From the 100+ F III ifish thread: Thanks for the input Jim and Jeff. The Cowlitz was and still is my top choice for Oct. 6th's event. But I would be plenty happy on any one of the 3 rivers; especially the one that is producing best just prior to the event. The only thing that needs to be 'firmed' up is the order of priority of voted river choice, leaving the other 2 as alternates if conditions dictate a late change. No unalterable concrete choice needs to be made. Rather, I would like to have beneficial flexability right up to the Thursday, or even Friday if rain is a significant factor, prior to the Saturday event. But it looks like we need to take a posted vote by participants. ...

It has been primariliy Dan S., along with some endorsement of other Oly area 'Sop fishers, that have pulled for this to be on the Satsop River. I don't have a problem with that, even never having fished it for silvers, because it's a renouned trophy silver run - as you concured Jim. But the Cowlitz fits the needs of a larger group of guys best, it is the most centrally located, and it will be loaded with fish. The Oly area 'Sop fishers are good guys and aren't likely to take their ball home and not play if their river isn't voted in. Anyone with a river prefence not voted in can always fish 'their' river on many other days - it's a long fall season. ...

Let's get a lot of preference feedback and votes posted soon guys. There are a lot of you going on this. My vote:

1st choice - Cowlitz (slight preference)

2nd choice - *Satsop (a close second, especially if condition prospects are good for that weekend there).

3rd choice - NF Lewis (only if K & J are DQ'd there - just kidding )

*Note: If the Satsop gets the voted nod, we should have the second place river and meeting place ready in case of a late week drought or rainout. The 2 BBs will provide instant communication for a late change.

As for 'appreciation gifts' already pledged (don't call them prizes which may need a permit), Willierower Paul donated a $25 gift certificate for the Kalama River Bait & Tackle Shop, I donated an equal amount $25 gift certificate for STS products, Keith and James donated 5 bottles of their "Ultimate Egg Cure" (a proven fish catcher), and now a guided trip with Jim Bain! More pledged 'gifts' would be welcomed. Just call them 'gifts of appreciation and interstate camraderie' between WA and OR fishers getting together; not derby prizes that would require a permit? I think we had it that the most fish brought in by a boat team wins bragging rights and gifts of appreciation for showing us how to catch them. If more than one boat comes in with the same 'most fish' total number then a 3 man team would beat a 4 man team. The tie breaker after that, if the same number of fishers brings in the same top number of fish caught, would be by total weight of the catch. I will suggest the winners pick 'appreciation gifts' by order of finish.

Get to your keyboards with river votes and feedback guys!

RT (Volunteered F III co-ordinator - someone else has to do it for F IV)