SOTE:

There are a few comments in this thread that are, IMHO, unwarranted, HOWEVER, please understand that we, as sportsfishers, have watched our fishing stocks dwindle, in mass, since the implimentation of the Boldt decision so many years ago.

That said, there are numerous factors in that "loss of returning fish" equation. Increased commercial fishing (non-native) is among them.

I believe what most all of us are upset about is not the "use" or "implimentation" of the rights granted to the tribes by the Boldt decision, but the blantant ABUSE of those rights by many of the tribes.

If the intended spirit of the Boldt decision was followed by the tribes, then the rest of the folks would not be so upset. Fact is, issues like what the Makah did with the troll fishery are a prime example.

Our own WDFW has no "teeth" to back up any enforcement with, so, the tribes do what they wish, and give the rest of us the finger when we see the resource being trashed.

Like I said, the loss of fish is due to a number of factors...MOST of which we (as a people, together) can change...BUT, the issue of the tribes over-fishing, killing (wasting!) thousands of good fish just for the eggs (which are generally sold overseas)...etc., and we (Sportsfishers) being totally without any options when it comes to making them stop.

This just irritates the hell out of people.

The local poaching wild steelhead can get fined, jailed, lose all their equipment (truck, poles, etc.) while the tribal member kills 100 times more with a gill net and "it's OK", and "within their rights".

If there is ENOUGH FISH for them to net them, then why don't the WDFW biologists feel there is enough for someone to keep their catch for dinner?

That is why we are upset. It has NOTHING to do with racism, but rather a strong desire to see OUR (meaning all peoples) resources flourish instead of being destroyed by environmental, natural and cultural forces.

That's why we are angry. It is not you, personally, or your tribe, but the specific individuals within the tribal fishery groups that seem hell-bent on destroying a resouce that once provided the life-support for their people.

It's sad.

Respectfully,

Mike B