>Why do we sell Emerald Shiners?
As a Master Bait Shop we have a responsibility to our customers and also to the Maine environment. There is a disagreement between fly fisherman and bait anglers about the effect of live bait on the Maine ecosystem so we felt it important to outline the argument and speak the facts. One reason for the argument is the idea that Emerald Shiners are not native to Maine. Another argument is that banning live bait fishing will improve tourism by encouraging out of state fly fisherman to vacation here.
So one question to ask is, does live bait affect our Ecosystem? No, at least no more then anything else sportsman do. If we are to say live bait does affect our ecosystem why ban only a few types of baitfish? Wouldn’t we be obligated to ban all baitfish if we come to this conclusion? Really what would be next, outlaw worms? This is nothing more then a lie elitist fly fisherman spread to promote their flavor of fishing while infringing on our rights as anglers to use the bait of our choosing in the manner of our choosing.
What though of the argument regarding these baitfish being foreign to our waters? The truth is this; the Emerald shiner has been in Maine waters for at least 50 years or more. Perhaps they are nonnative, but so aren't brown trout, rainbow trout and other species of fish that presently exist in our waters, due to stocking programs. Its not like bait shops import buckets of these evil shiners from China, they are fished in Maine waters and sold to people fishing in Maine.
We can now ask the question, how will limiting or stopping the use of baitfish improve tourism as some argue? It will not. Apparently to some fly-fishing is seen as a more acceptable sport, a sport that will attract people from all over the United States. I have another good idea, suppose we outlaw Maine residents from driving on weekends and holidays, this reduction in traffic will surely be another wonderful way to increase tourism.
So why do we sell the Emerald Shiners and no others? Its simple, emerald shiners make outstanding live bait because they are hardy, keep well in tanks and travel well. Because they are found in Maine waters they are great for ice fishing.
Emerald shiners are not the only type of bait fish under attack, there are three other types of fish some label evil, the Eastern silvery minnow, the Spottail shiner and the Blackchin shiner in addition may types of Minnows are also ‘evil’. If you wish to find out more on this subject you can search for last years bill that tried and failed to outlaw these wonderful baitfish, bill LD 163.