After reading up on the RFA I became a member last year. I believe overall they are a good alli
for us sportfishers in the NW. The one thing I am in disagreement with is their position on the WA statewide native steelhead release reg proposal. I don't agree that we should wait until their is "damn good" science available before we try saving our native steelhead runs. There is enough science and evidence on the decline of these irreplacable and priceless fish to take what precautions we can now - especially in light of the fact that C&R regs don't take away angling opportunity; and in fact may save it from the Fed. ESA and NMFS some day in the future. However, ....

.... with that being said, and the likelyhood that the WSR regs are likely to pass anyway, I think this is a good organization to support. We need all the lobbying power we can get in Wash. DC, and these guys are on our side a vast majority of the way. Including strengthening opposition to commercial netting, as Jim aluded to. Thanks for your efforts on our behalf Mike Gilchrist.

RT