Fishing regulation changes could be coming for the Hiwassee River, possibly with the trophy trout section dropped and a “delayed harvest” period added. TWRA officials met with the county’s Fish & Wildlife Committee and more than a dozen citizens last week to discuss the planning process for a new five-year management plan for the river. No recommendation has yet been made; any changes will be made by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission in October.

Travis Scott said there is concern about the river, which did not show the improvement expected from the last five-year plan. “We want to do as well as we can given the circumstances there,” he said, adding TWRA had no control over the water temperatures in summer, which are too high for trout, based on data collected over the past few years.

Jason Henegar, Rivers & Streams Coordinator from Nashville, said implementing changes is a year-long process. There will be a comment period in April for citizens to voice their concerns and make recommendations. Information will be taken to a meeting of biologists in May and also reviewed by other departments involved, such as enforcement. The Nashville staff and region manager will review their comments and make a preliminary recommendation in July, with a comment period in August and September before the TWRC meets. The public will be able to get on the agenda to speak at that meeting as well as provide comments before. Any changes would go into effect in March 2011.

Henegar said TWRA has not finalized a recommendation, adding, “We don’t feel the current regulations are managing the river properly.” Scott emphasized that they want to satisfy as many user groups as possible, noting they all have their own point of view.

Those in attendance were primarily bait fishermen, some of whom seemed dissatisfied with the emphasis on trout fishing.

County Executive Mike Stinnett asked if the views of local people are given any more weight than special interest groups. Scott said all are considered the same, noting they don’t always know where comments come from. One citizen commented, “those who want catch-and-release probably don’t know how to cook.” Greg Brooks commented that many of those with Trout Unlimited are wealthier people who can make big campaign contributions. “Does that weigh heavier?” he asked. Henegar answered, “Not with me.” He said he is looking at the data in an unbiased way.

Henegar said they are looking at establishing a delayed harvest from October through February, during which catch-and-release fishing could be with artificial lures only. He also said they are looking at dropping the trophy trout section, which has not lived up to expectations and does not serve its original purpose of allowing trout to grow. There would be no stocking in August and September because the water is too warm. Those fish would be stocked at other times. For the regular season, TWRA is considering a recommendation for a 7-trout limit with only two brown trout because there are fewer browns stocked.

The goal of the delayed harvest is to give trout a chance to grow during the cooler months. During a catch-and-release time, he said, fish caught on a hook are more likely to die. Some hooks are better than others, he said, but asked “Do  we want to regulate the type of hook?”

He said the opening day in March would become an attraction.

Henegar said there was a debate over what length of river would be limited to artificial lures during the delayed harvest, noting TWRA is stocking trout down to Patty Bridge in winner. He said he didn’t know if it would be possible to have the limit for trout only. “We’re trying to protect the trout,” he said, noting there’s a chance that trout will be caught by bait fishermen. He said he understands the concern about other species, adding that’s where public input comes into play. Enforcement officer Jeff Bishop reminded the group that these are ideas at this point, not an official proposal.

John Pippenger suggested reducing the creel limit to two during the winter and allowing live bait, which would still allow more trout to grow. Scott said there could still be a lot of trout mortality as the extras are thrown back while the fisherman works for other species.

Joe Akins told the TWRA officers they had done a pretty good proposal. “You have to make everybody happy, do the best you can.” He said he is a bait fisherman but can understand the delayed harvest idea. Bishop said it’s strictly a biological reason. “This is the time they can grow.”

Asked about the size of trout stocked during the delayed harvest, Henegar said he would like to use a large size but noted there is a limited capacity of trout hatcheries and allowing fish to grow reduces the number that can be grown. Asked why larger fish are stocked in the Tellico River, he said there is an additional $5.50/day permit that pays for those fish.