July 24, 2014
Thursday

I was very relieved when I heard that the Red Bridge on Ketchikan's Creek Street would not be closed to fishing. I remember the first time there was a ban put in place after the walkway was expanded, and everyone went down to the bridge. Ketchikanites put their poles in the water in protest, because fishing off the bridge is more than just a pastime, it is a part of our city. A part of our heritage.

I myself have countless fond memories of fishing off of it, and I do agree that there are a few bad eggs who show up and ruin the fun for others. Everyone knows them, and when they show up everyone inwardly (or expressively) groans. I also know that people don't know of any actual rules to fishing off the bridge besides the fish and game laws about snagging. Which means there has been almost no enforcement of littering laws and other social decency rules. We could call the police every time someone cusses or leaves blood from smacking a fish on the head or cleaning it, but it seems like a waste of time.

I think that every person needs to take accountability of their own actions, and remind others who seem to forget. It seems a no brainer but in the heat of battle over fish common sense gets lost. It is our job as citizens to help each other remember. A polite "Watch your language please" or "kill that by the water" would go a long way. And if anyone is doing aggressive things, like throwing pennies at people, then the police should be called because those actions are clearly assault, and suitable for legal action.

Thank you Ketchikan for keeping our fishing and heritage intact, now let's live up to the privilege.

Marie Zellmer
Ketchikan, Alaska

Received July , 2014 - Published July 24, 2014

Related Viewpoint:

Viewpoints - Opinion Letters:

Webmail Your Opinion Letter to the Editor

 

SitNews ©2014
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

Articles & photographs that appear in SitNews may be protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without written permission from and payment of any required fees to the proper sources. E-mail your news & photos to editor@sitnews.us Photographers choosing to submit photographs for publication to SitNews are in doing so granting their permission for publication and for archiving. SitNews does not sell photographs. All requests for purchasing a photograph will be emailed to the photographer.