I reviewed the forum's "salvage" comments and it is correct. There is no salvage rights on the rivers. Taking the gear from a boat accident is theft much the same as taking from a car accident. It's not a free for all. Committing theft could interfere with fishing privileges.

I even had someone asking me a day or so later if they could have the boat. Like most of you, everyone accumulates quite a bit of gear over the years and some of is not replaceable nor does insurance cover all of it (if any).

Those of you who have property it can turned into me (dropped off at the FarWest Motel) or Wildlife Fairbanks, or call 374-5324 and I'll come and get it. These folks took a pretty good hit. We expect when accidents happen that all the professionals on the river help out as best they can. This could happen to anyone of you and I'm sure you would want the same courtesies.

Ideally when finding gear from a boat accident you can and should turn it in to the Sheriff's Office and we can see that it gets to the rightfull owner. If an owner can not be identified? We have a claim process where after a 90 to 120 day period the found property is returned to the finder.

For the most part, we know the professionals have an honor code on the rivers and adhere to it. Every so often there is some friction. m We have not had to take a proactive approach on the rivers. We certainly not want to have to check boats at all the "take-outs" everytime an accident happens. Or have to do "stolen gear" checks at the "take-outs" during the season.

We are interested in the campers and anyone else who may have helped themselves to the property. If anyone has any info you can call or email rpieper@co.clallam.wa.us

We are also interested in some sort of a notification system among the Guides and professional fishing community so we can get the word out and work together. Perhaps have knowledgable river folk available to assist with search and rescue missions. We have very little resources.

Sorry for the length. Thank You to those of you who helped and are helping.

Randy Pieper