This river is a unique fishery that has been groomed and adored by flyfisherman throughout the NW for 20 years. This maybe the only stream in Washington that has the ability to grow resident trout in excess of 20". Allowing anglers to fish for Kings in this fishery is a huge mistake
1. keeping a Chinook that has been in the freshwater for a 100 miles takes a special kind of taste bud, YUK! And don't give me that smoker BS. There are many other opportunities to fish for BRIGHT springers in Washington.
2. I have heard MANY reports of poaching and 20" rainbows taking plug treble hooks through the cranium. Dead trout!
3. This fishery will bring no excess money to the Fish and Wildlife dept. 99.9% of the people fishing this river for salmon will already have a license. Would you buy a license to fish for Darky Kings on the Yakima?
4. This fishery is by far the most healthy trout fishery in Washington, in fact, it is Washington's only "Blue Ribbon" trout fishery. Why would the state allow barbs on this river, when they know any trout caught on a barbed Salmon hook is DEAD!
5. How many drift fisherman have done well without fishing with bait for springers? Excluding the Wind where the Salmon seem to bite on anything?


Don't get me wrong, I am a drift fisherman and a moocher, far from a dryfly purist. But I don't believe that salmon fisherman have any business fishing above Roza Dam. This river has been a sanctuary for 15 years. Why spoil it now?