A1,

You are not being fair or impartial.

I'll admit from the get-go that Bob is a friend of mine, and that I have a high opinion of him and his fishing, be it personal or professional.

That said, I haven't noticed him participatin g in the stupid conversations that seem to be abounding about and between Forks guides.

I think Bob has distanced himself, and not only that, but the obvious support he has been getting, not just here, shows that he has acted correctly.

Bob has not accused anyone for the vandalism to his rig and trailer, at least not publicly (which is all I know). I also noticed that Jim posted on another BB that not only was he not responsible, but that he had an idea who was and said that "we'll find out who did it" or something to that effect.

Thank you, Mr. Mansfield, for stepping up to the plate and making it clear that us as sportsmen, and you as guides, are all on the same team, regardless of personal feelings.

Even if Bob was "dragging a fish down the river for ... photo ops", which I know Bob wouldn't do, and "stress[ed]" them, which ALL fishing does, does that justify killing a native steelhead that takes a part of the gene pool away for more native fish?

The answer is an obvious "NO". Dead fish don't spawn, i.e., a fish hit upside the head with a billy club will not pass on its genes.

I'm a realist, fish C&R'd are worse off than fish never hooked. However, they're a damn sight better off than those hit with a baseball bat or a rock.

Why not have an organized group? First off, the Wild Steelhead Coalition is not "Bob's group". It started here on this BB, and was immediately joined by many others, including Bob, in furthering actions that result in more native steelhead in our rivers, to the benefit of all.

We, sportsmen, have been shortchanged by the WDFW, NMFS, etc. To form a political/legal group comprised of those who benefit individually, socially, and economically from association, is the smartest and most effective thing to do. Unless we have the political ear and the economic power, what do we expect to get from "our" officials"?

Let's all remember that if we want more steelhead to fish for and catch, then we're on the same team. We can argue the details, but the overall goal is the same.

More fish in the rivers equals more fish to catch. For the regular Joe's like me, that means a better chance to catch fish. For guides like Bob, Jim, Guy, Pat, Letty, Gordy, Rob, Dec, John, Dennis, and countless others, it means a chance to make a living doing the most fantastic thing in the world: fishing for steelhead.

Dump the crap, get together, and make something happen.

Todd Ripley



[This message has been edited by Todd (edited 03-02-2001).]