limited entry started in 1977.
About the same time frame as the very restrictive fishing rules. Also about the same time frame as when the Washington troll fleet was dieing off.

your perception stated
"It has been my perception that the limited entry designation has been a means to protect the financial well being of those already holding charter licenses and to keep prices of those saleable licenses high."

while there is truth in there. it was also true that we had too many license holders and not enough fish AT THAT TIME. have times changed? yes, do we have more fish now? ummm I not willing to say yes to that for the state, but the seasons are getting longer.

the big question to me is, is it time to change the limited entry system. It may be the lower columbia needs to be off the list of areas needing protection. but I don't think the north coast is out of the woods, nor is Pudget Sound or Lake Washington (the other area of freshwater this rule applies to)

so please think about all affected areas before lobbying for the removal of limited entry.

I think you make some great points about the LCR fishery. It wasn't my intention to step on toes.