I was thinking the other day about just how cool it would be to fish the Lower Hoh and/or Duc on April 1 just as symbolic sort of thing.

But then I began thinking a little more and an idea crossed my mind.

It seems that from the quotes I have read and talking to those that have talked to some of the powers that be out in Forks, that there are actually many who not necassarily adimantely opposed to WSR. There are many however, that are very anxious and worried about what will happen to their economy.

So how about this?

Those of us that support Wild Steelhead Release make a show of force the first weekend in April. There are thousands of us and I am sure enough of us could get together to fill the motel rooms, clog the dinners and eateries, create lines at the gas stations and book every guide in town.

The idea is to show those who are opposed to WSR and/or worried about what will happen to the town of Forks, that Wild Steelhead Release is good for Forks.

If a few hundred fishermen show up one weekend and tell the motel owners, the waitresses, the gas station clerks, the checkers at the Thriftway etc. etc. that "I am hear because of Wild Steelhead Release and I will return because of Wild Steelhead Release.", that maybe we can make a differance and change some minds.

Thoughts?

One more thought behind this idea.

The battle has just begun as Wild Steelhead Release is going to come to a head in another couple years and the decision at that time will decide whether or not, Wild Steelhead Release withouth exceptions will become a permenant regulation in this state.

If, some how, some way, we can convince that City of Forks that Wild Steelhead Release is good for them...then battle will be much much easier for those of us in favor of WSR no exemptions.

I had an idea.
How about a stamp, like www.wheresgeorge.com that says something to the effect that "This dollar generated by WSR". Put the stamp on the cash you spend out there. That way they could really see the impact.

I'll go Sparkey, but be aware, there are petitions at nearly every gas station, mini mart, and business from Port Angeles to Forks from the "Sportsman of Washington State" being gathered for the repeal of the new release rule. There are a lot of the other side out there. I was blown away at how many signatures are being gathered. Just shows how many ignoramusi(us) there are.

Sparkey, Good call! I'd be willing to go.
The things is I have an uncle that guides in Forks and we had had our little battles over the subject. Why can't people understand the reasoning behind WSR? I try to tell him, what would you rather have, a fishery that you might catch and kill a couple of fish a year?
Or would you rather have a fishery where you can hook several fish a day?
To me it's a no brainer!

Good luck with cramming that many on the river! I'll go somewhere else to fight steelies that day.

Not trying to scare the living snot out of you Sparkey, but are probably a WANTED man in Forks! Wouldn't surprise me at all if there are honest-to-glub "Wanted" posters with Sparkey's photo on them over in Forks!

Naturally, The Really Big One will probably have his own photo and wanted poster, because as we all know, it's really all his fault - this site and all, and all those hoity-toity CNR Seattle pukes (oh crap! That's me! ) pushing their adjendas on the entire state. If it wasn't for this specific internet site, no one would care about steelhead, let alone releasing the wild fish! (Humor intended)

You would be a braver soul than I to step foot in Forks these days.

As crazy as what I just wrote up there, you gotta seriously believe there are some whacko's over in Forks that would like nothing more to damage you, or your property.

Yeah, follow Aunty's advice Sparkey- hire body guards, or fish with TimberMan, Kevin, and Robbo! Oh yeah, and let them drive, too!

The Forks boys have done whatever they wanted forever. If they wanted food they would drive up Forest Service road 1087 and shoot a dear, if they wanted fish they would walk into the ***** river and bonk one. Well, times have changed, and alot of folks over their really havent. In some ways i cant blame them, but on the large scale everybody needs to unite to save whats left of the wild steel.

A bunch of Orvis wearing, stoggie smoking Seattle boys might not be in the best interest of their health or their brand new Hemi's...

Bottom line is; your not going to go there and make a "statement" ... That statement will be made on its own

Actually, I think Sparky is on to the long term idea here. Yeah, Forks folks may subscribe to the "code of the woods, " but I've not found them to be all that much different from country folks most places. Usually simple values, measured in black and white, but always solid to the core. And seldom hesitate to offer the shirt off their back to someone in need.

So they have their values, which includes living off the land to some degree. But in the long run, money talks. Theirs is not a subsistence economy. In the long run, if sustainable recreation has greater market value than whack 'em and stack 'em, they'll support CNR - for tourists loose with their cash anyway. Those who want to eat out of season elk and venison ain't gonna' stop. And if they want to eat wild salmon and steelhead, they're not gonna' stop that, either. City laws being for city folks, and all. Recall code of the woods above. It is what some of them live by. But if WSR regulations bring greater economic returns to their community, they'll support it - for everyone except those locals who are living by the code of the woods. That's exactly how it is around Darrington on the Sauk/Skagit. Those who are "citified" live by that code; those who aren't, well they live by the other code. But most people support the CNR seasons on the Skagit/Sauk Rivers. In the long term, it generall works out.

As for bringing body guards, well that may apply if you're hanging around the wrong crowd at the tavern on Friday night. On the river, I don't think so. The tarheels around the Skagit were considered real knuckle-draggers when I first arrived there as one of those hoitie-toitie fly-fishing Seattle pukes with $50 sunglasses back when I didn't have $50. It wasn't so difficult, but nobody slashed my tires or inflicted bodily harm, although it was threatened a couple times.

Anyway, I think Sparky has the right idea. If the economic reality indicates that WSR is a better outcome for Forks, traditional ideas will evolve to another way of thinking. It's just the way the world works.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Sharkey

Ill be there!

that poster in the store window is were Mayor Reed got her info on the rivers over there!

Sparkey,

I'll watch your back!

Salmo:

>>The tarheels around the Skagit were considered real knuckle-draggers when I first arrived there as one of those hoitie-toitie fly-fishing Seattle pukes with $50 sunglasses back when I didn't have $50.<<<

Are you sure you don't live on my street?

We are now a "blended" neighborhood...half tar-heels and half of us are Woodinville/Seattle pukes. Several of my neighbors have wheels on their houses but not on the 7-10 vehicles in the front yard..LOL!

I still won't buy $50.00 sunglasses, however.

Mike

Boy youre guys sure are hard on the town of forks ,treat them as you want to be treated! I 'll be there sparkey bonking a big nate! Just kidding (I WISH). You dont get it, this rule change isnt going to do crap for fish runs, sportfisherman dont even put a dent into the population of fish, its the nets (NOT NEW NEWS). The town of forks well see economic decline, think about the tourists that hire guides, come to forks to fish if they hook a nate they are surly going to want to keep it, once they find out about no retention that 's going to stop them from coming!

If a "code of the woods" man is in the woods and gets a morning wood then watch out
Just kidding here. You guys make it sound like they are from another planet. Its like any other small town in WA. Not any factory or many jobs available and they may worry like any of us would because of the change. I am not saying the change is bad or good but it is human nature to worry and resist change when it is perceived to be bad for the economy.

Mike,

No, I don't live on your street, but I've spent some time very near your street on a half-decent piece of steelhead water. Yeah, a lot of the area are now blended neighborhoods. Anywhere ya' go there are a few hotheads looking for a fight, but most people everywhere I've been would rather avoid conflict. I try to get along by treating them the way I'd like to be treated. It usually works. Unfortunately, some of 'em grew up being treated worse than the hounds tied out in the yard. It's a little harder figuring out how they want to be treated.

I grew up around some hillbilly moonshiners and cattle rustlers, so I'm familiar with some of the less common mentality. But I think most of the rural population was really the salt of the earth.

Hey, I'll be up your way most of next week it looks like. Planning to take Wednesday and Friday off and fish.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

This evening amongst us at the WSC meeting, we discussed this idea and decided that yes the idea is good but the implentation needs to be improved.

For fear of creating animosity, grandstanding, protesting, stamping of money and bragging "Yes I am here because of Wild Steelhead Release" will be avoided. However, we will show up as fishermen, they will know we are fishermen and most likely they will know we are there because of Wild Steelhead Release.

We will show our support of Forks quietly but in a large group.

So, the first weekend in April (with Saturday April 3rd being THE DAY) we will go to Forks to fish. We will rent their rooms, eat in their restraunts, buy their gas, fish their waters and more or less, gather as steelheaders. Everyone is invited.

Sounds like you have lots of "random thoughts"

The Town of Forks Wa can't be any more back woods etc than the town of Riggins Idaho, which has been thriving with WSR for 20 years now. The runs have been increasing due to WSR and the town has learned to switch over from logging/ mining to recreation. Sure, there are lots of brats that people can take home but in the long run, all people in that community would say that WSR is an experiment that worked.

P.S- That wanted poster is priceless

Hi All Here are my winded thoughts

I've been sitting back and reading with some amusement the posts concernig WSR & Forks. I personally think it is a good idea (with some reservations).
I can understand why people in Forks and other areas are concerned. In my view, a lot of it goes way beyond the WSR issue and has to do with the Seattle/Puget Sound area, influence on rural Washington lives. Weather it is east of the mountains, rural Snohomish county or Forks.
I have fished Forks for 15+ years ( I live in Bothell). I always stay in their hotels, eat in their restaurants, buy their gas etc. I do it out of convenience, but also, I do it because I like & respect the people I have met and I understand that their way of life has changed and is changing.
Most of us on this board are avid fisherman who either own boats or like myself enjoy hiking and exploring. We are still going to go to Forks and fish. The big question is, what is the sometimes/non-angler who hires a guide going to do? Has any of the groups that supported this rule, thought of ways to help promote the "Catch & Release" frame of mind to the guy who hires a guide once a year and who wants to bring something home to show the wife & neighbors? My opinion is, over time, people will understand and accept it. Remember, it's not like they will have many other choices of keeping native steelhead.

I plan on heading over to Forks by the end of the month. It is going to be interesting to hear what some of locals I know have to say about all of this. I know one thing I am going to point out is, playing it safe & having Catch & Release is better than having it shut down at the end of February.
In closing, I just want to say to everyone, remember that Forks is in the middle of nowhere. If people lose their jobs over this, it is not like they can drive to Redmond for another one. It's got to scare them and they must be wondering if it's happend with Steelhead are Salmon next.