For those of you that read about my first dilema I just want to say that it sounded alot funnier when an old fart said that to me on the river once.....and thanks for the responses. esp the one about the dumb husband...
Here is a real dilema...I fish steelhead mostly in Idaho, A season long fishing licence with steelhead card for non residents cost $86. I have always bought this licence. However a few years ago the Nez Perce tribe started selling fishing licences also. The cost is $20. All of the same priveliges, 66 dollar savings. Now take a good look in your wallet and pretend that noone is watching and tell me true, o board members, wich one would you buy?

Well, I guess I would question the 'coverage' you get with the Nez Perce license. Is it good throughout the state and does the state recognize it as a full blown license? If the state does recognize it then why the heck not buy it. If this license is meant for people of native American heritage and you are part of that then go for it. Otherwise it sounds like dollars coming out of a state's fishing budget. Just my $0.02 cents worth.

Mike, think of it this way. If the tribe checks you on the clearwater "which they will not" and you have a standard Idaho fishing licence and a steelhead tag, but no tribal permit, you are covered with no problem. However, If the fish and game checks you "and they will".. and you don't have a Idaho fishing licence and tag... thats going to cost you about 10 x the cost of that out of state licence... and they won't let you get another one for about 3 years on avg.

That tribal tag deal was B.S THEY NEVER COULD ENFORCE IT... The state of Idaho owns the clearwater river.. Not the Nez Perce tribe.

When I was a kid in high school we used to sell elevator passes to sophmores ( in a 1 story building) Hope I saved you some money in the long run !!!! Come on over, this run is not even close to being finished. Expect good things out of the upper river as soon as the ice goes out.

B Run, first let me say that I have not ever and will not ever buy one of those tribal permits. I have had enough dealings with some tribal members here in Mt to leave a real bad taste in my mouth for any tribe and their poilitics. Too many bad stories to bring up here. I just thought that this might bring a little discussion to the board. I know where the money goes when I give it to the state. Have things changed with the state recognizing the tribal permits? I still have a couple of friends that I have not been able to change over, that is, they fish with the tribal licence. 2 years ago I was fishing with one of those friends when we were checked by the Idaho F & G. At that time the officer said that they didn't like to see them but they considered them a legal licence none the less. I was embarressed, but at least it wasn't me. By the way I'll be over there sun or tue. Going to do a little bank fishing. I'm thinking this cold weather will be keeping a few people away right?

DO NOT SUPPORT THE F"N INDIANS. IT IS NOT IN THEIR HERITAGE TO SELL US LICENCES. The only thing I would give the tribes is the finger, I hope they choke on salmon.

Mike, that tribal permit crap was a couple of years ago. The state came right out and declared them bogus and told them to stop selling them. The tribe has no enforcement agency or anything of the sort, They also can't net or trap fish. They can't sell fish. ( They did let them sell some salmon that were surplus this year but they get them right out of the hatchery, thus no wild fish are affected) Thats the way it should be in all states. I keep reading horror storys on this board about the tribes in Washington and the things they get away with and its pretty sad.. gross even.

About fishing this weekend, its been pretty cold and there is some ice in the river. I would say go down to Magill and give it the old jig and bobber. I am staying home, being a good boy so I will earn points for kitchen passes for when it warms up a little. You might try the North fork, it has a bunch of fish in it if you do go.