Right on Target - by Bob Hooton

[OldBlackDog]

Right on Target

So many parallels. Perfect timing. A must read for anglers and managers alike. Kudos to author Bridget Moran, Trout Unlimited and Wild Steelheaders United.

steelheadvoices.com

 

[wildmanyeah]

Again another article that's asking the average joe angler not to fish and then to stay engaged to be advocates.

Reminds me of when I painted miniature army figures. Guys would spend thousands on little plastic men but when it came time to chip in 5 bucks for the tournament they would whine and cry at the expense. You couldn't get them to volunteer to help run it or reff or even set up a table. Always the same few guys running the show volunteering their time and when those guys had enough of it the scene just fell apart. The hobby to them was fun when everything fell into place for them but the second an ounce of energy had to be spent helping out they bounced.


"So the question lingers: what are you doing to show up for steelhead? I know a few folks who have elected not to target them until populations rebound. I’ve met a few guides who have quietly cancelled their seasons. A few of my friends write a lot of letters and make a lot of phone calls to their representatives and natural resource agencies––some even use their social media platforms to influence other people to do the same.

This is the kind of stuff I respect, and I grow more and more disillusioned by apathetic anglers who can’t seem to muster up an ounce of concern for these clearly desolate populations. "

 

[onefish]

I have caught, collected, and transported broodstock, donated $ to pinneped culling, lobbied decision makers, participated in habit improvement projects, been a paid member of the steelhead society, and basically quit fishing for steelhead. Nothing particulary heroic or worthy of praise IMO.

I am not sure what else you expect the "apathetic angler" to do and to what effect any of the aforementioned actions have done to provide help for steelhead?

My disillusionment with the various arms of the govt was ingrained rather early in my fishing career. I attended a "consultation" meeting many years ago regarding the stamp/somass system. The branch did their presentation using a bunch of graphs and statistics to justify their position on things and then basically shot down any input from anybody. You can have all the meetings you want, but if the other side already has their mind made up it is simply a box to tick showing this came about via consultation.

I have since attended other consultation meetings that have nothing to do with fishing or steelhead. They have all followed this same tried and true pattern.

 

[Rain City]

Again another article that's asking the average joe angler not to fish and then to stay engaged to be advocates.

Reminds me of when I painted miniature army figures. Guys would spend thousands on little plastic men but when it came time to chip in 5 bucks for the tournament they would whine and cry at the expense. You couldn't get them to volunteer to help run it or reff or even set up a table. Always the same few guys running the show volunteering their time and when those guys had enough of it the scene just fell apart. The hobby to them was fun when everything fell into place for them but the second an ounce of energy had to be spent helping out they bounced.


"So the question lingers: what are you doing to show up for steelhead? I know a few folks who have elected not to target them until populations rebound. I’ve met a few guides who have quietly cancelled their seasons. A few of my friends write a lot of letters and make a lot of phone calls to their representatives and natural resource agencies––some even use their social media platforms to influence other people to do the same.

This is the kind of stuff I respect, and I grow more and more disillusioned by apathetic anglers who can’t seem to muster up an ounce of concern for these clearly desolate populations. "

Warhammer?

 

[wildmanyeah]

Warhammer?

flames of war, more than warhammer

 

[RalphH]

The cumulative effects of recreational angling put pressure on fish. The sport fishing industry has profited from and exploited steelhead for decades. The number of anglers continues to grow, as does money spent on guides, boats, waders, and rods—all while steelhead populations slide deeper into Endangered Species Act listings.

hasn't that happened up here too? More hype, more anglers & more people spending more time fishing while steelhead numbers have been declining at an accelerating pace.

 

[searun]

I have caught, collected, and transported broodstock, donated $ to pinneped culling, lobbied decision makers, participated in habit improvement projects, been a paid member of the steelhead society, and basically quit fishing for steelhead. Nothing particulary heroic or worthy of praise IMO.

I am not sure what else you expect the "apathetic angler" to do and to what effect any of the aforementioned actions have done to provide help for steelhead?

My disillusionment with the various arms of the govt was ingrained rather early in my fishing career. I attended a "consultation" meeting many years ago regarding the stamp/somass system. The branch did their presentation using a bunch of graphs and statistics to justify their position on things and then basically shot down any input from anybody. You can have all the meetings you want, but if the other side already has their mind made up it is simply a box to tick showing this came about via consultation.

I have since attended other consultation meetings that have nothing to do with fishing or steelhead. They have all followed this same tried and true pattern.

Nice work Onefish, where did you work on steelhead broodstock? I may have worked with you.