, but don’t agree with the special rules. Part of fishing any fishery is to follow the established rules. It should be part of the challenge of fishing, to have a big fish pattern or a small fish pattern for what you want to catch, whether you are in a tournament, or fishing for fun (big fish or a few eaters). If I don’t like the new slot on Leech lake, I’ll either go somewhere else or enjoy the new challenge. If the tournament does not like the slot on these pools, go somwhere else or enjoy the new challenge.
    Hats off to Iowa DNR for sticking with their laws to protect the resource.
    Shame on Illinois DNR for caving in to money.
    I agree with James.

    Randy

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