Flea, I have only been to the Quilicene once and no fish were in so I can't speak from first hand knowledge, but after your post I certainly have no intentions of heading up that way.

I have heard from a number of fisherman that it is just a blood bath and that rules don't seem to matter.

It's a sad fact but this is not the only river suffering from situations usch as what you encountered. Good on you for taking the easier way out.