Salmo g--

Rocks in my head, huh? Well, there is also an old saying that says "the truth hurts". While not worried even if there was an IQ requirement to obtain a licence, I still wouldn't want to tarnish your 20%'s image. As for your history lesson, "[Bleeeeep!] happens". You say 'the government may have been right or may have been wrong, but that's how they felt at the time'. Exactly, AT THE TIME. The government also use to feel clearcutting was fine. The government use to think no hunting seasons on buffalo, or turkey were fine, too. Don't see much clear cutting or non-regulated hunting anymore, do ya? Most people learn from their mistakes, adjust, and move on. I don't believe there is a cement strong enough to hold something in place forever. You say everything on this board is just irrational venting, well you start digging thru your 'science' or 'facts' and show me one time the indians have truthfully stopped netting fish when they reached their 50%. Can't find it? It's not documented, that's why. Leave your car keys home with your 16 year old for a weekend that you're out of town, and tell them they can only drive a little(don't write down the mileage on the car). How much is your kid gonna drive with no one watching over them? Do you think the constitution was written with fully automatic weapons in mind, or career politicians? The constitution can be amended, that is what amendments are for. Yes, the white man has done more damage to fish runs than the indians. Commercial overharvest has destroyed most fish runs. But instead of the indians standing up and going after the commercial lobby, they thumb their noses at sportfisherman. They play the game 'well if you're gonna do that, then I'm gonna do this'. Commercial fisherman have greatly raped the resource. In return, the indians up their raping of the resource. The problem is the commercial gang rape happens on the high seas, far out of site of most people. The indians commit their crimes of nature right in front of us fisherman. Are you beginning to understand the frustration that gets vented on this BB? You write back to BTW that using wild steelhead for halibut bait is a matter of human value. You are 100% correct. They eat horse meat for dinner in Europe, that's unheard of here. I know you read this BB enough to know that pretty much everyone here doesn't club wild fish, contrary to what you say(I'm insulted, but I'll let that one go). It sounds to me that you feel the indians don't understand(or care about)the difference in value between a hatchery and a wild steelhead. It's all just meat to be sold for a price. THIS is a problem I have trouble dealing with. Rocks in my head? You say that was pointed at no one in particular, but since I'm the one that said we should get them back to harvesting the way they did when the treaties were written, I'll assume you meant me. Did the indians take as many fish per person then, compared to now? 'The courts found no instance where tribal fishing ever destroyed a salmon or steelhead run.' Well, it's called documentation, or the lack there of. The court won't be able to find how many times a day I take a piss, either. NO ONE KEEPS TRACK(not even me, get the point). I agree, we are one up on the indians when it comes to destroying fish populations. Do two wrongs make a right? The commercial fishing industry is a sham, and they ride the same coattails the indians do. "But, this is the only way I can make a living. I don't know anything else. It's the way I've always done things." Well, take a college class, or two. I hear the computer industry is pretty big these days. How many of LOOMISMAN'S buddies do something else now that Big Brother cracked down on the logging industry? It's called change. [Bleeeeep!] happens. You say I'm pointing my finger at everyone but myself, well I say B.S.. I abide by the rules set forth, and I don't do some things when I think the rules are too liberal. If you want to see change to the whole situation, the answer is enforcment, and better management. That means for everyone. Quit catching the hell out of fish in the ocean just because the forecast you've calculated using some 1967 formula says there will be plenty of fish. Quit using the same formula for forecasting river returns and setting those seasons. Hire a buttload of game wardens to enforce the rules that are in place for commercial and recreational fishing. And yes, do something about indian abuse. It's as pathetic as the people defending them. The spade is still a spade.