Anybody know anybody @ WDFW that would be in a position to consider this? Even as just a pilot program?

My firm could make a killer app that had benefit to the angler as well. Stuff like automatically recording location, a place to record lure used, depth or other personal notes, river level (auto via data feed for that day/time and location) tide stage (also auto) save a photo or video with the catch, etc. All for personal catch diary purposes. Record into the app (even without internet connectivity) and then the official catch data is transmitted once there's a connection. Mobile-responsive web-app allows paper users to (voluntarily) record their catch throughout the season if they like.

It being a useful fishing app in it's own right will help drive adoption and usage. Paid for with the advertising channel and with add-on features (i.e. tide tables, etc.) sponsored by top-tier advertisers. Built-in regs or download to app only those for the waters you're planning to fish. Could be a win/win all the way around. Eventually year-old, stale paper data will be a thing of the past. Leave it to the state and we'll have a really convoluted piece of crap system. Design something useful, paid for by sponsors, feeding in-season data to fisheries managers may make a bit too much sense for this state - hope not.