DENTRY: Changes coming with new season

By Ed Dentry, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 27, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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Photo by Special to the Rocky

WaveSpin is a new reel on the market.

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Bargain doe deer licenses are the most notable change awaiting big-game hunters this year. But the incentive for hunters to target antlerless deer will apply in just nine western Colorado units, where deer numbers exceed objectives.

The 2008 Colorado Big Game brochure, now available at Division of Wildlife offices and license agents, also reflects Consumer Price Index-driven fee increases for nonresidents.

First, the bargain. Nonresidents will pay only $76, residents $21, to hunt antlerless deer in Units 11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 24, 131, 211 and 231. The Wildlife Commission lowered fees from $301 and $31 for hunters who said they'd be happy to hunt does if they didn't have to pay premium price.

At the other side of the ledger are those nonresident fee increases, which are tied to the Denver-Boulder price index. Deer tags for out-of-staters jump to $316 (from $301), bull and either-sex elk to $526 ($501) and pronghorn to $316 ($301).

Nonresidents will continue paying only $250 to hunt antlerless elk.

April 1 is the deadline for limited license applications.

REEL SMOOTH: Has Doug Hannon, ESPN's "Bass Professor," invented the perfect spinning reel? It remains to be seen whether the real angling world will buy into the buzz. But magazine tackle pundits swear WaveSpin reels are the bee's knees.

Actually, "perfect spinning reel" (my term) would be an oxymoron. Last week, some ice anglers at Granby were ruminating on the contraption that looks and behaves as if it had been designed by a committee at the Tower of Babel.

The icy verdict: Spinning reels exist to sell fishing line. They regularly loop and tangle, causing children to cry and saints to blaspheme.

Not WaveSpin. The new reel is said to throw a smooth, virtually tangle-free cast. A patented wave or toothed pattern on the spool rim foils those irritating line-twist loops. Ask someone who understands physics or magic to explain.

Outdoor Life's Jerry Gibbs says WaveSpin is the biggest improvement in spinning reels in 50 years. Field & Stream bestowed its 2008 Best of the Best award on WaveSpin. Cabela's and Gander Mountain already carry the reels, for $80 and up.

Hannon is a well-known celebrity, author and bass conservationist. He also invented the weedless trolling propeller. Information: Wavecast-reel.com.

FISH FESTIVAL: Thousands of anglers are expected to flock to Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World the next couple weeks to learn, talk fishing and rub elbows with experts at its 2008 Spring Fishing Classic.

The ice-breaking event will run Friday through March 16 at the big store on East 49th Avenue. Most speakers, workshops and demonstrations are scheduled for the three Friday-to-Sunday weekends.

The festivities open with demonstrations by fly fishing celebrities Gary and Jason Borger and pro bass stars Alton Jones, Rick Clunn and Skeet Reese.

Local anglers, authors and fly tiers joining the program include Barry Reynolds, Shane Stalcup, Marty Bartholomew, Landon Mayer, Pat Dorsey, Troy Coburn and Tom "Doc" Johnson.

A running boat show is part of the event. Lecture schedules are posted at BassPro.com.

KOKANEE ALIVE: Don't write off kokanee salmon at Eleven Mile Reservoir, says marina maitre d' and outfitter Larry Falk.

He says rumors that all salmon died from an infestation of gill lice have been greatly exaggerated.

Kokanee fishing is fair to "pretty darn good," he said. Ice anglers have been catching healthy 16- to 19-inch salmon mixed with rainbow trout 14-23 inches.

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