Punch cards are valuable Information?? To whom. Over the past 10 years I have realized that the Sportsfisherman are on the bottom of the food chain when it comes to fish allotments in this state: Unless we unite and fund some political politicians campaign we will not be heard. Several years ago a GREAT proposition was voted down, BAN ALL NETS.

a. I have seen many times over the years that the Dept of Fisheries would put out bogus numbers of expected returns of salmon allowing the Commericals to over harvest just to turn around and slap emergency closures to
us river fisherman.

b. Last weekend 7 rivers up North were closed because of poor returns. I havent turned in my punch card yet. How is my punch card going to help this?

c. Governor Locke just cut the budget for hatcheries. Several hatcheries have already been closed with many more targeted!

d. Look closely to the Cowlitz. Tacoma Power had a 30 year contract that required renegotiating this year. They want to decrease there PROMISED responsibility of managing the hatcheries. They want to save MONEY by reducing the amount of smolts!!!

The fish in this state are regulated by special interest groups. Not the importance of managing fish and habitat. Timber, Dams, Commercials and Indians.

Unless we adopt a FISH FIRST like Alaska does, the dismal returns now will be gone in a few years. Talk to the Old timers how fishing use to be years ago.