I don't blame any of the people at WDFW actually doing work on the ground. They don't make decisions, so they're not to blame. The leadership that does make the decisions is responsible, but only to the extent they're doing what they're told by their own leadership. Appointees to public office don't tend to do anything to upset their appointers, lest they no longer hold those appointments.

So, to find those truly responsible for sport fishing in WA heading down the crapper (fast), we must look above the Department level. Right now, that points to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. I think the recent decision to reverse the Columbia management plan to prioritize recs demonstrated, very clearly, that body's potential to be politically influenced. Their influencers are the ultimate deciders of WDFW policy. Find and destroy those people (or outspend them on lobbying), and we might get some favorable policy once in a while. Until then, those people will influence whatever process is in place to set policy to their liking.