When this crisis first arose this winter, I proposed a nominal $1.00 tax when buying fishing gear as a way to fund not only Reiter but all the state's hatcheries that are in budget trouble.

Remember, Reiter isn't the only hatchery getting butchered.

Think about it. You pay a buck and a half to two bucks for a dozen shrimp!

This tax would be earmarked strictly for hatchery/sportfish funding and forever put to rest this legislative budget BS

What a concept! Hatcheries operating with a stable funding base year in and year out. They could crank out opportunity for us and we could shift our energy to other issues (and fishing!)

I proposed this to my local rep. and everyone else at WDFW and anyone else who would listen. As usual, WDFW said nothing and my local rep. was sympathetic but just provided lip service-no results.