Many a fond memory, rattles around in my little brain about that gentle Eastern Washington stream, and I am not alone. Sometimes, I swear, I can still smell the mix of Cheat grass, Sage, and apple orchards. It disturbs me very much, that the trend is fewer waters, and more angler plying for them. It is simply hard to quantify, the ripple effect, all those who have built a standing tradition, to fish a great river, such as the Sauk, Skagit or the Skykomish. I am a guide, I make a living off this fish, so I feel a stewardship to do what I can, to take care of it.
Most anglers feel the same.
If you want to talk economics, you should consider the commerce that travels near and far, to fish these great fish. Stop the fishery, and many people will simply turn their attention to other waters, other activities. How can we protect our fisheries, vote on legislation, if we are not willing or able to become part of it. It is only those things we are passionate about, that we are willing to fight for.