Hey Gang,

Of those that have wrote to Director Koenings, has he ever responded?

After searching and waiting patiently for a charter license to become available, I am considering a letter requesting a special issue of a charter license. Any special considerations (other than facts) I should take into account? Should I start somewhere else within the Department?

Thanks!
Downriggin'

I wrote him an email when they announced the emergency closure on the Green River this year. I wanted him to explain why they decided to close it early but instead, I just got a form letter from one Patricia Michael and a current copy of the sportfishing regulations in PDF format.

Sent a few over the years, every form mail that I've had on here over the years has gone to him as well. Never heard a word ...

Downriggin
Good luck trying to get a charter license from the State they haven't sold one in over 20 years as far as I know. There are approx 130 charter licenses in the state now, and are only available from someone that currently has one, if you can find a license expect to spend between $1500 -$2500 per rod, 6 rod licenses have been going for about $12k - $15k if you can find someone that wants to sell. Oh yea I recently heard that WDFW wants to trim the active licenses down to 80 from 130.
Another problem with the charter license situation is the Longview Bridge on the Columbia is the cutoff point for guides without charter licenses. I have a 200 mile offshore USCG master license and can't fish below Longview because you need a charter license, thank the charter boat association for that, it’s the only river in the state that I know of where you can't fish with a WDFW guide license and a Coast Guard License right to the salt.

I emailed a license specialist at the Department and the reply..., "We would love the extra revenue, however, the reason we don't issue them is RCW 70.050. The state hasn't issued a new charter license since 1972."

Make that 31 years!

Guess I'll keep waiting... Something is bound to come this way (like winning the Lotto first).

DR

Laws can be changed. What does your local State Representative or Senator have to say?

Many bills are presented each session and some are even passed into law.

We had a sportsmen day in Olympia last month after the rally many in attendance met indivdually with the local representatives expressing their indivdual concerns.

Your very welcome to come next year.

the problem with creating new licenses is that existing license holders would find their licenses become worthless. you would most likely have a very different perspective if you owned a salmon charter license vs. looking for one. i know my perspective changed when i found mine.

chris