To each their own, as I stated in my post that is just my own personal opinion. I thought the forum was a place to express our opinions. I did not attack the original poster (or anyone else if they felt like participating in this fishery) . If the fishery is open it is their right to participate in it. I do not need to participate personally in the fishery to hold an opinion about the fishery.
Personally, I'm not going after Salmonid's that have run the gauntlet and swam hundreds of miles to finally get back to their place of origin. I wouldn't do it on Shuswap Lake or river with the big springs that return there, or any other location hundreds of miles upstream. That is just my opinion, I feel any Salmon that has beet the odds and traveled that far probably isn't in that great of shape and has earned the right to reproduce.
If I am planning on retaining a Salmon to eat I would much rather it be a Salmon in prime condition from the ocean. I don't keep that many Salmon each season, and if I do keep them for eating I would certainly not keep river fish for consumption.
If I choose to release the Salmon I catch in the ocean I feel they have a good chance at surviving if played quickly and not removed from the water. Fish that have traveled long distances upriver have not fed and are already stressed by warm water conditions. Therefore, I would not want to target them for catch and release as their survivability is probably poor if repeatedly stressed.
It is basically just a personal opinion. I was not critical of anyone who chooses to participate. I hold the same opinions about fishing rockfish populations. I choose to try and limit my rockfish take if at all possible. I feel the rockfish populations do not need added stress by fishing pressure. I do not bash people that participate in that fishery. As long as it is legal they are entitle to do so. I simply try to make non judgmental comment when expressing my opinion. That is what I thought this forum was for. I try not to attack other forum members even though our opinions may differ.
Everyone has the right to express their opinion, as long as they are not crossing any lines that most rule abiding members know should not be crossed.
Nuff said