Did some scouting today and found water levels at Rattlesnake very high - nothing like last year. This is a very good thing! Didn't see any fish activity though. I doubt it has been planted for the opener yet though.

Have any of you ever fished this lake for the opener? Does it get as crowded as the 'bait' lakes?

-Chad

Chad,
Being new to the area, I have never fished Rattlesnake. However, I have heard that it gets hit pretty hard. We live up in Wilderness Rim and take the dogs for walks up to the lake almost nightly. Last week I saw tons of surface activity right at dusk. I think this will be a good place to test out the new float tube. Tight lines
Marcus

What makes you think it is acutally a NO BAIT lake? Just look in the trees on the far shore line, or better yet, walk over there - lots of discarded Styrofoam cups and empty jars! You will even find old bait containers to the left of the launch.
This lake should get some heavy enforcement.....

Last year I saw quite a few guys getting written up for bait fishing. I think the park should post signs to help out.

Should be a good year. I'll send reports when I go.

you must be assuming the "illegal baiters" can read... or will take the time to read the signs. 99% of them know exactly what they are doing.

Now you know they're not illegal fly fishermen... why is that... is it only baiters that break the law??

I know when I'm out fishing (with my fly rod) I rarely get checked. Not sure if that's because there's an assumption that fly fishermen usually follow the rules....or what?? I do know I run across wardens when I'm out fishing.

Another thing to think about is the "illegal baiters" are usually of a certain age bracket.

More later after I read an article in today's P. I. An article on "Manners Of Americans Found Sorely Lacking". Words that jumped out to me are "cell phones", "teen agers" and "drivers". Words weren't used in the same sentence or connected, they were in separate sentences.

That's why I said - "help out" - not "solve the problem". By posting the rule, it will at least increase the overall peer pressure. If your chucking bait, every jogger, family, lovers, dog walkers, etc who pass by would know that what you are doing is illegal. Again, i'm just trying to think of ways to reduce the problem. If anyone else has some good ideas, i'd be glad to hear them. For one thing, I'll be bringing my cell phone with me and have the nubmers to report violoaters in my speed dial...

I've seen bait chuckers of all ages at rattlesnake and other waters. The standard groups who I see intentionally breaking the law can be stereotyped like this: foreigners who think they can get out of anything by not speaking english (or at least pretending not to), a group of 20 to 50 yr old 'good ole boys' enjoying too much beer and don't give a durn bout no stinkin rules, and the occasional jerk who didn't bother to read the rules.

Also, I've been known to use bait, scents, and various lures on my fly rod where legal. It would be pretty easy to break the law with a fly rod if you wanted to. Also, game wardens usually sit back and watch fisherman for a little while. Within a few minutes of observation, you can usually tell if someone is breaking the law. If bait is illegal, and the guy is 'still fishing' (spinning rod, bobber, or bottom fishing), it only takes a second to be 99% sure he's using bait. And they'll watch for what you do with the fish you catch. If you are fly fishing, and releasing all fish you catch, then 99% of the time, they probably won't bother you. Although I have heard of wardens in Fly Fishing only (and Selective Regs) areas that will always check for a liscence and for barbs on the hooks.

Anyway, now that I'm a local in the N Bend area, I'll have this lake figured out in no time as well as many others in the area. Expect lots of reports to start flowing!

Good luck out there!
-Chad

So, when you see these people fishing illegally do you mosey over to let them know what they're doing... or do you keep quiet?

I've rousted out the "no speaka da englese" types from Rocky Ford and other special regs lakes. I think they just temporarily forgot the use of the language. Certain words I found must be universal as they seem to understand "warden", "illegal" and "leave".

Only person I didn't have the heart to tell he was illegal was a crippled guy fishing with a spinning rod from the dock at RF. He did have a fly under his bobber. He was in a wheel chair and I think only had the use of one arm. I may be outspoken, obnoxious and more, but I passed that time.

Zen that guy at RF was legal if he was fishing this year. They changed the laws if you are disabled. Jim S.

Jim,

It was 3 years ago and no, he was not legal then.

Out of curiousity . . . specifically what special rules for fishing apply to disabled people? Special limits, waiver of special regs rules????

Go to page 9 of the regs. There is a whole paragraph on Disabilities. If I were to type it all my fingers would fall off. Jim S.