Most of my post on this issue have been directed towards the letter of that law, procedure and the opionions of law enforcement, but here are my opionions.

Hand-off's. I have no problem with it, but I would rather hook my own fish. Of course after watchin' my boat partner hook 15 silvers in a row without any justice for me, I'll take a hand-off.

Boat limit. No problem as long as it applies to all areas, ocean, sound, lakes and streams. Shrimping is a good example. My 5 year old can set a pot, legally, but it is okay for me to "assist" him in pulling the pot. Can I assist him while fishing in a stream, apparently not. People hit the water for a few reasons. Have fun, fight some fish, and hopefully bring something home. Our license fees go towards fisheries enhancement and I think we should be able to reap some rewards.

Guide disclaimer. You bet. The guides should be held to a higher standard as this is their chosen profession. Would I want to be associated with anyone who could get me in trouble? No. I would want to be informed. If the guide's client breaks the law while fishin' with him, the guide should also be fined. The guide controls who gets on his boat. Too many fines and the guide's license gets revoked. (It would take at least 3)

Guide tests. Absolutely! I don't think that they need to be yearly, maybe every three to five years. Boating safety, boat handling etiquette, fishing regs, and basic fisheries science knowledge should be included. There are a bunch of good folks out there, and I think that this would do nothing but improve the experience for all. There are always a few losers in every social group, and this could help weed out some of those questionable guides. (I am not sure of how many bad guides there are, but I am sure that there is at least one.) I have to renew my advanced hunter ed card every 5 years, why shouldn't they?

Here are my simplified fishing rules as I would like to see them.

Size limits. The fish is either big enough or it isn't. No gray.

Area closures. The boundaries are clear and you can either fish for all fish or none. This would eliminate "bycatch".

Boat limits. 5 people with 2 fish each equals 10 fish. That kind of math is black and white, (unless you live in Bucoda. :)) Whatever is done for these folks to get the fish such as hand-offs, fine.

Gear restrictions. Bait/no bait, barbed/no barb. Doesn't seem too difficult.

Native vs. hatchery, its clipped or not clipped.

Multiple rods. Fine by me, as long as you only bring in your limit. This is allowed in other states.

Fish ID. Learn your fish.

I know I may have left out a bunch, but you get the basic idea. If we get to fish, lets fish until the allowable harvest has been met, then the season closes. I may be way off base with some of my opinions, so sorry if I offend you. Until the rules change, I will go by the rules.

Great subject Cowlitz. Thanks for making me think. Andy

[ 06-29-2001: Message edited by: andy m ]