I attended the commission hearings today and am estatic to report that the proponents for wild steelhead release statewide were truly excellent. Testimony was scientific, well thought out and presented professionally. Most all the major state groups strongly supported wild release, and the speakers were, in my opinion, very well prepared. Superstars (again my opinion) were, John Farrar, Bob Ball, J.D. Love, John Sowinski, Pete Soverel, and a host of others. The testimony by WSC and FFF was supurb. I'll be astounded if the commission fails to make wild release statewide the law. I'm convinced that major management changes will soon happen. :p

The tone was set when at the begining they asked for everyone in support of wild steelhead release to applaud and the place roared and then when they asked for those in favor of killing wild steelhead release, you heard the claps of about 5 people!!

Thanks to everyone that attended...absolutely AMAZING job!!!!!!!!!!

I would like to thank everyone who came today and testified. I would also like to thank all of you who took the time to write letters in support of Option 1.

The final outcome is still two long months off and a lot can happen politically in that time. Today went well though. It is just possible that the powers that be are starting to see the light. To quote a current song, "If your not part of the future then get out of the way".

Special thanks to our own Sparkey. (Ryan, you rocked!) His testimony was impassioned and turned many heads. It is one thing for the middle and older aged anglers to talk about the need for C & R but when a 20 year old kid gets up there and tells the commission they had better fix it before it is too late, they really listened.

Finally, forgive me for not replying on Rob Allens post but it is late, it has been a damn long day and I am ready for bed. Anyway, I would like to second Rob's thanks to Bob. He has supported the WSC from the start and continues to do so. It is appreciated.

Thanks again to all. Keep your fingers crossed!

Duggan Harman