Too bad the province missed out on this kind of discussion. My intention in posting the info on the so called poll was to show that there has been no OPEN public consultation. The fact is there is a cap on guide boats in the lower river, I believe the number is 15 (someone correct me if I'm wrong), hardly an overwhelming number. The upper river is jet boat free from my understanding which makes up half the river. The lower river is quite different from the Vedder - it is wider and deeper (from the falls pool down).
If the government suddenly took away your livelihood with little or no notice after you sunk thousands of dollars into equipment etc based on an anonymous internet poll, I would call it less than democratic. A sample size of 33 is hardly a reliable data set. If someone shut down the Vedder to drift fishing and made it fly only based on non-advertised internet poll with 33 people, what would your reaction be (I personally would love it, but a raw deal for the majority who use it)?
As for the fish, my experience with the guide I have been with was he was VERY carefull when releasing wild fish as his business depends on the stocks returning every year. The guide boats also respect the shore fishermen and don't poach their water or rip through it (they give a wide berth as there is room). Again, many of these guys are actively involved in the brood stock fishery for the hatchery which everyone on shore and boat-access enjoy the benefits. One other benefit, is that these guys provide unofficial policing and monitoring of the lower river because the majority care about the resource. The impression I got from the last trip was that there is a small group of fishermen who would like the river all to themselves and have some influence over the local regulators. Personally, I have signed the petition, if you agree, please stop buy Fred's, Pacific Angler (in Vancouver by Mtn Equipment Coop) or Gone Fishing (in Pt Alberni).
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Topic: Stamp & Somas Rivers - Saturday January 27th (incl. Photos) (Read 5207 times)