[Andy Gehle]

I'm not much of a catfish kind of guy but I certainly respect everyone's desire to be part of the solution in regards to protecting the flathead fishing. I've been kicking around on some of your posts and it sounds like alot of you are willing to contribute,but are not sure how to go about it. This may help.
www.sportsmenslink.org/
This is a link to The Congressional Sportsmen Foundation and The Congressional Sportsmen Caucus. It is a group of legislators that understand and respect the impact that sportsmen have in regards to policy making. These men and women are "can do" kind of people and can certainly help you in some manner. Maybe they can at least show you where and how to go about getting the collective ball rolling. If it were my quest, I would start with some respectful, well worded, and CONCISE e-mails,explaining your position and requesting help in how to get started. Excessive emotion will only hinder your cause as will book length rants.
I've heard someone mention approaching the DNR. The DNR enforces the laws,they do not legislate policy. They may however have another idea on how to get started.
This Congressional Sportsmens Caucus is also a GREAT place to retrieve info on how much anglers and sportsmen contribute to the economy and the positive impacts that our endevours have on the environment. It comes in handy when the office tree hugger overhears conversations about outdoors issues and tries to interject the PETA junk. Nothing can derail an emotional tree hugger faster than some concrete FACTS regarding the positive impacts from outdoorsmen. If you haven't noticed,the PETA freaks don't have facts and info on their side, only misplaced emotion.
Anyways, I hope you guys are able to organize and procede. I think it would be awefully cool to know that you had a personal stake in creating policy to protect something that you are all so passionate about.
I hope I haven't stuck my nose in somewhere it shouldn't be. I hope this helps.
Good luck.
Andy

 

[flathunter]

Thanks Andy, good info!

 

[salmoide]

Game Fish

I believe all fish should be considered a game fish, except for the household pet kind in a tank. I never caught a fish that was not fun to catch, so in my opinion all fish living in streams, ponds, lakes or rivers should be considered game fish.

 

[Wise1]

AQUARIUM FISH !!

MAN ARE YOU MISSING OUT !! FISH TANK FISHING CAN BE SOME OF THE BEST LIGHT TACKLE ACTION, AND HELL YA DONT EVEN HAVE TO PUT YOUR COAT ON TO GO ....................NICE AND CLOSE TO HOME TOO..................just use barbless hooks <<<<

Seriously.........Flats are some of the best game out there................I caught one on a Zara Spook , while I was in a float tube one time...........what a thrill !!!!

 

[MISFIT]

fish tank fishing

great sport nothing like the thrill of watching a 12 inch oscar inhale a grub and the ensuing battle on ultalite tackle

 

[Wise1]

HEYA

Now your talkin Rick !!! LOL

My friends get a bit upset when I show up with my 2 lb test outfit and lift the tank lid.............................

 

[Ðe§perado™]

Great info Andy.

 

[DavidWS10]

Andy, thank you very much for your timely contribution. This is the type of information we need. With everything I've been working on in regards to working with trkyhntr to create a national catfishing organization that doesn't pertain so much with tournaments, I can put this info to good use. I will be contacting these groups for their assistance.

 

[mrfish/OH]

Good deal

Let's keep the ball rolling.