The press release sent to me last week by the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) read, "Should the fishing tournament rules in Utah be changed to draw big-name fishing tournaments to the state?"

The release outlined three proposals to make it easier for groups to hold tournaments on waters where size restrictions on bass make it impossible to do so now. Jordanelle Reservoir is a good example. The current regulation requires all bass over 12 inches to be immediately released. A typical bass tournament - by far the most common type of fishing competition - wouldn't allow anglers to turn in anything under 12 inches.

The first, and really only valid proposal in my mind, is to allow anglers to temporarily possess fish long enough for a tournament weigh in. The other proposals involve a judge in the boat to weigh and measure fish or allowing anglers to measure and weigh each other's fish before they are released.

Just exactly how the state thinks this change will draw "big-name" tournaments is a mystery. Realistically, there are only two fisheries in the state - Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge Reservoir - that are large enough to host a major tournament and those waters are already doing so. The size restriction on bass is not a regulation at either of those waters, so changing the rules won't impact those tournaments.

Most of the pressure to change tournament regulations appears to be coming from State Parks and Recreation - the DWR's sister agency - and higher up in the Department of Natural Resources.

The thought is that allowing for more tournaments to take place will benefit State Parks with good fisheries and boost the economies of the communities around those reservoirs.

I say go ahead and change the rules to allow for tournaments to take place, but don't pretend that it will be an instant money maker. Also remember that over-fishing waters like Jordanelle not only turns off future tournaments interested in holding an event there, but it is not fair to the average angler who invested in a fishing license and expects the state to manage all fisheries with the opportunity for him or her to land a fish or two on a trip.

brettp@sltrib.com

Weigh in on new fishing proposals

* DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES BIOLOGISTS will release their proposals for changes to the 2008 fishing season at a series of Regional Advisory Council meetings in the coming weeks.

* HERE'S THE SCHEDULE: Tuesday, Southern Region, Beaver High School, 195 E. Center St., Beaver, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Southeastern Region, John Wesley Powell Museum, 885 E. Main St., Green River, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 13, Northeastern Region, Western Park, Room 2, 302 E. 200 South, Vernal, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 18, Central Region, Springville Junior High School, 165 S. 700 East, Springville, 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 19, Northern Region, Brigham City Community Center, 24. N. 300 West, Brigham City, 6 p.m.