First, I would like to thank everyone for coming to my support and defending my posting. Apparently Andy M and I don't think along the same lines when it comes to fishing rights. First thing Andy, No one led you astray on this issue, you led your own self in that direction! I would like to clear up a few misnomers about what my motives were in posting my complaint letter to the Lewis County sheriff Office.

Andy, I need to set you straight on a few twisted things that you have posted concerning the access issue and my part in it. Lots of People who know me, also know that I have pretty thick skin most of the time. I usually never mind it when some disagrees with me or has a different opinion than I. What I do mind is when that person does not have their facts together or is just plain blowing out hot air. As just one example, you say that I have made this issue "personal" because I have dragged the deputy name into this bulletin Board". The deputy name was only used to document the event that lead to the sheriff's office failure to file a complaint. When one files a formal complaint with the sheriff, and asks for an internal investigation, one dam well better get all their facts right!

You say that the deputy used his discretion in handling this issue as he saw it. The last time I checked out our laws, a deputy "must" file a "complaint" when the complaint party has requested it. The deputy has NO OPTION to decide, or use "his own discretion" in deciding if a complaint is to be, or not to be filed. It simply is not his option! A "complaint" is simply a complaint. It doe not require that a deputy take a corrective action, it simply allows a person to make a record of their issue. You say that this deputy may not have doted his "I's" or x the "T's" the way that I wanted him to. In part that is true. This deputy didn't only forget to dote his "I" or x his "T", he forgot to file the "complaint" as requested!

You say that I should call my "local representative, call the WDFW, but leave the deputies alone so that they can really help".
Obviously Andy, you don't know anything about our Lewis County local politics. Do you really think that a local representative or someone like our county commissioner, who had received over $10,000 in campaign donations from the Wallace's will do a dam thing to see that fishermen can go through their property? Remember, this is Lewis County…home of the good old boys!

You say that I should be taking this battle up with WDFW. What do you think that I have been doing? Didn't you see that the letter was also cc'ed to Lee Van Tussenbrook, WDFW regional Director, and Ray Croswell, WDFW Regional Lands Program Manager? Who else would you want me to see in WDFW? Who do you think recommend me to file a formal complaint, showing that my public access was being blocked to state public fishing areas?
I have personally worked with the regional director about 4 years ago for over 6 months on a special selected committee who were chosen to represent sport fishing and hunting groups to developed and make new recommendation to the state attorney general office in the rewriting of our state fish and hunting codes (RCW's). So Andy, I do have some background for guidance in this issue.

I learned a long time a go Andy, if you're going to get into a fight, then fight it to win! I have been fighting battles just like this one for over 15 years for sport fishermen and will continue to fight for them as long as they continue to give me their support. I make it a policy if I start something, I will finish it! Thanks again all you folks who have given me your support on this access issue. I will continue to update you until this issue is resolved.

Cowlitzfisherman,

Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook????