CCA clarification please

[bluefishes]

I was considering joining the Loomis CCA army but I have some hesitation and questions and I'm sure folks out there are ready to help me. Can anyone tell me what CCA stands for?

I know what Gary stands based on his passion, the press and PR he has received, mainly on harvest issues, through his tireless campaigning and efforts, but I thought by charter CCA chapters decide on their own what issues to work on. I've seen a fever running high amongst ifishers about CCA, which is good to get folks active. I'm just concerned we know what direction we are all headed. There are many other issues besides harvest (which is a big one only for certain stocks) facing our stocks and keeping us down as anglers.

Hell, just look at the build out for Oregon over the next 20 years and you can see the kinds of habitat threats we are up against. Can you kind folk please help a salmon and steelhead addict see the light?

Thanks in advance.

[bluefishes]

Oh, besides Coastal Conservation Association.

[MetalHead]

bluefishes, try going here http://www.ccapnw.org/ right now the CCA is building membership and starting chapters throughout Oregon and Washington find a chapter near you and attend a meeting ask questions. Then determine if you support what CCA is trying to do in the PNW. If so join and get involved, myself I think they are going to try to make change from the inside (politically) and I think that they will be looking at many things from Harvest, Hatcheries, Habitat ect... so as you can see I got onboard.

[MsOutdrs]

Metalhead is absolutely correct. The biggest issues first and probably one thing at a time. AND..we must be patient. Huge changes will not occur in a matter of months. I am a member of CCA and in addition to what they are working on now...one of my concerns is home/business construction too close to our rivers, streams. I'm hoping that enough other members will share that concern to the point that CCA will eventually focus on that issue. CCA is certainly not going to do anything that will go against the rebuilding of the salmon/steelhead runs (and sturgeon). If you are concerned about the fish, why not join up. A lot of these issues have political impact and we need numbers (of members) to have any influence. I hear some who are doubtful about joining. They often say that they have joined groups in the past and nothing ever happened. We've all written our legislatures, our wildlife depts., individually or as a small group. Nothing happened. I am not a "club joiner" but after reading a great deal about what CCA has accomplished in other parts of our country (with large memberships), I can see that CCA is the only hope we have. I really don't see any good reason not to join...its cheap..its a one-year membership. If you don't like it or see a difference, don't renew. But I think you're gonna like it! Just keep reading the CCA local website...CCAPNW. I think you're gonna start reading about some significant progress. Be a part of it...not only for yourself, for anglers, but for generations to come...including those that don't even fish. Again, my humble opinion, but I REALLY believe in this organization.

[Fishbulb]

This is a pretty good thread about the chairman of the board. The thread generated a tremendous amount of interest on Ifish.

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=145570

The stumping about killer gillnets and their **** of fishery resources claimed by the chairman has now probably been elevated to legend status. It is a status that, as you can see from the thread, is dubious at best as that actual facts and physical evidence repudiate the Cedar Creek adult production claims that the chairman uses as a business card in his travels and speeches around the northwest and the entire country. The fact that the claims are in large part being funded by Pacificorps Hydropower only makes the scenario look worse.

Many have been drawn to the siren song. When I look at it I see a trick. The citizens of Alabama recently saw the trick and the fact that CCA’s efforts would hurt mostly those on the lower rungs of human economic equation and redirect and redistribute those resources towards those that are on the upper rungs on the socio-economic scale without any new degree of conservation. Many along the eastern seaboard have unfortunately not been able to see through the trick.

Just my Flame away.

Good luck with your decision.

[MsOutdrs]

As I see it, the "chairman" has no other motive in this except preserving fish runs throughout the northwest. What other motive, Fishbulb, do you think he has? He doesn't need $$$, so that one is out. I don't think vindictiveness would rise to THAT level. AND...as I see it, he just acted on the same thing I've heard just about EVERY angler I've had contact with (and that's quite a few) complain about. Furthermore...in a meeting I attended, the statement was made that the CCA movement is not a personal attack on commercial gillnetters, just on the non-selective harvest method. So, please, don't inundate with a bunch of stats, etc...just please answer my question...what motive does he have for doing what he's doing. With that being said, I won't continue this debate with you...I'm sure folks on here are sick of it!!! haha (and please don't take this as a personal attack...I would just like to hear a good answer from a CCA dissenter...I probably won't agree with you but respect your right to your opinion)

[Jack Smith]

The fact that the claims are in large part being funded by Pacific's Hydropower only makes the scenario look worse.

This I am fairly certain is completely false

Many along the eastern seaboard have unfortunately not been able to see through the trick.

And have been rewarded for their folly by near historical numbers of striped bass, redfish, snook and sea trout.

[stlhdrgrn]

Quote:
The fact that the claims are in large part being funded by Pacific's Hydropower only makes the scenario look worse.

Originally Posted by Jack Smith

This I am fairly certain is completely false
Quote:
Many along the eastern seaboard have unfortunately not been able to see through the trick.



And have been rewarded for their folly by near historical numbers of striped bass, redfish, snook and sea trout.

Well put Jack,
That is similar to what my research turned up before I joined.

[Splash]

The citizens of Alabama were cheated by political misdeeds.

That issue starts at post # 330 on page 6 of this thread.

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...litical&page=6

[Gun Rod Bow]

Go to a chapter meeting. Listen for yourself. If you have a chance to listen to Gary give his presentation, you don't want to miss it. Make up your own mind. Bear in mind many with a lot to loose are terrified of the Sportsman Conservationists of the Pacific Northwest banding together to make change. CCA will be the vehicle I belive. Our opposition will do what they can to hinder us.

CCA is first and foremost a bottom up organization. Each local chapter can choose it's priorities and present them to the state board. Each chapter is encouraged to have a member on the Government Relations Committee. The group that takes the concerns of their state and region and discusses strategy and game plan.

Example: If the Emeral Empire Chapter thinks that a habitat issue on the Middle Fork of the Willamette is their priority, they can rally help from their state and region.

If the Salem chapter believes hatch boxes and stream feeding are what is needed to turn around the Siletz, they can get help to get that done.

Together chapters from all over the PNW can work together for regional battles.

On issues like salmon, there are so many angencies, states and governments involved, a small local organization has a really hard time making their voice heard. We have been experiencing that.

CCA has been fighting these battles through changing the laws that govern fisheries. That is the only way to make lasting change.

Yes Gillnets in the Columbia are a very hot topic and visible problem in this area. The battle lines are being drawn on that fight.

Will that be our last fight? Certainly not.

What will be the next battle for the fish? Join a chapter and make your voice heard.

Remember, all of the agencies governing salmon are working under laws that were written over 100 years ago when salmon were a resource that seemed would last forever. So the effort then was what best way to turn the resource into commerce.

Now it is apparent that all of our stocks are depleted, some to the point of ESA listing.

It is time to change from "Maximum Sustainable Yeild" to conservation first.

[GoneFission]

Lots of good points here. I think where CCA has some power and provides a service that we in the PNW need is in their national voice and legal firepower. Of the four "H's", we can at least try to handle hatchery, hydropower and habitat here at the local level, but harvest is a very difficult issue for us to handle without some legal or national backing because the fish are physically outside our home waters. What can we do about the Alaskan and Canadian open seas harvest of OUR Columbia and coastal stocks? Very little, so we need some regional unity and then some national backing to enact laws that provide some protection while our fish are "out on their own" and that's where CCA can make a difference. The fact that we have a local champion in Loomis that can help rally the troops and provide some unity in an extremely diverse interest group (sportfishers) makes the CCA even more attractive, and at the moment, the only detriment I see to the "bandwagon" mentality is that it may detract attention from the other "H" issues. Just recognize that it's not an either/or decision--it should be viewed that CCA is in addition too all that we're already doing. That mentalityu is key, because when you look at the divisive nature of the posts here on ifish, a common cause is what we need, and the CCA has a pretty strong track record demonstrating that they can be our NATIONAL advocate and voice.

I've been to one of Loomis' speeches and that's what I took from it... Like it's been said here many times, best thing to do is go and decide for yourself.

-GF

[Gun Rod Bow]

Originally Posted by GoneFission

The fact that we have a local champion in Loomis that can help rally the troops and provide some unity in an extremely diverse interest group (sportfishers) makes the CCA even more attractive.....Just recognize that it's not an either/or decision--it should be viewed that CCA is in addition too all that we're already doing. That mentalityu is key, because when you look at the divisive nature of the posts here on ifish, a common cause is what we need, and the CCA has a pretty strong track record demonstrating that they can be our NATIONAL advocate and voice.

Excellent point.

We still need the other groups, CCA can combine them.

That is what Puget Sound Anglers decided.

Time to set hurt feelings aside for the fish.

[Amerman]

I hear all the time why the CCA?

For me it's pretty simple. I am tired of not being heard. I am tired of all the things that I have watched go on in our fisheries. I am tired of going to the state building with a mass of other fisherman and asking them to raise our fees to save out hatcheries. Asking the state to raise or fees and charge us more money. Hearing them say we promise if we raise these fees, the money will be earmarket for the hatcheries blah blah blah.. Only to have meetings again less than a year later to once again ask them to save out hatcheries. To find out at future meetings that for every dollar of our fees we raiseed, that the general fund contribution the ODFW was dropped by a matching dollar.

I am tired of years like this fall chinook season where the runs were down from Alaska to California, where people struggled to catch a fish here in Oregon and then to find out they had the 4th largest ocean harvest ever off the coast of Alaska and Canada. I'm tired of seeing 50-90% of our adult fish harvested in the ocean and sold for $.50 a pound before we ever get them back to Oregon and Washington. I am tired of a 50% -50% split with the commercial fleets on the Columbia only to find out they went over the impact, or the runs were less than projected so the sportfisherman get shut down before they reach their 50%.

I am tired of watching Washington streams go catch and release only on wild steelhead while the gilnets in those streams keep killing wild steelhead. I have heard of rivers where the sportfisherman decided to go catch and release so they let the gilnets kill more fish because the impact was less by the sportsfisherman, so they gave more fish to the gilnets.

I am tired of fighting amongst ourselves over where and how the pie gets split up, and I think its time to start making bigger pies.

Now you ask yourself why have we lost every time? How do we get walked on every time? We are an economic mass of money being spent, The dollars that get spent by fisherman to go out and enjoy or sport is 10X maybe 100X. If we have so much economic impact, why are we not being heard? It's because we never formed a voice--we never organized. So yes I think it's time to get organized. And I believe the CCA is that vehicle for us to get organized in. We need to stop trying to win these battles on the small fronts.

The CCA has a history of doing large scale battles and winning. They have a history of becoming political and doing the politcal battles and winning for our fish. It's time to stand up and be heard. Our fish here in the northwest have been beaten on for long enough. I think it's time to start winning some battles for our NW fish.

The CCA is only as powerful as the people that join it. But if the sportfisherman as a mass see this as a tool to become organized and everyone jumps on boards, there is no end to what battles we can win.

[Thumper]

Scott --- I believe that is the best single statement in favor of CCA that I have yet seen!!!

[Premo]

Well said Scott!

Originally Posted by Amerman

I hear all the time why the CCA?

For me it's pretty simple. I am tired of not being heard. I am tired of all the things that I have watched go on in our fisheries. I am tired of going to the state building with a mass of other fisherman and asking them to raise our fees to save out hatcheries. Asking the state to raise or fees and charge us more money. Hearing them say we promise if we raise these fees, the money will be earmarket for the hatcheries blah blah blah.. Only to have meetings again less than a year later to once again ask them to save out hatcheries. To find out at future meetings that for every dollar of our fees we raiseed, that the general fund contribution the ODFW was dropped by a matching dollar.

I am tired of years like this fall chinook season where the runs were down from Alaska to California, where people struggled to catch a fish here in Oregon and then to find out they had the 4th largest ocean harvest ever off the coast of Alaska and Canada. I'm tired of seeing 50-90% of our adult fish harvested in the ocean and sold for $.50 a pound before we ever get them back to Oregon and Washington. I am tired of a 50% -50% split with the commercial fleets on the Columbia only to find out they went over the impact, or the runs were less than projected so the sportfisherman get shut down before they reach their 50%.

I am tired of watching Washington streams go catch and release only on wild steelhead while the gilnets in those streams keep killing wild steelhead. I have heard of rivers where the sportfisherman decided to go catch and release so they let the gilnets kill more fish because the impact was less by the sportsfisherman, so they gave more fish to the gilnets.

I am tired of fighting amongst ourselves over where and how the pie gets split up, and I think its time to start making bigger pies.

Now you ask yourself why have we lost every time? How do we get walked on every time? We are an economic mass of money being spent, The dollars that get spent by fisherman to go out and enjoy or sport is 10X maybe 100X. If we have so much economic impact, why are we not being heard? It's because we never formed a voice--we never organized. So yes I think it's time to get organized. And I believe the CCA is that vehicle for us to get organized in. We need to stop trying to win these battles on the small fronts.

The CCA has a history of doing large scale battles and winning. They have a history of becoming political and doing the politcal battles and winning for our fish. It's time to stand up and be heard. Our fish here in the northwest have been beaten on for long enough. I think it's time to start winning some battles for our NW fish.

The CCA is only as powerful as the people that join it. But if the sportfisherman as a mass see this as a tool to become organized and everyone jumps on boards, there is no end to what battles we can win.

[wishin]

Scott - wow!

[IDWITHELD]

Mr. Amerman,
That was perfect. I'm going to frame it and hang it on the wall.
I too am tired of drawing the short straw.
I'm mad as hell...and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

[jzell]

The winds of change are blowing......

Very nice reply Scott.

jz

[RiverRogue]

Originally Posted by jzell

The winds of change are blowing......

Very nice reply Scott.

jz

GREAT repsonse Scott!! Anyone need a membership app?? http://www.joincca.org/Join%20CCA.html

There ya go!

[Gun Rod Bow]

Originally Posted by RiverRogue

GREAT repsonse Scott!! Anyone need a membership app?? http://www.joincca.org/Join%20CCA.html

There ya go!

Wow!

Would that all fit on a tee shirt?

Nicely done Scott.

[Dunefisher]

Excellent statement Scott. The Voice is getting louder.

Please join the CCA.

[Grant Scheele]

Well said Scott! I just copied Scott's statement to be sent later to everyone I know. If that doesn't get you excited and involved then I hope you don't plan on fishing in the near future.

I also incourage all of you to pass the word along. If you are like me and you are not a great writer like Scott then I hope you will copy Scott's statement and email to anyone you think sport fishes. Time to get involved people! Grant

[MsOutdrs]

I agree 100%..Scott said it all in a great way! I'm taking a copy with me to work the booths at the boat show and sports show...thanks, Scott

[Tilla]

Very nice Scott!

Bluefishes, there will be a Portland Metro meeting Jan 15 somewhere downtown (TBA), you welcome to show up and meet some people.

[RiverRogue]

WOW Scotts' letter has made it around. Just had a friend email me and want to know what this is all about. The letter was sent from another iFisher that had copied it and sent it out to numerous people! BTW all, the next scheduled Salem Chapter meeting is Jan 16th., 7 pm. Hope to see as many of you that can make it!

[RiverMan]

I wasn't able to attend the local meeting in which Loomis gave his talk and I'm sorry I missed it. I did, however, receive a summary of the talk from a couple of good friends that attended. Although I think some of what was reported by Loomis is definitely up for debate it is a starting point for us anglers. The issue of what to do for our fisheries isn't as simple as just improving habitat, removing dams, or reducing ocean or in-river harvest, instead it will require a combination of approaches and committment by all user groups.

All of us are part of the problem and all of us are part of the solution.

RM

[AnotherBlindSquirrel]

[quote=Fishbulb;1790110]

"The stumping about killer gillnets and their **** of fishery resources claimed by the chairman has now probably been elevated to legend status."

Please ignore Fishbulb, he is fabricating and trying to mislead. In the above quote see "... killer gilnets... elevated to legend status." An obvious fabrication. Fishbulb has to know that gillnets kill fish and that this is not a legend but a fact.

[bluefishes]

Thanks for all of the answers particularly Scott's which focuses on harvest, but honestly they have raised more questions than resolved the issue for me. I have heard Gary speak regarding CCA, attended Fish First banquets and I really appreciate his passion. It's genuine and real even if he seems sometimes to play a little fast and loose with the facts.

The excitement Gary has generated is laudable but I'm afraid CCA PNW has been offered as a panacea to all problems. Moreover, some of the issues folks have identified in this post for I would have a problem with if I was a CCA member. I think I'll wait until some of the goals and strategies of the chapters is mapped out.

[Fast Water]

Bluefishes-

Thank you for being open minded and considering joining the CCA. We will be a powerful voice for selective fisheries and other issues in the Greater PNW and would be very glad to see you be a part of this change.

Please attend you local chapter meetings as we continue to build our grassroots movement toward responsible management of our commercial and wild stocks. I hope that you can join us in membership soon!

Thanks.

[Capt. Hook]

Originally Posted by bluefishes

Thanks for all of the answers particularly Scott's which focuses on harvest, but honestly they have raised more questions than resolved the issue for me. I have heard Gary speak regarding CCA, attended Fish First banquets and I really appreciate his passion. It's genuine and real even if he seems sometimes to play a little fast and loose with the facts.

The excitement Gary has generated is laudable but I'm afraid CCA PNW has been offered as a panacea to all problems. Moreover, some of the issues folks have identified in this post for I would have a problem with if I was a CCA member. I think I'll wait until some of the goals and strategies of the chapters is mapped out.

Now there's the kind of passion that just makes you want to go out and work your butt off for!


Oh and by the way, Thanks Scott!!

[RODACTION]

Yep, very well said Scott !!

That should be in print some where, as that sums it up well.

One of my biggest reasons for being a member of the CCA is I want to see our future generations (my grand kids) Have fisheries that fish.

Thanks Scott.

[Tilla]

Originally Posted by RODACTION

One of my biggest reasons for being a member of the CCA is I want to see our future generations (my grand kids) Have fisheries that fish.

One of my biggest reasons is I'm sick and tired of being ignored for all my economy dollars!

[Fishbulb]

Originally Posted by Jack Smith

This I am fairly certain is completely false

Jack,

I don’t know how the group funds it’s habitat work but WDFW reports funding sources in it’s Hatchery Genetic Management Plans. PacifiCorps Hydropower is numero uno when it comes to the production of fish for FF.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hat/hgmp/pdf/lowe...stwildcoho.pdf

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hat/hgmp/pdf/lowe...ish1stcoho.pdf

I didn't make it up.

Originally Posted by bluefishes

even if he seems sometimes to play a little fast and loose with the facts.

:Christmas:

[jzell]

At this point I think, hopefully, bluefishes has been given enuff clarification.

I'm looking forward to the day (and I can see it on the horizon) that all of FBs posts/replies become a moot point. Maybe it's already here....

and again I say...."The winds of change are blowing....."

jz

[Jerry Dove]

Gee folks, maybe, just maybe, we could get enough members to have enough pull to get one of our own on the ODFW commission. Wow, what a thought huh. Think about. Who knows maybe we might even be able to influence our legislators. This alone ought to be enough to get you all to join CCA.

[Travis Moncrief Fins Feathers Furs]

When I here the classic line, "I am going to wait and see how things turn out and what thery accomplish" It honestly just makes me shake my head Don't take offense to this bluefishes your point was well spoken and respected.

But to the others that also feel this way, what do you have to lose? Seriouslly what has all the money towards fishing lisnenes gained us. What in our lifetime has made any difference in todays fisheries that in a broad sence has improved things. What we are left with are shortened seasons and depressed runs.

Its the first organization that will unite all sportfishermen on a common front. Where every member from every chapters voice can be heard and come to a common goal at the state level. Where this united voice will be heard at both the state and federal level. Just the opportunity of that happening is worth every penny of my $25.

The sport fishermen has given and given in the name of conservation and still what has it gained us. When non selctive harvest can whipe out everything we gave in one full swoop of the net. Or the bycatch of ocean fisheries kills hundreds of thousands of PNW salmon. Or the billions of dollars spent on salmon and steehlead recovery, just to watch it go down the gullet of a Turn or Cormorant. I too am sick of it. These are issues with everyones support CCA will be able to address

I first heard of CCA last Feb. at the Sportsmen show in Portland, Gary walked up to me and said "give me $25 its going to save our fish" while digging for my wallet he explained what was going on. Since then I have become quite active, becoming the Tillamook chapter VP and am also on the State Board of Directors. The more you learn how things really work when it comes to fisheries and the more you learn how CCA works the more you want to be a part of it.

Those that feel going CCA is a gamble, I am here to tell you its a gamble you can't afford to not take

Well said both Scott, Bruce and others

[Cowlitzfisherman]

Originally Posted by MsOutdrs

As I see it, the "chairman" has no other motive in this except preserving fish runs throughout the northwest. What other motive, Fishbulb, do you think he has? He doesn't need $$$, so that one is out.

How about using it as a tax deduction? Gary makes a ton of money and he's also running a 501-c3 group called Fish First. Has anyone asked him if he's using that group to write off all of his expeness on this issue? Maybe that is why he can do what he does? Maybe he can land that $100,000 plus job that's going to be paid for each state Chair just like all the other CCA state chairs are being paid now?

Nothing wrong with doing that as long as one is up front on doing so. Anyone know those answers?

[Travis Moncrief Fins Feathers Furs]

Originally Posted by Cowlitzfisherman

How about using it as a tax deduction? Gary makes a ton of money and he's also running a 501-c3 group called Fish First. Has anyone asked him if he's using that group to write off all of his expeness on this issue? Maybe that is why he can do what he does? Maybe he can land that $100,000 plus job that's going to be paid for each state Chair just like all the other CCA state chairs are being paid now?

Nothing wrong with doing that as long as one is up front on doing so. Anyone know those answers?

No state chairs get paid, the executive director gets paid and Gary is not the executive director. Nor does the executive director get paid 100,000

There isn't a write off in the world worth the man hours Gary has into this, its all about the fish.

[JigMast]

Anybody know if some of the people who write is STS and S&SJ who promote getting involved with conservation have joined? Im talking about buzz ramsey, dave vedder, bill herzog, scott haugen, pat hogland, jed davis, Nick and frank amato and others who have a huge voice in the industry and whos voice may be heard louder than others?

[husker]

i just read scott's post...simply awesome join the CCA today

[jzell]

S&SJ publisher Pat Hogland is a member of CCA...he's in the Portland Metro Chapter...thank you very much.

There have been full page ads for the CCA in recent issue(s) of S&SJ.

jz

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Fishbulb

The fact that the claims are in large part being funded by Pacificorps Hydropower only makes the scenario look worse.

... CCA’s efforts

Wow Fishbulb, you really soiled yourself with that post.

Trying to conflate FirstFirst's projects with the CCA organization as one and the same is about as dishonest has it gets.

[Cowlitzfisherman]

Originally Posted by Travis Moncrief Fins Feathers Furs

No state chairs get paid, the executive director gets paid and

Originally Posted by Travis Moncrief Fins Feathers Furs

Gary is not the executive director. Nor does the executive director get paid 100,000

There isn't a write off in the world worth the man hours Gary has into this, its all about the fish.

Sorry about the mix up about Chairs and executive directors names. Your CCA news letter from Oct-Nov clearly stated this "I am pleased to announce that by the time you read this, we will have added a key member to our team. The new CCA
PNW Executive Director will accelerate the formation of new chapters in the PNW. He will eventually hire Assistant Directors for Oregon and Washington to manage chapter banquets, generating funds for our advocacy efforts. It typically takes many year"

I though that Gary was your man. So if not Gary, then who is the new PNWCCA Executive Director and what are we paying him? I have read in several papers that other state executive directors of the CCA do get paid well over that $100,000 figure. Is that not true?

[Fishbulb]

Originally Posted by garyk

Wow Fishbulb, you really soiled yourself with that post.

Trying to conflate FirstFirst's projects with the CCA organization as one and the same is about as dishonest has it gets.

I don’t see the soil. The reason I bring it up is because of the likely motives of PacifiCorps.

They were recently involved in a fairly tough relicensing process. They have now mortgaged hundred of millions of dollars into wild fish in the basin even though their plan actually has nothing to do with the definitive in basin wild stock. That stock being the Lewis River bright fall Chinook and the fact that helping them would require breaching the dams.

I am quite sure that they realize nobody can tell the difference between no ad-clip/no coded wire tag hatchery hatch box coho and wild coho (most can’t tell if it has a coded wire tag and an intact adipose fin). Even if PacifiCorps must fund this illusion until the end of time it probably pencils out for them just fine (although I don’t think they may have actually taken into consideration that the hatch boxes may very well produce virtually no adults in the first place). Every no ad-clip fish they can get into the basin means "wild" to the general public even if it started life in the 5 gallon bucket.

PacifiCorps was allowed to sell a facade to the public in exchange for the ability to continue it’s operations and they are tied into this no ad-clip hatchery hatch box paradigm.

[jzell]

It's none of our business what his salary is. He and the rest of us around the state/region are working our tails off.

jz

[Cowlitzfisherman]

Originally Posted by jzell

It's none of our business what his salary is. He and the rest of us around the state/region are working our tails off.

jz

Now that's a true CCA memberDon't ask...and don't know!

[Gun Rod Bow]

I can tell you I invited the PNW Chairman (the only paid empolyee of CCA-PNW) to go goose hunting with me yesterday A highly sought after invitation BTW ... He is an avid hunter and wanted to go. But he was too busy attending the meeting today in Longview WA then travelling up North for the Sea-Tac Chapter meeting.

We need a paid employee who will man the office and work for CCA every hour of every work day. He is and will be earning his pay. He has been successful in other careers and I am convinced he is doing this out of s desire to give back, while working to support his family. He's a good guy.

I have been absolutley amazed at the quality people already working their tails off for CCA. Of course Gary, he is travelling the countyside being the Pied Piper we need. For personal gain? Are you serious? He isn't making a nickel.

He has made his fortune, battled health issues, and can probably fish every day somewhere in the world with a friend he has made during his career. Instead he is GIVING his time for us and the future of NW Fisheries.

Jigmast you say:

others who have a huge voice in the industry and whos voice may be heard louder than others?

Who do you think Stan Steele, Scott Amerman, Travis Moncreif, Jack Smith, Herb Good, Grant Scheele, Walt McGovern and scores more I am forgetting to mention are???? Recent I-fishers who know nothing of NW fisheries?

All of these and others are working hours every day on getting CCA rolling. For what? Fame and glory? We have 1 CCA-PNW paid employee. And I think he is a great choice.

I am becoming very suspect of detractors of CCA and starting to immediately question THEIR motives.

It is the easiest thing in the world to be against something, or to sit on the internet and criticize. Ask yourself, what have I done for the fish lately. Spend $25 bucks. Let's turn the tables for the fish. After 150 years, it's about time.

Go CCA.

[Gun Rod Bow]

BTW,

Anyone who has read the CCA newsletter knows that the National CCA fronted money in the form of the "Bridge Fund" to get the PNW jump started. Instead of slowly starting chapters and fund raising.

They were out here meeting with CCA guys last week. Did we pay them? Nope.

Get involved. Ask questions. I was sceptical and don't think I am a "bandwagon type". But I am energized about changing the rules for conservation of NW fisheries.

[Fast Water]

Originally Posted by Cowlitzfisherman

Now that's a true CCA memberDon't ask...and don't know!

Our Executive Director is Matt Kayser.

[Gun Rod Bow]

Cowlitzfisherman...didn't you introduce Gary Loomis at a CCA Meeting in Chehalis last March?

So care to divulge what your beef is? Or do you just want to criticize?

[streamcatcher]

Originally Posted by Cowlitzfisherman

I have read in several papers that other state executive directors of the CCA do get paid well over that $100,000 figure. Is that not true?

I certainly hope this is true... I'm a CCA member and I want the best representation and leadership at the top of my state's organization-- this is the USA: You get what you pay for.

Is someone supposed to provide executive level direction to a state-wide organization for free?? Without proper compensation the best candidate for such a position would simply be forced to find other work, or if compensated at a lower level, would not be in a position to devote themselves to that role to the extent necessary to facilitate real change.

SC

[JigMast]

Originally Posted by Gun Rod Bow

Jigmast you say:

Who do you think Stan Steele, Scott Amerman, Travis Moncreif, Jack Smith, Herb Good, Grant Scheele, Walt McGovern and scores more I am forgetting to mention are???? Recent I-fishers who know nothing of NW fisheries?

All of these and others are working hours every day on getting CCA rolling. For what? Fame and glory? We have 1 CCA-PNW paid employee. And I think he is a great choice.

I am becoming very suspect of detractors of CCA and starting to immediately question THEIR motives.

It is the easiest thing in the world to be against something, or to sit on the internet and criticize. Ask yourself, what have I done for the fish lately. Spend $25 bucks. Let's turn the tables for the fish. After 150 years, it's about time.

Go CCA.

I am not a detractor of the CCA. Those people you mentioned are great for the orginization as well as the "others"and many more to come,none of which are less important than the other.It seems as though some people are going into this with the attitude " either you are with us, or against us". You are not a "good" person, "bad" person if you fish and do or do not join the CCA. Everybody has a right to a opinon for or against without having "EVIL" motives.

[pearl]

It seems as though some people are going into this with the attitude " either you are with us, or against us".

From my perspective this is not the case. I believe there to be a real passion flowing though the veins of the initial group of people who have joined with the CCAPNW in it infantile stages.
I for one know there are a ton of very talented people out there as well as people that just want to be part of a process of getting our fish and marine wildlife back to where it once was, which many of have never even experienced in our short lives. They just haven't made that leap yet.
Bottom line is people are our most sacred resource, and we need to tap the masses to move the effort forward.
It's not "either" "or" but please do get involved in some way shape or form. You, your children, grand children, neighbors, friends etc will be better for it down the road.

"Givers Gain"

[Thumper]

By the way, Scott's post should be published in every CCA, newspaper and sportfishing publication in the Pacific Northwest. It should be printed on thousands of brochures and handed out at every sportsman show. Those brochures should be at every check-out counter of every sporting goods retailer in the region.

It should become our rallying cry.

Thank you again Scott.

[jzell]

Inquiring minds,

Matt's salary, like your salary and my salary is none of the business of a public forum such as this.

What is most important is the business at hand and the work that needs to be done, with the respect of improving our fisheries for all of us to enjoy.

jz "a true CCA member"

[JigMast]

Originally Posted by jzell

Inquiring minds,

Matt's salary, like your salary and my salary is none of the business of a public forum such as this.

What is most important is the business at hand and the work that needs to be done, with the respect of improving our fisheries for all of us to enjoy.

jz "a true CCA member"

since I am thinking about joining, what is the difference between a "TRUE CCA member" and the other members?

[jzell]

One who volunteers for all kinds of extra work.....but has fun and makes a lot of new friends in the process.

(Jigmast...read reply #46...it's a recently acquired title...one I'm happy to accept)

[Capt. Hook]

Originally Posted by jzell

One who volunteers for all kinds of extra work.....but has fun and makes a lot of new friends in the process.

Jzell, I am continually amazed at the willingness of CCA members to step up to the plate and volunteer for duties. I've never belonged to an organization like that! People actually get upset if they are not called for a committee! I smell history being made on this endeavor. I want to be a part of it!

The Visioning Process yesterday was an eye opener. Our work is cut out for us! The managers are convinced that gillnets are a discriminate tool for harvesting fish. CCA does not agree! Do you need more reason than that to join the fight?

[jzell]

"People (can) actually get upset if they are not called for a committee!"

Something Chapter boards have to keep in mind and avoid.

[fyshndad]

Originally Posted by Amerman

The CCA is only as powerful as the people that join it. But if the sportfisherman as a mass see this as a tool to become organized and everyone jumps on boards, there is no end to what battles we can win.

This is where I have to make a comment

If the people that are waiting to see what CCA will get done before they join then what gets done by the CCA will take much longer

I was very hesitant in joining CCA but after reading tons of info on thier successes on the right coast and in the south I came to the realization that if I waited to join I would actually be slowing the process down

We need ALL sportfishers to be pro-active with the CCA

Take a look at the CCA membership
A lot of great people are involved really smart people
Take a look at existing groups that basically endorse the CCA
I can not say for certain that these groups are sponsors but thier membership is involved with the CCA
ANW Steelheaders
NW Guides & Anglers Assoc.
NSIA

Please join and speak out for what you want the CCA to do in the PNW
Not joining now will only slow our efforts
Pony up the $25 and get involved