Big Jim,

Overturning the treaties would take an act of Congress, given that the U.S. Supreme Court consistently rules in support of the treaties as the law of the land. And certain congress members, notably Slade Gorton, have introduced legislation to modify treaty fishing rights. Unsuccessfully. Every time. Now listen up. That's UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO OVERTURN TREATY FISHING RIGHTS IN CONGRESS. Sorry for shouting, but it does continue to amaze me how avid recreational anglers manage to keep themselves so uninformed about the basic issues affecting our fisheries. Please don't take it personally. The upshot is that few, if any, senators or congressmen and women want to be singled out and identified as Indian bashers. You may think it a fisheries conservation measure, but - trust me, I've been around this a while - Indian bashing is how it comes out in the broad public perception. The majority of Americans favor honoring federal treaties with Indian tribes, just as they favor honoring most of the treaties our federal government makes.

I'm not suggesting that you have to like it. I'm hoping, however, that you will understand that this is how it is. Unless a significant collection of Americans can assemble a majority of Congress, willing to be painted as Indian bashers, or worse, do not expect Congress to overturn treaty rights. In fact (sorry to rain on your parade) but if conservation so requires, you and I will be standing on the bank with our fishing gear collecting cob webs while the treaty Indians are the last interest group allowed to fish. Paraphrasing, treaty Indians will be the LAST group to be legally required to quit fishing for salmon and steelhead. That is how the law is laid out on this matter.

And if it matters, yes, I've read the 1854, 1855 treaties, the 1974 Boldt decision, the state superior and Supreme Court decisions, and all the U.S. Supreme Court decisions, and many of the decisions of the 70s and 80s by federal district court's fish master. To sum it up, I could think of a lot of impossible things that would be easier to change than it would be to change the laws pertaining to treaty Indian fishing.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.