Where are you drawing that conclusion from? You have no way of knowing who carries and who doesn't. When you go out ANYWHERE you are probably around armed people but never know it.
As shown by this thread there are a lot of us carrying, yet it's unlikely you would ever know it by our appearance or actions on the river (or anywhere else). I really doubt that anyone here waves their gun around and threatens to shoot people over nothing like the guy who "cocked his hammer at you."
Owning and carrying a gun is a personal choice. Nobody can knock you for not carrying or owning a gun. That's your choice. But there are a lot more crazies around than you would think. Ask a cop. You're near Clallam Bay, ask someone who works at the prison if they think everyone is harmless.
Do you lock your doors at night and when you're away? Is that a sign of mental weakness?
I agree that the chance of using a gun to defend against a cougar attack is slim. You're more likely to run into a crank addict at the trail head. That's why I choose to carry.
IMO, most people preaching the evils of guns know absolutely nothing about them.