I think judgement of the WT/WDFW settlement needs to be reserved until much more factual information comes out from those involved. Right now we have Ramon's press release which is appreciated and to the point and some initial superficial news reports . Hopefully we will be able to see the other view point from those involved in the actual hatchery review and reform process. Then we can adequately assess the merits of the lawsuit and the $58,000 in legal costs levied against WDFW.

Public comment has always been part of the process. The trouble has been that public comment from sports fishermen has been lacking and sometimes rare. Not so this year. RFA and PSA, to name only two, have been at the table big time and will continue to be for good ,solid , constructive progress in the promotion of sports fishing in our state. The impact for change has been realized by that involvement in recent times. Good things are happening to improve the conditions for our wild fish without lawsuits. I'm sure the groups that have been working hard to present recommendations for hatchery reform will weigh in on the impact of the WT lawsuit in good time. I strongly feel that progress was already being made without the lawsuit and that it will continue to be made before, during and after the next lawsuit.

I think those who call this a "win-win" deal may not be totally wrong but if you believe, as I do, that the ends do not necessarily justify the means you may want to look at this a lot more carefully before jumping for joy just yet.

The debate is not over and is, in fact, just getting started. I am hoping that WT does not take too much credit for impending hatchery reform. I hope WT does not gloat that they made all of this reform possible. So many well meaning people have been working hard, even if admittedly slow, to see positive changes come to pass.

One positive change that came of this lawsuit is that a ton of people have the micrscope focused on Washington Trout. We should all watch what they do and not just what they say.