What will the future of the WDFW commission be with the new governor on the way? Ron Simms is officially running. Gary Locke just appointed another WDFW commissioner that appears to be a political move. Would Ron Simms ruin the WDFW? Whoo out there would be friendly to fishing?

if you want more political b.s. then vote for ron simms, he more for biznus and "sound transit" , he dont care about the fish anymore than xgov. locke

I wasn't impressed with the "new guy" when he was a county commisioner. He was not re-elected in the last election either. Kinda a "dud", that didn't seem like a outdoor minded person IMHO.

Simms is a politico, pure and simple. He will do whatever is best for the career of Ron Simms, IMO.

If he wins the democratic candidacy I will likely not vote in that race.

Show me a candidate that gives serious consideration to fishing issues, one side of the political fence or the other, and I'll show you interest.

Given the state of the Washington economy I think fishing related interests will continue to take a back seat to issues seen as more 'important'.

Who was the last Governor, IYO, that gave a flying frolic about sport fishermen?

Mediocrity breeds apathy.

My observation is that fishing, recreational, commercial, and treaty, are next to non-issues at the level of governor-ship in the state. Fish and the ESA (Endangered Species Act) are issues that land on the political radar screen because it affects other interests that are always on the governor's radar screen.

The economy, large business interests, human health, education, environmental quality, and crime will always supercede something like our fishing hobby as significant political issues.

I would like to see a candidate who actually takes a serious interest in the health of our state's fish populations, tho.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

In Minnesota the Governor goes out on fishing opener to a big media blitz. Every Governor, every year. Then the media reports what they hooked, bait used, what lake etc. Its front page news. Lead item on news at 6:00. Even that kook Jesse Ventura made a big deal out of catching a couple hammer handle northerns. In South Dakota its the same with the pheasant hunting opener. Has anyone ever seen a WA governor fish or hunt? Those other political problems will always exist and they exist in states that care about fish and wildlife. So what's the problem?

For me, it's far too early to be thinking about who I will or will not be voting for. I will get one vote in the primary and I bet I will have to decide which 1 of 8 or so candidates is going to get that vote. Fishing issues will not be my driving decider, however, I think the questionaire that Aunty mentioned is a good thing to help us understand a candidates view on fishing. I would request that Bob allow PP (and its many thousands of members) to sponsor that questionaire so that the politicos would pay more attention to it. Barring that, if Grandpa and the PSA or Mike and the RFA would put something together, another piece of the puzzle would be put into place. Right now, every candidate is posturing, I will make my decision later on in the game when the going gets tougher.

Grandpa has to eat dinner but quickly I must interject that fishing IS big business. Even this pathetically socialist state admits that. I think it is right on to expect a new governor who appoints the people that set fishing policy to CARE about fishing and it's impact on the economy if nothing else. I think you're on to somehing to set up a questionaire....I'll work on one in my spare time.

Believe it or not Aunty - old Eddie has voted GOP a time or two as well

Just caught a show on THC(the history channel, not pot),

They said that the sportfishing industry brings in in excess of 30 million licensed fisherman/woman. I wonder just how many of tht is here in Washington. We ought to make our voices heard. Not just for us, but for the future of the sport and the species.


Ken

What the Hell do I know, I am just an Ironworker!

Aunty,

was he out of 86?

Ken

Very Cool,

I do a little bit of everything, High Iron,
Rebar, Ornamental. !
Glad to hear you're Father made it out alive,
many of us don't. I've had some
very close calls. As far as the common sense
goes, let me guess, he was a hot head?
That's why I avoid combat fishing zones
at all costs!
Ken

The problem is that the government considers the money sportsmen generate for the economy as "soft cash" (I believe that's the term). That means, they believe that we would spend that money regardless. If fishing is closed, people will spend it on golf or skiing, etc, etc.

Most of the "IronHeads" I have met are pretty independent (scary sometimes). I could round up a group of them and send them to Olympia to make the new governor an offer he couldn't refuse.

The state of Washington has participated in recent studies that show, as many before have, that the sports fishing industry is a huge part of this state's economic base. This does get ignored though. Why? Well just examine actions taken by the likes of Ron Simms and Gary Locke. Those two extreme socialists have done the opposite of what the public wants (except their support base in Seattle) and what makes economic sense many times. Social programs like the new apartment building in Seattle for drunks so they can sit in their new apartments and get drunk, light rail that is very unpopular, more than double over budget, smaller than promised and off schedule by miles, A DSHS that runs around promoting "services" instead of saving money and getting people out of the system. They have chased business out of this state and raised taxes to an extreme, they encourage illegal immigration and offer "services" such as in-state college tuition rates to illegals. Opened up the hospital emergency rooms to all comers for free medical treatment if you have no insurance and no money. The list goes on.

The bottom line in, my opinion, is that the extremist socialists who have dominated politics in our state are more concerned with attracting votes from their growing pool of those who collect from the public trough than they are with business and sensible monetary policies. So preaching to those fools about how much money sports fishing generates is a waste of time. If we came up with a scheme to tax the rich (those making over $50,000 a year) so we could give salmon away free to the "service takers" THEN we would get their attention. If we gave in and let the tribes fish 24/7 because we feel so bad about how the white man screwed them over 200 years ago THEN we would get their attention.

OR.....we could consider throwing the socialists out of state and city government and electing people who believe in personal accountability, private property, hard work and a healthy business climate. And don't give me that hackneyed old BS about business raping the environment and not caring for the little guy. Get a life with that crap. Look at the track record of our state.

We have made some great strides in the last 4 years or so with our fisheries. The sports fishing groups have gotten involved in the process and we are very visible. We need to step it up another notch or two this coming year and keep the heat on with positive proposals and we need to make it known that sports fishing is a viable business that involves all walks of life...not just the rich.

The crop of candidates out there doesn't look too promising. Jay Inslee?

One point I'd like to add about grandpa's comment about chasing business out of state. Many of our elected representative's have been beating the drum that regulations are preventing business from locating in washington. They cite things like boeing declaring taxes and government regulations are forcing them out of washington. My point is that many of the environmental regulations they cite as being prohibitive are the same regulations that protect our streams and the aquatic critters that live in them. Without these regulations, we'd likely have more business and less fish in washington.

I think the taxes that we are talking about that drive business away from Washington have nothing whatsoever to do with regulations that restrict pollution and such ..the taxes like Labor and Industries , Business and Occupation taxes, gas taxes, and property taxes just to name a few....those suck the profits out of any business..Of course, if you believe that business is evil and must be punished well then you are probably already planning to vote for Ron Simms or Jay Inslee. And if you already don't pay property taxes, B&O taxes or L&I taxes then I suppose you are all for increasing them.

Granpa2 - I have to agree with you about the taxes you mentioned sucking the profits out of a business. I have a small business and pay taxes quarterly and I'll admit it's one check I hate writing. Worse than that though is looking at my monthly fuel bill. Seeing the difference in price between my off road fuel and road fuel is enough to make me sick.

By the way, if I had to vote for govenor right now, I'd "check" none of the above.

Don't forget that ultra liberal Phil Talmudge (sp?) has also declared his candidacy.

In King County where most of the rascals in government hang out it is hard to find anyone who might be friendly to business and sports fishing. Those guys are all East of the mountains. I cannot name anyone I would willingly vote for.