First of all...comparing fishing to sex only goes so far. Sex is an instinct. Fishing is learned behavior.

If you have any sort of willpower you could deny your urge to fish in the same way that you do when your particular fishery of choice (notice the drug related reference...if you want to make analogies, fishing as an addiction is a good place to start) closes for the season. There are of course exceptions to the closures but most of us have an idea of what that feels like.

Who on this forum can't control their addiction to fishing to the point that they fish their river when it is closed? I would venture to say few on this board would admit to that...

So suggesting for even one minute that I couldn't or wouldn't discontinue fishing to help protect wild fish is way off the mark. If what you are suggesting is that you think I am a hypocrite because of my stance on this issue juxtaposed against the fact that I still fish then your argument becomes more credible.

My response to that idea is that I have taken every step to mitigate my impact on wild fish in this state short of discontinuing to fish entirely. With the exception of maybe five out of 75 to 100 fishing days each year I fish in rivers with healthy wild fish populations. I release all wild steelhead. This year will be my first year releasing all wild fish (coho, chinook and steel) in one river and all wild fall chinook in another.

In my estimation the returning wild populations in those rivers are still healthy enough for limited harvest. This year I intend to harvest 1 wild spring chinook and two wild fall coho.

I'm wrestling with the idea of trying to harvest all of my fish from hatchery rivers and releasing all other wild fish I catch. Right now, due to the health of the populations I don't think that's necessary. The important point here is that I know to the best of my ability the relative health of my fishery.

In introducing my brother and others to the ways of fishing for salmon and steelhead I try to pass on my concern for wild fish first, explain to them to the best of my ability the sad state of wild fish populations, especially wild chinook, in our region. Of course I would like everyone to see things my way but instead I try to encourage everyone to form their own opinion the same way that I have....by caring enough to find out on your own.

I do not fish with bait when smolt are present. Except for spring salmon, I use single siwash hooks on all of my lures. I know how to properly handle fish for release. I use slightly heavier pound test than I would like so that I bring fish in before they are tired.

Just by committing to fish in a river with healthy wild fish populations I am making a pretty big sacrifice....how many of you spend eight hours driving every time you want to go fishing? I do...I'll bet there are a few others too but not many...

Too long, I know. My point is that if the time were to come where those populations were put under pressure I would easily give up fishing...

I mean, I've gone without sex for a whole month before and that's a biological urge fer cryin out loud....I could certainly go a few years without fishing if that's what it took, even if I did need a prescription for wellbutrin in the end....