I have to agree with UltimateFeashKacher on this one! What's next, a line test limit? No more lead? No more bait cures. No more bait? No more paint on jigs or lures? New hook sizes? Where does it all end? After all, are we not fishermen? Yes, we can by choice, choose to bend our barbs down, but why make it another stupid law? Isn't it time we focus on the reel fish killers, i.e. dams, gill nets, trawlers, pollution, other protected predators, and disease?

All of these problems affect the survivability of fish long before the "hook" takes its toll! The secret to recovering wild steelhead is not(my opinion)in the use of the "hook", it's in removal of the damn dams! Look around guys, every ditch around every roadway runs right into some little river or creek. What do you think that does for fish? What next, ban all cars that drip oil? Plug up all coverts? Is 10/40 weight better then 30 weight oil for fish?

Maybe its time for some of you "ban" guys to post on this bb a list showing us what YOU think "kills" wild steelhead. Put them in priority, and what kills steelhead first, and at what percent they kill the fish. That way, we can all see just what you think effect's the recovery of wild steelhead stocks.

That way every member on this bb can see what really kills fish, and in what order that we should attempt to reduce their effect. It could read something like this; Dams #1 (70%); Gill nets #2 (40%); pollution #3 (46%) Hook mortally #4 (8%), etc.

The hook is an easy one to pick on because you can catch the fish and hold him in a net pen for a couple of hours, or days, and wait for him to die. But what about the other killers, how long to you think it takes for the other "killers" to take their toll?


Now wouldn't that make a good thread! At some point, RT could make a final posting and reveal the final survey. Every one could put their 2 cents worth in and explain how they came up with their numbers. Then, and only then, can we really see what is really going to speed up wild steelhead recovery. Some of you may not like what you'll see, because it may affect your way of life. We can get all this information free!

Who's going to take the first shot?

Cowlitzfisherman

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