Second-rod Option Coming To WA Lakes In August

I never thought it'd come through so fast. But it's true, for $20 two rods is a go.
From our friend Andy @ Northwest Sportsman Magazine:

You could soon be twice as deadly on trout, walleye and other species in Washington (and need to buy twice as much gear!). Fishery managers are moving quickly to allow trollers, bait plunkers and others to use two rods on most lakes in the Evergreen State.

Of course, it will cost most anglers $20, but according to resident trout manager Jim Uehara in Olympia, the option should be available by mid-August.

“We weren’t expecting to make this available until next license season, but we’re expediting it,” he says.

Oregon anglers may also have the option starting in 2010.

Both state’s Legislatures voted to allow it this year, Oregon’s as part of a broad fee-increase package. Washington is also raising license fees starting July 26, and while most will hurt, this one is voluntary. It was authorized by House Bill 1778 and was signed by Governor Gregoire in late May. Money generated by the annual fee (senior anglers will only have to pay $5) will go towards hatchery fish production.

In the Beaver State, a second-pole permit would cost $17.

“We’re on track to do it next year, but need a couple permissions first,” says Jessica Sall with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife in Salem. First, Governor Kulogoski must sign the legislation and then the Fish & Wildlife Commission must approve it, she says.

It would only be legal on stillwaters – lakes, reservoirs, ponds, except Columbia River impoundments and the Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam, she says.

In Olympia, Uehara and others at Fish & Wildlife are “cutting” regulations that would make it legal on freshwater lakes that don’t fall under selective-gear, fly-fishing or juvenile-only regulations.

“Lakes with anadromous fish – we will probably exempt these as well,” he says, but adds, “You might be able to fish with two poles when anadromous fish aren’t in them – Lake Washington for cutts or perch when sockeye and kings aren’t in.”

Uehara doesn’t know how many folks will bite so late in the license year, but you’ll probably find him dragging around Summit, American and Ward lakes for kokanee with an extra rod out.

“It will be very handy to fish with a second rod,” he says.

And of course, all the usual limits still apply – a second rod doesn’t mean a second daily limit, Uehara and Sall point out. And you would also need a regular fishing license.

Idaho allows anglers to use a second rod for $13.75.

“It’s a pretty popular deal,” says Fish & Game spokesman Ed Mitchell in Boise.

A second-pole permit first became available in July 1998, he says, and 5,481 were sold. Last year, 27,465 anglers went out with a pair of rods.

“People like it, and whether you catch your six fish with one pole or two, it doesn’t hurt the resource,” Mitchell says.

Originally, some Gem State waters were exempted, but today second rods are legal everywhere, rivers included, he says.

Uehara says the idea has come up every year during the decade he’s been with the department.

“We’ve had proposals from (warmwater anglers) for a lot of years. ‘Why don’t you just charge a fee for a second rod? The agency needs money,’” he says.

While the department has been “reluctant” to do so because of salmon — multiple rods means faster catches and shorter seasons, he says, and “people want full seasons” — but with a glaring $30 million shortfall in the budget, the second-rod stamp and other increases should raise about $11 million over the next two years.

Uehara says additional lines won’t be allowed on selective-gear and fly waters because they’re more about quality fishing experiences than quantity.

Juvenile waters were exempted because they’re “learning areas,” he adds.

There are 14 fly-only and over 30 youth lakes and ponds.

“There will be plenty of areas to fish with two poles,” Uehara says. He says there are over 8,800 lakes in the state, 17 percent of which are stocked.

An angler preference survey showed that 32 percent of Washington fishermen either strongly supported or supported the option.

“So we figure that half of those will buy it,” Uehara says

Before they’re available, license vendors will have to attend a training session, part of which will be reinforcing where it’s legal, he says.

Hey no fair! 

Hey no fair! 

Time to change the AOTY rules, cut WA fish points in half 

Hey no fair! 

Time to change the AOTY rules, cut WA fish points in half 

Come on now Jay, only for WA fish caught on certain lakes after August 15th or so. 

Yeah, no kidding. Very surpirsed to see it pop up so late in the season. And @ $20 for 5 months it's pretty steep.

Z

5 months?  I thought WA licenses where good till April, I think you'll get 7 1/2 months.

Yeah, no kidding. Very surpirsed to see it pop up so late in the season. And @ $20 for 5 months it's pretty steep.

Z

That trick looks like some strategic bean counting to get a quick buck out of those that can't wait till the next season.   
It's not like their going to pro-rate it, right?

on the cutting the WA points in half. what if we dont opt to use a second pole will our points still be chopped in half?

As far as I'm concerned, there will be no cutting of anyone's points in half.

-Allen

on the cutting the WA points in half. what if we dont opt to use a second pole will our points still be chopped in half?

Cut it by 25%?   

As far as I'm concerned, there will be no cutting of anyone's points in half.

-Allen

... except maybe Jay's!!!   

-Allen

I'm not too woried about there being an unfair advantage.  We Oregonians could outfish double rod weilding Washingtonians with 20 yds of 50lb line wrapped around an empty bleach bottle.

That's right, I said it!  What?   

We Oregonians could outfish double rod weilding Washingtonians with 20 yds of 50lb line wrapped around an empty bleach bottle.

So no more guided trips for you then eh? 

Z

As far as I'm concerned, there will be no cutting of anyone's points in half.

-Allen

... except maybe Jay's!!!   

-Allen

What's half of squat?   zip squat???

We Oregonians could outfish double rod weilding Washingtonians with 20 yds of 50lb line wrapped around an empty bleach bottle.

So no more guided trips for you then eh? 

Z

Did I miss the 1st one?