Onthesauk,
If you think the regs today are complicated you should look at the regs about 4 years ago. There were 2 books you had to have. One covered all freshwater stuff except for salmon. For that you needed to consult the marine and salmon reg book. Most of us just need to take the time to read the general rules section in the front then consult the section pertaining to the river we choose to fish. You mention the Skagit. I believe the Skagit is only open for salmon upto Gilligan Creek. If you are parked on a hole above Gilligan Creek loaded with chums and are targeting them, even C&R you are targeting a closed species and thus illegal. Same thing on the Snohomish with guy's pounding the kings(a closed species)and claiming to fish steelhead. Right! Same thing with the folks fishing the Sultan river C&R chums-Illegal! Do consult the WDFW website on a regular basis. Changes will be posted there prior to word being put out to the field officers or posted on your local fishing hole. Print a copy of the reg change and carry it with you.
This is not directed at you by the way. Just some general observations.

Good luck and tight lines.