The current definition of NBLR and it has been for years, does NOT prohibit barbs. Barbs have been legal forever under the NBLR definition. It is the "selective gear rules" that require barbless.

From what I can tell, barbs will also be legal under the new proposed rules.

Here's a couple of interesting things/loopholes I've noticed:

A. The current NBLR in its exact wording applies to "lures" and not "bait". "Bait" and "lure" have different definitions in the rules. So, if a person was to smear scent on a sinking lure having treble hooks, it is by legal definition been turned into "bait" and is thus not under the requirements of NBLR.

B. The Stilliguamish River is a popular river for salmon fishing, but there is no NBLR in effect in the mainstem. Instead, there is "selective gear rules" which does not limit the size of a hook, but instead requires a single point barbless hook. So, a snagger can be using a 10/0 barbless hook, and would not technically violate the "selective gear rules" of the Stilly.