AOTY fish Q

Hahaha, he found a unicorn fish!

Brook Trout is actually a Char, so lumping them with together with trout may offend the nerdies. 

Brook Trout is actually a Char, so lumping them with together with trout may offend the nerdies. 

Brook trout should be lumped in with the other char (lake trout, bull trout, dolly varden) which we do currently have a slot for.

Brown trout and Atlantic salmon could also be lumped into it's own category.

I know we have lots of fish to chase but I have to wonder why brook and brown trout arnt listed?one would think they would be since they are pretty widespread.

I'd love to see both of those.  I got the vibe the contest might be decreasing in fish species.  Look towards the end http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=12310.0

Agree on adding more species. The contest is kind of a delicate balance, and I get that. I guess it depends on the goals of the organizers.

Threadjack: My #1 species pet peeve is that freshwater yellow perch are included in "panfish" because that means any other "panfish" are useless for points (a small perch is generally longer than a large crappie, for example).

Threadjack #2: My #2 species pet peeve is that carp get no love. I realize that unless the fish's name starts with "Sal" and ends with "mon" no one in this area cares, but it's a legit sportfish in most of the world and it can be difficult to catch large specimens (so I'd advocate for a relatively low points per inch to encourage finding the big ones).

All that said, I think AOTY is a great challenge and is well-run overall. Just don't get me started on the catch-n-release policy. 

I think you might be underestimating the size of Oregon crappie.

I think you might be underestimating the size of Oregon crappie.

I think you might be overestimating my fishing abilities! 

I admit it may be me. I've caught a few crappie in Oregon that made dinner, and they were maybe 9 inches. I haven't caught a lot of perch in Oregon but 10-12 inchers seem pretty common in photos, and of course 14ers aren't uncommon. So are you telling me that 12 inch crappie are common? If so then please take me fishing!

All that said, I think AOTY is a great challenge and is well-run overall. Just don't get me started on the catch-n-release policy. 

I definitely agree with this statement and I'll continue to enter (with zero chance of winning).

It would be nice to see a few more changes though.  (Especially the carp)

I've definitely have caught A LOT more 10"-12"Crappie in Oregon than any Yellow Perch over 6".   There seems to be a "metric butt ton" of tiny bait snatching Yellow Perch in damn near all of our warm water fisheries. 

I've only seen a handful of Yellow Perch caught over 10" over many years around here. 

What was the reasoning for keeping the number of species down? Im sure it was explained, but i cant remember. Seems to me like the more the better. More people would have a chance at getting their ten species, and it would encourage some people to fish for species they have never targeted before. Thats what its all about for me. Half of the species I caught last year, I had never caught before in my life and maybe never would have if i didnt sign up for AOTY.

Damned if you, damned if you don't.  In the early days of AOTY we only had 10 species.  We've been expanding ever since.  But some long for "the 10".

It's too early in the year to discuss AOTY.  Can't we wait until the fall season slows down?

-Allen

It's too early in the year to discuss AOTY.  Can't we wait until the fall season slows down?

-Allen

You not the Boss.... oh wait. crap!

Proposed new rule for 2015:
Only Barbie style kiddie poles with the integrated reels should be used for all species!   
(Barbie, Pretty Princess, Tinkerbell, Ironman, Spiderman, Cars, etc...)

Clause #1: Additional points are added to each fish caught using said kiddie pole, vs. any other traditional rod/reel combo.

Or......

Clause #2: If you decide to enter a fish that was caught on any other traditional rod/reel combo, then you must forfeit THAT combo to anyone else in the AOTY contest for $15, no questions asked.