Hi All Here are my winded thoughts

I've been sitting back and reading with some amusement the posts concernig WSR & Forks. I personally think it is a good idea (with some reservations).
I can understand why people in Forks and other areas are concerned. In my view, a lot of it goes way beyond the WSR issue and has to do with the Seattle/Puget Sound area, influence on rural Washington lives. Weather it is east of the mountains, rural Snohomish county or Forks.
I have fished Forks for 15+ years ( I live in Bothell). I always stay in their hotels, eat in their restaurants, buy their gas etc. I do it out of convenience, but also, I do it because I like & respect the people I have met and I understand that their way of life has changed and is changing.
Most of us on this board are avid fisherman who either own boats or like myself enjoy hiking and exploring. We are still going to go to Forks and fish. The big question is, what is the sometimes/non-angler who hires a guide going to do? Has any of the groups that supported this rule, thought of ways to help promote the "Catch & Release" frame of mind to the guy who hires a guide once a year and who wants to bring something home to show the wife & neighbors? My opinion is, over time, people will understand and accept it. Remember, it's not like they will have many other choices of keeping native steelhead.

I plan on heading over to Forks by the end of the month. It is going to be interesting to hear what some of locals I know have to say about all of this. I know one thing I am going to point out is, playing it safe & having Catch & Release is better than having it shut down at the end of February.
In closing, I just want to say to everyone, remember that Forks is in the middle of nowhere. If people lose their jobs over this, it is not like they can drive to Redmond for another one. It's got to scare them and they must be wondering if it's happend with Steelhead are Salmon next.