Pat Neal’s column “Fishing Without Hooks” (PDN, Feb. 23) made me laugh and then puzzle upon a closer look.
Why were hook-and-line fishermen not allowed to fish?
WDFW’s region 6 hatchery manager stated that the state did reach their egg total goal at the Bogachiel facility.
WDFW staff also affirmed they are not allowed to sell steelhead carcasses, a game fish, the email listed the recipients by name and organization and the number of fish they received.
Neal also describes the various failures implemented to bring back fish, but never mentions closure of the river to all fishing.
What if the rivers were closed for three or four years?
Would that return them to their former health?
Sure those who fish the rivers will complain but something must be done.
We must “fish or cut bait.”
I worked as a drift boat guide on the Kenai River .
The Kenai is famous for the enormous seven-year 90- to 100-pound kings, although 70- or 80-pounders were the largest I and my fellow guides ever boated.
The ones we hooked and lost, however, were always the big guys.
Alaska Fish and Game currently lists the Kenai River as closed due to low returns for the last several years. Sure, the guides and fishermen complained, but the river remains closed.
Phillip Reed
Forks