"If the tribes get to net during the wild runs, then we should be able to fish.
Stop the nets and I will gladly stop fishing during that same time."


This argument has never made sense to me. I agree, the nets are by far the greatest impact and it is likely improvements in runs will not be seen until the nets are gone...but that doesnt mean you cant SLOW the decline...does anyone deny that fewer fish will spawn with a One fish limit and netting than would spawn with a moratorium and netting? I mean its not like they are tossing gillnets over the redds. By the time sporting anglers get a crack at 'em the nets have already taken their toll.

I'm no expert on this issue, and I dont even live in Washington full time anymore (school/military) but I just think its obvious that everyone(nearly) agrees the runs need protection...so why not start with the protection we can get now and work up to whatever else you want? I mean, Forks at least doesnt pretend to be concerned about native steelhead populations. I can admire their tenacity, even if I dont agree with their motives. However, something just seems a little off to me when people complain that netting is devastating the native stocks and should be banned, yet continue to harvest said native stocks on top of the damage already caused.

Not trying to get in a