The same whiners who blamed declining salmon stocks on environmental issues and habitat degradation are now saying that the overewhelming rebound of salmon to our coastal areas and rivers is a fluke....a lucky break thanks to the environment. Most of the rhetoric is coming from the Bush haters because GW and other Republicans are visiting here and mentioning the tremendous amount of money that has been and will be poured into the salmon-saving cause here in the Northwest. When some of us argued that the ocean conditions contribute to salmon survival these folks whined that it was the evil doers ruining our habitat that caused most of the salmon population's decline. Now the same people acknowledge the effect of favorable ocean conditions and go so far as to pin the entire rebound we are seeing on that and dismiss the efforts by so many in so many diverse areas...I am not saying that I agree with any politician taking credit for saving salmon...If Gary Locke were running for re election I'm sure the salmon recovery would be his doing. I actually think the sports fishermen have alot to do with the direction things have gone in recent years.

So if any of you Bush haters out there ( the ones holding banners over I-5 that say "Bush Lied") are fishermen I hope you can see the change for the better in our fisheries here in Washington...Lots of efforts left to come and it will be a long road to recovery but if this season is any indication I think we have reasons to be optimistic. I think the trip out West by the president and others this week may help to maintain and even increase funding for salmon recovery. Maybe I'll stand next to the idiots on the overpasses and hold a banner saying"Bush Helped"....Oh Geez I can almost hear the cockroaches scurrying out from under the rug.....

I haven't done any protesting nor held signs but disagree completely. Bush is bad for fish and the environment in my book. Can you please advise us what positive things Bush has done that has helped the recovery of Salmon in Washington state? As for his trip here...it's purely a campaign fund raiser nothing more.

All I can say is that at least this administration has kept millions of acres open to outdoor enthusiasts.

Clinton>>>>Gore had slated some of the most prime hunting, fishing, 'wheelin (4x4,atv, motocross, bicycle, wheelchair, YES WHEELCHAIR) TARGETED for "wilderness" status and CLOSURE TO ACCESS!!!! FOREVER!!!

Ya'll need to look around besides your own backyard AND BE THANKFUL.

I dont like the personality of this administration any more than the next guy, but if you think we would be safer with a Dem in the seat driving you had better think again.

"This land is MY land, this land is YOUR land, from California, to the New York...."

I don't think I said Bush did anything for fish other than his support for the money being allocated for recovery. I believe I credit sports people of all political parties. Norm Dicks is one local politician who deserves thanks for his stand on fish recovery. A true Bush hater blames Bush for everything....what was it? Bush is baaaaaaad for fish. He is??? hmmmm How so? Most of our fish problems have nothing to do with the current administration. The money being spent by the billions does some good but is also wasted in many cases.

I was just wanting to see if the Bush haters would be predictable or whether they may agree that the salmon fishing this year is tremendous. So come on 30%ers...repeat after me: Bush goooooood.....Salmon fishing goooooood......

Allright Grandpa - time for some facts!!

George W. Bush personally started the Blaster worm and the Sobig virus!

He is behind the removal of the 10 Commandments statue in Alabama!!

He is secretly having an affair with Demi Moore!

I have it on good authority that he was on the grassy knoll on November 22, 1963!!

Folks, I am just kidding. Grandpa and most of you know that I think GW is one of the worst Presidents in my lifetime. But, I don't hate him (don't know him well enough to hate him). I do think, on balance, his environmental policies are not helpful to Salmon recovery. My belief is that one of the prominent reasons for our current Salmon good times is the ban on Canadian commercial fishing on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

I will carry no signs today despite my belief that Bush lied, intentionally or unintentionally on the threat that Iraq posed to us. My demonstration will occur in November of 2004. Catch 'em early and often down in the CR Grandpa!!!

Grandpa, it seems to be a trend amongst staunch Bush supporters to avoid listing any facts and instead sticking to generalized statements and claims and when questioned for specific information they seem to try to turn it around and ask the questioner to prove their generalized factless statements are wrong. Your statement seems to blatenly credit this years good salmon returns on the Bush administration. Also his "support for the money being allocated for recovery". What do you base that on? I tell you what...I will give you fifity cents on the dollar for everything in your bank account and in turn tell you I am helping you financially.

Grandpa,

Fishing good --> Bush good?

By that logic, during the mid 90's you must have been saying: Economy good --> Clinton good.

I'm not bashing Bush, but giving his administration credit for increased salmon runs is a big stretch. Most of the fish returning we poking their head out of the gravel before Bush put any policies in place.

Again, I'm not saying he is bad for fish (although I don't believe the environment is a priority of his) I'm just trying to point out a bit of hypocrisy. Giving credit when it may not be due is just as bad as assigning blame when it may not be due. In this case, I believe the jury is still out and we won’t really know the affect for another 3-5 years.

As previously mentioned, Bush wasn't in office when the larger Chinook being caught now were just fry. You also can't argue that habitat degradation, over-fishing, and dams haven't put the salmon populations in the toilet, or if you can, give us some facts.
Drilling for more oil, cutting more trees, and opening up more pristine habitat for exploitation has never been a recipe for recovery.

Grandpa just discovered that the board is running at normal speed again so he thought he would have a little fun!

4Salt ..you are indeed a wise man.....

Eddie you are a hopeless cause...but a friend...

If you guys re-read what I said ...I said I don't think GW did anything FOR the salmon except approve of the money being spent on recovery efforts....Far from endorsing him for anything to do with salmon but certaily not blaming him either....

Pretty simple. I am with Eddie on this one.

Have you heard that Immodium commercial? "Where will you be when your diarrhea comes back??? Well some of you will probably be writing emails , writing letters and holding banners blaming George Bush for it.

Eddie..my trip to Astoria was cancelled. I have to stay home and remain a true capitalist by working. Fishing is great down there thanks to Bill and Hillary. What was that you said about lying Eddie????I did not have sex with that salmon?