The best:

Westport....it was the best ocean fishing I've ever experienced.

Fall summer-runs....As good or better than years past.

Friendly ocean conditions.(for the fish)and a long-term forcast for those conditions to remain.

A high (very high actually) jack salmon count this fall that bodes well for next year's run.

The worst:

Lock-jawed salmon at bouy 10 and Johns river....the fish were there but had no appetite from gorging on the abundant schools of bait fish.

Half the state's sledders fishing the Wynoochee last winter (and surely this winter too.)

The closure of North sound rivers this winter that will send the masses to the coast.

My old trusty shimano bantam 201 finally cashing in after 16 years of great service. This one hurts!!!! God, that was a good reel. They can only be cleaned and rebuilt so many times. Certain parts finally wore out that I can no longer find.....crap!