License Fee Increase & Allocations

[Wood N' Fish]

I've got to Grouse somewhat, even though the reason to do so may not be valid. Oh well, when did you ever need a valid reason to grouse?
Not that we should expect some kind of favoritism, but wasn't it the sportsman who supported the license fee increases that we are enjoying this year? Did the tangle netters also see like and equal increases ammounting to the potential dollars coming from sports persons? Doubt it. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]
I don't know what 40/60 or 60/40 impact really means, except, obviously, a smaller percentage of the run for the sports.
Why does the need exist that create a need for negotiations yearly for commercial/sport allocations of the run? I don't see them negotiating impacts with the tribes. Their share is spelled out accordingly with the law. I wrote my letters as many of us did on this forum, to our respective leaders, and can only feel like there was some kind of boomerang effect in the recent commision decisions. I am trying to stay optomistic and positive about this allocation process, sooooo-----I'll end it here.

[Flatfish]

The fee increase was to help offset state funding shortfalls from the general fund.

The Columbia river hatcheries are federally funded( for the most part).

Apples and oranges.

It seems a lot easier for anglers to increase their "Take" by lowering their impact mortality.

Not much resistance to us fishing in ways that are less harmful to endangered species( single hooks, no bait, not netting natives). And we have the potential to gain probably close to 30-40% more than we get now. All that if we just drop from a 10% impact to 6 or 7 %.

Everyone now is wound up over the 10% diff the commercials just got. What about the other chunk they got for tangle tooth nets being less harmful than gillnets?

From my point of view, it sounds like the commercials just got an extra quarter to play.

Tis easier to walk around the fire rather than directly thru it.

Mark and the dog.

[Wood N' Fish]

I think it's time also to modify the gear to lessen impacts. For example singles barbless hooks required for weighted lures. (similar to upper CR Regs.) Leaving nates in water whilst unhooking---well------is---a----no----brainer. [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]
For the commercial contingency: You're outta part-time work!

[glassblower]

I costs to much to fish without the increases.