[OSMB-News] Marine Board wants to avoid regulation by encouraging angling ethics

[Randy H Henry]

For Immediate Release	Date: Thursday, February 28, 2008

Marine Board wants to avoid regulation by encouraging angling ethics

Faced with a higher than usual number of complaints about motor boaters
monopolizing good fishing spots on coastal rivers, the Marine Board is
reminding anglers to be courteous to other anglers and boaters. If you
use a motor to hold in good water or revisit a certain hole, fish it
twice and move on. Let other people have their turn. Give bank anglers
plenty of room.

"The big complaint this year is that some boaters are using motors to
hog the good holes," said Randy Henry, operations policy analyst for
the Oregon State Marine Board.  "They keep going back again and again.
Some boaters are guides trying to put their clients on fish, some are
just private operators. Tempers flare, lines get cut and suddenly we're
getting calls to impose new regulations. We'd like to resolve these
conflicts without the need to close these rivers to motor boats." 

Winter steelhead fishing on the coast is an outdoor experience
cherished by many.  The lush coastal scenery and beautiful waterways
serve as great backdrops for the pursuit of the feisty winter
steelhead*the experience is supposed to be all about having a good
time on the water. 
"By demonstrating positive angler ethics there will be room for
everyone to enjoy the rivers," said Rick Hargrave, ODFW Information
and Education Manager. 
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