For those of you that are actively fighting the government on different fishing issues I say, Thank you! I am also fighting for a better allocation of our natual resources. We may never see the glory days of long ago but things can sure be a lot better. However, for those of you that love to bitch about the Indians - their gill nets, taking more than there share all while launching their boats on ramps that our tax dollars built (but we can not use); what have you done to help turn the tide? What really makes me angry about this topic is everybody loves to bitch and carry on about how unfair everything is but when a great opportunity comes like this last Saturday virtually no one shows up. People say "well, there is nothing that can be done about it." That is a weak excuse for not getting off your #@!@ and doing something about it. The choice is
yours either fight and do something about it or in a few years we can all sit back and compalin about not being able to fish at all. For those of you who do not agree and say there will always be fishing I think you are dead wrong! My sisters fiance is a lobbiest in Washington D.C. for guess what the Power companies. the same power companies who dams people want breached. Well a little insider tip is that the environmentalist say it is for the fish however, let me say this, it is so we can all LOOK at them in their orignal environment. That means no catch and kill, catch and release, nothing! So, I have two challenges for you #1 don't bitch about something unless you have a comment for correcting the issue and #2 make a difference in the town you live in.

One more thing, unless we all do something soon every fish you catch is one step closer to the end of fishing as we know it. Just think about that the next time you bring that salmon or ironhead into your boat, I know I do.

trout.

Well said Trout! I hope your statement has more impact than mine apparently did. Thanks. - Steve

I have let my political feelings rest on this board for a while. I suppose by now that everyone is well aware of my stance on the issues. However, its election time over here and the adds are on T.V that all seem to depict out of state intrests trying to tell us how to manage our water etc. It just grosses me out... The good old boys are working hard to keep those damns and the pork that surrounds them. They are feeling the pressure however. In the meantime, I am unaware that anything is being done about the other issues that can be corrected.

The Elwa dams are a start!!!

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Tight Lines!!

Trout, the part of your post I agree with is that the apathy of sportsmen is pathetic.
The part I'm having a hard time with is the environmentalist part. Environmetalist is a pretty broad term and to suggest all environmentalists want to breach dams so salmon can be looked at in their natural environment is a real stretch. Are you suggesting the power companys are more concerned with recovering salmon runs to the point of havestable numbers than the environmentalists? From my veiw since the sportsmen are politically impotent, the only groups fighting for getting more fish into the rivers are the environmentalists and the tribes.

Amen to that, Neanderthal. Sad but true.
By the way, Trout, many "environmentalists" are also avid anglers. If more of us (sports) don't become at least "conservationists," we may as well take up golf!

"I fish & I vote"

Neanderthal, sorry for the confusion on the term "environmentalists". The groups I am talking about are those that do not agree with hunting, any form of fishing (because it is tramatic to the fish yes, even C/R), think that trees have feelings, the ones who put railroad spikes in trees so the logger loses a leg when the chainsaw bucks or the green-belt operator gets killed when it comes flying out after the saw hits it, put sugar and sand in the gas tanks of heavy machinary, would rather eat a big white block of tofu than a prime rib steak (got a little carried away - maybe not the last one). Hope this clears that up. However, you mentioned that the "enviromentalists are the only ones who seem to be fighting", implying that it is better than nothing. Maybe or maybe not, but from what I know to be factual these groups of individuals are NOT fighting for the same thing the average sportsman/woman is fighting for. Guaruuunteeeed!! The next time you see a media promotion indorsing "save this or that" make sure you look behind the pretty picture of the salmon or whatever and see what "riders" they have and what the campain is all about. Basically, read the fine print. As far as the Power companies being more concerned for the salmon and ironheads, well I would like to say that is why they are "thinking" about removing the dams. However, we all know this is not true. No matter what the power comapies are not going to give up a multi-multi million dollar facility for nothing. They are going to get something worth just as much if not more in the long run whether it is huge tax cuts, money loans with zero interest rates, grant money, whatever. They have ALOT of power and will not be afraid to flex their muscles if they have to.

To play the devil's advocate, I may not agree with what the "extremest" (better term) are fighting for and the reason why, but I will say this I admire them for their tenacious true grit in fighting so vigorously for what they believe in. I could almost say I am jealous of their convictions. I wish the sport fishing groups had a little more of this "raw emotion".

trout