I just called the Washington DFW to ask if it's leagl to catch and release humpies in the Skagit before Aug. 16th. The answer was NO. The gal told me that it is illeagl to target them during a closed season and it it illegal to fish with gear considered humpie gear. Dunno how they decide what's humpie gear, but suspect that if you are catching one after another, that would make whatever you are using, humpie gear.