Originally Posted By: 2MANY

Below is from their Facebook page..............LOL.

I wasn't on this trip, but feel the need to respond. First thing first, I have seen a few comments claiming that everyone involved with "Hooks and Horns" as they are being called is a rich, city dweller. Nothing could be farther than the truth, we are all working class guys trying to fulfill a dream of making a living in the outdoor industry. It is not huge bank accounts that gets us where we are, it is our passion and drive, and the guts that we possess to give it a whirl, instead of sitting home wishing it was us. Lets begin with Rex, the host and owner. I have known Rex for a year or so, and have not met a more courteous or nicer guy. HE is a member of the CCA and the Mule deer foundation, and is a huge supporter of my work with the sevengill sharks. I do consider him a conservation minded person, In fact without him, there is no doubt in my mind, we would not be doing research this season. Granted the fish could have been handled better, but remember this is the Quinalt reservation and those fish could have been kept if they would have elected. When fishing the res you are subject to their rules and practices. The Quinalt tribe takes conservation and management very seriously. They are a steward for other tribes to follow. That river has the fishing it has do to the work of that tribe, not us "white folk". I assure you proper handling is important to Rex, he understands the importance of the outdoors and how we as sportsmen are portrayed. The fish were netted because of the conditions they faced in the river. The guide has a very tough job, control the fish, plus control the boat in dangerous water conditions. Netting the fish and getting back to the throttle to ensure the safety of his passengers. As far as the release, many people believe that "tossing" for lack of a better term, is the best way to enter a fish into the river. It forces a quick shot of oxygen to the gills and shocks the fish, I see it on TV all the time. I am not sure if that was the guides intentions, but it is his boat and his call. If you feel you will get a response by calling everyone involved [Bleeeeep!] kickers and dragging their name through the mud online, you are wrong. This is exactly what is wrong with people today. Sportsmen need to help each other out and offer criticism, and not bash each other all over the internet. We have enough of that with anti hunting and fishing groups. Your criticism are and will be appreciated when done in a proper form. Understand, I am just commenting as a friend of the people involved. They are good honest hard working folks, who are being portrayed otherwise by people that know nothing about them.
You've got to be kidding. This guy is conservation minded? The idea that these fish could have been kept but weren't justifies fingers in gills? Releasing them to float belly up ? As far as the guide being too busy to deal with the fish in a responsible manner is just B.S., big time! Boycott these kinds of guides and give them a BIG helping of crap concerning their failure to conserve resources . Is the condition of the river a big concern to the tribe?Just for how much money they can suck out of it, the low return of sockeye is due to the fact that a LOT of sockeye were sold by the side of the road, 43 tribal members were cited for not recording catches last year alone, isn't unrecorded catches a major contributing factor in lower sockeye returns last year? How many fish did 43 tribal members catch between them? And how many tribal fishermen weren't caught? The trash and sewege seeping into the river from tribal land at Amanda park should tell you what kinds of land and water stewarts the Quinalt are.It's no wonder that some of their children and adults act like thugs at scholastic sports events with the hypocrosy that goes on. Most of the tribal members don't deserve this rep, but tribal govt. (like our govt.)lends a sense of self entitlement to those in power.If the tribe had sense they would vote these jerks out. Keep up the pressure on the jerks at hooks and horns too, seem like a bunch of self-entitled jerks to me, hit up their sponsors, that certainly would give them something to think about. Thanks for great thread! Bob R