Bill to create Commercial-Free Days on popular rivers

[R.K.]

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Interesting thought. Not sure what the unintended consequences might be. But I feel that reserving certain days for use by the general public, rather than having public resources be fully sequestered by private for-profit commercial interests, is a good thing.

Not sure if it’s been posted elsewhere.

 

[SAJ-99]

He was my first thought on the chances of this bill

 

[RandanP]

No guide Fridays!!! No guides on any Montana rivers on fridays, May-august. It’s a keep it simple solution.

 

[SixPoint]

This is a fantastic bill and way overdue in my opinion. I'm sure we will hear the screams of outrage coming from over the hill in Ennis.

 

[Rogerdoger]

Since I am a weekend warrior I vote for the day to be Sunday. No commercial use and the other half would be at church and Costco!

 

[Hem]

I'm all for it.
Anything to not only alleviate crowding, but also ease up on the poor old Madison.
Unfortunately this will just redirect pressure.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Can anyone explain if this would also restrict commercial innertube and other flotation recreational commercial outfitters. The exorbitant number of floaters on the stretch between Bear Trap and Black's Ford is likely adversely impacting the fishery on that stretch of the Madison River.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Can anyone explain if this would also restrict commercial innertube and other flotation recreational commercial outfitters. The exorbitant number of floaters on the stretch between Bear Trap and Black's Ford is likely adversely impacting the fishery on that stretch of the Madison River.

Good point. Thats like... commercial support for recreational floating.

 

[LuketheDog]

So forgive me, haven't fished Montana in 20+ years, but how many boats go down a given stretch of one of those rivers on a busy day? I took some friends from out of state up to a busy stretch of the Colorado last Sept. on a Thursday and probably saw 50 boats in 4 hours, a mix of commercial and private.

 

[Forkyfinder]

So forgive me, haven't fished Montana in 20+ years, but how many boats go down a given stretch of one of those rivers on a busy day? I took some friends from out of state up to a busy stretch of the Colorado last Sept. on a Thursday and probably saw 50 boats in 4 hours, a mix of commercial and private.

Depends on where. But the madison looks more like a boat race sometimes than people fishing.

50 boats could be seen in minutes of driving.

 

[Hem]

So forgive me, haven't fished Montana in 20+ years, but how many boats go down a given stretch of one of those rivers on a busy day? I took some friends from out of state up to a busy stretch of the Colorado last Sept. on a Thursday and probably saw 50 boats in 4 hours, a mix of commercial and private.

A boat every 50-100 yds on Madison during peak season. Fish getting pounded. Alot of Idaho guides with clients too, I think.

 

[cedahm]

So forgive me, haven't fished Montana in 20+ years, but how many boats go down a given stretch of one of those rivers on a busy day? I took some friends from out of state up to a busy stretch of the Colorado last Sept. on a Thursday and probably saw 50 boats in 4 hours, a mix of commercial and private.

In the middle of summer, The Madison is ~2X-3X the boat traffic as Pumphouse-Radium, but everyone is fishing (unlike the upper C where probably 1/3 of the boats are just pleasure rides)

 

[LuketheDog]

A boat every 50-100 yds on Madison during peak season. Fish getting pounded. Alot of Idaho guides with clients too, I think.

Yikes, that's worse than the Colorado on a busy weekend, I'm all for a closed day, or every other day...

 

[Straight Arrow]

everyone is fishing (unlike the upper C where probably 1/3 of the boats are just pleasure rides)

Depends on location. In some stretches of Madison and Missouri Rivers it's even moreso recreational floater pleasure rides, some of which are commercially outfitted.

 

[rjthehunter]

Interesting bill.

I can see both sides. I guide fishing trips in the summer, but it's not my main job.

But I feel that reserving certain days for use by the general public, rather than having public resources be fully sequestered by private for-profit commercial interests, is a good thing.

Guiding fishing trips in that sense is not really different than being a hunting guide, tour guide, filming hunts on public land, or grazing your beef on public land.

 

[Rie Bread]

Can anyone explain if this would also restrict commercial innertube and other flotation recreational commercial outfitters. The exorbitant number of floaters on the stretch between Bear Trap and Black's Ford is likely adversely impacting the fishery on that stretch of the Madison River.

I love fishing that section of river.

 

[longbow51]

You need to address all Blue Ribbon rivers simultaneously, otherwise all that is accomplished is shifting pressure to other rivers/sections of rivers, recreating the same problems.

Doubt this stands much of a chance of passing, though. Too much money opposing vs. regular Montanans without similar resources.

They tried this on the Madison, and MOGA won.

 

[Straight Arrow]

I love fishing that section of river.

Me too. As a college student, I probably spent more time in the Madison River there than in the classroom!

 

[Rie Bread]

Me too. As a college student, I probably spent more time in the Madison River there than in the classroom!

Not the best fishing but damn good big sky views

 

[Straight Arrow]

You need to address all Blue Ribbon rivers simultaneously, otherwise all that is accomplished is shifting pressure to other rivers/sections of rivers, recreating the same problems.

Doubt this stands much of a chance of passing, though. Too much money opposing vs. regular Montanans without similar resources.

They tried this on the Madison, and MOGA won.

Let's try to be more positive and supportive of a bill which I believe is wanted by the preponderance of Montana public river fishing enthusiasts, as well as by NR's who visit to DIY fish.

Are you a Monana voter, longbow51? 'Can't tell from where perspective is offered.