Guys I am here to say sorry, or so to say... I went out on a limb to try and clear things up between the sledders, bankies and driftboaters. I tried to put together a peacefull meeting of somesort, so that the different oppinions on each side could be talked about in a peaceful manner. All that I have heared so far is that it is going to be a brawl, well guys I am 17 years old and I could handle this more maturely than most adults. If you guys want to brawl this one out, take it somewhere else. This meeting is simply to hear both sides of the story and to inform people what has been brought up, both from the sledders and the drifters. I am still going to hold this meeting and think that I can do this in a mature fashion, I hope that we can all do the same.

Thanks,
Andy Matthews

Andy,

I am glad to see some one finally make the attempt to do something, I will try and make it but kinda don't think I will be able to. I would like to see the sled ban from Black Creek down and after the river drops below a set flow then no motors at all even if it is in the winter. As for guides fishing a river, I gotta say that maybe we shouldn't target guides. it's not the guide but the boat that is hurting the river system. I personally don't fish the nooch much because of the crowds and the thought of getting run over by the sleds in the upper river. I think it is wrong to target guides. and it looks bad for us to go after them. after all we may need them to help us fight for certain things one day and they will remember the sporties that TARGET THEM off the river. I think if we go after sleds regardless of who is operating them it will solve the guide problem. I mean think about it. NO sleds in the upper river and we don't look like we are trying to cut some ones job and way of putting food on the table. we allow sleds down low and if they don't like it get a drift boat or go to another river and we still look good and stand a better chance of getting this to fly with the state. am I getting my point out? I feal like I'm spinning my wheels. if the guides can't use their sleds then they will just go other places. and we look good (kinda)

dcrzfitter

Andy you do not need to apologize for you're actions,you only want what is best for the river.You are only guilty of trying to organize a meeting thats all!! We as so called Adults need to try and keep the whole thing as a positive and not a bitch session.having been raised on most of the so called local rivers I've seen the fishing pressure grow on these streams to the point that there is a saftey concerne but still some people will see it as us against them and thats just not the case here.PEOPLE we need to realize it's about fishing thats all. We all work hard and pay our taxes etc. But we get so caught up in being first in the hole and that guys is jerk because he tried did this or that.....We've lost site that it's about having ....FUN... I know we all have a lot invested in this so called hobby but come on lighten up have a laugh share a thought keep the faith.....have FUN!!!

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Row Quietly and fish a Catraft( formerly Steelheader boy)
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Andy .. as Osprey said, no need to apologize. I commend you for your efforts on trying to do what you can to help our current declining state of affairs relating to the state's fisheries. While some ideas may not be the most popular and you may hear some people talking trash, turn the other cheek, keep your chin up and stand up for what you believe. Predator One's post stating "... therefore each man must make his own decisions as to what he sees worth striving for. only time can tell whether he was a man of integrity or mediocrity." says it all. Trust me, there will be a day when the things that many of us are currently fighting for will be looked back upon as the foundation of what saved the NW fisheries.

Putting yourself in the position to openly and very publicly fight for these things means that people are going to take pot shots at you ... you see it from time to time on the site (and others) here towards me ... but brush them off and keep fighting ... in the long run, not only will you and I win, so will the fish, and that is the most important thing to remember as you ponder your doubts.

Keep up the good work!