Thanks, Todd. I don't think diminishment of C&Run is on WDFW's mind regarding this proposal. You know how enforcement is fairly slack during the usual C&K season and then it becomes rare during C&R season? Well, it becomes next to non-existant when the river is closed to fishing. Actually there is a reason that is almost logical for that. An agent told me a few years back that they didn't patrol C&R much because most agents don't personally agree with it, it's difficult to enforce, and they have the ready excuse that they need to patrol spring deer and elk poaching, where it is easier to get convictions and the fine is a lot higher.

When I lived on the Skagit, a lot of the locals believed that steelhead poaching decreased after C&R was introduced in 1981. The reason is that there were too many eyes on the water with all those C&R anglers out there. When the river was closed, the poachers pretty much had it all to themselves.

Closing the rivers this next spring may eliminate C&R incidental mortality, but it won't eliminate fishing mortality. I would just about guarentee it.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.