It looks like we are OK for now.

SB 5401, anti-C&R bill, dead, didn't get scheduled for the Rules Committee.

SB 5455, requiring all anglers under 18 to take a class in salmonid identification and proper catch and release techniques before they can fish, dead, didn't get to it.

HB 2040, anti-wading on the Skagit bill (and anti-fishing all together in effect), dead, didn't really ever have a chance.

HB 2156, creating the Hood Canal Marine Sanctuary, dead. This one would have ended fishing in Hood Canal and its tributaries for any anadromous fish until the State and the Tribes agreed that the runs were "fully recovered".

The first three are gimmes, lame bills that wouldn't have done anything but end C&R fishing or make it hard to get kids into fishing, which is our best bet for protecting our runs.

The last one is a little closer. I guess it's easy for me to say that as I don't fish Hood Canal or its tribs, except for chums on the Skokomish, so I wouldn't be missing out on much. I can certainly find plenty of chums elsewhere. Anyone else have an opinion on that one?

There are also a ton of bills out there dealing with salmon recovery, most of which deal with water issues, timber issues, farming issues, mining and prospecting issues, etc. If anyone wants a list, post a request and I will e-mail it to you.

Lastly, there are bills out there to authorize salmon license plates, like they have in Oregon. Money would go to salmon restoration efforts. In case you didn't know, buying personalized plates still sends a few bucks to salmon restoration. This bill would make it more visible and more beneficial to the salmon restoration programs.

I don't know the status of all the other bills, but if you have a bill number, the lady who answers the phone at the House Legislative Billroom can give you the status of any bill, be it a house or senate bill. Her number is 360-786-7573. Sorry, I can't remember her name.

Fish on...
Todd.

The Skokomish has a nice run of Cutts (BIG). You have to know where fish for them. The river had some nice runs of fish. To much trible netting of coarse took care of that! This new listing for chum will take care of Hood Canal hopefully the for good. Mayby the good fishing will come back, it was great at one time! Oh the Memories!

Ditto on dicks comments-Plus I love the cutt fishing all the way up the canal from the mouth of the Skoko to Quilcene bay, I would really miss these fish if I was shut out. I hope they can leave room for this fishery at least part of the season. It is allready catch and release, there are alot of beutiful fish out there.

Todd and all, I like the idea of the license plates, a background picture of a salmon would look great with my current plates on my F-350 Superduty. Of course they are "FISHNG1".
Speaking of Hood Canal and the Skokomish, I can remember the old days when my brother Ben and I used to fish for fall kings in the river in September. Used to be great fishing for those mint bright fish, even though we had to put up with tribal members on the opposite side of the river casting leaded treble hooks into the same hole and useing 50 pound test to yank these fish onto the bank. Oh well, at least they weren't drifting that gillnet in the hole like they do on the Nisqually.
Steve Ng....The FishNg1

By the way, do you know if the License plate idea is alive?
Steve Ng....The FishNg1

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[This message has been edited by Steve Ng (edited 03-23-99).]

I like the license plate idea. But we have to be careful, I've seen the state get a new source of revenue then they decrease the other revenue source.(general fund) So if the plates raise 1 million new dollars for salmon; thats 1 million they can cut from the salmon somewhere else.

I think it is still alive. I'll find out for sure and let you know.

Fish on...
Todd.

I don't fish hood canal at all any more and don't know the tribal policies there but if the tribes net it one time, ceremonial or otherwise, it should be considered "fully recovered" and open to all fishing again.

Stlhead, yep they net it, I don't know what their target species is but they take tons of chum, quite a few silvers and a good number of Kings, I know because thats what I find in the nets when they wash up on the beaches. Many of the runs are REALLY weak. I would hate to see any more kill fisheries here. I have seen anglers out number fish many times on some of these rivers. The Skokomish just ran a steelhead test fishery, or at least were scheduled to. I haven't heard how they did yet.