I'm going to share an experience with you guys and I know what most of you think. I wanna here some feedback from you all and just tell me if I'm out of line or nuts!
Most of you know that I fished the Memorial tournament last week. Fun as hell by the way. This area is on the Columbia River and the area I fish is by the mouth of the Okanogan river. As I was traveling up the Okanogan river I couldn't help but notice a giant fishing boat . One that you would see in an area like Puget sound or Alaska. It had huge nets hanging from the sides and all over inside. The boat had large orange flags on it that said Research! I didn't think much of it at first. So for most of you that don't know, there is an amazing Salmon run of Kings and Sockeye . There was at least 100+ salmon boats out in the mouth of the river. Most of which launch out of Brewster. I also launched out of Brewster. When I came in to trailer my boat the fish checker was there at the launch. As we pulled in he said " how did you do?". We said we did pretty good! About fifty or so fish. He said what???? He thought we caught that many Salmon. We told him that we were Bass fishing and asked how everyone was doing out there. He said not worth a damn. 70 boats checked and only one fish caught. We asked whats going on. We used to just knock the hell out of them out here. He asked if we saw the RESEARCH BOAT. We said yeah and he informed us that it was an Indian net boat. The Natives have strung thier nets across the entire mout of the Okanogan and a few other spots in the Columbia and there just arent any fish he said. "They don't have a chance". So I just held it in knowing I can't do a damn thing about it. And then my brother called me tonight and said he went out Salmon fishing out there again and same thing only worse! No fish again and nobody was doing any good. They had the nets drug across the mouth again and there were 9 guys on the boat. 1 Native and 8 white guys. They were pulling the nets in full of fish. They were keeping everything that came in the nets, Bass,walleye, and Salmon. I don't even know what to say. Its sad for one. Pisses me off for two and its just plain bullshit! I understand the history and tradition but to me its just plain raping the waters.
When I grew up there, it wasn't that bad. They didn't have the nets out across the mouth . There was a lot of snagging with giant treble hooks but not the complete destruction that there is now. Honestly, If I had the time I would go take care of that Research boat in the middle of the night. I guess I just respect the fish and water too much. Tell me if I'm out of line or if you agree.
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