Herre is the deal... i was down on the Nasty this morning catching a few Chums, when an Indian Drift netter pulls up to clean his nets. I see quite a pile of fish in his nets, along with a chrome fish. So I ask him what the heck he has in his nets... He hold up a beutiful 15+ pound native steelhead, and begins to brag how he has caught quite a few over the past few days of netting. The bottom line is, this spring is the first year is quite a few years that the hatchery is going to plant steelhead back in the Nisqually, but it isn't going to do a bit of good unless the WDF&W starts getting 10 feet up the Natives A>>esand enforcing the current netting rules, or just plain kicking those folks out of the Nisqually. They are the most criminal bunch you have seen on that river, because no one checks them. This use to be one of the top rivers in the state, and still could be if we ban together to get rid of the netting. What do you all think???

All I know about the Nisqually comes from pictures I have seen from the 70's. They consited of massive chrome wild steelhead in a abosuletly beautiful setting!!

From what I understand...those days are long gone!!

Anyone know what happened to our tribal rep that was on here a while back? maybe he just got fed up of all the flames...or maybe he knew the allegations were true. he should be able to provide an answer.

The netting will never totally go away, at least while we all are alive. BUT, if the sporties can agree to put the fish first and work from there, I believe that situations like this where fish that are in severe trouble will not be faced with running the nets.

I think there will be the day where we will some change ...

native netters and seals, the only reason there alive is you aint aloud to ---- them. just my opion on the subject. building a house in union this fall seen the skokomish tribe in action. nuthing good about them. Ben

Chum run is about over they need to shut it down for the year,and pull the nets out!
I have only seen 1 steelhead C&R this year. The numbers got to be low.

The drift netting makes me sick!!!!! Talk about fishing on spawning beds they don't stand a chance. The chum roe must be worth more that a run of native steelhead.

If we are ever going to be able to fish for heads on the Nasty again,(even C&R) the nets need to come out when the chum run starts to drop off! Like a week ago!

One would think, they would like to also protect this resource. ?????????

There is no 50/50 when sportsmen cannot fish it.
The chum are done get the nets out!!!!!!!
Shut it down!!!!!!!!
TightLines

I agree with all of you! Ditto for the Green. Pull the freakin nets out and go back to your casino/reservation where you belong. Tribal rights my butt.

Ya know it is only a dozen or two dozen nets that are wiping out everything. Pretty soon there will be no fish left and they will have to stop.

There is nothing you can do about the tribal netting except complain and complaining is not being proactive to do something to benefit the fish. It's the Native Americans right protected by federal law, unlike your fishing privlege which is not protected. What we can change is our attitudes by getting involved in a organization you agree with and working harder to become a conservation minded fisher.

If the Nisquallys had any brains instead of chums they should promote their kings and plant steelhead and do a sportsfishery projest. I am sure they would see a lot more $$ than what the chums bring in eggs. Sportsman have no bit-- seeing they didn't support the net ban a couple yrs back. Indians net ONLY cause they can and they no it pis--- us off

I've talked to a few old timers and heard their stories about steeleading on this river in the "good ol" days.
Every one of them I've talked to tell me about how many fish they'd pull out of their and how they could get their limits in no time.
And I sit there thinking to myself. "Oh I see why there's no steelhead in here, it CAN'T be YOUR fault, it's got to be those no good indians!!"

My point is is that no one wants to admit they've contributed to the problem. It's much easier and makes themselves feel better to point the finger at someone else.

I used to spend quite a bit of time over there on the nasty.Matter of fact caught my first winterrun there.Beautifull river in its spots.Kinda neat fishing to the sounds of war games in the woods!
My point?I was floating the lower run years ago and we ran into an indian in another drift boat that my buddy knew.He offered him a beer and he proudly let us know that he was probably the only Indian that did not drink!So he gave him a pop and we b.s. for a while.The conversation was about a very big nate that was caught in one of there nets,I think it was a 34lber!Well it got to be time to get back to fishing so our frindly neighbor shot down the last of his pop and crushed the can between his hands and threw it into the river!


'

Save a Nate
Bonk a Native!!!

My Dad was one of those Old timers.
I grew up fishing the Nasty during the 70's up to 91....Last year
I can confirm the unreal numbers of large Nates we bonked
I remember 40lb days (2 fish over 20 each)...heck even a few 50's.....God was I spoiled

T&S I would like to know where you get you're info from ,I am in constant communication with Jay Hunter WDFW Biologist for the Nasty.
He said they DO NOT produce Steelhead in any of the 2 Hatcheries.They are considering a Brood Stock program But the final say is the tribe If they don't buy into the idea ..it won't happen!!

Since both hatcheries are under Tribal control,They are not willing to give up room in the Hatcheries for Steelies,They make more money off Kings and Chums $$$$$$
It comes down to Money..DUH
We have been discussing escapement Numbers ( I hate that term)
How do you count fish in a river than has very limited visability during spawning season
Remember if they open this River,the tribes get 50%
Oh BTW remember The Tribe is compensated for "not" being able to Net Steelhead.....do you really beleive they will give up a free ride and not have to do Squat for it

Are you sure it was Steelie I've seen some very Chrome Chums still being caught...just asking
I have landed a few during this time of year...still way early ....My.02...Os

[ 01-16-2002: Message edited by: Osprey ]

Thats what I was thinking Os. Ive caught several chum in there that people who didnt get a close look at it swore up and down it was a steely. Last year I had to actually walk over to a guy and show him the faint purple stripes just so he would shut up about it.
I wasn't here for the heyday of Nasty steelheading but sure wish I was, love the Nasty
Tight Lines
RL

Ah what fond thoughts late March and early April in a drift boat during the early 80,s Crowed was 3 boats ahead of us .Mismagment and greed Killed this river.

Just got off the phone with the WDFW.They don't know anything about a Hatchery release??????
Why would they do this?...introduce Hatchery fish to a strickly Native population.
Sorry Guys
They are looking for an (here that Phrase again)
Escapement Goal of around 2000 fish...... last years numbers were closer to 500 fish.
I just hope this changes.....in my life time.....Os

I got my first steelie ever on the Nisqually in 1983....oh the memories....any day in March or April had a chance for 2 fish limits.

I have seen many steelhead and a few sturgeon in the nets in the Nasty over the years. Also a few steelies and some monster searun cuts netted out of McCallister crk.

During my many trips back home to my home town (Gig Harbor) this past summer, I noticed something every time I went over the I-5 bridge, a discarded net all bunched up, looked to be taking up about ten feet of space in the river. I'm sure others noticed it as it was there for several months. I just don't understand...........

How in the hell do you mistake a chum for a trout i.e steelhead.I have caught chums in the middle of the bearing sea without a stripe on them and still can not sea the reasemblance!This is the second time I have heard this scenario!