Melissa/Chris:

My background--born Seattle, raised in Kent and Redmond areas. 3 yrs. army, 5 yrs. with Standard Oil of Ca., married in 63, went to S. Dakota for a teaching degree but when I started looking for a job.....I knew it was going to be in Wa. State. Now with that background what I did....got a map out, looked where the activites that I most liked would be....then applied for jobs in those areas. Lucked out, got a teaching job in Aberdeen....now retired.....spent 100's of hours learning rivers, watching others, listening, trying different things, bought 2 kinds of boats(jet and drift), thousands of dollars in fishing tackle, read as many books, magazines(Salmon and Steelheader, have all from 1977 to 2000), go to trade shows. Bottom line have spent the time and effort to really enjoy my pasttime.

Don't like to see anyone give information as to "what rock to stand on, what exact gear to use, what exact bait to use, what exact river to go to, etc."

Have seen what happens when papers, sporting goods stores, hotlines, people, etc. start pushing a certain river or area. Everyone wants to go where the fishng is the "hottest" the problem is...many of the rivers JUST CAN'T stand that kind of pressure or the mess that often gets left behind.

Remember I chose to live where I do for the outdoor activites...fishing, clamming, berry picking, etc.......too many want the "good life" then want to go where the fishing is....sorry.....don't expect help from the locals!!!!!!!!!!