license upgrade

[schu7498]

So there are many people that are in essence "boycotting" the wdfw and not purchasing licenses. With the idea in mind of not funding their poor managment of the fisheries. Its looking like they may be having effect.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/may2214b/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[The Quadfather]

Is this an April fools joke? I got the same release from WDFW, not sure that it has anything to do with boycotting buying licenses..
Do people think that you can just boycott the law?
I guess we should boycott the rules on speeding, murder, robbery, etc.

[schu7498]

Managment is so bad they are not fishing and not buying licenses. Not breaking laws

[Toni]

So there are many people that are in essence "boycotting" the wdfw and not purchasing licenses. With the idea in mind of not funding their poor managment of the fisheries. Its looking like they may be having effect.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/may2214b/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am sorry but I don't see how this is the result of boycotting. The person has to have already purchased a license.

In my opinion it is a marketing ploy to try to sell more licenses. To get users from one license group to go combo.

[schu7498]

Im thinking they are not getting the money they expected and they are trying to figure out how to get more from people.

[Toni]

Of course they are hurting for money and they are trying to get more. One way is having a sale...marketing. But you probably already have your combo license as well as I do.

[Mike Carey]

I think you'll see a drop off in sales of steelhead gear more than you will in licenses since salmon and steelhead are on the same punch card. Anglers will be getting in on all those Chinook we'll get back this year.

But if I sold steelhead gear in Washington... or was a steelhead guide... well, it could get pretty tough. Sorry to say for all my steelhead guide friends.

[AJ's Dad]

Did I read that right? Do you really need a license to gather "Seaweed"?
Are there any seaweed guides out there?
Does seaweed put up a good fight on light tackle?
Are there any particular baits or lures that work better?
Is there a limit on seaweed?
Does any one besides me practice C&R with seaweed?
I could go on about this all day. LOL
I guess I'm just an uneducated east sider.

[Mike Carey]

Seaweed, it's what's for dinner.

[natetreat]

I love how they have regulations regarding seaweed, but we can't dig up sand worms for bait. All I can think about for eating seaweed is using sushi.

[Gonefishing]

The Seaweed whine sounds a lot like the constant crab whine I hear in Oregon. The complaint is why do we need to buy a crab/shellfish license when the state doesn't "plant" shellfish/crabs. Granted the argument could apply to bottom fish as well but...

Somehow the sales figures expected theory doesn't surprise me one bit. A. It isn't a pink salmon year. B. I haven't seen nearly as many people out fishing this year as I have during prior years. Yeah I know it is early but... That or they are fishing elsewhere or are fishing without licenses - like I noticed at Silver Lake in Everett earlier this year. Idiot said to warden why you writing me up when (points at another person) doesn't have a license either. Other guy did but it was salt water only.... tee hee. What I don't understand are the people that get the two rod endorsement when you don't get 2 times the limit

[MarkFromSea]

Did I read that right? Do you really need a license to gather "Seaweed"?
Are there any seaweed guides out there?
Does seaweed put up a good fight on light tackle?
Are there any particular baits or lures that work better?
Is there a limit on seaweed?
Does any one besides me practice C&R with seaweed?
I could go on about this all day. LOL
I guess I'm just an uneducated east sider.

page 132 regs... yes there is a limit...AND some pretty stringent regs for harvesting and where... LOL the season is only open for a month in certain areas, you'll have to wait until next April.in limited state parks... Bwa Ha Ha! Don't forget to fill out the seaweed punchcard..
seaWeed (many county and city parks have additional rules or closures. Please check local regulations before harvesting).
aLL aREaS aLL SPECIES Year-round daily limit 10 lbs. wet weight. Illegal to harvest any SEaWEEd if herring eggs are
attached.
all State Park beaches are closed to SEaWEEd harvest except Fort Flagler, Fort Ebey, and Fort Worden State Parks, which are open to SEaWEEd
harvest from april 16-May 15 only. SEaWEEd harvesting in State Parks is limited to posted park hours and special State Park rules below:
* bull kelp must be cut a minimum of 24" above the bulb and short stemmed kelps must be cut a minimum of 12" above the anchor point. The anchor point must be left in place at all times.
* Only a knife or similar instrument may be used to harvest SEaWEEd. Tearing the plant and use of tined instruments such as rakes or forks is prohibited.
* Each harvester must use their own container. Multiple limits may not be combined in the same container.
* Each harvester must use a scale to determine when the harvest limit has been reached. Drying or partial drying prior to weighing is prohibited.

[MarkFromSea]

Managment is so bad they are not fishing and not buying licenses. Not breaking laws

If I was a die hard steelhead fisherman, I'd be tempted to boycott, starting in 2016 I believe.... But, there are lots of other opportunities to retarget. This year, Columbia salmon... expecting the most since 1938!!!! more hype or good science? IDK

I'm truly sorry for the winter Puget Sound river steelhead fishermen... it was that WFC, Wild Fish Conservancy, more so than the WDFW in my opinion. Those legal battles are killing WDFW's piggy bank. We need better judges as well, find that SOB judge that signed that WFC court order, get him OUT of office... if an election is involved. Call for his removal... it's not just the WDFW that we should blame. I really think they are trying.

[hewesfisher]

What I don't understand are the people that get the two rod endorsement when you don't get 2 times the limit

Being able to troll double the gear than one who doesn't have the endorsement is huge plus in my book. I can have 4 different setups in the water (my wife and I both have the endorsement) for prospecting color, bait, or pattern AND it increases our odds of a hookup. On large bodies of water like Roosevelt, it's a great tool. For a bank angler, being able to fish 2 rods at the same time increases their odds too.

Nothing whatsoever to do about double limits, but sure is nice to get a limit faster or find a combination in less time than with a single setup. Worth every penny when you have limited time on the water AND have to drive close to 100 miles to get there.

[Gonefishing]

What I don't understand are the people that get the two rod endorsement when you don't get 2 times the limit

Being able to troll double the gear than one who doesn't have the endorsement is huge plus in my book. I can have 4 different setups in the water (my wife and I both have the endorsement) for prospecting color, bait, or pattern AND it increases our odds of a hookup. On large bodies of water like Roosevelt, it's a great tool. For a bank angler, being able to fish 2 rods at the same time increases their odds too.

Nothing whatsoever to do about double limits, but sure is nice to get a limit faster or find a combination in less time than with a single setup. Worth every penny when you have limited time on the water AND have to drive close to 100 miles to get there.

I guess I should have expanded my why the 2 rod endorsement issue. For me I only see a benefit if I can use it for trolling - for Salmon at least (and yes 2 rod salt is available in some areas - just not mine). Maybe for trout (but since I only do catch and release if possible for trout that wouldn't apply here). On the other hand if I can have two rods and catch Kokanee - then it's worth it (but friend with boat doesn't want to drive that far to catch something he never has had any luck catching - I on the other hand have). But I don't have a boat. My boat rides are few and far between. Salmon fishing in areas 8, 9, and 10 are single rods.

I guess I'm lucky that I have access to several lakes with in only 10 to 15 minutes of my house and access to the sound within a half hour.

[hewesfisher]

I guess I'm lucky that I have access to several lakes with in only 10 to 15 minutes of my house and access to the sound within a half hour.

Very lucky.

[strider43]

Managment is so bad they are not fishing and not buying licenses. Not breaking laws

If I was a die hard steelhead fisherman, I'd be tempted to boycott, starting in 2016 I believe.... But, there are lots of other opportunities to retarget. This year, Columbia salmon... expecting the most since 1938!!!! more hype or good science? IDK

I'm truly sorry for the winter Puget Sound river steelhead fishermen... it was that WFC, Wild Fish Conservancy, more so than the WDFW in my opinion. Those legal battles are killing WDFW's piggy bank. We need better judges as well, find that SOB judge that signed that WFC court order, get him OUT of office... if an election is involved. Call for his removal... it's not just the WDFW that we should blame. I really think they are trying.

I would have to agree; our legal system is to blame for this mess. Lawyers are always going after the people with the money rather than the responsible parties. this is not happening here but it is as crazy.
This is another example of how absurd our legal system has become.

[oneshot]

sounds like its good timing for me to finally go pick up a new license.. combo-UP!