Official 2013 AOTY Signups

The AOTY system will not be able to be updated by Jan 1 and we're not completely done with the rule changes.  We'd like to institute a 1 week grace period for signups.  The grace period is that any fish caught in the first week (Jan 1-7) can be entered in AOTY provided the entry fee is paid by Jan 8.  This allows you to see the full rules update before the final rules are posted (by Jan 7).  Currently accepted rule changes to AOTY are as follows.  We still need to decide on PPI for the new species.

Please read all the rules updates below as there are some pretty major clarifications.  In addition, we will be instituting a strict mouth shut policy on entries.

I'll update this as we finish each issue.  Or you mods can do it, with your super-cool mod buttons.


Measurement of fish and photographs:
Photographs must be clear, with measurements easily read.  It is recommended to use a sharpie on measuring devices that are not clearly marked.  The ENTIRE fish must show on the measuring device in at least 1 picture.  Missing portions of the head or tail will result in a disqualification of the fish.  Any fish that has the appearance of possibly being not qualified for entry (such as the appearance of an adipose fin from a non native retention body of water) will be disqualified.  Participants are responsible for ensuring the pictures are of sufficient quality to demonstrate the legality of the catch as defined by the rules of the state where the fish was caught.

Fish may NOT be gutted, have their throat cut or ripped through, or manipulated in any way prior to photographs being taken.  Cutting of gills is permitted.

Tails may be pressed together or tilted. 

Mouth may be slightly ajar in a natural position.  Any entries with indication of manipulation or unnatural mouth position will be disqualified.  Examples of manipulation include, but are NOT limited to:  flared gills, extended lips, lower jaw is noticeably longer than the snout.  Final determination will be made at the judgement of the AOTY committee.  Entries that are judged to have violated this rule with be disqualified.


Mothership Rule:
Use of motherships is prohibited.  "Mothership" is defined as arriving by and launching from a boat.  Use of a vessel(e.g. water taxi, ferry, or privately owned boat) to travel to a destination for overnight or multi-day trips is not considered mothershipping.  Camping on boats is permitted and kayaks may be launched from the boat, as long as the vessel was moored overnight and the kayaks are launched from the overnight mooring location.


Use of guides:
Fish caught while participating in, or in conjunction with, a paid and/or guided trip may not be entered.  This includes guides, comped participants, and paid clients.

Clarification of Sails/Motors:  Sails and/or motors are not allowed onboard even if they are not used.


Divisions:
In addition to the overall division, we will be adding state divisions based on which state license you used for the catch (which license is especially relavent for the Columbia River fisheries).


Point adjustments:

Cutthroat Trout +.5 to 8.5
Kokanee +1 to 11
Largemouth Bass +.5 to 9.5
Panfish +1 to 13
Rainbow Trout +.5 to 8
Surf Perch+.5 to 13
Walleye+.5 to 7.5

New Species:
Sockeye Salmon (PPI TBD)
Pink Salmon (PPI TBD)
Grayling (PPI TBD)
Dolly Varden / Bull Trout / Arctic Char (PPI TBD)
Catfish (PPI TBD)

Awesome. Thanks Allen.
Good to know about the closed mouth rule. Is this a rule revision from 2012 where the mouth could be slightly ajar?


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Awesome. Thanks Allen.
Good to know about the closed mouth rule. Is this a rule revision from 2012 where the mouth could be slightly ajar?


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Yes

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I like that division by state idea.  Not too many offshore islands for camping in WA and OR.

And the new mothership regs.  Hmmm, do I have any yacht deliveries next summer?....let me check my schedule and get back to you on that one. Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark!

What prompted the no AOTY fish from guided trips clause?

I assume after reading the "Non Guided" clause that entries from trips such as Foggy Bay would no longer be eligible? Transport/food/shelter/boats/other gear provided by an outside paid party is surely considered a guided trip...

I can't speak for everyone, but for me, using guides to catch fish for AOTY does not seem very sporting or fair.  For example, I have no idea how to catch bass - if I pay a guide to take me out and catch a bass, I'm not really using my own skills.

As for Foggy Bay:  The rule reads "paid and/or guided" and Foggy Bay is definitely a paid trip, even if you're a comped participant, so fish caught on that trip won't count for AOTY.

And the new mothership regs.  Hmmm, do I have any yacht deliveries next summer?....let me check my schedule and get back to you on that one. Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark!

BTW, it's not really a new mothership reg.  It's a refinement of the wording to make it more clear.

-Allen

I can't speak for everyone, but for me, using guides to catch fish for AOTY does not seem very sporting or fair.  For example, I have no idea how to catch bass - if I pay a guide to take me out and catch a bass, I'm not really using my own skills.

As for Foggy Bay:  The rule reads "paid and/or guided" and Foggy Bay is definitely a paid trip, even if you're a comped participant, so fish caught on that trip won't count for AOTY.

Yeah, what Lee said.

Believe me, we debated long and hard about this.  At the end of the day, we believe it is in the spirit of AOTY to pit the individual kayak angler against the fish.  You'll see this same theme in the mothership clause, the guide clause, and the sail/motor clause.

-Allen

The guides themselves should also be disqualified from any and all entries in AOTY.

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Hello Catfish 

I'm already looking forward to the new season.  I WILL break 1000 points this year.

I can't speak for everyone, but for me, using guides to catch fish for AOTY does not seem very sporting or fair.  For example, I have no idea how to catch bass - if I pay a guide to take me out and catch a bass, I'm not really using my own skills.

As for Foggy Bay:  The rule reads "paid and/or guided" and Foggy Bay is definitely a paid trip, even if you're a comped participant, so fish caught on that trip won't count for AOTY.

I somewhat agree with you Lee, just curious what prompted it.  Seems like an "end around" to eliminate "big fish trips" like Foggy Bay due to all the previous whining.

So how is one person fishing alone in a remote area the same as being guided?

Who said it was?  Look Bill, we know that you're likely to go on the Foggy Bay trip as a non-paying or non-paid participant.  You're still a participant if on that trip and fish entries are not eligible.  Now, if you and some friends do a DIY trip out there, that's fair game.

The guides themselves should also be disqualified from any and all entries in AOTY.

They are disqualified, if they are guiding a trip.  If they are fishing alone, they are eligible.

Note that the rules are also crafted to keep things black and white.  It makes it easier for all involved to make determinations of eligibility.  Please don't go looking for loopholes in the rules.  We'll shut them down as fast as anyone can bring them up.

-Allen

Hello Catfish 

I'm already looking forward to the new season.  I WILL break 1000 points this year.

Catfish are one of the ones we are struggling with what a fair PPI will be.  Would appreciate some feedback on this.

-Allen

We specifically crafted the mothership clarification to allow for people to go out on "big fish trips", you just have to set it up yourself, instead of paying someone to do all the leg work for you. 

I will put in my vote that all guides be ineligible from AOTY participation as it is an unfair advantage.

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