Well, I get to chime in since so many others get to ( and by the way isn't this what the forum is for????). I am fairly new to the Northwest. I came here about 5 years ago. A friend of mine showed me how to get started fishing for Salmon in rivers (which are just about extinct in rivers where I came from). He showed me the basics and some "honey holes" on 'his' river.

If it werent for him I might still be just sitting around wishing. I totally appreciate what all of you have said, there are many good points being made. If you have a special place that you like to fish and don't want a stampede there, don't share it or take it off forum (great suggestion!!!). As far as hints on how to fish better, I snagged a few in the beginning but it was a kind gentleman fishing next to me who showed me another way to fish that did not snag and I not only caught more fish but had more fun! He also shared some gear with me to get started and show me what to buy. I did take the time to learn new fishing spots but value highly the experience of others. I realize that any time someone is sharing with me they could be leading me on and only time and experience will show otherwise.

In the mean time, imagine being transplanted from an area where you know the rivers/lakes intimately and have favorite spots to an area where you know nothing and can not meet your fishing needs ( I feel like an addict at times). Someone willing to come along side and show you some basics or a better way of doing things is like a drink of water when you are dying of thirst. A forum like this one is a great way to get some information. Mike is totally correct about the numbers of people who read this site. I have been out many times and asked the people fishing around me if they use the Internet as a means of getting information and maybe 5% have said they have. Mike also said that the days of having a 'secret' hole are getting few and far between. This is especially true in populated areas. We should work on educating those that are fishing near us or get the regs changed to benefit the fishery more.....whatever is done, even snaggers have a constitutional right to be there, they just need to be caught or taught.