Tribes would get discounts on gasoline because they don't have to pay state taxes even though they use the same roads as other people. KING TV had funl with this one.

People who want to fish for sockeye in Lake Washington must wait from the Muckleshoot Tribe to decide whether there are enough fish for the sports folks.

The Muckleshoot Tribe would start branding their salmon in advertising as premium fish that are treated better than other fish and therefore more desirable.

The Tulalips honor the first chinook of the season by treating it with respect to ensure a good season. How? They kill it and eat it.

The same tribes that condemn clear cutting of forests go ahead and clear cut large areas by I5 and build casinos and big box stores.

One of the states that used to have huge fishing opportunities is changed to a state with 1 day fisheries, crab fisheries so limited you need a rulebook, clam fishing where private property owners cannot control access to their beaches.

Put thousands of people in a small area for 1 day and call it a "sport". Makes Nascar look better and better.

Chinook fishing is shut down with nary a peep from fishers while the hatcheries on the Sky have surplus.

And the state does what to help? Our state government is the best thing that ever happened to the charters in British Columbia and Alaska. Talk about an outflow of money. The West Coast of Vancouver Island looks like Neah Bay and Seiku used to.

What a shame we destroyed ourselves.

Steelie,
As a native Washingtonian, I remember those days! You are right on!!!!!! Great post!

Now thats what I'm talking about.

I am from MI and it sounds like you guys on the west coast are loosing your fishery more and more every year. Isn't there anything that can be done?

Yes, there is something that can be done. Sportsfisherman must unite and demand more opportunities. We can fix this problem!

We have 2 new groups that are doing just that:

RFA

Sportfishing PAC

To be better informed on the issues, I would also recommend joining your local chapter of Puget Sound Anglers
PSA

The question is: Will the sportsfisherman of Washington do something about it or simply sit back and complain??

"And the state does what to help? Our state government is the best thing that ever happened to the charters in British Columbia and Alaska. Talk about an outflow of money. The West Coast of Vancouver Island looks like Neah Bay and Seiku used to."

Nice post steelie. I couldn't agree more with your statement. As CD Seattle pointed out there are things we can do and although I'm willing to pitch in and help make things happen at some point I decided it was just easier to take my money and head North.

I see lots of posts with people moaning and complaining and it makes me wonder if these same people are actually doing anything about the problem. IMO, putting time, effort and money into local initiatives is one way to help, but voting with your dollars is another.

Good topic.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

P.S.
If we all weren't so greedy or afraid another might catch more then the next guy.We could flood the capital with trucks / boats & trailers. To make a statement,instead us sports fisherman/women choose to be lazy and passive about our waters and fisheries.What's it gonna take??????.I'll admit guilt on this also.

And to be informed of steelhead issues get involved and join the WSC at http://www.wildsteelheadcoalition.com/

Yes, something can be done but since the democratic party has been bought by the tribes, nothing will be done....

Basically, for all the fishing runs to be saved, ALL tribal treaties must either be dissolved or renegotiated by the Senate and that isn't going to happen...

It seems to me that if you get enough pissed off sportsman to band together it could happen. Would you rather sit back and watch your resource go down the tubes or put some time in and try to save it? I'm not saying that I know the answer here but it seems that something could be done and if it's not then in what state is your fishery going to be in in 20 years?

Nice Indian bashing!

It's the population moving into Washington and the dirt they bring: cars,homes,yard and parking lot runoff,airplane factories and roads.

We are screwing this up;all of us!

While there are more people moving into this area, there are more people everywhere. None of these people have "special" rights that circimvent all others, and allow them to take more of our resources than the tribes.If you want to be one of "us" , then be one of us, and live by the same rules as everyone. But don't point the finger at people moving into the area as if they have degraded it, look no further than your tribal lands.................Fishy...........
Lets level the playing field, then we can all be one.

Good reply, nobody should have more or less rights than anybody else.

Well said Steeliefreak................................Fishy.........

mount10man who's been controling the senate and house for the last eight years?

Mount10man, To lay all of this blame on the Democratic party is just trying to incite political division amongst the fisherpeople on this board. I hope that most of the people that read your post realize that you are only trying to create more derision here.
If your going to try and lay blame, at least be intelligent about it............Fishy..........

Rob, for the US Senate to start renegotiating or invalidating a treaty, you need a supermajority of 60 votes. The Republicans only have 51 and only 48 would be considered as safe which means 12 votes shy...

Oh, and the republicans have only controlled the Senate since 2002..........

Sorry Smelly but take a look at who the tribes give money to. It isn't Republicans. The Democrats receive more money from tribes than republicans do.....Geez, do you remember what they did to Slade Gorton in 2000? He fought them on fishing rights and they took him out.........Not laying out the blame, just the facts.............

Nothing will ever change until we elect a governor that likes to Hunt, Fish, Smoke Cigars, and Drink Beer.

Cigar

Damn right. I grew up in Montana where the majority of state and federal government employees scheduled their vacation time around hunting and fishing.....