Well, the topic has to rear its ugly head now and again. However, it never ceases to amaze me at how near sighted some are when adressing the topic of tribal and non-tribal netting. Besides generalizing the topic to the point that it sounds like half the cast of Deliverance is yee-hawing about something they think they are experts in, they come off sounding like racist idiots.

I think the posts that string together a bunch of racially motivated slurrs and generalizations does more to threaten the integrity of the sportsmen and the sports interests than anything.

Call me a "p**sy" if you want, but shallow minded near sighted comments that have been previously posted should be left to conversations in somebody's garage with people of like thought train.

Wouldn't it be great if our kids got to feed off hatred such as this by going to a website based on a sport that conveys info a fun, healthy outdoor sport. While I don't agree with the netting in the rivers and do think the rights are over exercised, I'd like for my stepson to be able to develop his own ideas on the topic by being presented with rational arguments from both sides. Not pick up a batch of racial hate messages based on who's got the right to the fish from a fishing website.

I'd hate to have to not be active on this board because I enjoy 99% of the messages, camaraderie, and information that is transmitted between members. However, if this is the type of crap that starts getting tossed around it won't be worth it to me to be involved.


While we are banning the nets how about banning all bait fishing in rivers where the wild steelhead runs, native salmon, and coastal cutts are struggling? If we are that concerned about our fish runs shouldn't sportfishing techniques which impart a greater risk of fish mortalitiy be put by the wayside? I suppose everyone who wants all methods of catching salmon and steelhead banned other than with a pole, never fishes over a redd and utilizes single-barbless hooks on non-natural attractors also.

Whats the last time we saw non-tribal netters going about their business in March and April, (except the few days they get on the Columbia with chinook sized mesh) when the bulk of the wild steelhead are cougaring about?

Just some thoughts to ponder.