Everyone who reads this post, PLEASE consider attending this Saturday's Springer Allocation meeting in Olympia from 10am-2pm!!!

I personally am in some serious hot water since I have decided not to sit on the sidelines & just let our Springer allocation shrink & be given to the commercial lobby. I had promised my wife I would work on her bathroom remodel project plus attend my daughter's basketball game this Saturday so now she is ticked!

Where is it to be held?

Saturday January 17th 10am -1:05pm

10. ADOPTION OF THE 2004-2005 COLUMBIA RIVER SPRING CHINOOK ALLOCATION POLICY C-3613:

The commission will consider adopting a two year (January 2004 through December 31st 2005) Columbia River Spring Chinook Allocation Policy, which would provide guidence to the Department regarding harvest allocation between recreation and comercial sectors of state managed fisheries.

Staff Report: Bill Tweit, Columbia River Lead, Intergovernmental Resource Management Cindy LeFleur, Columbia River Harvest Manager, Intergovernmental Resource Management

DIRECTIONS AND ACCESS TO NATURAL RESOURCES BUILDING: From I-5, take State Capitol exit (105). The exit puts you on 14th Avenue. Go through the tunnel and turn right onto Capitol Way. Turn right onto 11th Avenue. Turn right onto Washington. Turn left into the parking lot. Visitor parking is on the P-1 level of the building.

C'mon everybody! One measly Saturday afternoon. That's all were asking. Just show up to support our side.

We do so much $#%@! Let's do something now!

Count me in and I will bring others,
Peace Superfly

Don't forget guys..It is about the MORTALITY of the wild fish. The feds are being asked to give the commercials a permit to KILL 3 times as many wild fish as they were going to in the first place. It is not us against them it is all about the mortality of a net fishery for springers.....GET MAD!!!

I have obligations I cannot get out of Saturday, but I will be there with you in spirit!

My response from State Senator Darlene Fairly, fyi.


Thank you for such a thoughtful message. I understand many of your concerns about bycatch and recognize the increasing importance of sport fishing to our economy. At this time, I am not prepared to advocate for a specific allocation. I believe the stakeholders and experts involved in the process are in the appropriate position to weigh the factors and make a reasoned decision.

I do support the fishing license buyback program, which I hope will eventually help reduce the pressure for a large commercial allocation.

Again, thanks for taking the time to fully articulate this issue in such a thorough and respectful manner. I appreciate your perspective.

-Darlene


Please stand up and be heard. It doesn't take much time and they are hearing us. Most all of my friends have hit there reps and senators as well.

All I have to say is that I'm new to this site but not to the issue. The main problem is that a relative few sport fisherman get involved but the majority are apathetic. The creation of an effective lobbying group for our rights would go a long way... I will be there Saturday and am trying to get my friends there. Since it is a planned fishing weekend it might be like herding cats...

I need to make this short and sweet.

I have been involved in the springer allocation process since the agreement two years ago and deeply involved this year. I cant begin to provide all the info on all aspects of the process so far but I will say that it is incredibly important that this meeting be well attended by sport fishers.

For those who are planning to attend, know that I really appreciate it.

For those who are on the fence, please put your other plans aside and make this a priority. I understand completely that there is a lot going on in your lives. I personally have the additional responsibility of my 7 month old tomorrow so I have to take him with me. The sacrifice is worth it. Make sure to say hello, I will be easy to find.

Mike..as usual thanks for your tireless dedication to work on the front lines so the people on this board and all over our state can continue to have quality sportsfishing opportunities.

I was struck by the previous post of the politician's response..It really points out one thing that is really wrong. The people in our government who could make a difference are simply not educated. It's kind of like this: Oh I know the fox is guarding the chicken coop but I just don't know enough about chickens so I will leave the welfare of the chickens up to the foxes for now...Then she goes back and buries her head in the sand for a few more months.

We need to educate the public and the politicians. NO bullying..just polite education.

Good luck in Olympia...we're at the boat show.

Grandpa,

Sometimes the only thing that educates politicians (or gives bureaucrats a wake up call) is vast and widely representative public involvement. This equals votes for the politicos, and purse strings for the bureacrats.

I'm on my way down in about ten minutes...I sure hope to see many of you there. Let's make our voices heard on this issue...we can help set a precedent either way, as the players or the played.

Fish on...

Todd Ripley
VP Political and Legal Affairs
Wild Steelhead Coalition

Todd, GSiegal and I will be down there too this morning. What would be the best time to be there, we were gonna meet up at the 512 park and ride at 9:00.

See you there, I can be reached on cell at 253-380-6056

Steve Ng

Todd, GSiegal and I will be down there too this morning. What would be the best time to be there, we were gonna meet up at the 512 park and ride at 9:00.

See you there, I can be reached on cell at 253-380-6056

Steve Ng

Just wanted to say how impressed I was at the thoughful and convincing comments that were made today at the meeting. I know I learned a lot more about the issue. I will be donating to the cause......

It was an interesting experience.