Angler Perception of Fishing Experience in a Highly Technical Catch-and-Release Fishery:

Transcription

1 Angler Perception of Fishing Experience in a Highly Technical Catch-and-Release Fishery: How closely does perception align with biological reality? Jamie Laatsch, Dr. Rob Van Kirk, Christina Morrisett, Kaitlyn Manishin, and Jim DeRito Henry s Fork Foundation

2 Outline Introduction Objectives Methods Results Conclusions Photo by Kelly Glissmeyer

3 Study Area the Ranch The Harriman reach also known as the Ranch Summer flows determined by irrigation delivery from Island Park Reservoir

4 Multi-year Objectives 2008 and 2014 Study Compare angler satisfaction, characteristics, and attitudes between years Identify variables that predict angler satisfaction 2016 Survey Assess how angler perceptions align with or stray from biological realities Interpret results in context of environmental factors and management Hypothesis Angler satisfaction will be correlated with fish size, fish populations, macroinvertebrate assemblages, and habitat quality Photo by Mike Lawson

5 Methods 2008 and 2014 Study In-person interviews Questions about angler satisfaction, importance, and angler characteristics n = 972; 616 in 2008 and 356 in 2014; 82 were repeat interviews 2016 Survey Online survey Questions about fishing conditions, angler understanding of river hydrology, and angler characteristics n = 103 Photo by William Teuscher

6 Results The average angler and what they value Comparison between years Variables that predict angler satisfaction Photo by William Teuscher

7 The Median Harriman Angler Primarily comes from Idaho, Utah, or California Began fishing the Ranch in 1995 Fishes the Ranch 6 days/year Fishes other sections of the Henry s Fork 3 days/year Fishes 45 days/year in all locations Does NOT fish with a guide Catches zero fish on the Ranch per day Photo by William Teuscher

8 Comparison of Values Between Years Attribute (2008/2014) % of 2008/2014 responses ranking attribute 6 on 10-point scale Attribute (2016) % of 2016 respondent selecting the attribute as important Rising fish 90.3% World-class fishery 85.4% Hatches 93.9% Hatches 79.8% Aesthetics 96.4% Scenery 76.4% Size of fish caught 66.0% Big fish 75.3% Other anglers 61.0% Peace and quiet 60.7% No. fish caught 31.4% Fish per mile 36.0%

9 Variables that Predict Angler Satisfaction Overall Angler Satisfaction None of these variables predict angler satisfaction

10 Variables that Predict Angler Satisfaction Overall Angler Satisfaction except flow at Island Park Dam. High flows = low satisfaction.

11 High flows were selected most often and at substantially higher rates for the Harriman reach

12

13 Which of the following factors impact how much water is in the river during the summer? Reason % of respondents selecting reason Angler Ranking Water Budget Analysis Irrigation demand 90.3% Snowpack 69.9% Spring + Summer Rain 60.2% Baseflows 51.5% Unsure 7.8% Other 3.9%

14 Summary of Results High summer flows = low angler satisfaction Anglers value aesthetics (i.e., hatches, scenery, and rising fish) Anglers blame irrigation for high flows

15 Conclusions Our hypothesis was incorrect Anglers are responding more to what they see on the river during a given day of fishing 2 key points of disconnection between angler perceptions and biological reality: 1. Assumption that undesirable aesthetic qualities = negative biological conditions 2. Attribution of poor fishing conditions to agricultural factors rather than climatic factors Photo by William Teuscher

16 Recommendations for Future Management Facilitate dialogue with anglers to better understand angler perceptions Angler education on hydrology, climate, water law, and irrigation practices Encourage anglers to consider adapting to changing angling conditions What do we manage for? Photo by William Teuscher

17 Acknowledgements Steve Trafton Steve McMullin HFF interns, volunteers, technicians, and staff AmeriCorp The A. Paul Knight Memorial Scholarship Bill Lane Center for the American West Don C. Byers Memorial Scholarship Rear Admiral James Green Scholarship Private donations The Marine Ventures Foundation Harriman State Park Idaho Department of Fish and Game Photo by William Teusch

18