I use my sled more than my dritboat, or bank fish, but I am very glad to see restrictions banning sled use above the intake and W.Fork on the 'Nooch and 'Sop. All NW rivers similar to those 2 should have appropriate motor deadlines. But NOT for electric motors (see below). And smaller streams than those, such as on the north Oregon coast, have the motor bans down low near Hwy. 101. There will never be a shortage of selfish doughballs that will cross the line of common sense, safety, and the peaceful concerns of the majority - unless they are regulated to do so. ... So be it!

Wit', size restrictions on motorized river boats could be appropriate on some smaller rivers. But most of the places they will be allowed to run, the size range of common river boats won't make that much difference. Bigger and wider sleds get on plane faster and actually cause less wake than smaller narrower boats in many cases. A good example of a major restriction backfiring is when they put a 35 h.p. OB motor restriction on the big Kenai River in AK. Even though a few manufacturer's put 35 hp cowells on 45 & 50 hp motors, they still cause more wake than the 200 hp jetpump motored sleds do; in my opinion. Since that reg they have become slower and take longer distances to get on plane with 5 people (4 clients + guide), and ride just a little deeper in the water while traveling because of lack of enough power. These both have caused more wake rather than less, as was the main reason given for the restriction. Some contend the reduced speeds are safer on such a crowded river, and that does have some merit. That may be why the restriction remains?

And Giz, not allowing electric trolling/backtrolling motors on boats where gas OB's are banned makes no sense what-so-ever to me. It is so rediculous that it angers me. The quiet whirring of the small electric motors with plastic props and flexible shafts are less disturbing to fish and less destructive to spawning gravel than digging/slashing oars! And even oars are benign enough to be OK. Guys who wade on redds cause more damage. Using one of the newer and stronger electrics would be great for those with bad backs (which a high % of guys deal with). What's up with that non-thinking? Write your reps and WDFW/ODFW about that issue also.

RT