Three Rods in CT; Letter Sent to RI DEM Suggesting the Same

Three rods would be so great to use if you are a carp fisherman.  Here in RI the rule is two rods. The state of CT just adopted a three rod rule that was pushed and supported by the CT Carp Anglers Group.  So, why not here in RI? We have a world class fishery for mirror carp that is unmatched anywhere in the US and that three rod rule could really attract outside fishermen to our state.
So, here is the letter sent to Catherine Sparks of the RI DEM.  We'll see where it goes.  If I get a response, I will publish it.

As the chairman of the RI Carp Anglers Group, I would like to pass along this info that CT has just passed a "three rod" rule for freshwater fishing. This info was forwarded to me by the chairman of the CT Carp Anglers, Ian Sorrel. The info from Ian is pasted below:

After several years working with CT DEEP Fisheries I'm delighted to announce that you can now fish THREE rods in the State of Connecticut.

Perhaps even more exciting is the wording that highlights carp fishing and the "strong and passionate following in the USA" and how it has the "potential to enhance tourism in the state".

A big thank-you to all the anglers who helped support this change and made the effort to attend the hearings.

Here is the regulation update:

Section 2. Section 26-112-43 (RCSA) contains definitions and restrictions for a range of fisheries-related terms, gear types and methods. This proposal will 1) increase the number of lines that can be used by an individual angler from two to three lines, 2) add bowfin and tench to
the list of fish that can be taken by spearing, and 3) clarify that the only lamprey species that can be taken by spearing is the sea lamprey.
Increasing the number of lines that can be used by an individual angler is expected to enhance the fishing experience for a number of avid anglers by allowing them to take better advantage of technical methods available to target their select fisheries such as shore-based common carp
angling and trolling for trout in lakes. Although popular in Europe for decades, shore-based catch-and-release carp fishing is just beginning to develop a strong and passionate following in the United States and this type of fishing has the potential to enhance tourism in the state, especially if a third line is allowed for each angler.

Avid trout anglers would enjoy greater flexibility in trolling. As use of more than two lines/rods would be inappropriate in certain shore or wading based trout fisheries, the existing limit would be maintained in most specially designated trout areas.

A s unlikely as they are to be taken by such methods its still a shame bowfin and tench have been added to the list of species that can be taken by spearing as it undermines their true value as sport fish.

Please note that there were several reasons CT changed from two to three rods. One was the popularity of carp fishing which is increasing all over the US. The other was the possibility of increasing tourism in CT in the hopes that more fishermen would come to CT to carp fish.

Here in RI we have probably the best mirror carp fishery in the entire US. Anglers from all over the US write to me about this fishery that exists primarily in the Blackstone River system. So, we have something here that is very special that could attract a lot of outside fishermen. Being able to fish with three rods would be a real plus here also.

Any thoughts on the matter?

Dave Pickering, RI Chairman, RI Carp Anglers Group