Dave LaCourse wrote:
On Fri, 23 May 2008 06:30:44 -0700 (PDT), riverman
wrote:


Err...are you certain? From my Maine Fishing Regs (2007):

3. FLY means a single pointed hook dressed with feathers, hair,
thread, tinsel, or any similar material to which no additional
weights, hook, spinner, spoon or similar device is added.

4. FLY FISHING means casting upon water and retrieving in the usual
and ordinary manner not more than 3 unbaited artificial flies
individually attached to a line to which no extra weight has been
added.

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I've always interpreted that to mean no splitshot of any kind.
Beadheads and weighted hooks were fine, as long as the weights were
incorporated into the fly, but adding weights of any kind was
prohibited, particularly on the leader or tippet. I figured the
rationale was because weights come off and fish eat them...lead or
not, it wasn't necessarily good for them.


Hmmmmm. Then everyone fishing the Rapid and other rivers are breaking
the law, guides included. I have fished in front of the game warden
at the Rapid (young fellow named Brent) and have asked him about it.
He says it is legal. (???) I've also asked the wardens at the fly
shows the same question and they say split shot is legal, but the sale
of *lead* shot is illegal.

Anyway, I have been using non toxic split shot on the river for
several years.

Dave



My guess is that the "no extra weight has been added" phrase is intended
to distinguish fly fishing from spin casting and bait casting, where the
"extra weight" is crucial to the cast. It's very ambiguous, though.

Ambiguous F&G regs aren't unusual. A careful reading of the Idaho regs
would lead one to believe that multi-fly rigs are illegal. In fact, you
can use up to five flies at one time.

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