Wow! What an exhausting thread! Some gr8 things said throughout! I especially liked RVB's comment:

"If indeed trust is to be built, the WDFW needs to adopt policies and systems that not only inform the angling public, but also listen to their ideas and are more responsive to their review. I know PR is a big issue for WDFW right now, and while they seem to be working on improving trust "we're not there yet," so to speak."

I have yet to hear WDFW publicly say, "Boy, we, your trusted public servants, have really screwed up the fishing, and we need your help." Instead, I've heard, "The habitat is the problem." or "The ocean is the cause." or etc., etc., etc. Always pointing a finger elsewhere, instead of stepping up and accepting that the responsibility of mismanagement of the fishery rests SOLELY on the sholders of the state.

How can I respect that?

While I have no doubt whatsoever that many respectable employees of WDFW are in their employ, apparently no one of power is willing to verbalize the obvious. I think it's a "The King has no clothes.....shhhhh" thing.

Outlaw bait...it's not needed....Another obvious thing.....sorry.