Mr. Vedder,

I have read many of your articles and have always respected your opinions and thoughts on fishing.

I am sorry to say but you have lost much credibility with your post and response to Phishingman. He posts a legitimate question to you and you respond (defensively) with an insult and your justification for killing the magnificent breeder Lingcod.

We all live by the decisions we make and suffer/reap the results karmically. I am an avid diver and have seen many Lings over 40 lbs. that I could have shot. I choose to not shoot these fish because I know there importance to the gene pool. I make it my practice to only shoot fish 15 lbs and under and only from the coast. I also preach this to fellow divers and fisherman.

I am sorry to make more of an issue of this then really needs be but it is not right to call someone else out and insult them, but not take the heat you deserve. Out of 100 Lings you could have chosen to harvest a smaller one. As a former flyfishing flyout guide in Alaska I also know about the many fine taxidermists that can make mounts of these fish without the need to harvest them.

We need all wild breeders period. Alaska, Idaho, Washington or Florida... Don't make a difference where they are or how "healthy" the fishery is, we need them all!

Again, I realize you have done much for spreading the word about C & R but the kettle is still black.

Ling