There are abundant recommendations/proposed solutions to the problems in our fishery management. Many people, much smarter than me use the latest technology, modeling and forecasting to produce sound management shares and still meet conservation goals.

Unfortunately, once the principles gather and lock the door to start the negotiations they allow ego, emotion, bias and greed to rule the day.

It seems like our Tribal Co-managers have the "right" and the "law" on their side to dictate to us, not only how our fisheries will be managed, who and when non-tribal citizens will be able fish, if they will be able to fish.

By simply declaring any conversation as "Gov't to Gov't" they have very effectively removed any public challenge from their course of action and prevented any objection to any "deals" until after it's all done.

Lucky has a very valid point: We, the non-tribal sportsmen can have no impact on our fisheries any longer. We have been totally cut off at the knees because our fisheries are now no longer a citizen owned resource, but rather a resource managed "Gov't to Gov't" and without any real public input.

We can provide all the suggestions, recommendations and input in the world to WDFW, but unless it benefits the Tribes, they won't agree and they don't have to agree. They risk nothing by walking out...