The gillnets are not the problem in the spring. Neither are the sport fisherman. The birds are a big part of problem but not as big as the ESA. Hatchery spring salmon are not listed as threatened or endangered, yet we dont even have a chance at them in the grand picture on the Columbia. Ask yourself this.................. The Willamette river is open for Salmon fishing year round with a two fish limit for hatchery fish. It has 85% less fish in it than the big C. Average run over the willy Falls is 30k....Average run over Bonny is 200k. There are ESA listed fish in the Willamette............Santiam, McKenzie and Upper Willy all have (so called) wild fish in them. Why is the Columbia managed for a one fish limit and a season that is not even close to fair. We the people should demand access to those fish that we pay for!!!! One of the biggest problems is the BPA! They are required to fund hatchery practices because of the Mitchell Act. Its in their best interest to push for wild fish so they dont have to pay for the hatchery fish. This is criminal that they are the ones who are funding this. They should be required to pay a huge fine if the salmon runs dont meet a goal that we set for escapement. Why do we allow this to continue? Our founding father would be rolling over in their graves if they could see how our government is holding us hostage. Remember folks............The government is supposed to work for us, not the other way around. Until we stop accepting this pathetic fishery as the norm, they will only reduce opportunity.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 17:48:52 +0000