Maybe I better clarify a few things about this thread! NO WHERE did I state that "fishing" was or is a "constitutional" right! It is also beyond my wildest imagination how some of you can possibly believe that the term "fishing" only refers to "wild steelhead", or to its protection and recovery.

Maybe some you self proclaimed "scholars" just need to read what the definition of fishing really is; (Webster, second college edition) "fishing; 1. The catching of fish for sport or for a living. Notice that nothing was said about ANY WILD FISH or recovery!

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Dave Jackson; quote "Before there was a "government" fishing was, and remains to this day, to be a privilege…"

Again, let's see what Webster says about "privilege";
(1. a right, advantage, favor, or immunity specially granted to one; a right held by a certain individual, group, or class and withheld from certain others or all others.
(2. a basic civil right, guaranteed by a government.

I would show you the definition of what "Right" is but its too darn long (look it up yourself).

Well Dave, you and Webster appear to have a difference of opinion. Man was "fishing" long before he had any type of "government".So then, who gave us that right, since goverment, nor anyone else, granted us that right, how could it then be a "privilege? People do have a right to put fish into their own lakes or ponds and go "fishing" without any state license, right? Is that also a "privilege"?

The "Native American Indian" who lives in Washington State doesn't need ANY fishing licenses to fish on waters that they historically fished in does he (aren't they also considered to be a member of mankind too)? So call it what you want, call it a god given, call it spiritual given, or call it whatever you want to, but it was a "right" that mankind has had, be it the white man, black man, brown man, yellow man, or red man, all enjoyed the "right" to fish long before any "government" or "privilege" came into play.
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Cechopper, I like your logic!

So why is it that the same ones always bring back the "wild" thing issue when we talk about fishing?

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