ATTENTION EGG CHUCKERS!!!!!!

[flysack]

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2009/05/12/sports/nh864760.txt

Nothing like packing all the spawnchuckers in the lower rivers, another brilliant idea by our state .

FS

[Paine Falls]

"One change is that where the initial proclamation restricted live fish and live eggs, this one also restricts dead fish and dead eggs. That would mean spawn sacks made from eggs obtained out of state, or north of I-90 in Ohio, could not be used south of I-90. Spawn sacks made from certified VHS-free eggs could be used," Petering said.

This indicates to me you can still use eggs south of I-90, but they must be certified VHS free eggs.

I am eager to see what is published through the ODNR and Ohio Agriculture. I have not found anything yet. Anyone else?

[RyanS]

spawn is over rated anyway fellas. there is another bait that will keep up with spawn in almost any situation, at least here in indiana... most of us stop using eggs when we run out of salmon eggs from the fall season. once we run out we switch to the secret weapon instead of taking hen steelhead for bait.

i know its a pain when these things happen, and i believe that its an unnecessary precaution, but it might stop some of the zippers right? im not very familiar with your guys waters, how much fishable water does this law cover? a quarter, half, very little? im just curious.

[flysack]

spawn is over rated anyway fellas.

Spawn is to steelhead as..... Nevermind

Here's a link: http://www.agri.ohio.gov/public_docs/news/2009/05-07-09%20VHS%20Proclamation.pdf

To me it's kinda silly restricting part of a watershed that still can have infected fish all the way up it. The fish carry the disease and will carry it as far as the first impassible barrier on every stream. Sounds to me like it's illegal to keep a fish south of 90 also????? It's inevitable that ducks, birds, raccons, etc will spread it elsewhere.

If it's that serious, it would just make more sense to ban all egg fishing until further notice.

Besides that, without total restriction, it's nearly impossible to enforce the "proclamation." Also, where on earth did the author deduce that it's illegal to strip ANY steelhead of it's eggs based on this regulation (oh, that's right, all steelhead swim past I-90) ?????

Until ODNR puts something in their regulations, it's very unlikely to be regulated and enforced. Also, the regulation sounds sketchy at best as interpreted. Hell, our state has enough trouble enforcing the regulations that are straightforward.

Best advice is to fish only with eggs from the same watershed you're fishing (LAKE ERIE and it's tribs). The rest just truly doesn't make $en$e and is not clear.

I smell something.

FS

[kkilbane]

What's next - a "fly only" zone on our lovely waters (where expensive fly fishing hats with wide brims are required!!).

Although I love to fly fish, am also a huge fan of chucking eggs for these chromers! No netter bait.....Flysack, Lil Bubba, and Dickie C. are living testaments to that!!!

Fish on with your eggs boys!! These fish are hardy!

[Steel Cranium]

If Ohio follows the Michigan model, you will require proof of purchase for minnows or eggs from a VHS-free provider. Buy your eggs from Erie Outfitters - Craig will provide a signed form that states the date, quantity, and type. The bait is limited to the dates on the form (a week or so). Zero tolerance = fish with minnows or eggs without the proper documentation - get fined.

There really isn't another way to do it. The 'honor system' won't work. The "I-90 boundary" part is inaccurate, since the river and fish are the same below and above the boundary. Sort of like having a closed season on lake Erie/stream smallmouth and making the boundary on the rocky the Detroit road bridge. Should be morley or above if the bass are to be protected.

[reo]

"One change is that where the initial proclamation restricted live fish and live eggs, this one also restricts dead fish and dead eggs. That would mean spawn sacks made from eggs obtained out of state, or north of I-90 in Ohio, could not be used south of I-90. Spawn sacks made from certified VHS-free eggs could be used," Petering said.

This indicates to me you can still use eggs south of I-90, but they must be certified VHS free eggs.

I am eager to see what is published through the ODNR and Ohio Agriculture. I have not found anything yet. Anyone else?

All the spawn I use comes from fish that I harvested south of I-90 I have even been lucky enough to get some female browns and kings south of I-90 as well

[RyanS]

spawn is over rated anyway fellas.

Spawn is to steelhead as..... Nevermind

Here's a link: http://www.agri.ohio.gov/public_docs/news/2009/05-07-09%20VHS%20Proclamation.pdf

To me it's kinda silly restricting part of a watershed that still can have infected fish all the way up it. The fish carry the disease and will carry it as far as the first impassible barrier on every streams. Sound to me like it's illegal to keep a fish south of 90 also????? It's inevitable that ducks, birds, raccons, etc will spread it elsewhere.

If it's that serious, it would just make more sense to ban egg fishing until further notice.

Besides that, without total restriction, it's nearly impossible to enforce the "proclamation." Also, where on earth did the author dedude that it's illegal to strip ANY steelhead of it's eggs based on this regulation (oh, that's right, all steelhead swim past I-90) ?????

Until ODNR puts something in their regulations, it's very unlikely to be regulated and enforced. Also, the regulation sounds sketchy at best as interpreted. Hell, our state has enough trouble enforcing the regulations that are straightforward.

Best advice is to fish only with eggs from the same watershed you're fishing (LAKE ERIE and it's tribs). The rest just truly doesn't make $en$e and is not clear.

I smell something.

FS

that exactly what i was thinking too. the wording just seems silly and ignorant. all these fish will move freely across the imaginary line anyway. the whole thing is just not well thought out at all.

the fish can take the virus up the river freely, but the anglers can not take the eggs from the same fish and cross the same line.... hmmm...

[Fingerling]

spawn is over rated anyway fellas. there is another bait that will keep up with spawn in almost any situation, at least here in indiana... most of us stop using eggs when we run out of salmon eggs from the fall season. once we run out we switch to the secret weapon instead of taking hen steelhead for bait.

i know its a pain when these things happen, and i believe that its an unnecessary precaution, but it might stop some of the zippers right? im not very familiar with your guys waters, how much fishable water does this law cover? a quarter, half, very little? im just curious.

If this does become law it will affect the majority of all five main rivers. I-90 north covers what? mabey 1-1/2 miles of water. The only way they can enforce this properly would be a no harvest hens law. As a bait dealer I know I cannot sell emerald shinners south of 90, but it does'nt say you can't buy from me and use them elsewhere even though we have a don't take bait from here and use it there law that is never enforced. Get ready for the trout stamp it's just a matter of time. God knows ODNR can use the money for something stupid.

[RyanS]

it also seems that once you have a note from a certified egg "dealer" that it would pretty much cover all eggs you may have. how are they going to say this spawn bag was made with legal eggs, and this bag was made with illegal eggs? each egg has a serial number printed on it or what? not that im saying its okay to break the law, not at all, but how enforceable is this?

i mean if you look at all the states and watersheds that have had outbreaks of VHS, have they been catastrophic to the species? doesnt really seem so to me. i guess the biggest thing is hatcheries losing all the stock, but the outbreaks that were actually in the environment? am i missing the heavy reports of huge fish loses or what? what do you guys really think. i know its not good either way, but is it hyped up like the pig flu or what?

[RyanS]

spawn is over rated anyway fellas. there is another bait that will keep up with spawn in almost any situation, at least here in indiana... most of us stop using eggs when we run out of salmon eggs from the fall season. once we run out we switch to the secret weapon instead of taking hen steelhead for bait.

i know its a pain when these things happen, and i believe that its an unnecessary precaution, but it might stop some of the zippers right? im not very familiar with your guys waters, how much fishable water does this law cover? a quarter, half, very little? im just curious.

If this does become law it will affect the majority of all five main rivers. I-90 north covers what? mabey 1-1/2 miles of water. The only way they can enforce this properly would be a no harvest hens law. As a bait dealer I know I cannot sell emerald shinners south of 90, but it does'nt say you can't buy from me and use them elsewhere even though we have a don't take bait from here and use it there law that is never enforced. Get ready for the trout stamp it's just a matter of time. God knows ODNR can use the money for something stupid.

you guys dont have a trout stamp or some type of extra charge when you buy your license already? i guess i assumed most other states already had something similar. i always looked at it as a small price to pay to help an awesome fishery, the way i look at it is they dont have to put these fish here for me to catch.

[willber]

I guess the state would rather put in bogus laws to try an enforce something that will spread regardless instead of putting there efforts toward a real threat like Asian Carp. If those things get in the great lakes the state will be hoping for a VHS out break other wise the great lakes will be giant carp ponds.

[Fingerling]

it also seems that once you have a note from a certified egg "dealer" that it would pretty much cover all eggs you may have. how are they going to say this spawn bag was made with legal eggs, and this bag was made with illegal eggs? each egg has a serial number printed on it or what? not that im saying its okay to break the law, not at all, but how enforceable is this?

i mean if you look at all the states and watersheds that have had outbreaks of VHS, have they been catastrophic to the species? doesnt really seem so to me. i guess the biggest thing is hatcheries losing all the stock, but the outbreaks that were actually in the environment? am i missing the heavy reports of huge fish loses or what? what do you guys really think. i know its not good either way, but is it hyped up like the pig flu or what?

EXACTLY As I stated the ONLY way they can enforce this is a NO HEN HARVEST LAW. Otherwise as you stated how will they know? And no I don't read of fish flu in ohio. Just someone with too much time on his/her hands. Again STUPID.

[RyanS]

I guess the state would rather put in bogus laws to try an enforce something that will spread regardless instead of putting there efforts toward a real threat like Asian Carp. If those things get in the great lakes the state will be hoping for a VHS out break other wise the great lakes will be giant carp ponds.

i hear ya on that. the lakes that are confirmed positive for VHS are maintaining their populations of game fish fine from what i understand. and if the asian carp do make it in, you can kiss most or all of our beloved game fish goodbye. they will take out the food chain out from the bottom up. many times greater than the zebra and quagga mussels effected the great lakes ecosystems.

[willber]

I guess the state would rather put in bogus laws to try an enforce something that will spread regardless instead of putting there efforts toward a real threat like Asian Carp. If those things get in the great lakes the state will be hoping for a VHS out break other wise the great lakes will be giant carp ponds.

i hear ya on that. the lakes that are confirmed positive for VHS are maintaining their populations of game fish fine from what i understand. and if the asian carp do make it in, you can kiss most or all of our beloved game fish goodbye. they will take out the food chain out from the bottom up. many times greater than the zebra and quagga mussels effected the great lakes ecosystems.

Absolutely, being a filter feeder if all the zooplankton and other macros disappear, the baitfish can't eat then the gamefish can't eat. It would be an aquatic catastrophe.