TO: Forrest Bonney – Regional Fisheries Biologist / Maine DIF&W
FROM: Bob Mallard – Owner / Kennebec River Outfitters
DATE: April 16, 2003
RE: Proposed Regulations for the Middle Kennebec River
Dear Forrest,
I greatly appreciate your support in regard to the middle Kennebec River.
While much work remains to be done, I feel strongly that with the addition
of a few stocking sites, a continuing study into the feasibility of “Float Stocking”,
increased access, experimental rainbow trout stocking, and some enhanced regulations
designed to protect the resource, this section of river will finally have a chance
to achieve its potential as central Maine’s premier coldwater fishery.
While I recognize that it is the DIF&W’s policy to allow local sportsmen
to air their concerns, I feel that there are times when the DIF&W should (and
in fact does) look beyond “Public Opinion” in regard to managing a specific resource.
Specifically, I feel that in some cases the economic, environmental, and
long-term recreational impact of a resource should, and I feel must, take precedence
over what is desired by a small group of local sportsmen.
In the case of the middle Kennebec River, I feel that there are many legitimate
reasons why the DIF&W should look beyond the historic reluctance of some local
anglers to embrace stricter regulations and set a future direction for managing
the river based on what is good for the resource, local economy, state economy,
and the growing number of responsible anglers whom utilize this section of river
on a regular basis throughout the season.
I view the current situation in regard to the middle Kennebec similarly
to that recently faced by the DIF&W in regard to our Moose herd. Although many local sportsmen and Special Interest
Groups that represent them were opposed to a proposed reduction in Moose Permits,
the DIF&W chose to (and I feel wisely) put the economic factors associated
with “Moose Watching” and the overall health of the resource above the desires
of the sportsmen.
This is exactly what I am requesting that the DIF&W do in regard to
the middle Kennebec; i.e., look beyond what some local sportsmen want (i.e., status
quo) and do what is best for the resource, local and state economies, and the
growing number of responsible sportsmen who utilize this section of river on a
daily basis from April through October. While the state has to (and should) listen to the public, clearly
they have the right to act as they see fit.
Below is an outline of factors that I feel should be considered before
any decisions are made in regard to how the middle Kennebec will be managed in
the years to come:
Current Fishing Trends – While open-water salmonid fishing on our lakes and ponds appears to
be declining (I have heard and read data from the DIF&W which supports this),
our rivers and streams are as heavily utilized as I can ever remember.
For example, last September during a number of trips to the Moosehead Region
to fish the Roach River, I could not help but notice that the lake appeared empty
yet the Roach River, East Outlet and Moose Rivers were crowded with anglers from
both inside and outside of the state. In
addition, while at camp on Ripogenus Lake during the summer, the number of anglers
on the West Branch far exceeds the number of anglers on the lake. Add to this the popularity of Shawmut Dam,
Grand Lake Stream, Rapid River, Presumscott River, etc., and it is clear that
today’s anglers are favoring “moving” water.
I am also seeing a dramatic increase in Driftboat ownership and guiding
(few Fishing Guides are as busy as the Driftboat Guides) in the state, which also
shows a preference toward rivers. While new to Maine, this trend has been apparent
elsewhere in the country for years (Montana has phenomenal “Stillwater” resources
that are barely utilized while their rivers are some of the most heavily fished
in the country.) As such, for a fisheries program to prosper in this day and age,
moving water must be a primary focus.
Consistency in Management – At this point in time, the Kennebec River above Wyman Lake and below
Shawmut Dam has conservative regulations (ALO, 1-fish limit, etc.) designed to
protect and enhance the respective fisheries.
As you are well aware, the river below Shawmut Dam is almost a 100% stocked
fishery and is in fact “marginal” habitat for salmonids. In addition, the river above Wyman Lake is
in serious trouble due to a recent surge in the population of illegally introduced
smallmouth bass (most likely due to two consecutive warm seasons).
However, the river between Wyman Dam and Skowhegan (which many feel is
by far the most productive stretch of river) remains open to bait angling and
liberal creel limits. With the stricter regulations in place above
Wyman Lake and below Shawmut Dam, we are by default driving bait anglers (whom
take a higher toll on the resource than ALO or FFO anglers) into what most anglers
familiar with the watershed consider the “premier” section of the river and what
is in fact home to some of the largest stocks of wild fish to be found in the
entire river.
The Impact of Regulations on Usage – As an angler whom fishes all over the state and
the owner of a fly shop, I can state without hesitation that our “Regulated” waters
are our most “Utilized” waters. This can
be easily seen during late May and early June when upwards of forty anglers can
be seen fishing at Shawmut Dam. This is also true for most other regulated waters found in the state
(Rapid, East Outlet, Roach, West Branch, etc.). Although some may argue that they are utilized because they offer
superior fishing, many would argue that they offer superior fishing because they
are regulated. Either way, make no mistake
about it; our regulated salmonid waters are being utilized by anglers at a very
high rate (and a much higher rate than our unregulated waters). As such, if increasing usage is a goal of the
DIF&W, improving regulations is a proven effective strategy.
The Impact of Regulations on the Cost of Maintaining the Fishery - Regulated waters are by default cheaper for the state
to manage due to a lessened requirement for stocked fish resulting from the reduced
mortality associated with stricter creel limits (this would be the case with much
of the Kennebec). With the immanent reduction
in the availability of fish for stocking (especially browns), stricter regulations
can and should be used to maintain (and many believe improve) the current fishery.
The Impact of Usage on the State and Local Economy – Usage on our rivers and streams has a direct and
immediate impact on our economy. In addition
to bringing relief to local economies (Somerset County is one of the if not the
poorest county in Maine and Bingham is one of the poorest towns in the state)
in the form of meals, lodging, retail, guiding, shuttles, etc., the state reaps
the benefit of increased license sales, sales tax, meals and lodging tax, tolls,
etc. While the Bait Dealers have suggested
that a decrease in the amount of water open to bait fishing will result in a decrease
in Sales Tax revenue, as the owner of a Fly Shop in the effected area I can assure
you that an increase in “Regulated” water will generate sales that will more than
offset the loss (compare my quarterly tax payments with theirs).
There are numerous towns throughout the country that survive almost exclusively
on angling tourism (Deposit NY, Polaski NY, Livingston MT, etc.).
However, in Maine we have experienced a steady decline in Fishing Licenses
(according to statistics I have received from the DIF&W).
This decrease in license sales has a huge trickle-down effect in regard
to both local and state economies (we are losing hundreds of dollars in adjunct
spending for each angler we lose to another area).
Rainbow Trout – As a member
of SAM’s Fishing Initiative Committee, I am aware of the experimental rainbow
trout stocking program that is being sponsored by the DIF&W. While apparently the initial feedback is that
it is going well (anglers like the rainbows and they are doing well in our waters),
we have a “wild” rainbow fishery here on the Kennebec below Wyman Dam that has
been very much neglected over the years. This population of wild rainbows has been self-sustaining since
the early to mid 70’s and represents by far the strongest of its kind in all of
New England (and some would argue the only one). Left unchecked, we could lose this fishery (the numbers are clearly
down) at the very time we decide to utilize rainbows in our stocking plans (it
would be a real travesty to have these fish survive 25+ years in the wild only
to be replaced with “stocked” fish of the same species). Although not “native”, this fishery has the
potential of being one of Maine’s most economically valuable coldwater fisheries
due to the fact that they are wild fish, some of the only ones in the northeast,
and clearly preferred by many of today’s resident and non-resident anglers.
As such, these rainbows should be given the same consideration and level
of protection that we would give any wild salmonid fishery.
Brown Trout – Having fished
all across the country, I can assure you that there is no brown trout fishery
with the potential of the middle Kennebec (Skowhegan to Solon) north of the West
Branch of the Delaware in New York (considered the finest coldwater fishery in
the east). The recent study done by Klienschmidt
Associates indicates that the largest browns in the entire watershed reside in
Madison (many fish over 20” Were seen). In addition, I have personally caught and seen
numerous browns over 20” in Solon and a few that large in Skowhegan. Also note that while the brown trout fishery
below Madison is primarily stocked fish, some of those found north of Madison
are of wild origin (and there may be some spawning in the lower Sandy River and
Weserunsett Stream). Like the Wyman rainbows,
these represent some of just a few wild brown trout fisheries in the state and
quite possibly, the strongest in all of New England. In addition to Madison quietly becoming one
of the more popular wading destinations in central Maine, Solon is arguably the
most heavily “floated” (and guided) pieces of water in the state making it a very
valuable commercial resource. Like the
Wyman rainbows, these wild browns should be given the same consideration and protection
that I would give any wild salmonid fishery.
Name Recognition – Few if any bodies of water in the state have received the level of press
that the Kennebec River has over the past few years. In addition to the Edwards Dam removal drawing
national attention, the Kennebec has been featured in countless newspaper articles,
at least two national Fly Fishing Publication (American Angler – 2000, Fly Rod
& Reel - 2003), several local and regional TV stations (i.e., Boston 5 / Chronicle:
Back Roads of New England – 2002, Portland 8 - 2003, Bangor 5), and a national
Outdoor Radio Show (Mike Jackson Outdoors / Serving 91 Markets – 2003).
In addition, the Kennebec River is due to be featured in a book by Ralph
Kylloe entitled “America’s Great Rivers: Eastern” scheduled to come out in the
fall of 2004 (the trip on the Kennebec river has already taken place). With the current focus on the Kennebec, it
is important that the State builds on this momentum and takes advantage of this
free PR to try to attract anglers to the watershed.
Tourism Infrastructure – Few if any bodies of water in the state with quality fishing have the
infrastructure required to support sound fisheries based tourism (i.e., many are
beyond the power grid or located in undeveloped areas). This is not however the case with the middle
Kennebec which boasts two fly shops, numerous guides, sufficient year-round lodging,
multiple restaurants, 24-hour gas, and a wide variety of general retail services.
In addition, there is a golf course, theatre, fairgrounds, bowling alley, and
is just 30 minutes from the heart of the whitewater rafting industry.
This infrastructure would allow for the development of a viable and marketable
tourist-based fishery that would benefit all involved.
Proximity to Population Centers – Few if any top quality fishing destinations in the
state are located as close to major population centers as the middle Kennebec.
Located 45 minutes from Augusta/Waterville, an hour from Bangor, 2 hours
from Portland and just 3.5 hours from Boston, the Kennebec can be easily reached
by residents and non-residents alike. As
such, the tourism potential of the Kennebec is not limited by its distance from
major population centers as is the case with many other Maine waters.
This along with the infrastructure in place makes the middle Kennebec an
attractive option for those looking for evening and weekend angling.
Status of Waterville and Shawmut Trout Fisheries – After 2 years of low water and extreme warm temperatures,
the popular Shawmut Dam fishery has not held up well. A quick look at the archives of any local fly
fishing forum or a call to the local shops will tell you that this is clearly
the case. In addition, with the removal
of Edwards Dam, although a quality striper fishery has emerged, many feel that
it was at the expense of the once popular brown trout fishery. If this is true, anglers looking for quality
salmonid fishing will need to move further upriver placing an additional burden
on the already crowded Shawmut resource. However,
if the Shawmut fishery does not come around, the middle Kennebec will offer the
only viable alternative for those seeking quality trout fishing within commuting
distance of Augusta. Lastly, while both
the Shawmut and Waterville fisheries are attractive to resident anglers, they
are not likely to provide any level of tourism relief due to their suburban/urban
nature.
Health – There are PCB’s,
Dioxins, etc., present in much of the middle Kennebec (Madison to Fairfield) that
can cause cancer and other health problems. As such, the state has placed a “Consumption
Advisory” on much of the river that recommends no more than 1 – 2 meals of salmonids
per month. However, the state allows (even
under the proposed regulations) anglers to harvest what consists of potentially
30 meals per month. If we know enough
to warn people not to eat more than 1-4 fish month, why do we allow them to harvest
up to 60 per month. This simply does not
make sense and in my opinion represents a real disconnect between government agencies.
In the case of Skowhegan, many anglers harvest fish while standing on the
outflow of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Add
to this that in certain instances untreated sewage is released into the Kennebec
and it is hard to understand why any harvest at all is allowed.
Environmental Concerns – As someone who spends a significant amount of time on the middle Kennebec,
I can state without hesitation that bait angling is the number one source of litter
on the river. A trip to any of the popular
bait fishing spots will show discarded worm containers, bottles, cans, broken
glass, and general trash. In addition, I have retrieved hundreds of yards of spent monofilament
from many sections of river that presents a real threat to wildlife including
waterfowl, mammals and most importantly, eagles. This is especially important in Madison where
the area being considered for “Kids Only Bait Fishing” is directly across from
an active eagle nest.
Support for Non-Consumptive Anglers – Here in the middle Kennebec Valley there is nowhere
that non-consumptive anglers can go and not have their sport negatively impacted
by the actions of the consumptive anglers (we have NO regulated water).
While it is only fair that bait fishermen have a place to go, it is totally
unfair to ignore the pleas of responsible non-consumptive anglers who are simply
looking for a place where they can find “Quality” fishing.
As a group, we are continually forced to “compromise” while the other anglers
have refused to give an inch. If the DIF&W
were to fairly represent all groups of anglers, there would be bait, ALO and FFO
sections on all waters. However, we are
forced to fight for even a short stretch of ALO water when what we would really
like to see if FFO/C&R. This represents a clear compromise on our part and as such warrants
an equal compromise on the part of the bait anglers. If they do not see it that way, the DIF&W
should step in and mandate a fair plan that considers ALL anglers.
I feel strongly that the middle/upper Kennebec represents what could be
the “crown jewel” of Maine salmonid fisheries.
Managed properly, this watershed could offer outstanding angling opportunities
to residents and non-residents alike which in turn will benefit both the local
and state economies. With the decline
in license sales (which in turn results in a decline in related expenditures),
I feel it is time to take advantage of non-typical sport fisheries such as the
Kennebec (lakes, ponds and small streams are just not going to do it).
As
regulations designed to enhance the fishery on the middle Kennebec River are clearly
long overdue (how many states would fail to take advantage of this resource?),
it is important that we do not “water down” the current proposals on the table
in an attempt to appease a small minority of local anglers whom put their own
interests above the resource, local economy, and rest of the angling community.
As such, while some level of concessions should and in fact already have
been made (e.g., tailwaters vs. entire river, etc.), the state should not alter
the proposals simply because someone speaks loudly against them at a town meeting.
Sincerely,
Bob Mallard
CC:
Peter Bourque - Director of Fisheries Program Development / Maine DIF&W
John Boland - Director of Fisheries Operations / Maine DIF&W
Don Kleiner – Director of Information and Education / Maine DIF&W
Paul Jaques - Deputy Commissioner / Maine DIF&W
R. Dan Martin – Commissioner / Maine DIF&W
FYI:
Sean McCormick – President / Kennebec Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Greg Ponte – President / Maine State Council Trout Unlimited
Jeff Reardon – Regional Director / Trout Unlimited
Jack Gibson – President / Somerset Chapter of Trout Unlimited
George Smith – Executive Director / Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine