“Everything that we’ve worked for the last 40 years has been taken away.”
And so was one of the comments that resonated after the recent regulation change on Henrys Lake.
Mostly fly anglers, passionate about the famed fishery, determined long ago that ice angling was detrimental to fish abundance, size and the fishery in general. Staying the course for what had been successful for decades seemed to be the choice for future generations.
Yet many who favor the hard water, longed for additional opportunity. Extending the season not only provided additional days in field, but also did not impact the relative health of the fishery. Most biologists agreed.
And so, in three bursts, regulations have changed. The newest round sets a year-round fishery with a period of catch and release intertwined. Ice anglers now have unlimited fishing given sound ice. And add in a new period of open water angling prior to the traditional Memorial opener.
Many if not most fly anglers were disappointed. Most Henrys Lake Foundation (HLF) members fall into the fly angling category. You can deduce where the board and membership landed on this issue.
Some are passionate about the negative perceived consequences of ice angling. Yet many do support the science that suggests that angling mortality is and will be inconsequential to abundance. The HLF has long taken the stance of protectionism. Along the north shore of Henrys Lake sits an egg taking station. As the only adfluvial Yellowstone cutthroat station in the world, protecting it is paramount. Opportunity they say abounds without an extension. Providing a couple additional months of ice angling during the waning catch rate period in times of poor access is not really adding much. Likewise, another couple of months of sketchy ice, yet no open water is not providing opportunity. Two or three additional weeks of open water prior to Memorial Day does provide some new opportunity. Yet that period coincides with tributary and natural spawning. Why risk what habitat specialists have worked decades for?
Other anglers say, “why not?” If it doesn’t hurt, do it. They too have a point. Even as fishing and hunting regulations are filled with rules that limit opportunity without sound biological reasoning, why not provide opportunity wherever it exists? Natural production is minimal anyway.
The difficult decision has been made. The HLF board maintains focus. Regulations aside, challenges to the fishery remain. In the era of wealth and second homes, development is relative. A long-protected tributary is now “for sale.” Shoreline protection and access remains critical. Research is as important as ever. The HLF continues to go to the coffers when needs arise.
For 40 years, the HLF has remained constant. When a pressure machine was needed to maintain hybrid trout production, the HLF gladly handed out a needed 10k to purchase it. When another 10k was needed to purchase an egg picking machine, again the HLF stepped in. When money was needed to purchase brook trout eggs to restart that species production, again HLF. When cash was needed to provide research dollars to better understand the fishery, you guessed it. Whenever cash match is needed for grants, the HLF membership steps in. Another 10k just last month. HLF commitments such as these benefit all anglers.
The HLF does not wane. Our goal is to work diligently for the fishery. Every dollar goes to support the fishery. No salaried board members here. If you glean benefit from the fishery and want to help protect it. Join! Fly angler, ice angler, bait angler, any angler; join. Enjoy the lake and ecosystem and do not fish? Join! Disagree with membership? Join anyway. And become a board member if you so desire.
In the end, you can say not only do you respect our treasured fishery, but you also support the protection of such. You’ve put forth an effort to protect the resource for the future. You have tried to do your part.
Damon Keen,
Vice President
Henrys Lake Foundation
