A bill calling for regulation of fishing guides in Wyoming – with the intent of keeping prize angling waters from being mobbed by out-of-staters, passed the Wyoming House Monday.
House Bill 5 passed by a margin of 35-22, five excused. The bill would establish a system of certification for fishing outfitters and guides, similar to that already in place for hunting outfitters and guides.
The bill will move on to the Senate.
An amendment to HB5 also calls for the establishment of an advisory board to oversee the fishing guide industry in Wyoming.
It would also give the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission the authority to limit the number of commercially-guided boats allowed on certain stretches of Wyoming’s rivers.
Confident The Senate Will Support It
Noted Wyoming outdoorsman and fishing guide Paul Ulrich has been a leading advocate of HB 5.
He and others have argued that regulating commercial fishing outfitting will help keep prime trout fishing waters – such as the North Platte River near Casper – from getting over-crowded.
Out-of-state guides, many of them who aren’t properly permitted, have been mobbing those waters, Ulrich and other advocates of the bill say.
The creation of an advisory board is “a good addition” to the bill, Ulrich said.
He thinks the bill has a good chance of passing the Senate.
“I’m confident that the Wyoming Senate wants to extend protection to resident guides,” he said.
Nay Votes
Those voting against the bill included Reps. Ocean Andrew, R-Laramie, John Bear, R-Gillette, Marlene Brady, R-Green River, Laurie Bratten, R-Sheridan, Kevin Campbell, R-Glenrock, Joel Guggenmos, R-Riverton, Jeremy Haroldson, R-Wheatland, Paul Hoeft, R-Powell, Steve Johnson, R-Cheyenne, Tom Kelly, R-Sheridan, Christopher Knapp, R-Gillette, Jayme Lien, R-Casper, Ann Lucas, R-Cheyenne, Ken Pendergraft, R-Sheridan, Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, Daniel Singh, R-Cheyenne, Scott Smith, R-Lingle, Jacob Wasserburger, R-Cheyenne, Joe Webb, R-Lyman, Nina Webber, R-Cody, John Winter, R-Thermopolis, and Chip Neiman, R-Hulett.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
