DJ-
First of all, I am not constantly gloating about 'Sparkey's Law'. Yes, once, I started a thread titled "Sparkey's Law Being Practiced" but it was totally tongue and cheek.

It is yourself, and the others opposed to the law that keep referring to it as Sparkey's Law and giving me the credit for the regulation. I have constantly stated that I was just one of many who sent in a proposal regarding fish handling and I was one of many that supported the proposed regulation that the WDFW passed onto the Commission.

Secondly, I would like to know what picture you are referring to. I spend alot of time fishing summer-runs in September and October on rivers that contain long-distance steelhead. Some of the fish tend to take on a darker red-side appearence in the Fall eventhough they are months from spawning. Plus, I know the type of water the fish spawn in and I never target that type of water when spawning fish maybe around. So, please do not acuse me of fishing over spawners.

Next, I want to know what my hidden agenda is. Yes I spend the vast majority of my time fishing for steelhead with the bugrod but I also spend a good number of days every year fishing with the drift rod and many of my very good freinds spend more time with the drift rod then the bug rod (if they fish the bug rod at all).

I do believe that bait should be banned on certain rivers at certain times of the year. But, that is based upon the science that has shown the high mortality rates trout face when hooked and released with bait. Why should it not be okay to kill adult wild steelhead on their way up the river but okay to slaughter (and yes I use the term slaughter) juvenille steelhead via releasing bait caught juvenille fish in the late spring and summer. I only propose Selective Fisherys when I feel that the fish will benefit...as a matter of fact I took great pleasure last week hooking two steelhead on the bug rod right in the middle of the bait water (which I actually do quite often) so I don't need Selective Waters to catch fish, I just feel at certain times they protect them.

And lastly, if you think I have some sort of hidden agenda, I will have you know that you will never see me propose a fly-only streth of river for steelhead.

You are more then welcome to make accuisations BUT please back them up.

And regarding your comment that if I think catch and release is so harmful, then why dont I stop fishing for them???...well, I will answer that again. You can minimize the mortality rate of released fish via the gear that you use and the manner that you handle the fish. And if a river is underescaped, I am the first one to say close it.