All I know is I have been fishing the Lower Puyallup for over 15 years. It was always one of my favorite rivers to fish, as the first kings always showed up in late july and I was usually able to have fresh bright Chinook in the freezer by then. Then the Silvers came. Then a couple of years ago Not only did the state block off the access to the lower levee road due to illegal dumping, they closed the season until aug 1st. Up until then My favorite hole on the lower was something I looked forwards to every year. I was always alone or maybe three or four other fishermen at the most on the weekends .
Two years ago crowds started to show up as did the snag fest. People were keeping foul hooked fish and way over the limit. It was way out of hand and I called the Game department to tell them what was going on. Of course they said they would be right down but nothing seemed to change.
This year was the worst I have ever seen in my life. Not only were people keeping foul hooked fish, I heard first hand of people taking home upward of 30 fish in a day.
A friend of mine foul hooked a fish and when trying to release it was harrassed by someone who wanted the fish. and actually ridiculed for letting go a bright fish giving no regard to the fact that it was an illegal fish and foul hooked.
Driving to work just three days ago I went down levee road to see what was going on and saw a plunker with three rods out and down the road two plunkers with four rods out. If you Can't follow the rules people DON'T FISH
Ramp Rat