Everett Herald runs article about WDFW decision to end hatchery Steelhead plants

[RG]

I think this is a good place for those of us with an opinion about this subject to post some comments that may be read by some members of the public who have no idea about this subject.  I had my say but I'm not sure if the paper is going to let my comment appear yet since it said some not nice things about WDFW.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140421/NEWS01/140429854/Tulalips-others-oppose-state%92s-move-to-halt-release-of-hatchery-steelhead

[singleshot12]

Sounds like another frivolous lawsuit attempt by a city bred enviro group(Wild Fish Conservancy) to take away fishing opportunity. And Phil Anderson not having the balls again to stand up to them
But also sounds like a chance or opportunity for the sportmen and the tribes to work together since we both rely on the hatchery steelhead.
I have mixed feelings about the whole thing . Things on all levels should of been done correctly years ago before the mess we are in now.

[metlhead]

SS12, I also have mixed feelings on this issue. Did very much enjoy the showing of Wild Reverance this past Sat. in Olympia though. It can allow a hatchery propponent such as myself to see things from the other side of the riffle. Mr Fryberg, thanks for your support of hatcheries, but are you serious? Habitat?  Seals at the mouths of rivers?  Couldn't imagine that 6" mesh, which slipped your mind, helped put us in this predicament.

[singleshot12]

Yep anyone knows(or atleast they should)--- loss of habitat,pollution,and predators are issues that need to be addressed and corrected well before hatcheries are pulled. Another case of the bassackwards syndrome here in the good ol state or Warshington

These Wild fish conservancy and other enviro groups are out of control. They should not be givin the time of day. Lawyers or not they should not have the power to control the fisheries.

[FC]

Yep anyone knows(or atleast they should)--- loss of habitat,pollution,and predators are issues that need to be addressed and corrected well before hatcheries are pulled.

Those are far less of a problem than the nets.

[singleshot12]

Oh yeah I knew I forgot something

[Wacenturion]

If sportsmen groups were smart, they would look at things realistically and begin to collectively start communicating and building long term friendships with tribes.  Want to beat the tree hugger, global warming, wild this and that, wolf loving types.  In reality both sportsmen and tribal interests are somewhat similar....more fish.  Unlike WDFW.  Like having a royal flush in a card game.  Just my opinion........     

[RG]

Singleshot and Wacenturian I think you both are right on this one.  As much as the interests of the Tribes and the sportsmen and women  seem to be at odds in this state there is a lot of common ground as well that we lose track of in our battles.  This fish issue is one case where we are both on the same page and WDFW needs to switch over to that page as well instead of allowing the special interest, wild fish only, people to drag them around by the nose.  Again its not the working level people at WDFW that are doing this but the administration who is being politically influenced.  Another example is the Colville's stand on wolf management.  They are taking the same approach that sportsmen and womens' groups want, manage the wolves.  I've posted elsewhere that the Muckleshoots are bankrolling a mule deer mortality study in our state.

I am not blind to the hunting practices, the netting at the river mouths, the overharvest of commercial Dungeness crabs, etc. either and know that there is a long way to go and that it's unlikely in my lifetime that these practices will end.  My point is we have at least some common ground and if the WDFW is ever to be influenced to become the custodian of fish and game again, we as sportsmen will benefit from taking a look at beginning to work with the Tribes on some issues.

I was pleased that the Herald posted this article, it at least exposes people to this issue who would never have been aware of it.