Until rec fishers organize with a common platform and learn to negotiate with the tribes, we will hear these stories over and over. What are we willing to give up (to the Tribes) to get them to layoff netting wild steelhead? We have been so disrespectful to the tribes that much of their actions are done with an "in your face attitude" . I don't believe the solution lies in court action or petitions. Show some respect and greenbacks and we might just get what we all want....more wild nates at the end of our line!

I love the concept idea presented by Land Tuna! This kind of thing can work with a lot co-operation by many.- LT, let me know by post or thru Bob (has my e-mail address) if you get things organized and rolling in an affective manner. I have some influence with fishing websites in Oregon that could help get a boycott movement going down in our region as well- & I could talk to Bill Monroe, outdoor writer for the Oregonian newspaper, who is usually willing to publisize matters that are a good cause for sportfishmen. Keep up the fight! - Steve Hanson

Yes I saw the nets in at the mouth of the Bogie for the first time yesterday. My god there is some thing wrong. why do we not hear about this when everyone is getting all upset about the depleted runs. The state just looks the other way? Lets only eat fish caught the right way. To tell the truth I have not paid for a fish in years. Share your fish with your friends and ask them not to buy. Every little bit helps.

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dank

It is shocking that anyone would use Wild Steelhead for bait. It seems as sportsmen we look at Steelhead as some type of mystical creature or a Holy Grail to chase after and from our point of view and our culture this should be true and we should be shocked and angry. But I think if we try and look at it with the eyes of a culture that has used these fish forever as part of thier lifes blood then we could see that it doesn't matter how they are used as long as it helps towards an end in the the process of that cultures survial. Catching Steelhead for bait is now the easiest part and cheapest way of the work of catching Halibut which puts food on the table and more money in the pocket, (Halibut is way high $$$/lb). When the Steelhead are gone they will use something else to catch Halibut with.
The Native Americans know all too well what is happening to the Steelhead and salmon and yet they will not change not even for lots of money in a federal buy out. Fishing is part of thier way of life they do not want it taken away under our terms. Does anyone know of what terms the indians would change the way they would fish or better yet? What do the Tribes really think of Wild fish compared to Hatchery fish? It seems that I can never find anywhere a reason from a Native American why they are willing to let Wild fish be netted into non-existance. Sure would like to know but please no hostile answers just maybe some that you have come upon from the Tribes themselves.

Hi all . wow !! alot of concern that has been vented . my two cents . i work with indians . there attitude is not justified . i dont think that they have really been informed of what is happening . there blaming the comercial fisheries . which i can relate to , but it all comes down to the many posts that ive read in the last few hrs , and some very good ones at that. and some that well one person i work with is on the fish committee of the tribe . they patroll alot but not enough . and yes , i see the pickup loads of chum , and silvers and steelehead that are left over from spawning, and a majority that havent been spawned out . very sad . there into this whole thing for a dallor . just waite in a few yrs . the goey duck will be next , see truck loads taken out every day from these diving crews . weird part , white guy owns the boat and gives the indians a % dont know where im goin with this -- but have read dang near every message since i signed up as of tonight . and i like the one idea of gettin video - pictures anything substantiating that can be sent to the bigger networks get there attention . and wow -- well aint done with my 2 cents but gettin long winded happy fishen folks and may i see ya on the water Willis

[This message has been edited by Raptorwill (edited 03-09-2000).]

I'm new to the site and just wanted to say that it is really sad to hear that one of washingtons prize species of gamefish ,and the subject of much concern and fascination amongst us anglers, has been reduced to BAIT!!! How depressing!!! Is there anything we as avid SPORTSMAN can do to prevent such waste of a dwindling species?????

practice C&R

Well I took my own advice and went on line to my local newspaper sent a letter to the editor concerning this topic they informed me today that they are printing my letterin the next week or so ,for what it's worth it's a start.

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Tight Lines
FISH ON ------<*)>><
Men are like fish we get into trouble when we open our mouths to much!!