I kwon that I will be stepping on a few guides toes here when I make this post, but that's nothing new for me to do!

What a bunch of hog wash!!

How many times do we hear that there is not enough enforcement out there to protect our fish, and especially the wild ones! Now you got a bunch of enforcements guys out there busting some poor ass guides who are just trying to make a living doing what they know best how to do.

Cenci says;
Quote:
"“Operating a charter service without a valid license is a serious crime, and people should know that we’re taking sure action.”
That's hog wash! What's the difference between a guy who is on the "river" who operates a illegal guide service, or takes money for taking people out, then the guy who operating a "Charter Service" illegally?

Since I was a state licensed guide for over ten years, I think that I have a right to question this kind of crap! Cenci goes on to say;
Quote:
" The primary difference between the two types of licenses is that the total number of charter boat licenses in Washington state has been capped since 1977 under a limited-entry law to protect against over fishing, Cenci said"
What a crock of hog poop! "Capped" so that a few stinking guys can have a monopoly!

I love it when he says;
Quote:
"….to protect against over fishing"!
How does limiting the amount of "charter boats licenses" protect against over fishing? What difference does it make if 9 guys pay a ridiculous price to go out on a "charter boat" to catch there allowed quota of fish then it would, if they used three private boats instead with three guys each to catch their allowed quotas or limit?

Regardless of how many charter boats are fishing, once the "quota" has been reached, they close it down anyway, so can someone please explain to me how charter boats protect against over fishing?

These archaic laws are just as big of a scam as the commercial fishing licenses scams were, and still are. The ONLY reason that these stupid laws were ever passed in the first place was because a few guys got there money together and lobbied their legislatures to monopolize a fishing industry.

I say let the guys who want to be guides purchase the appropriate state licenses and take the proper coast guard training classes and get certified. Then let them go fish wherever they choose to fish!

That way, WDFW enforcement can hit the rivers and do there jobs. This "special charter" license should be removed from the books because the need for justifying it no longer exits in this day and age. It's noting but a scam for the few guys who are holding everyone else at ransom for money to buy them out!!

It's all about money, and nothing else! What the heck is the difference when the quota of catchable fish has been reached.... its all over. So why allow one limited elite group of fishermen to have a monopoly on our resourse? The good old days are gone forever and so should those limited charter boat licenses.

Cowlitzfisherman
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Cowlitzfisherman

Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook????