Crowds....
Hey Bubz...., Don't be knockin' the retirees.... (I am one ) Actually, I understand the issue as I've seen it on other rivers (one in Oregon) , as well. I suppose the "....retirees...." comment applies to the retirement of the great number of "baby boomers" coming down the road and is valid. However, as a long time Streelheader in California, I guess I've become used to crowds; not like you've described tho.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, I think Jay may (indirectly) be making the point that instead of complaining, maybe we should be trying to suggest/advocate solutions to problems of this type.
Not sure what could be done. But, if we're keeping the welfare of the fish in mind, there're some obvious suggestions that may or may not be acceptable. Here's some for discussion purposes:
1) Limit access to the water through a permit process.
2) Ban the use of drift boats on specified portions of the river (especially in low water years).
3) Limit the number of drift boats on the river at any given time.
4) Eliminate the use of bait of any sort in the river.
There're many others that come to mind but hopefully, many of you will cover those in your own suggestions.
Having made these suggestions, I can see many objections from guides and all other types of fisherman to each. However, I don't intend to list them here.
So, lets hear your suggestions....
"America is a country which produces citizens who will cross the ocean to fight for democracy but won't cross the street to vote."
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