The cap on charter licenses isn't about saving fish, it's about money for the holders of the existing charter licenses. Capping the number of holders restricts competition, which keeps prices and income higher for the holders of the existing licenses. On the Columbia, in particular, with the Oregon licenses being unrestricted, the regulation is really meaningless.

I guess I can't get too enthusaistic about the gamies chasing these guys down in these days of tough budgets. Is this the best use of our tax dollars?

It's easy to see what is really going on though. Those forfeitures of boats that the article discusses? Those funds typically go directly to the department, as opposed to fines paid, which go back to the State's general fund. This is about the department making a little money. That's not right, whether you agree with taking these guys off the river or not.