FF - hook size can be regulated for both flies and lures if that turns out to be a concern to WDFW (which I would agree that it should be a concern). Aside from that, both hardware and fly fishing work great for managing quality fisheries. For example, look at the Yakima. I do better many times with my spinning rod in the canyon area then I do with my fly rod at times and in certain locations. It's nice to have a choice.

Zen - I do know and understand the difference, I was just trying to make a point. Both methods involve sitting and watching a 'bobber' and require a lot of patience. One way is cheaper and generally more effective if catch and kill is the goal...

What makes fly fishing cool to me (I’ve been doing it since high school) is that you really learn a lot about the fish and the ecosystem. To be really effective, a thorough understanding of entomology and insect life stages and how they relate to feeding patterns of fish (as well as crawfish, bait fish, other types of natural fish food). At the same time, you can fish general attractor patterns that just look tasty to fish and often do quite will (this makes it easy for beginners).