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I can't seem to get the link to paste on this page, but if you read AZCentral today you will see that the Town of Gilbert is proposing to ask Game and Fish to change Water Ranch Lake to artificial flies and lures only with a single barbless hook. Certain special interests are behind this move because they claim that discarded fishing line and fishing tackle on the shore and under the surface of the water are killing turtles and shorebirds. The Regional office was consulted about the proposal and they informed the Gilbert Parks Department that any such change would mean REMOVAL of the lake from the community fishing program and an END to Department-funded fish stocking. Even with that information, the Parks and Rec department is moving forward with the proposal and it will be before the Town Council next Thursday. For reasons I would rather discuss in private, I cannot spearhead public opposition against this proposal. I would, however, like to work behind the scenes to help a group of similarly-concerned parents to do so. A few important points that need to be heard in public: 1 - Water Ranch is the only community fishing water in north Gilbert. 2 - Water Ranch is the only nearby community fishing water that has a natural shoreline (we go to other parks and my daughter asks why we are fishing in a swimming pool with concrete edges). 3- Water Ranch allows kids to fish in a semi-natural setting. There are no jungle gyms or swing sets to distract them. They can focus on learning to fish and acquiring patience. 4- There are already littering laws that cover the discarding of used line and tackle. Those laws are not being enforced. Who will enforce the artificial rule? No one. The litter will still be there, and there will be less of it only because there will be very few fish in the lake. 5- It is very hard to teach very young kids to fish using artificial flies and lures. My three year old isn't going to enjoy watching me waive a fly-rod around in the hopes that I can find a catfish aggressive enough to hit a streamer. 6- If Gilbert wants to keep the rural community feel, then we need opportunities like those available at Water Ranch for our kids. Anyway, I could keep going on and on with a list. Please send me a PM if you're interested in speaking out. The Town Council meeting is NEXT THURSDAY.