Bill would help game fish

Dave Cogdill got one thing right in his Sept. 19 "Bait and switch" op-ed in which he urges the governor to veto Senate Bill 1148. The fishing just ain't what it used to be. Our organizations are dedicated to fixing that, and this is precisely the reason why we hope the governor signs the bill.

SB 1148 is good for everyone who loves to fish. Not a single dollar will be taken from programs that support fishing in California. Our state hatcheries will continue to be funded with the vast majority of revenues, and native wild fish living in rivers and streams will get their fair share, too. Rivers are the original fish hatcheries, and they still produce the best, hardest- fighting fish.

No matter if you want a string full of fish for dinner while camping with family, or if you are one of those who can't resist the unmatched power and fight of a wild trout, you will benefit from SB 1148.

SB 1148 is intended to make the pie of funding for sport fishing bigger — for both hatcheries and wild trout management. It's disappointing to hear Cogdill's divisive tone. Those who care about California's diverse trout fishing experiences need to stick together.

BRIAN J. JOHNSON

California director, Trout Unlimited

CURTIS KNIGHT

Conservation director, California Trout

Mount Shasta

Editor's note: Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill but vetoed the $1 million it included for the Hatchery and Inland Fisheries Fund.