Anyone had enough of this "net issue"? Besides me? I am fairly new to the W WA version of steelheading as I grew up on the Grande Ronde river where the only argument there ever was was, well there wasn't one really. I saw the nets for the first time on the Nisqually in August of 2000. I was somewhat disappointed, but, growing up in the home of the Nez Perce I see a lot of Indian heritage and respect ANYONE'S heritage. I see a problem on both sides of the street on this issue but here is my take: Bottom line is that the netting just needs to be regulated and those regulations enforced by non-government officials biased to nothing but the laws and regulations emplaced. That's it. No bales of hay over bridges, burning of houses or verbal cuts at anyone else. Try to be part of the soloution, not the problem. Don't address the problem without coming to the table with a (sensible and legal) souloution. Any thoughts?

If they want to use nets made of cedar bark strands, I've got no problem with it... THAT's part of their heritage.

Nylon monofilament is not part of their heritage.

The BIG fish traditionally broke their cedar nets and we're caught...

-N.

Stormin,
Thanks for your reply, I was wondering if anyone was going to post a reply. My post above wasn't meant to open the gaping, bleeding wound again, just to see if people would come to the table with some sensible and legal soloutions, not just bi*ch and gripe about it. We all know what it is doing to the runs of fish, and hear and see the horror stories attributed to the issue. Here is my soloution:

Might get "yelled at" for this suggestion, but somewhat agreed with it when a buddy of mine brought it up. Speaking on the issue of compensating the tribes for less nets or no nets he proposed this:

A small hike in the cost of a fishing license, all of which goes to compensating the tribes for less nets or no nets on the rivers. Of course the tribes may be unhappy about less nets or no nets, but the money generated from a small increase in licenses could be compensation, and they could feel satisfied being that the sport fisherman who have to buy the license at an increased rate are doing so as part of a compromise. Sure we are out a few more dollars or cents, but a soloution is a soloution right? Thoughts?

haverodwillfish, that could be a good idea, i would be willing to pay extra for that...the only problem i see is selling it to the masses. how many people buy a license just for lake fishing and have never seen a net? not everyone has seen what happens in the rivers...or maybe a public service announcement showing the mass netting at hoodsport would be enough to start a change in public opinion.

the solution maybe happening now, i'm talking farm raised salmon. the tribes didn't get crap for their fish this year or last. pretty soon there will be no market, no market = no nets. just have to wipe the egg market out too, that the hard part.

I am burned out on this topic.....for now!

Go with the flow. We go through a cycle of snagging, what line, what hook, what color jigs, bank access, nets, Loomis vs Lami and then back to snagging .... in between we have other fun topics like cougars and bears

[ 01-20-2002: Message edited by: UltimateFeashKacher ]

Lets shoot a whale with a 50cal. thats heritage

yes this topic can get old but it is a topic that will never go away! to many good points on either side is why this topic last so long.
slippedonrock hit the nail on the head the native americans only recieve .5% for the netting as an annual income and every year people r buying less
1 reason is that more humans r becoming aware of dwindiling stock of the wild, when it's cheaper to buy farm raised
just a thought

I think the indians should use tangle nets. They are just like a gillnet but they catch the fish in the tooth or jaw area and allow the fish to respire while in the net. That way they can take all the hatchery fish they want and release the wild ones, unharmed, back into the river. I would have no problem with that. Some commercial gillnetters on the Columbia are using tanglenets with great success. Just my suggestion.

~ Dr Pepper