Ugly Rumors about guides needed for all out of country fishers

[Bushbear]

Apparently, the US has decided not to sign off on the annual renewel of the US/Canada Tuna Treay. The rumor down here is that Canada (DFO?) might be considering a requirement that a Canadian guide would be required to accompany all foreign vessels sport fishing Canadian waters for any species of fish.

In our case, we have a group of 22 with 9 boats who have made our deposit (not refundable according to the lodge) who might well bite the bullet and cancel our trip due to the possible implementation of the requirement that we have a guide on each boat. I have doubts that there are enough licensed guides to handle groups like ours plus the guided trips supplied by the lodge. If you expand the requirement to all tidewater lodges that cater to self-guided fishers and they decide not to show up, that will be a major impact on lodge revenues.

We sure hope the rumor is wrong. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[Time]

I thought the deal was to ban all non-Canadian fishers!
Just kidding - I expect that is just a bad rumour, wouldn't worry about it.
Bring your buddies, have a good time.

 

[Dogbreath]

the rumor down here is that Canada (DFO?) might be considering a requirement that a Canadian guide would be required to accompany all foreign vessels sport fishing Canadian waters for any species of fish.

I understand your concern but Rest Assured that is all Bee Ess.

 

[lordofthesprings]

there is some truth to the tuna part though canadian tuna guys might not be able to fish across the border soon

 

[profisher]

I think the rumour has twisted facts with fiction. The US governments decision not to renew the treaty means that Canadian commercial tuna fishermen can no longer fish inside the 200 mile waters off US shores.

 

[Aces]

Maybe suggest to your government to stop being so protectionist

 

[Sharphooks]

Barring US tuna boats from offloading in Canadian ports hurts the Canadian businesses who operate in these ports. There are always unintended consequences that come into play with these types of pissing matches

You can imagine if both sides got reckless with this-- for instance, if US west coast hatcheries decided to cut back on their production of springs in a tit for tat exercise--- overnight the April through June ECVI fishery would come to a screeching halt -- no more dip-ins to Barkley Sound of all those Columbia River bound springs--- the salt water guides would be taking their clients on rockfish expeditions...

I think cool heads will prevail on this albacore issue---too much for either side to lose

 

[Bushbear]

I guess time will tell. One of my contacts has indicated that the Feds were advised that there are, as Sharphooks said, "...unintended consequences..." but it appears the US gov't isn't going to be doing much until on the issue at this time.....

Thanks for the replies so far.

 

[Rum Buddies]

I guess time will tell. One of my contacts has indicated that the Feds were advised that there are, as Sharphooks said, "...unintended consequences..." but it appears the US gov't isn't going to be doing much until on the issue at this time.....

Thanks for the replies so far.

don't worry, its not going to happen - plan your trip as normal and spend some money up here

 

[IronNoggin]

The rumor down here is that Canada (DFO?) might be considering a requirement that a Canadian guide would be required to accompany all foreign vessels sport fishing Canadian waters for any species of fish.

While I kinda feel for you and folks in your position...

It has been YOUR Country's position for a great many years that any Canadian boat which wants to ply the US West Coast waters has to have a US guide onboard. Translation: ANY of us that wander down there are subject to the same potential restriction you are now whining about. Not that I am overly interested in doing so, but that point is moot.

And while our economy would indeed take a hit over imposing a "tit for tat" parallel restriction on US rigs, it certainly would cut down on say... the number of halibut removed from Canadian waters and landed in US ports.

I recognize that my thoughts in this matter are somewhat controversial, and may go against the grain for many. But methinks YOU and other folks in the position of wandering up here to enjoy the bounty might want to cast a glance at just what good ol' Uncle Sam is doing to Canadians in the same respect...

Nog

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Nog, your comments are certainly an eye opener for me! To my friends south of the 49th, is this in fact true? If I fish in Point Roberts water, I have to have a US guide in my own boat? .............BB

 

[IronNoggin]

Nog, your comments are certainly an eye opener for me! To my friends south of the 49th, is this in fact true? If I fish in Point Roberts water, I have to have a US guide in my own boat? .............BB

Hey Bill, the last time I was down fishing steel on the OlyPen, this is exactly what I was informed by a CO when I asked if I could bring down my own ride to fish the chuck. Unless he was BS'ing (why would he?) or things have changed, that appears to be the way it is. Of course I stand to be pleasantly enlightened to the contrary, in which case I'll gladly eat my earlier words...

Nog

 

[Sharphooks]

Hey Nog---I'm curious where you got that info about US guide requirements. Is there a specific reg that says a guy from Renfrew or Sooke in a Canadian stickered boat who wants to go across the Straits and fish Area 4 off Neah Bay to catch a coho when that fishery is legally open for sportsfishermen requires a US guide to be legal?

I don't think that's the case---all he needs is a non-res fishing license and a punch card, same as what a guy from Neah Bay would need if he wants to go across the Straits into Renfrew or Sooke waters.

Just askin' and a bit curious is all...

 

[Busterbrown]

If a non-resident wants to sport fish in US waters they do indeed have to hire a guide. I have also heard that the DFO is considering the same requirement for non-resident sport fishers in Canada. Time will tell

 

[IronNoggin]

If a non-resident wants to sport fish in US waters they do indeed have to hire a guide.

That is EXACTLY what the Washington CO informed me...

Nog

 

[Charter Tofino]

While I kinda feel for you and folks in your position...

It has been YOUR Country's position for a great many years that any Canadian boat which wants to ply the US West Coast waters has to have a US guide onboard. Translation: ANY of us that wander down there are subject to the same potential restriction you are now whining about. Not that I am overly interested in doing so, but that point is moot.

And while our economy would indeed take a hit over imposing a "tit for tat" parallel restriction on US rigs, it certainly would cut down on say... the number of halibut removed from Canadian waters and landed in US ports.

I recognize that my thoughts in this matter are somewhat controversial, and may go against the grain for many. But methinks YOU and other folks in the position of wandering up here to enjoy the bounty might want to cast a glance at just what good ol' Uncle Sam is doing to Canadians in the same respect...

Nog

This eye for an eye approach would hurt us a lot more than it would hurt them. Not a great idea IMHO.

 

[IronNoggin]

This eye for an eye approach would hurt us a lot more than it would hurt them. Not a great idea IMHO.

Yes it would indeed Kelly. But methinks it rather worth-while to let our 'Merican Cousins know exactly how thier gov approaches the matter...

Cheers,
Nog

 

[IronNoggin]

Nog, we fish all the time freshwater down in washington rivers and dont need a guide.

The question and subsequent answer from their CO was about the chuck. I was so surprised I didn't even ask about the freshwater, but do believe what you've noted to be the case...

Cheers,
Nog

 

[directmule]

Just out of curiosity, do boaters/fishers, either west/east/south/north of Canada need a BoatSmart pleasure craft operator card to operate in Canadian waters?

 

[Charter Tofino]

Yes it would indeed Kelly. But methinks it rather worth-while to let our 'Merican Cousins know exactly how thier gov approaches the matter...

Cheers,
Nog

Hmm supporting the countering of a bad law with a bad law?