On Feb 12, 1974, Federal judge George H. Boldt handed down his landmark ruling in the case of US vs. Washington.

And fisheries management in the US has never been the same since.

This decision affected fishery management decisions throughout the Pacific Northwest and the Great Lakes and fundamentally changed the status of the Tribes and the treaties they signed with the Federal government. Whether you agree with the decision or not, it stands as one of the most far reaching and significant decisions in the history of natural resource management in the United States.

I'm not trying to fan the flames or to start a major discussion thread. I'm just taking note of an important date to those of us in the salmon fishing community. Those of you who follow the BB probably already know where I come down on the case. This evening I'll be tipping a cold Bridgeport IPA to Judge Boldt and his insightful ruling......