Brent K, Carcassman,

Regarding Skagit steelhead CNR season, Susewind committed to the Commission at the June meeting that he would find money for the 2020 season, but 2021 is contingent on the supplemental budget request in this Legislative session that begins tomorrow, Jan. 13.

WDFW is asking for $26 million supplement. $2.5 million is for "fishery monitoring." Inslee is asking for license fee increases. I'm asking everyone to bombard their legislators and especially those on the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee every 2 weeks through the session. Tell them "no" to license fee increases because WDFW has been cutting sport fishing seasons when tribes demand it, not for conservation like the Department first claimed. Then tell them you support the additional $2.5 million for monitoring because without it many sport seasons will be closed. I'm also telling them that I oppose the remainder of the supplemental request because the Department keeps throwing sport fishing under the bus. I realize that several sport orgs and advisory groups are on board with the entire $26 million.

There are a lot of major changes I'd like to see at WDFW, but an experienced lobbyist reminded me that you can only eat an elephant one bite at a time.