barbless in alberta

[shackless]

There was alot of talk on that other forum about barbless hooks being ok. When I read that, I could not believe it... so I called
Executive Director, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Branch Daniel Boyco to confirm.

There is currently a glitch in the law that prevents the enforcement of barbless hooks. ESRD can no longer ticket for it.
When i asked if the intent was to fix this glitch,  mr Boyco did not care to speculate on it.

So... I went to the horses mouth because i only believe a little of what I read :-)

I definitely have mixed feelings on this... hope the mortality rate doesn't go to high.. but glad I will keep more on the hook :-)

-(notso) Shackless

[#1fisherman]

This is a sticky issue (pun intended) for a great deal of anglers. I have read a study in an American fly fishing magazine which concluded that barbless hooks actually move more and therefore create a larger hole in the fishes mouth and in some cases coming out and re-entering several times thereby creating several holes. I comply with the regulations if I think they are sound or not, simply because I don't ever want to lose my privilege to fish. I fail to see why an oversight by the angler, to remember to crush the barb of a new hook, put on while experiencing fast action or while their mind is engaged in conversation, should be penalized when, manufacturers are still allowed to make and sell barbed hooks. I personally am in favour of micro barbs, they help hold the fish more securely while allowing for easier removal. More than enough studies have been conducted to determine that the mortality of most released fish is near 50% mostly due to too lengthy a battle, the fisherman should have brought them in greener or poor handling of the fish once caught and not returning it quickly enough to the water. The fact of the matter is this, the fish on the planet in general but especially in this province are under tremendous pressure from many fronts, historically high numbers of anglers, loss of habitat, pollution, poaching. In the big picture who really cares if someone used a barbed hook when a multinational company(pick one) can dump toxic effluent into a stream or river or lake and wipe it out in hours. If catch and release mortality rates are our goal then we should not penalize a segment of the population who wish to retain a meal of healthy fish. We need to designate more water as catch and release and then barbless hooks only or micro barbed would be the required standard. The area our government is failing us in is a lack of enforcement and dealing with companies who destroy our watershed so harshly that they are forced to comply to the letter of the law.

[CMMahy]

Very interesting! Thanks for chasing down an answer and sharing it!

Now that I'm used to it, I'll be staying barbless. After an incident this summer on a semi-remote lake where I had one hook of a crankbait buried in the back of my hand, and the other still in the mouth of a VERY angry 5lb pike, I'm sold on the idea. Being able to remove the hook quickly with my fingers afterwards, and not with side cutters, sealed the deal.

Plus I find I'm not loosing all that many fish compared to the barbed hooks I used when I lived in Ontario.

[#1fisherman]

Good point (pun intended) about hook removal!

[laclabiche walleye hunter]

This is a sticky issue (pun intended) for a great deal of anglers. I have read a study in an American fly fishing magazine which concluded that barbless hooks actually move more and therefore create a larger hole in the fishes mouth and in some cases coming out and re-entering several times thereby creating several holes. I comply with the regulations if I think they are sound or not, simply because I don't ever want to lose my privilege to fish. I fail to see why an oversight by the angler, to remember to crush the barb of a new hook, put on while experiencing fast action or while their mind is engaged in conversation, should be penalized when, manufacturers are still allowed to make and sell barbed hooks. I personally am in favour of micro barbs, they help hold the fish more securely while allowing for easier removal. More than enough studies have been conducted to determine that the mortality of most released fish is near 50% mostly due to too lengthy a battle, the fisherman should have brought them in greener or poor handling of the fish once caught and not returning it quickly enough to the water. The fact of the matter is this, the fish on the planet in general but especially in this province are under tremendous pressure from many fronts, historically high numbers of anglers, loss of habitat, pollution, poaching. In the big picture who really cares if someone used a barbed hook when a multinational company(pick one) can dump toxic effluent into a stream or river or lake and wipe it out in hours. If catch and release mortality rates are our goal then we should not penalize a segment of the population who wish to retain a meal of healthy fish. We need to designate more water as catch and release and then barbless hooks only or micro barbed would be the required standard. The area our government is failing us in is a lack of enforcement and dealing with companies who destroy our watershed so harshly that they are forced to comply to the letter of the law.

very well put im in complete agreement with you.

[#1fisherman]

Thanks Laclabiche! I just want to add that those of us who enjoy a meal of fresh fish could have more options if lakes such as Wolf near Edson or Fickle near Edson also, and I'm sure a host of others that I'm not aware of, were opened up for the Walleye in them. These lakes have been closed for Walleye for 10 - 20 years in some cases. Meanwhile anglers are returning large numbers of 4-8 lb. fish. Is the goal to rebuild a lake by classifying it collapsed, stock it, let them grow to maturity and beyond, allow them to predate every other speices in the lake, and then watch them die of old age? If so we're right on track!

[laclabiche walleye hunter]

Thanks Laclabiche! I just want to add that those of us who enjoy a meal of fresh fish could have more options if lakes such as Wolf near Edson or Fickle near Edson also, and I'm sure a host of others that I'm not aware of, were opened up for the Walleye in them. These lakes have been closed for Walleye for 10 - 20 years in some cases. Meanwhile anglers are returning large numbers of 4-8 lb. fish. Is the goal to rebuild a lake by classifying it collapsed, stock it, let them grow to maturity and beyond, allow them to predate every other speices in the lake, and then watch them die of old age? If so we're right on track!

yep well put again the way the goverment manages our fisheries is a joke.

[Jack Frost]

Wow that is crazy.

Surprised there hasn't been an official announcement

[shackless]

Had a girlfriend named Barb once.... she left.... I am now Barbless
(added on later).... she took the house... that's why i am shackless ;-)

[laclabiche walleye hunter]

Had a girlfriend named Barb once.... she left.... I am now Barbless

lol good one 

[WalleyeTom]

Barbed / barbless hooks

Good comments.  I thought there would be more talk on this.  Mind you good discussion, suggestions and comments are much better than just ranting.

[propaganda]

This was posted by Chris K on another forum, he had sent an email to SRD about this and this was the reply

"There is an agreement in place between the government of Alberta and the federal government and the enforces the Fisheries Act (federal) on a provincial level. On September 22, 2011 the Fisheries Act was amended - removing the prohibition of barbed hooks.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers were not informed of the change until Oct 19, 2012. Fish and Wildlife officers have charged approximately 590 people since the change in the legislation, but we are moving to withdraw any charges wipe any convictions and repay fines."

[Shotgun]

Had a girlfriend named Barb once.... she left.... I am now Barbless
(added on later).... she took the house... that's why i am shackless ;-)

If it was the old days you would have tomatoes and other veggies thrown at you.

Nothing to throw so here's a 'BARB"

[#1fisherman]

There is an agreement in place between the government of Alberta and the federal government and the enforces the Fisheries Act (federal) on a provincial level. On September 22, 2011 the Fisheries Act was amended - removing the prohibition of barbed hooks.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers were not informed of the change until Oct 19, 2012. Fish and Wildlife officers have charged approximately 590 people since the change in the legislation, but we are moving to withdraw any charges wipe any convictions and repay fines."

Now if only they would amend the photo radar act I'd have enough money coming back to take February off and go fishing.

[GETFSHN]

Very interesting, I find the barbless hook not a problem. Having guided in BC salmon fishing and BC has had the barbless for three to four years I could probably count on two hands the number of fish lost on a barbless hooks in those last number of years. I like the idea of releasing fish cleanly and if were keeping the fish its easier to remove them without using pliers. Tight lines.

[huntsfurfish]

I have complied with barbless law.  However, I am oposed to it.  There has been little to no scientific evidence to support that there are significant reductions in mortallity rates.  This was known before the law was created and ignored.  Hopefully they will rethink this law in the interim.  Besides lack of evidence, the law was unpopular and unenforceable.  I believe a study from a northwestern state(dont remember which) listed these 3 reasons to recommend against.

Talk to your local bios.  (I believe it was recommended against being make law by the top bio at the time).

Having barbless/barbed voluntary with an educational direction on fish handling would be a better option.

[WalleyeTom]

I would be fishing "barbless".   My understanding is the error has been fixed or is in the process of being fixed.

[#1fisherman]

I was just speaking with an FO 3 days ago and he said it is in the house debate right now and will be reinstated probably by spring. He said an ad campaign will follow announcement, so watch for it.

[IceAnvil]

In the best of interests I would suggest to all fellow Alberta Anglers to continue to fish Barbless hooks until the "Official" word is released by the powers that be.

Food for thought
 

[icepack]

In the best of interests I would suggest to all fellow Alberta Anglers to continue to fish Barbless hooks until the "Official" word is released by the powers that be.

Food for thought
 

A big X2

[Rippped Some Lip]

Good point.Ice Anvil

[WalleyeTom]

I put a stinger hook into the back of my hand the other day.   Lake trout hanging off the big hook and me trying to get it up through the hole with my free hand.   I am sure glad the stinger was barbless. Back of the hand was swollen and black and blue the next day.

[kevins1]

Sure I've lost a few fish with barbless hooks but I find taking the hooks out is a lot easier.  I am able to get the smaller ones back down the hole quicker which I believe causes less stress on the fish.  Just Sayin

[imgonnamissher]

I put a stinger hook into the back of my hand the other day.   Lake trout hanging off the big hook and me trying to get it up through the hole with my free hand.   I am sure glad the stinger was barbless. Back of the hand was swollen and black and blue the next day.

That's a very good reason to stay barbless...It's not just easier to release the fish, but yourself too when your hooked...