The salmon runs have been diminishing over the past 20 years on the West Coast. Southern California runs are mostly gone. Northern California runs were so bad in 08, that many of the areas were shutdown to both commercial and sport fishermen.

Here in Oregon, the Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW), are planning to shut down Salmon fishing on the Willamette River for 09. The runs were low last year and are expected to be even lower this year.

I recommend that you contact your State politicians and bend their ears. Sport fishing pumps millions of dollars into local economies. Many people fish on their vacations. They stay in hotels and lodges, eat at local restaurants, buy gas, purchase fishing gear and local licenses. Some even hire a guide. Even though I do not guide for Salmon, I am concerned about the lack of action the regulating bodies are making.

It does not take a rocket scientist to determine that a net will capture many more fish then any sport fishermen. Nets also capture and kill many other fish which are not permitted. The commercial fishermen throw these fish back, but they often die because of damage caused by the net. Other Commercial fisheries have been forced to modify their fishing techniques. Swordfish are caught on individual hooks which are attached to a long line, which can reach over a mile.

I am a member of Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). This is an organization which, has the ability to flex some political muscle. I encourage all of you to join. An annual membership is only $25. They plan to become the NRA of fishing. They have already been successful in restoring the Redfish population in the Gulf of Mexico.

Every member counts chen you are talking to politicians.

Thanks for enduring my soapbox.

And remember, fishing helps keep you stress free!

Ken Bear Cole

Fishing with Bear LLC