Pretty sad today, stopped in Freds to make $100 donation to the Fraser River Sportfishing Alliance and what do I see - bouncing betties for sale. When I asked the clerk why they were out for sale I was told Fred has to make his money! At least Chilliwack Dart and Tackle has theirs not in view and btw not many guys asking for them either. Needless to say I did not donate. I guess it's really just about profits for some.
If I understand correctly, is not Fred's Custom Tackle a member of the Fraser River Sportfishing Alliance? The FRSA fought for an opening, even threatening to go as far as organizing a protest fishery, yet its' members sell the very tackle that supports the bottom bouncing activity, which is non-selective, and which contributed (according to Rod) of closing down the fishery mid-season last year.
In fact, the fishing report on the Fred's Custom Tackle website asks anglers to not bottom bounce: "We are asking anglers to be selective and avoid Sockeye by not bottom bouncing during times of Sockeye concerns"
And yes, bouncing betties do have other legitimate uses besides bottom bouncing. We'll be using them next month to troll for lake trout in Isaac Lake when we canoe the Bowron Lake chain.
I am not slagging Mr. Helmer or his business, and I know that he is a sponsor of this website. You have to sell tackle to survive, and if I were in his business shoes, it would be hard to do any different.
But it is ironic, as JC says, and just shows how complicated this whole affair is.