Correction: "No Change to Seneca Nation Steelhead Season!"

[jhouseman]

Sorry guys! It looks like we were wrong! STEELHEAD SEASON IS OPEN ALL YEAR ON THE SENECA RESERVATION. Does my foot taste good? Not really. Fortunately, we can all fish dropbacks together! See you there.

"Chris Reid tracked down one Roy Isaac (spelling?) this morning via phone. Mr. Isaac apparently heads up all Seneca Nation Conservation Issues. According to Mr. Isaac there is no change to the Steelhead Regulations that were on the book last year. The season is open all year round."

Full story: http://anglers-diaries.blogspot.com/...steelhead.html

[AaronJasper]

Well, if the government of NYS wants to play games with the Sececa Nation of Indians they can do the same. They are a sovereign nation. The river is within their boarders. The governor of NYS wants to tax anything he can. The indians could hold up the entire Thruway if they wanted to, since it runs through their lands. I don't know why Gov. Patterson has to do this to these people. This country has done enough BS to them. Let them make their money on Gas and Ciggarettes. Let them be. They are for the most part extrememly peaceful people. However, when one backs someone into a corner things like this happens.

[Neithan]

The current regs have been on the sheet since 2001 and the same sheet also says trout season closes Sept 30th. On the reg sheet there is a section that starts with "Muskellunge" and ends with bass that states the season as third sat in June to Sept 30th. Above that the regs clearly state Coho, Chinook Pink Salmon and Steelhead as open all year 9" min and limit of 5 in combination. According to your "story" someone was confronted by a SNI CO and told that fishing was now illegal. You then claim to have called the SNI offices to have them tell you the same thing. Well the SNI offices have been closed all week, so when exactly did you call them for confirmation? When you called, you say someone told you over the phone that these new regs were already in effect? correct? wouldn't these new regs take effect after the first of the year when the current license ends? Sorry but i'm confused. All of the SNI members i know were asked about this and none of them had heard of any changes to these regs. I even talked to a SNI FF guide and he knew nothing of it as well. You are the only source for this information, anywhere. Care to Clarify?

[Dave]

I have to say that there is one thing really puzzling, or "fishy" about this whole scenario. It is now the END of December, one month after these "new regs" have been instituted. The Catt is not exactly a "no-name" hidden creek. Just the opposite, it is known as the crown jewel of "steelhead alley", and while I haven't fished it myself, EVERY SINGLE ANGLER that I know who fishes for steelhead has fished this system (and fishes it often). I don't understand why or how something like this could be a neglected topic for an entire month? It seems to me that this would be something that would be the "talk of the town" for MONTHS leading up to the new regulation date.

Rumors had been circulating about the new Fly Zone regs on the Salmon River months, probably even years in advance. In fact, it was hard to miss the new regulation because of the fact that it belonged to the Salmon River.

[jhouseman]

Aaron, that's really the flip side of it. All though it's gut wrenching to think about this water being off limits it might be a good move for the Nation. I agree completely, NYS should keep it's hands out of their pockets and honor old treaties. This is another situation where our government is not representing us well.

Guys, I've relayed all the only information we currently have. Personally, I really hope this ends up being a mistake on someone's part. It's heartbreaking to think we can't fish this water. If it's mine then we'll make amends, but currently this is what the information is telling us. Maybe this is just one over lealous officer's misinterpretation. Time will tell.

[Neithan]

Dejon Hamann- I asked a question there and maybe you didn't see it. Anyway, did you call the SNI offices on the 23 and have someone there confirm this reg change?

[SlowNDeep]

From your blog: "Why the new Regs? After some serious brainstorming we can’t imagine the root of these changes. There are some strong theories though."

Serious brainstorming? Theories? Speculation recently had gasoline over $4.00/gallon in Massachusetts.

Can we stick to facts?

Who did you speak with? Which office?

Did your friend bring copies of the pamphlets he was shown? Can you post copies of them, hi-res photos on your blog, here, or photobucket?

Contact Info:

Cattaraugus Reservation
William Seneca Building
12837 Route 438
Irving, NY 14081
(716) 532-4900

[Neithan]

"Personally, I really hope this ends up being a mistake on someone's part. It's heartbreaking to think we can't fish this water. If it's mine then we'll make amends, but currently this is what the information is telling us."- dejonhamann

Well Dejon according to every reputable source including the SNI this story of yours seems to be entirely incorrect. You could still tell us when you called for that confirmation you told us about, but most people have already figured out you made the whole thing up, since you and your blog were also the only source for this misinformation. I guess we'll all be waiting for those amends.

[jhouseman]

Neithan, or whoever you really are. Don't ruin this great forum with your "internet toughguy" BS. You obviously only came here to stir the pot.

The information we have reported is solid and truthful. When we get more info either way I'll report again.

In the meantime. If you're so sure I have a suggestion. Call the Seneca Nation Conservation Dept. and tell them you're going down to fish Steelhead on Clear Creek on a certain day, do it, and report back. Good luck! And thanx for your readership

[Neithan]

"And thanx for your readership"


We all knew that's what it was about and there is no "internet tough guy" here. All I did was ask questions about your story and then draw a conclusion when it turned out to be false. You brought this up and I asked for confirmation and you lied. I have called the SNI offices and so have many people and they have no idea what you are talking about. The offices were not open when you claim you called them. Once again you were the sole source for this misinformation. These types of forums are based on true reports and misinformation should not be tolerated for the good of the forum. If your reputation suffers due to posting wrong information it is deserved. I won't be fishing to wild, spawning fish on the small trib ever but i will be down there buying my license on the 2nd., ready to fish the first day it's good this spring. See you down there.