Dear Sir:
First and foremost, I believe the most important step to maintaining a high-quality steelhead fishery on the Skeena should be keeping DFO in check and not permitting commercial netting to intercept large numbers of steelhead before they even enter the system.
To some degree you’re barking up the wrong tree here folks. This year’s run was dramatically reduced by the unusually high number of netting days permitted at the mouth of the Skeena during the sockeye season.
Admittedly, I am a non-resident alien, and to a degree I can understand the necessity of some of these changes in several locations...namely sections of the Copper, Bulkley, and Kispiox where they will likely have the most benefit.
I can empathize with local resident anglers that work all week and would like to take the weekend to enjoy fisheries near population centres. That said, I think the system now being implemented is a bit too heavy handed in its approach and unfairly targets unguided non-residents as being the primary reason for a “poor fishing experience.”
I was on the Bulkley and Morice last year, and yes, it was particularly crowded in October, but it’s the new reality everywhere steelhead swim...the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, Columbia River tributaries in Washington and Oregon, Clearwater River in Idaho...all are crawling with steelhead fishermen when the fish are in.
What’s particularly disconcerting is that it’s not because there are more fishermen than ever...it’s because there are fewer places with healthy steelhead populations. You have a jewel in your backyard in northern B.C.; myself and many others implore you to not let corporate interests (Shell and Enbridge in particular) potentially destroy it while you point the finger at non-residents.
There are many battles to be fought in the Skeena watershed right now...most of which stand to have a much more destructive and lasting impact than an increase in the number of non-resident anglers. I sincerely hope that the pending implementation of the Skeena Quality Waters Strategy will not distract dedicated anglers from continuing their focus on being advocates for one of the last great steelhead and salmon systems in the world.
Lastly, you are lucky enough to live in one of the last great places, a place that leaves an indelible mark on all who are fortunate enough to explore its waters. I can’t help but cringe at the thought of the Skeena system only being available to the individual who wants to dish out $7,000 a year to go fishing for the week...but it looks like that may be the trajectory it’s headed. Be advocates for your fish, enjoy your rivers, but also let others come experience some of them and learn to appreciate what’s there. That, I feel, is the most effective path to a quality fishing experience for everyone.
Ben Grady,
Redmond, Washington