I think the flagging tape thing is getting out of hand. While on the chehalis it may not be a big deal, other places it would be - and I do use it a lot on some systems. Ripping down flagging tape is just asinine. The most common thing flagging tape is used for is LOGGING. Surveyors go in and flag cut boundaries, creek boundaries, etc. Ripping down these tapes is an extremely bad idea, and not within your rights (unless you want the companies to start gating access - much like they've already started doing on Van Island).
The other thing is for trails. Yes, maybe flagging trails on the chehalis is a bad call as the trails are so engraved into the ground it is hard to miss them. You don't need tape there, and it's an eye sore. I don't go there often, but even my first time there, the trails were not hard to find or stay on. I haven't been there in over a year and could still find them, it's not difficult.
The island on the other hand is totally different. I had a similar situation where I flagged a trail down behind myself, and someone tore it down. Luckily this river was one where not everything looked completely the same - and I came out with daylight - so I was able to find my way back. There are some rivers where you would not have been able to find your way out (well maybe out - but not anywhere near your vehicle with no idea of where your vehicle is). I always flag my way down the first time. GPS is useless, as most are in thick forest and canyon - and don't try to tell me you'd find your way out with a compass. Breaking sticks is dumb, anything can break a stick, and you don't need to look far to find one you didn't break. Putting down arrows, pine cones, etc would not work as there is no trail, nor enough bare patches to do it.
So please, if you feel the need to come to the remote areas of Van Island and see some flagging tape, leave it alone. I fish some of these rivers more than anyone, and would never feel so "entitled" as to rip down someone's flagging and put them at risk just because I fear someone new will see them. As long as you start marking well into the bush where it is not visible from the road, I don't have a problem with it... If someone has made it that far, hiking through the bush to be able to see my trail markers - and know that it is indeed a trail marker and not logging tape - they deserve to be able to follow it down and fish.