Dec. 6 Letters to the Editor

Derby held too late

The Lewis-Clark Valley Chamber of Commerce and whoever else picks the dates for the Steelhead Derby must not be anglers or even live around here. Anyone with eyes in their heads can plainly see that in October, the marinas are plumb full and the confluence has hundreds of boats in it, with everybody fishing for steelhead.

Maybe they didn't notice that during the derby, the marinas were empty and there were very few boats on the water.

Not everyone has the resources to own a jet boat or hire a fishing guide to win the derby. Most of us have little crappy boats that we can't take upriver, or no boat at all, meaning we fish from the bank.

The derby should be held the second week in October, when it's still warm enough for the older fishermen and before the Idaho Department of Fish and Game shuts down the Clearwater River below the Memorial Bridge. That's a really big thing for local people, especially the bank anglers, and it would even the playing field for everyone.

I think the derby should be a valley thing, designed for people who live in the valley. Hundreds of people catching fish sounds like a lot more fun than a couple of folks catching fish. Changing the dates would open up the fun to a lot more people in the valley and generate more money for local bait and tackle shops.

I've talked to a bunch of my fishing buddies who didn't fish in this year's derby and they all said they would sign up if it were held in October.

All you fishermen, come on and get behind this. This is our valley and it should be our fishing derby.

John Draper

Clarkston

Fill the stands

Attention, Big Sky fans: For those of you that have complained for years and wrote letters, next year you will get your wish.

Football only is going into the Sun Belt and all other sports except swimming and diving will be back in the Big Sky Conference

We as faithful Vandal Boosters are excited for you Big Sky fans to fill the stands for volleyball and men's and women's basketball and also to become new season ticket holders.

Now is the time to get excited for next year.

You can also help out the Vandal Scholarship Fund for our marvelous athletes. Any dollar amount will be greatly appreciated. Even $5 per month, and it is real easy with automatic credit card payment.

Just $25 per month means $300 per year and added benefits for you.

So you Big Sky lovers, make your commitment now. Fill our stands. See you next year.

Go Vandals.

Colleen O'Donnell Bumgarner

Moscow