Angry anglers take to the Columbia River in Richland to demand #LetUsFish
More than 50 boats decked out with signs bobbed around Columbia Point Marina in Richland Saturday morning.
Some insulted Gov. Jay Inslee, some supported President Donald Trump’s re-election bid, but mostly they just read “Let Us Fish.”
The boats were joined by a couple hundred people lining the shore with the same message as part of a protest aimed at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s closure of fishing and shellfish harvesting across the state.
The decision came as part of social distancing measures aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus and the disease it causes COVID-19.
Alan and Pam Doughty brought their “Let Us Fish” sign and their two dogs and a boat. The couple normally fishes several times a week, and uses it to supplement their food in the winter.
“There’s nobody but us two out in the middle of the river,” Alan said. “We’ve got a $60,000 boat. We have I don’t know how much in gear. We’ve got a fishing license. We’ve got insurance, and we can’t use it.”
Pam repeated a complaint many of the anglers had. Other pleasure craft can get out on the water, but if they cast a fishing line then they are breaking the law.
That was the issue that pushed Ben Hanes to organize the #LetUsFish protest. The Richland angler and his wife have been reaching out to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife through phone calls and emails, but have gotten no response.
Hanes was happy with the turnout as he stood on his boat in the middle of the Columbia Point Park Marina parking lot. He held up a sign asking people to honk if they love fishing.
While many boats were launching from Columbia Point, Hanes had asked many more to leave from other boat launches across the area.
“I just want everyone to spread out and be peaceful and send a message,” he said. “I think we’re starting to do that. This is a pretty good crowd.”
He called on other anglers pressure the state to listen to constituents.
One of them is 74-year-old Al Bernicker, who regularly comes out to Columbia Point to fish. He brought a sign that said, “I can sit here. Why not fish here. I am 6-feet apart.”
“This is the first protest I’ve been to,” he said. “There is a certain tranquility about being here, in addition to having the occasional pleasure of catching a fish.”
Hoping for a movement
With no news about possible changes coming to the closure, Hanes said the protests are likely going to become louder. Saturday’s protest brought gubernatorial candidate Tim Eyman to town.
And other politicians, including Franklin County Commissioner Clint Didier, promised to make an appearance during the day.
Hanes is also preparing to take on the state through the courts if necessary. He created a GoFundMe to raise money for his legal efforts.
“The anglers of Washington state aren’t going to put up with (the ban) much longer,” he said.
His message has reached across the state.
Chris Schefstall was among those frustrated with the state’s leadership. Some had signs blaming Inslee.
“I just retired. I bought a new truck, new boat. I like to go three, four times a week,” he said. “We pay for resources, boat ramps and everything, and we can’t fish.”
This story was originally published April 18, 2020 at 1:56 PM.