Blame where it belongs
Local fishing guide-columnist Pat Neal took on the state Department of Fish & Wildlife in his most recent column for a change and placed the blame where it belongs (“Fish, orca and humans all doomed,” PDN, Jan. 17).
In his past musings, lower echelons were at fault for overregulation and anything else to do with our continuing loss of salmon.
My personal belief has been formed over the last 52 years with exposure to most facets of fishing Washington waters for steelhead and salmon, as well as commercial fishing.
I fished most of the rivers on the Olympic Peninsula, guiding for steelhead or salmon with my drift boat or just for pleasure.
While guiding on the Kenai River for Alaska trophy kings, I have boated 45- to 70-pound fish from the mouth of the Moose River to Soldatna.
When the Alaska Department of Fish & Wildlife experienced low numbers, the river was closed to all fishing.
What is the solution?
Stop blackmouth fishing.
Their starved and stunted growth caused a temporary closure, anyway.
Close all rivers and salt water; no hook and release.
Have a scientific assessment on return numbers yearly for several years, similar to the Elwha.
Why are sterile rivers — that allowed hook and release — being left with no fish?
Why not repropagate with native hatchery brood like the Sol Duc?
No political appointments as director of Fish and Wildlife without a documented background in fisheries, which has not always been the case..
Phil Reed,
Forks