Aunty,

Actually, if you look up the ESA listed stocks for Puget Sound, I believe that it's the SPRING chinook that are in the most trouble. Areas 5 through 9 are the migratory route for these listed fish, and this is the time of year that they migrate. (remember the 30" maximum on chinook through June 15 reg.) Not to mention the size limit on lingcod, which means that undersized fish must be released. Regardless of opinion, barbless hooks facilitate easier release. I believe that barbless circle hooks are also available which should solve the halibut issue. I highly doubt that there is a divide and conquer conspiracy being perpetrated on sportfishers at the WDFW. (Ignorance in decision-making maybe, but malicious intent?) While many of us may not fully understand the reasoning behind some of these seemingly illogical regulations, I personally don't think the State is "Out to get us."