Ok, Im relatively new to this state and the sport (first year in the rivers) so Im not gonna try and act like an expert on the subject. Im sure tribes like the Quinalt do a better job than others, but that does not dismiss the fact that runs are dwindling, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out gillnetting takes out a large number of these. I can see both sides and know this is a delicate subject, Im trying not to offend anyone, but ensuring the tribes can fish the rivers the same as there ancestors did is ludicrous. Obviously the general sport fishing population can't reap the numbers of fish from the rivers that our ancesters did 100 yrs ago, so the same should go for the tribes. To me it just seems as if the rules do not apply to them. Im sure Im coming across as ignorant to a few of you, but all I know is Ive spent many a day on the river without so much as a bump, only to see boat after boat of tribal fishers empty out 25 fish at a time. Anyway you cut it, its wrong. Coming from the southeast US, I never could imagine such a practice could still exist. I believe as long as this is a local (NW) issue, things will stay as they are...or at least until there are no more fish to argue over.
My two cents.
Chris