Not sure about FWP, but Colorado has a MA program. I agree that consistently catching big fish takes skill, but when the prize is literally a piece of paper and your name on a list, who cares. It’s not as exclusive as it sounds. Imagine if the BC minimum for mule deer was 150.
Master angler isn't about consistency, you only have to catch 1 fish. How do you consistently catch large fish other than use large lures? I've caught more large fish than I can remember, but caught a ton of small ones in between, isn't it just playing the odds? Am I a better fisherman than the next guy because I've caught 10 bass over 10 lbs? I'm thinking its more how many hours you spend fishing, how many casts you make.
FWP actually does not have a Master Hunter Program. The Montana Master Hunter Program is ran by a non-profit.
Yeah it’s a weird phenomenon in the industry for sure, I heard Wyoming started a master program for setting baits for the spring bear season.Can anyone change my mind that "master angler" status is the most ridiculous thing in the world when it comes to fishing? It takes zero extra skill to catch a huge fish vs a small fish. A 3 yo with a snoopy rod can catch a 24" trout, silliness i tell ya. Yeah, I'm bored, looking to start some pot stirring
Good idea. I’m going to start measuring my big game in mm so I can keep up with @Greenhorn. There will be no pictures.
I don’t care about this master angler thing you are talking about. I would agree that sometimes it’s luck, and time on the water is everything. There are however anglers that learn the location, habits, attitude etc of larger specimens of a given species, and target those fish. For instance, there’s a guide on CXI that is known for catching big GT’s (25#-50#+) I fished with him several days and learned that he targets the big GT’s in a completely different manner than the small (5-25#) fish. The bigger ones prefer different water, different size of bait, different action on the bait, etc etc. After 3 days of getting denied by the jumbo GT’s, we went and caught a smaller one on the first cast. Younger fish are more eager to eat and easier to land. No different than how we target the bigger lake trout on flathead different than we would “any fish.”
Or you are definitive proof that everyone is a master angler. Nice fish.
I wouldn't agree with that. Well, if it is high-fence, then that's a different discussion.
Wouldn’t that make you a master baiter!?
