A big part of what makes DB Mondays so special is that relatively few folks choose to participate. I believe this is because most folks find it much easier to fish from a powerboat the other six days of the week, the way they always have. A little background is helpful in understanding why this is so.

Before the advent of DB Mondays in 1999, the king fishery was almost exclusively a powerboat affair dominated by a large guide fleet operating between the hours of 6am to 6pm except on Sundays and Mondays. Sundays were historically designated an exclusive day for private boats. Mondays were historically designated NO KING FISHING, a "day of rest" to allow returning kings one opportunity per week to pass the lower river gauntlet undisturbed.

When DB Mondays were first conceived, there was little or no resistance from the guide fleet or private powerboat owners. They had absolutely nothing to lose since private boats still had their usual six days of access (Tue-Sun), and guides still had their usual five days of access (Tue-Sat) like they'd always had.

Now we are at a crossroads where another (perhaps several) DB only day(s) is being considered. There is even a movement to make the entire fishery drift only 24-7! I do not believe an abrupt shift to total-DB-only is realistic, but an incremental approach adding another day(s) is quite do-able and very likely to happen in 2005.

The next incremental day is one that will surely raise some controversy, and this time around, it's unlikely to come without a fight. Private powerboat owners will lose access to the fishery, and depending on which day is chosen, guides who can't or won't row will lose access as well.

TO EVERYONE: What are your thoughts on which day should be the next designated DB only day? Please share the rationale for your choice.