Dances,

You said in your post on March 2 that Indians get more money from the government when there are fewer fish than when there are more fish in the river. Would you mind backing up that statement? What is your source for that information?

I ask only because I've been involved in fish conservation and the fishing industry and business for well over 25 years, and I've never heard of such a government program that does this. I know several treaty Indian fishermen who would really be interested in getting some of that money if such a program exists, since salmon runs are really low in their rivers lately.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Salmo
No problem
I am not saying that all tribes get it but the skokomish indian tribe gets more money if there are less fish in the river because they say that can't make enought money to survive thats all.

Any insight from you if I am wrong would be much appricated

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work is for people who dont know how to fish

Dances,
(in response to your 3/4 post)
If everyone dumped half a million hatchery smolts into every river in the northwest, we'd all be screwed. It's an overtly simplistic view that dumping hatchery clones to supplement wild native fish populations works. It feels good and generates jobs, but actually harms the native populations by reducing available habitat, inter-spawning and diluting crucial native genes with Chambers Creek strain junk. If all the hatcheries were closed, and resources diverted to broodstock programs that'd be a start. Going to universal wild fish release and perhaps mandatory hatchery fish bonking would be a good continuation. It's doubtful we can change tribal fishing practices, all we can do is optimize the bed we've made for ourselves.

Fishbadger, you and I are in agreement on this issue. It's amazing how so many of us are ignorant of the merits of wild fish. Sad sad sad, because we need their voice to change things.

Fishbadger
I appolojies I did not specify about hatchery fish. what I ment was broodstock fish. but I did not mean over populate the rivers with hatchery fish. I personally like to hook natives becasue they fight a hell of alot harder then the brats. next time I will clearafy when I state stock fish ok

Nets were in at 101 on Sunday didn't see em on Tuesday