I have been following the constant debates taking place on this BB over Indian Fishing rights and have allways chosen to stay unninvoled because it always seemed to come out negatively.

I know how I feel, and that is that if the fish populations need me to lay my rod down than this is what I will do. I give my respect to those with the same standards. I fish not only for the love of the catch but also for the love of the fish.

Now if you who are Native Americans have a religous and tradition tie to the fish I understand and very much respect that, but do you not care for the fish enough that you would lay down nets for a couple of years or at least adopt a more selective possibly less sucsessfull means of catching them. Are they only money to you, because in that case I lose respect.

I feel the same way for regular fisherman as well, we ask the natives to lay down their nets but are you willing to lay down your rods. (Possibly this should be tried, pull a walk out on WA dept of Fish n Game, no license buying, no spending money on gear, instead putting that money and time into fighting for a better fisheries system as well as better habitat as well as different Treaty rights(if need be). I know we dont have money from Casinos to put into our fight, but how will the Gov't respond when they and the local economy doesnt get the money they expected from the fisherman. Just a possible scenario) If us as fisherman would not accept putting our rods down for a few years or at least going all baitless/ barbless to save fish than I lose respect for us as a group as well.

Id like to clarify that I am only speaking of Salmon and Steelhead, I feel our trout populations are fine.

Imagine the possible impact this would have on fish. If either group cut back at least a little, imagine what could happen if we worked together.

Write back and tell me what you think, I would especialy like to hear from any Native Americans and hear how they feel or if their are any that agree with me on what needs to be done and if their are those that disagree and why (Just as long as its not ' because we were here first, I understand that but feel that it no longer holds any ground)Another question, why have we not moved past that and become one Nation with one people.

I hope I have shown that I am very open minded, I am very open to opinions and respect them as long as they are not racist. Try and persuade me to think differently because I want to be informed and know both sides of the fence.

Any other fisherman I would like to hear from to tell me if they agree or Disagree. Just remember that its a two way street and that we might have to sacrifice some ourselves.

Sorry about the essay, Ive been saving it up

Fun Fishing
Josh

Noble sentiments, but your glossing over all of the complexities. In the first place, most fish that are harvested by the nets or rod/reel are hatchery fish. And the primary controversy is the allocation of these hatchery fish, particularly with ESA incidental take issues. In theory, WDFW should not allow any depressed wild run fish to be netted, although we all know this isn't always the case. But at least in theory, a reasonble management model is in place. So we need better implementation of management strategies and better enforcement.

The state of our runs are not in such whole sale shambles that we all have to "lay down our rods" or nets. We just have to be more selective on which stocks are targetted. No matter what anyone says, tribal nets are unlikely to cause a wild run to be extirpated, although in my opinion, they do target wild runs that are depressed. We do, however, have to be very careful regarding the incidental take of highly depressed runs like those in the upper Columbia. Some of these runs number in the double and triple digits on good years, and the chances of netting these fish in the lower river are far greater.

The biggest issue remains the equitable allocation of hatchery fish. A second issue is abuse.

I also have to say its much easier to "lay down your rod" than for a tribal or commercial fisher to quit fishing and get a new job. Someday it just might be necessary, but I'm not going to have less respect for a person for wanting to make a living; the comparison is not fair.

Josh,
I have often thought about everyone refusing to buy a Fishing License in order to get some much needed change, but to not buy gear (tackle) would only put our friends in the tackle industry out of a job or out of business and they share no fault in this.
However if we quit buying licenses the first thing the WDFW would do is shut down hatcheries and lay off enforcement officers and that wouldn't be good either.
Keep coming up with ideas though you might hit upon a reasonable solution.lester