Ok ,I just talked to the game dept. law office and this is what they said.

The stated rule ( ok to keep fish with hook fwd of gill plate) is not in the 2002 rules because it has been revised and is under the revision RCW law of the F&G. It still stands no snagged fish may be kept ( you hear that snaggers) and avove the Gill Plate only if it is legal to do so.
Also F&G officers may not issue a ticket for checking a fish and seeing hook marks on the body. Only if they witness an act can they issue the ticket for snagging. It is ok to pull out any hook that was in the fish that was there previous to your catch . The main reason for not allowing snagged fish to be kept is to deter the act of snagging fish.
No Duh !