[SeattleFarq]

Hopefully this doesn't run afoul of any forum rules, but I'm shamelessly bumping @nomlasder 's petition from a previous thread. For those who haven't been following this issue, we're trying to get signs posted along the Cedar River that clearly explain the regulations in place (C&R, selective gear). We hope that the signs will help educate the public and increase the number of people watching out for poachers. Please consider adding your name to the list. A concrete show of support may help us get the attention we need from WDFW.

You can find the petition here - https://www.change.org/p/wdfw-cedar-river-signage

Thanks!!!

 

[nomlasder]

We're far short of the goal.

Signage can only help to minimize poaching on the Cedar. Yes there will always be those that ignore the rules. But folks that don't know better may now question poaching activity.

 

[Miso Harney]

I just signed it. Good luck guys. That river needs all the help it can get.

 

[zen leecher aka bill w]

why not get a couple of local fly clubs to kick in for part of the sign cost? Our local special regs lakes signage is partially paid for by fly clubs.

 

[SeattleFarq]

why not get a couple of local fly clubs to kick in for part of the sign cost? Our local special regs lakes signage is partially paid for by fly clubs.

Fundraising is Step 2. Right now, my goal is to figure out who can officially "green light" the project (i.e. approve the physical posting of signs, as well as the design and wording) and, obviously, get the official thumbs up. Once I'm sure we'll be able to get the signs up, I'll start crowdfunding/looking for donations from clubs and fly shops.

 

[tinman207]

Maybe change the title of this thread to "Sign the Cedar River petition"....I read all of the recent threads, but somehow missed there was a petition.

 

[SeattleFarq]

Maybe change the title of this thread to "Sign the Cedar River petition"....I read all of the recent threads, but somehow missed there was a petition.

I started up another thread for the petition once that got started. I'm posting general updates on the project here. Sorry things are a little chaotic - it's hard to keep a project like this organized on a message board. To spare you digging for the link, here it is again: https://www.change.org/p/wdfw-cedar-river-signage

Edit: Oops, I read your post wrong. I thought this was the "Updates" thread. If I can change the title of this thread, I will.

 

[junkie]

I didn't realize it took so much bureaucracy to put a sign up just stating the frickin rules. It seems like a much wiser course of action to avoid the red tape, laminate a few dozen copies, and nail them to a tree.

 

[River Is Polluted]

Anyone, and I do mean ANYONE, that has strong beliefs AND backs it up with actions is a winner for the year...

Leading by example is something that WFF is all about IMHO.

 

[Mountain Man]

I didn't realize it took so much bureaucracy to put a sign up just stating the frickin rules. It seems like a much wiser course of action to avoid the red tape, laminate a few dozen copies, and nail them to a tree.

While I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment, nailing signs to trees so close to Seattle is very likely to offend someone. There are more people that are going to take up the cause of "harming the innocent trees" than anti-poaching efforts.

I wish I was only joking.

 

[zen leecher aka bill w]

this isn't too hard. talk to the head bio in your district. I talk to ours on occassion

I didn't realize it took so much bureaucracy to put a sign up just stating the frickin rules. It seems like a much wiser course of action to avoid the red tape, laminate a few dozen copies, and nail them to a tree.

TJ, It doesn't take bureaucracy to put up a sign. It takes budget. I believe the local districts have already applied for their budgets and allocated the funds. This is why I said "get a couple of the local fly clubs together and provide part of the funding".

I'm just guessing here that most (or all) of the posters do not belong to their local fly clubs and do not know what projects these clubs support. So, local fishers.... if you want to lead by example, join a club and pitch in. Signs aren't cheap unless you want to use the weekend garage sale type signs. The signs over here at the quality waters are a couple hundred apiece. I think I heard that they were close to 1K each but don't quote me on that. Cheap signs get torn down or otherwise removed by the "wrong types". They can't tear metal signs down.

 

[zen leecher aka bill w]

Added as an afterthought. The Rocky Ford lower bridge is scheduled to be finished before the end of this year. It took all the clubs in WA state to band together and help WDFW in getting funding for this project. One hand aided the other. It doesn't happen overnight and it doesn't happen in a vacuum. Join a club and help out in these situations. This was a multi-year effort.

 

[Miso Harney]

I didn't realize it took so much bureaucracy to put a sign up just stating the frickin rules. It seems like a much wiser course of action to avoid the red tape, laminate a few dozen copies, and nail them to a tree.

I did that once on a small stream in Oregon that was closed to wild steelhead kill fishing. The problem was, when the other local rivers were blown, guides would drift that tiny stream and they'd take what they caught for their clients. The stream is not stocked with only a smattering of hatchery strays from the nearby larger rivers, so most of what they killed were natives. Within one week, every sign was torn down. They didn't want any pesky signs ruining their poaching. My signs were well-made, but not "official". They were a well-presented reminder of the rules and the local boys didn't like it. Official signs are needed on the Cedar to have any chance of success.

 

[Bob Triggs]

Two thoughts on this. The signs do need to be official, from WDFW, and not from the "fly fishing community."

In the past when we were posting the sea-run coastal cutthroat trout catch & release regulations signs, with the state's blessings, the donor fly clubs were also listed on the signs. This only created confusion and animosity as many people felt that the fly fishing clubs had been doing this on their own. And some had the perception that the fly fishermen were trying to take the fish away from everyone else. Many of those signs were promptly destroyed or stolen. On the next go-around, with newer signs printed and posted, the state WDFW was the only entity listed on the signs. Those signs have been doing better, lasting longer, etc.

 

[nomlasder]

Now up to 50 signatures.

According to change.org only 15% of all petitions reach this level. That's encouraging.

 

[FAQ!]

Just signed. Good on you for taking this on.

 

[CedarGuy]

Definitively signed...

 

[dibling]

Signed. At any trout management area in Western Jersey there is a sign on damn-near every tree so that there is zero excuse for not being aware of the rules and regs for a particular body of water. There's also enforcement, but hey, let's start with signs

 

[enlightened]

I signed, good luck

 

[freestoneangler]

Done. I don't live in WA anymore and only fished the Cedar a couple of times. But, it seems the reasonable thing to do. Kudos for taking it on!