ODFW likes to try and marginalize conservationists by telling us that they constantly hear from those of the pro-hatchery, "whack-n-stack" persuasion, and little from conservationists. I don't believe that is necessarily true, but our voice could be considerably stronger.
If you have the time (and surely most of you do), I'd urge you to volunteer for the Native Fish Society, Trout Unlimited, Wild Steelhead Conservancy, etc... It can be as minimal as writing a letter to your district biologist espousing your support for native fish (here's an example on the Sandy), or something more involved like doing habitat work via TU or becoming a NFS river steward for your homewater. And monetary support is always very helpful as well.
I firmly believe that the only way we're going to preserve our sport, and save our wild fish is by banding together and turning a number of solitary voices into a booming voice that can't be ignored.
Guys like Bill Bakke and Bill McMillan have paved the way, and have been doing this kind of stuff for decades. But they, and a few hundred others can't carry all the weight, and it's time for everyone who values wild fish to become involved. We've all seen Rivers of a Lost Coast and what can happen in short order, and as Russell Chatham said, "We were all too busy fishing to notice that the fish were disappearing."
Let's save what we have left in the PNW, and elsewhere.
What if, indeed. I consider myself fortunate to have put in more time on the conservation end than on the rod end this year. It's gratifying in so many levels, not the least of which is knowing my son sees the value in the resource and to what extent we must go to protect it. Nice kick in the pants for the rest of us, Spencer.
Monday, December 27, 2010 at 12:00AM 
Reader Comments (4)
Amen, indeed!
this is cool... taken to heart. Gotta put some money where my mouth is.
Appreciate the reblog...
ODFW likes to try and marginalize conservationists by telling us that they constantly hear from those of the pro-hatchery, "whack-n-stack" persuasion, and little from conservationists. I don't believe that is necessarily true, but our voice could be considerably stronger.
If you have the time (and surely most of you do), I'd urge you to volunteer for the Native Fish Society, Trout Unlimited, Wild Steelhead Conservancy, etc... It can be as minimal as writing a letter to your district biologist espousing your support for native fish (here's an example on the Sandy), or something more involved like doing habitat work via TU or becoming a NFS river steward for your homewater. And monetary support is always very helpful as well.
I firmly believe that the only way we're going to preserve our sport, and save our wild fish is by banding together and turning a number of solitary voices into a booming voice that can't be ignored.
Guys like Bill Bakke and Bill McMillan have paved the way, and have been doing this kind of stuff for decades. But they, and a few hundred others can't carry all the weight, and it's time for everyone who values wild fish to become involved. We've all seen Rivers of a Lost Coast and what can happen in short order, and as Russell Chatham said, "We were all too busy fishing to notice that the fish were disappearing."
Let's save what we have left in the PNW, and elsewhere.
Spencer
What if, indeed. I consider myself fortunate to have put in more time on the conservation end than on the rod end this year. It's gratifying in so many levels, not the least of which is knowing my son sees the value in the resource and to what extent we must go to protect it.
Nice kick in the pants for the rest of us, Spencer.