lead thrower,
You are funny and right!

Osprey,

Before all these snagging threads I always went per regs (as you mentioned) and I still do. But I remember someone asked about the STS picture couple? months ago and things got hot. I backed him up and said that it was a legit question. Finally it was concluded that the hook fell off during the picture taking and it was put back in a wrong place and made it look like that fish was snagged, but in reality it wasn't.
Also someone had an email from WDFW and it was concluded that gill-plate forward is legal and I said that if this is the case and we need to update/revise the regs.

I am trying to find that thread but am having a hard time. Stand by.