Grandpa ... you were a backtroller in a dragger's water. Has nothing to do with guide or unguided ... the war between the two styles of fishing has been around for a lot of years ... and likely will continue to be that way.

Think there's a reason I've done Kasilof-only for the ten years I've been up there??

B-Run ... I'd be all for some sort of a limited entry system, unfortunately in Alaska & Washington, it's not likely too happen. IN AK, they tried to cap the numbers but many of the big operations threatened to sue because they wouldn't be able to hire their college kids for the summer to run boats for them. IN Washington, we can't even get insurance & first aid/CPR as a requirement, so I doubt we'll see anything too drastic in the future ... but I think B-Run is right in saying that you know you'll be with a "pro" under such a scenario.

I'm not saying that an experienced guide can't flip out our way, especially in some of the stretches of water ... but the last two "guide" boats to sink out here (both in fairly easy water on the Hoh) were one that didn't even have a guide's license and was later fined $2000 for such (clients were more than happy to help WDFW afterwards) and another that I won't even say much about, but certainly falls into the "wannabe" category

Fortunately, "Local Justice" & tradition keep most of the West End rivers drift-only without any need for a ban. Given what's happened in the Gray's Harbor streams ... it'll only be a matter of time before some more inconsiderate boaters break local traditions and we'll have to pursue more "official remedies"