The gill netters are better organized and speak with one voice. They want one thing. Sports folks don't play well with each other, much less non-sports.

Like you Tug, I supported the Commission idea as a way to remove politics from management. But, management, especially salmon, is all politics. WDFW did a very poor job of cultivating political allies. And, major gaffes like Bern's "budgeting" and the Commission's unwillingness to clean that swamp out.

I am afraid, though, that if the Gov gets real control over the agency that any hope of a conservation ethic of resource sharing will swirl down the porcelain goddess.