I agree with the sentiment that there are a few sled runners that either just don't have good common sense or just don't give a crap about anyone but themselves (no shortage of those types unfortunately), despite knowing it's simply not a good idea to run sleds up into the mid to upper reaches of smaller rivers where driftboat traffic has been traditionally heavy. That's not only a dangerous situation, it just lacks sense about river stewardship. I have talked to a number of knowledgable people about this and the consensus is it would be best overall to keep sleds below Black Creek on the 'Nooch and below the forks of the Satsop. For my 2 cents worth, I agree. ...

With that said, I'll say something that many driftboaters aren't aware of. When d-boats are scraped over shallows and the oartips are dug into the gravel they likely cause more damage to spawning redds than sleds do. And bank fishers that wade a lot walk right on redds. Also, would the d-boaters of the 'Nooch be willing to agree to a trade-off of allowing sleds to fish only below Black Cr. by limiting d-boat use to only above Black Cr.? If we can get some honest feedback to that, it will be very interesting. - RT

[This message has been edited by Reel Truth (edited 01-14-2001).]