Gig Harbor Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers
We are the Puget Sound Anglers. We are dedicated to preserving your quality fisheries. We believe in the de-commercialization of Steelhead. We believe that our salmon resources can be restored to what it should be with sound biological management. We believe in the comradeship and wishes of our fellow sport fishing anglers. We believe that our grandchildren can have a higher quality fishery than we have ever had.
History
In 1985 a small group of sport fishing anglers became unhappy with the organization to which they belonged. Although they enjoyed the friendships and knowledge of persons with the same fishing interests, they were fed up with the state and national leadership using the members as rungs on their own political ladders. They were tired of their membership dues going out to pay salaries on the national level and for enhancements of thousands of miles away. They were tired of being refused the right allowing input on legislative issues that involved their fisheries. It was time for a change and thus spawned Puget Sound Anglers.
The Mission
The Puget Sound Anglers is an organization of independent chapters, with common goals and interests, bound only by integrity and fellowship, with the goal of preserving, protection an enhancing the sport fisheries of Washington State. The general outline of the organization is for each chapter to retain an independent nature. The State Board was formed with members from each of the chapters and was to be responsible to those chapters. The State Board was to assist the forming of new chapters and promote membership. In addition, it was to help communications amount the chapters regarding fund raising and projects of interest to all members.
Results
There are now Puget Sound Anglers Chapters throughout western Washington. This is the fastest growing sport fishing organization in the state. Members have been involved in stream enhancements, educational forums, state legislation, fishing for children and even assisting developmentally disabled persons catch their first fish. Members are now being quoted in newspapers, and interviewed by radio and television reporters. Their response to Puget Sound Anglers has been overwhelming as the organization is rapidly becoming known as the “voice of Washington’s sport anglers:
Benefits
In addition to the previously mentioned projects, all members have a chance to learn more about fishing, go on organized club outings, take part in projects and build life-long friendships with other members. Each chapter has a monthly general meeting at which fish stories are discussed, guest speakers are provided and there are even raffles to give you a chance to add to your tackle box. The membership outing may have you fishing at your back door, south of the Mexican border or north towards Alaska.
Attendance
We invite non-member guests to attend our general meeting. We encourage all family members to joint us at any of our happenings. We even welcome members from those “other clubs” to attend one of our meetings and maybe, just maybe, they will want to change their names to the independent organization . . . Puget Sound Anglers