Jerry, I don't know why you're asking me such a sarcastic question (I guess I didn't give to you the answer that you wanted to hear). You asked all of us for advice and we gave it to you.

You now say that you're "not a political organization".That may only be because of the way that you guys have set up your 501 status (do you even have a status yet?). Believe me, your "political" but only to the degree that your 501 status allows you to be! Maybe the organizers of WSC screwed up and only filed for a 501-3 status.Only your board knows that answer. When I was the business manager for the FOC, I developed a joint 501-C3 and C4 status rating. That way we could take in funds for doing projects (like your proposed studies) and keep that money aside from the main organization funds, and still be somewhat politically active. You can do an awful lot of political stuff under the rules of 501-C4.

It took a lot of time, effort and money to do it but we finally got both our C4 and C3 status. So maybe you guys can do the same as I did with the FOC, and then you can do both. It cost us about $1000 and a lot of my time to get both the 501-C4 and C3 statuses. I hope this information will help you decide what is best for you.

Finally, it doesn't matter if I agree or disagree with WSC "mission statement". The fact is that you are complaining that your organizations membership is not reaching your anticipated goal. It's my own personal opinion that there are far more anglers out there that are against c&r then there are those for it (again, it's only my opinion). It would behoove your board to revaluate their mission statement and see if they can reach a larger, broader, range of anglers. It's not my place to put words into your board's mouths; it is their responsibility as board members to make sure that your organization survives and meets its goal. If they fail to do so, so will WSC. Anyway, that just my opinion and you can take it for whatever it is worth.
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4Salt

Does it really matter if it is me or Salmo g. that "Makes you think"? Re-think what Salmo has politically said so well; "It is unlikely we can prevent further immigration and population growth. As the population grows, demands on existing resources increases. Under this scenario, all the habitat restoration projects imaginable will not create significant numbers of harvestable wild steelhead. We will continue to degrade habitat, even indirectly, faster than we can restore it. CNR is a bit player in the big picture." What do you "think" he just told you?

You know, they saved the California Condor too, but now it looks like "time it's self" will decide if it makes it or not. That is why hatchery fish may be your only savor in the near future. And it also may very well be the only thing that our next generation may be allowed to fish and harvest.

I also personally like Salmo g.(we both know that we represent different view points). But he is not a fish god that can change what is already in place. We must all deal with the reality of what we have left to fish on and make the correct management choices to allow us a sport fishery which must include some form of harvest opportunity.
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Bank walker

Have you forgotten who asked for advice on this issue? I did not create this thread, I just gave Jerry an answer, and the answer must have been a big pill for him to sallow! Correct me if I am wrong, but have I posted any threads on this board that "attacked" WSC before? I don't think that you will find a single line where I have "attacked" the WSC. If so, please bring it to my attention and I will apologize. If not, then you owe me the apology, fair enough?

Why in the devil would someone post a question on this board and not expect to get back a verity of answers to their question? Maybe I miss something here, but I didn't see any rules that "all responses had to be in favor of WSC". Am I correct? If WSC can't withstand sensible question here, they are in bigger trouble then you may think!

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