I think it's also noteworthy that a sport fisherman neglecting to record a legal fish he retains while fishing legally is NOT apples to apples comparable to poaching for commercial purposes. Neither in principle nor in the eyes of the law, and for good reason. The two acts should never be mentioned in the same sentence. Wait... I just did that....

I agree with God Loves Ugly. I'm not sure a catch reporting app would be adopted by everyone, but I think it would improve participation, especially by younger anglers, many of whom have never mailed anything in their lives. Heck, even the old timers on the river carry smart phones anymore.

Not being familiar with WDFW's IT portfolio, I assume CRC data is being entered manually into an existing database. Hopefully, it's not a mainframe. The biggest technical hurdle for the app would be an ability to update catch records offline when no Internet connection is available, then synch them back up to the WDFW database when connectivity is restored later. This is becoming less and less important, with Internet-enabled cell signals being present on rivers becoming the rule more and more.

Another, less fancy option would be a set of spreadsheet templates, locked in all cells except those used to record catch data, that anglers could maintain, then periodically upload at WDFW's website. Even a mainframe system would be able to use data in that format. Of course, after a couple uploads, folks would start to realize that the paper system wasn't all that bad after all....

Things that start out as voluntary have a nasty habit of becoming mandatory. Not only do I not own a smart phone (nor do I want one) the regulations currently require that catch record cards be annotated immediately upon retention. If we required to record via internet that smart phone (which I don't own) would have to be in my skiff while I pull crab pots then pulled out, connection made to the data base, and any keepers properly record before I move to the next pot. I could go on and on about the impracticality but you all get the picture. Oh, and about that northwest rain.....and cell phones.

Fair enough, Larry. You just keep on enjoying all the success you've had writing on wet paper that you can barely read by mid-season. As for me, even if I don't have all the answers, I believe there's a better way.

A few things that suck about the paper CRC system that could be improved with software:

1. Wet paper is hard to write on.
2. Wet ink is hard to read.
3. Handwriting can be hard to read.
4. A novella printed on folded receipt paper is bulky and cumbersome to deal with.
5. There's no way to look up catch codes without packing along a reg book, which is also printed on paper and doesn't stand up well to our weather.
6. (The biggie, IMO) WDFW staff have no way to monitor catch rates in a given fishery before the year ends and the damage is done.

A few management benefits software could afford WDFW staff:

1. Digital records don't smear or tear, which produces data that are more accurate and renders fewer data useless.
2. Having anglers enter their own data into the database prevents data entry errors on the part of WDFW staff (and saves the many hours of non-value-added labor associated with said data entry).
3. Catch rates for all fisheries can be monitored in near real time, allowing managers to make in-season adjustments to sport seasons when run forecasts don't materialize or when returns justify more liberal fisheries.
4. An app could also allow WDFW to collect data to help them understand things like how often people go fishing, where they go fishing, what species anglers target most, or even how closing a popular fishery impacts effort in other, neighboring fisheries (and, subsequently, what new pressures the fish sought in those neighboring fisheries are being subjected to).

So you see, Larry, for me, it's more about giving WDFW better tools to do their job of managing our limited resources than any personal convenience an app might afford me (although the convenience wouldn't hurt me a bit). If practicality in use is an issue, the rules can be changed to make it more reasonable. Remember that today's rules assume paper is our only medium.

And, oh, BTW, I agree that cell phones and rain don't mix, but there are numerous cases available that are at least water-resistant, and Ziploc bags make a good, cheap alternative. Overall, with any measure of protection, I think today's smart phones beat paper in the rain, hands down.

There are many advantages to the immediate reporting. And, as Larry notes, many problems. Since I don't want one of those app-filled phones or devices, I just won't participate.

Reporting game tags works fine; I can do it from home.

As for monitoring, they can hire staff, have them on the water, and immediately use the data. They use it for ocean salmon. WDG used to in-season manage steelhead based on creel surveys; real-time management.

VTR's handed out at the dock have been, and continue to be voluntary in the field. This has been going on for many years now but in my opinion is very unsuccessful among the angling community.

If in the event you had a problem with using your phone immediately after catching a fish, the option as FF said could be to record immediately in some way (keep the paper, if you must) and then log the information on line when you get home and submit it to DFW directly including trip information such as effort, and by-catch.

The argument for phones in the rain is weak. The first thing I do when I bonk a fish is hand my phone to my buddy to snap a picture. In the current technological environment the telephone is quickly becoming a standalone device.... I have mine in a waterproof case and use it very freely on the boat and in the field both.

Voluntary Trip Reports (voluntary) are not the same tool as catch record cards (mandatory for certain species with immediate recording required).

Have fun with your electronic device but don't impose it upon others. And for any effort to make electronic CRC recording mandatory no one has even discussed the potential for not getting a signal or being routed through a Canadian tower.

Have both methods. Instant digital and mail in. Then those that would like to participate in real time monitoring can and those that can't handle a smart device and/or upload at the end of the year can just mail the damn thing in.

It doesn't have to be either this or that. It doesn't even have to include all locations, just those that would benefit from closer monitoring.

I'm getting pretty sick and tired of you old fvckers holding back the rest of the world... hell I'm practically an old fvcker myself but I haven't had a fvcking land line in over 20 years, a check book in 10 years, or bought a frigging stamp or an envelope in 5 years...

We still have walking dead engineers that draw on drafting boards in my office... and they still print every email sent to them just so they can read it...

if you're happy sharpening a stick of lead and scratching on a piece of plastic paper, knock yourself out, I will never leave the house without my phone, and its more waterproof than the 25' of plastic paper and 6 ink pens I keep in the waterproof box in the boat...

Hahaha, nailed it!

+1

My pen costs 49 cents and I don't have to stick it into an outlet to make it work. (by the way Piper, pencils are illegal for CRCs)

Guess I am just old school with my flip phone and all (please note that I previously referred to not wanting a smart phone). I do report my crab CRC electronically; it is the idea of having to make "immediate" CRC annotations electronically that is unacceptable.

Wish I could say I am sorry that I irritate some of you by virtue of being an old (fill in the blank) but I simply don't feel the need.

All good points. How about none of these options. Buy your license, get a series of plastic locking zip tie tags (through the mouth and gill), with a unique bar code to the person (as to not allow for counterfeit or making extra copies). Give these out like you would a punch card, preferably with the same amount as is with your card. Buy more for the same price as buying extra cards. Maybe use QR codes, scan them with your smartphone when done for the day. Or just enter them manually with the code on your pc. Forget "catch area" codes. Who needs that.

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.

This smart phone rejection cracks me up. My wife was the same way - until she was given a used one from the neighbor. And even then she just stuck to the basics of calling and texting. Then I showed her how to use the voice recognition for texting, using google etc.

Then I replaced her 2002 laptop with a touch screen pad. Then she bought a new car. Holy Shite! The whole car is run with voice recognition and a touch screen. She can start the damn thing with her phone! Now by gawd she had to make the leap into the 21st century!

Consider this Larry, In the morning you turn on the CRC app on your phone. You go out and catch a fish. After you take care of the fish, you swipe your phone open and speak into the app that you just caught a coho. That's it! "1 Coho caught." The phone already knows where you are, the time, and the date. This information is recorded to your app so you can show enforcement if necessary and is also uploaded to WDFW whenever it can.

Now consider this. When you get home, or right from your phone while your buddy is driving you home, you log on to the site and look up the results for the day. Not just your results, but everybody's! It could even be displayed on a map and you can see where you should have went to instead of that crappy one coho spot you chose. You can search the entire database and decide where you want to go the next morning.

Or you can get left behind in the past...trying to find non-existent paper reports to fill out.

Guys, I am just not interested in being so "connected." That is apparently difficult for some of you to grasp. I still bank in person and they know my name when I walk in. Still use checks for recurring bills, have a land line, and (gasp) have the paper delivered every day. But be assured I do have that flip phone which is water proof and shock resistant and serves its intended use and my (one) credit card has an electronic chip. Oh, and my truck actually has electric windows and an automatic transmission. I know, hard to believe but I somehow muddle through life.

+1 Old habits are difficult to break!

Hate to say it but that mentality is part of the problem.

Be the solution.

My flip phone sits on the counter for weeks without being turned on. Spend about $8 a month to have that available for a crisis.

It's less habit then why bother. Lived for 60 years without it, not sure why it's so important now.

You seem to perceive it as a problem needing a solution. I do not embrace your version of reality.

Maybe the problem is YOUR expectation. So, get over it!

there is a reason I could not work for the government... the entire herd moves at the pace of the slowest potato head...

I see it everyday in my sons common core education...