Jet Boats

Dear FWR,

Well it seems the people who have been operating charter businesses on the Somas/Stamp River system for the past 15 years or so, haven’t learned a damn thing.

The extra pressure the jet boats have put on the Summer-run Steelhead stocks in the Stamp River above the Ash River, is the ultimate reason for it’s closure to all fishing after Jan.1.

Your child, my child, all our children cannot fish in that beautiful park-like setting between Great Central Lake and the Ash River. An absolute travesty.

Now, having said that, this closure above the Ash River has put ALL the pressure on the lower Stamp and Somas system. And, it seems the people that are trying to make a living as charter businesses, don’t have the brains to realize that they are destroying their own livelihood.

What are jet boats doing all the way up in Stamp Falls Pool? This extra pressure on these stocks will be its demise. As a result, I predict an annual closure to all fishing from Stamp Falls to The Bucket very soon.

As the upper closure has made the river quite small, you would think these charter operators would try to compromise with the shore anglers. The only access to the lower river the shore anglers have now, is from Stamp Falls Pool to the gun range. We’ve lost the bridge, the confluence, meadow run, the island, Swanson’s and now the jet boats are taking over the only stretch of pristine water left... over my dead body.

The jet boats get first crack at the fish coming in and then the pepper them all the way up to Stamp Falls Pool. And they still won’t leave them alone.

This type of conduct is extremely irresponsible and I am ashamed of you guys. We all know who you are, and so do you. Any person who takes his jet boat above The Bucket shouldn’t call themselves a guide in the first place.

One person (I won’t call him a guide) is personally responsible for having jet boats banned on the Gold River and is now frequenting Stamp Falls Pool in his jet boat. I can say I would be embarrassed if I were him. His reputation is obviously deteriorating. The thing is... he should know better. So should they all.

No jet boats should be allowed above the highest boat launch on the river. If you can drag your jet boat down to Stamp Falls Pool and launch it, then all the power to you. I’m not about banning jet boats altogether. Just restricting the amount of river they can abuse.

I greatly welcome all questions, answers, criticism or input of any kind. My email address is riversurvivor@hotmail.com.

A.J. (River Survivor)

Note: Fishing with Rod does not necessarily agree with any of the statements in readers' letters.