It really was kind of surreal, considering the fact that they get an idea of this Grays Harbor fishery every year and never do anything about it. When I was done with my spiel, Vice Chair Wecker turned to Dr. Koenings and Deputy Schor and said "Can someone explain to me why we are intentionally fishing into escapement?"...and was met with silence.

Commissioner Orr: "Mr. Ripley, where do the numbers you are citing come from?"

Me: "WDFW's own documentation...it's attached to the back of the packet I gave you." He flipped to them and his eyebrows went up.

That set the tone for the next little while, as our usual ten minute "tell 'em the story and then get dismissed" turned into over half an hour of back and forth questioning, commenting, and directing coming from the Commission.

I seriously think we made a big difference on this one.

Thanks for nice comments, guys, thanks to Hans for getting up there and talking from the heart, and especially thanks to Francis for insisting I participate in this one...this was a good one.

Fish on...

Todd