You see, this is what I am talking about... there is a WHOLE bunch of mis-information being spread around here. And it isn't helping anyone.

In Hood Canal, there was no "ememrgency opening" by the tribes... that is when they normally fish. Yes, the tribal fishers bring crab in to the boat launches for all to see... where else are they going to bring them in?

I can imagine that there were days when 40,000 pounds were caught. And your math is about right... that's how many days the tribal commercial crab fishery has been open in Hood Canal... six. If you don't believe me ask the WDFW crab managers.

The tribal crabbers and non- tribal crabbers all sell to the same buyers pretty much. All the fish tickets go to the same database, tribal or non-tribal. Again, ask the WDFW folks if you don't believe me. What is different about Hood Canal is there is no non-tribal commercial fishery, just tribal. That is a policy choice of WDFW to reserve all of the State's share of Hood Canal crab for the recreational fishers.

You are just plain wrong about the tribes having commercial fisheries for a couple of months in Hood Canal prior to the June opener. And you are plain wrong about the number of pots each crabber is allowed. Try 25 to 35 per vessel. But do not take my word for it... really, I wouldn't want you to believe a "tribal apologist" (added for humor)... ask your WDFW crab manager.

Tribal enforcement is no more a joke than any other agency's enforcement... some are better and some are worse than others.

Grandpa, the "blanket coverage" you use in your descriptions and speculations make you less credible. Not all tribal fishers are outlaws and not all tribes are irresponsible yet you cover them all in your statements. Its like an out-of-towner going down to the Quilcene River, watching that freak show and then coming away with the following beliefs....
1.) all recreational fishers in Washington are snaggers and 2.) the State of Washington does not know how to manage its fisheries or its resources properly. Unless your experiences have provided you with personal insight regarding each of the 21 treaty tribes in Western Washington, how woulld you know enough to make these blanket statements?

Just an observation, of course.

I am in the fisheries management business. Over the past 29 years I have worked for several tribes as well as the State of Washington, the University of Washington and the NMFS. In other words, I have been on different sides of the coin. No management entity is above reproach. All have their pluses and minuses regarding the caliber of their work and their level of resource concern. You have an obvious deep-seated disregard for tribes and tribal fishers. But don't paint all trtibes and all tribal fishers with that same broad brush.

Peace out.