Here was my comment over on GF.com - just wanted to post it here as only a masochist would go through the whole thread.

This thread illustrates every reason why it is very difficult to be optimistic about the future of our fisheries. We (sportsfishers) are so hell bent on being right and tearing down our brothers and sisters who do not agree with us that we present an incredibly splintered front. The Commercials and the Tribes will beat us like a drum forever if we keep this up.

One of the reasons that I supported (and still do) the Wild Steelhead moratorium is that one user group needed to occupy the high ground. My friends that are fishing this tournament have lost a great deal of credibility or can certainly be painted that way. This tournament will be a millstone around the neck of all who want to stop the killing of wild steelhead.

As for the bonkers who now are going crazy about this - your actions in this thread are juvenile. The point is made and I agree that the tournament is a bad idea. But, for you guys to paint yourselves as being concerned about wild steelhead is beyond laughable. Petty, personal sniping is the only thing you are bringing to the table. Except for providing ammo to the commercials and the tribes.

All in all, a very bad idea and our responses will set us back very far in our ability to protect the fish. We are blowing it big time....

And I always had you painted as a reasonable chap. Go figure.

You talk about the retched virtue of "tearing down our brothers and sisters in disagreement and presenting a splintered front," and then you go on to do just that. You're as much a gweeb in a clown suit as the rest of us on this issue.

Since this deal unfolded I go from not giving a fuc% to wanting to kill people. I'm not going to spend another second attempting to articulate what I see as fact and reasonable repose to people with an obvious disdain for common sense.

Sol, I can understand totally your feelings of frustration. When you organize something like this, the work tends to outweigh the reward plus you also put a bullseye on your back.

Take a break Sol..Eddie is an intelligent guy with the best of intentions. I disagree with him all the time but I can't picture Ed in a clown suit.. Sorry your party has gotten so much attention but you and your buddy fly seem to attract alot of attention and much of it is unwlecome it appears.

Do you take mustard or ketsup on your hot dog?

Sorry, but it isn't Sol and Fly that were the targets of most of the criticism.

You guys should just go fishing, make new friends and have the time of your lives. Post lots of pics and stories, and just ignore the other stuff.

Gee Aunty, that's the best advice I've heard in a while, I think I'll take ya up on that.

I hope none of this will have any effect on the SECOND ANNUAL SlolFly Derby

What really sucks is what is just really suppose to be a good time enjoying the company of some of the top fishermen in the state drifting some of the greatest rivers in the state has been blown up to be a political debate of what is right and what is wrong, you know I really don't get it but thanx for all the hard work to make it happen Sol and Fly I love yaa man!!!PEACE

Don't worry, all this has done has made us more hell bent to make the second one top the first. Like Sol and I have said all along, they "the Man" has made the a personal vendetta against certain individuals, this is suppose to be SolFly, not Sol and Fly, and I strongly believe that is why there has been the discrimination, but I am done with that and we are moving on and putting the final touches on all the details, I am not sure if we are going to be able to get the Offspring to show up and play at the bonfire party but the call is in.

And fastwater, Thanks and I love ya man !!!!

Peace
Fly

Are those of us that may be the bottom fisherman in the state still welcome to come and play??

Yep. They invited me!

6 months from now will anyone wonder what they were arguing about? I doubt it.


Have fun.

Maybe next year change the name of the to NorthWest Steelhead Derby or the WDFW we will be good boys Derby.

How about the "WE could be KILLING all these fish if we wanted to" FIshermen for Peace Gathering??

Sorry, couldn't help it!:-)

I picked up three boxes of shirts today. Now if Superflakey can come though with the amp and tunes we're dialed. As long as mother nature doesn't peel back the flaps on her mooseknuckle and let fly the week before.

Sol: how far from the speakers do I need to park my cmaper to be able to sleep?

Portland

Sol,
I don't see the Rainshadow on there?
enlighten me

Peace
Fly

Looks like I dropped the ball on that one, man. I owe Batson's an appology. I still have a free shirt and hooded pullover for them, and if they'd like to bail as a sponsor because I forgot to include their logo, that's cool.

If that's the only thing that get's fuc%ed up I think we've done okay.