Pretty tired of listening to people avoid taking responsibility for their fishing actions...Something posted on the EF bait ban thread got to me a little so I wanted to post a new thread on the subject....This is meant generally and has nothing to do with the bait ban on the EF Lewis.

Is the use of bait the true reason for the decline of Native steelhead? No. Is there a TRUE reason...of course not, so saying that we should not enact a protective measure based on this reasoning is ludicrous.

Is there a single reason for the decline of Native steelhead? Of course not, the problem is extremely complex and beyond answering by the best scientific minds in the state and country. We are certainly able to do identify contributing factors and minimize the risks associated with each.

Now ask yourself if the use of bait contributes to the decline of Native steelhead. Ever try to sneak some eggs through a hole past a bazillion smolts? Ever hook one? Ever shake it off and keep fishing? Ever hook another?

Which is why it is ironic for the same people who say they care about Native fish to complain about even the suggestion of a bait ban. I am not necessarily for or against the use of bait, I'd just once like to hear people who consistently fish with bait admit that they kill smolts. I have and, especially while fishing for summer runs, seldom use it anymore. I also catch my share of fish..

All we can do is take responsibility for our own actions. Consider the impact of a bait ban on your fishing style. Maybe you rely on bait too much and could stand to learn some new tricks...Maybe you could be even more successful foregoing bait entirely, I am positive that at least in certain situations this is true.

Please note all...the lack of flames directed towards individuals. If you want to flame something here, flame the ideas not the individuals who present them.

Thanks for letting me express my opinion...