My observation.......all in Grays Harbor or close to, 1968 to present day......late 60's - 70's......not many guides, weren't really needed, lot's of fish, wild runs were big, hatchery fish were everywhere.

Bank access on many rivers was EVERYWHERE.....very few driftboats and VERY few sleds. Rivers like the Hoh, Queets, upper Quinault, Wishkah, Humptulips, Wynoochee, Satsop, North River, Willapa, and others all had steelhead, Coho, Chinook. I can actually say, that I have NEVER bought any "red meated fish"....

What happened???? Well Bolt decision was the beginning of a start to where we are....NT gill netters were under control, only fished salmon, Chehalis River and of course Willapa. Bolt said basically, treaty tribes were allow 50% of the fish...salmon and steelhead....for many years the local tribe only fished during the salmon season.....no problem, hatchery's were running full bore....lot's of salmon and lot's of steelhead, both wild and hatchery.

Fishing remained good, late 70's - 80's but changes were taking place....tribe which hadn't been netting steelhead, started.....more nets for longer periods of time, hatchery productions started to be cut back....access on many rivers, started to be "closed off"......so the answer was, closed waters......hire guide or buy your own boat to get where the fish were. Pretty soon boat traffic got to be what, seemed like out of control......but wasn't close to what it is today.

You can check back on some of my old posts......many people were retiring earlier, 401 plans gave them the $$$$$$$ to buy/do many things their folks couldn't do. Driftboats, jet sleds, guided trips, sky rocketed...now many people have boats and can afford guides 25 years younger than I could even think about buying the same equipment.

Now you have the equipment, or time off, or can just afford to hire a guided trip.......more people want to use their boats or just go and try to catch fish.......bottom line, LESS FISH, longer netting seasons, more and more boats.....tough to enjoy the time on the water, fish are tougher to get, got to get there earlier to "get the prime spot", so you can produce if you are a guide or just catch a fish if you have your own boat.

MORE people coming to State......just aren't making anymore rivers....I get burned out trying to get to areas to fish and having to sit until day light......grrrrrrr

I liked the Old days.............

Oh Joe.....wish you well in your search for a new job opportunity.