I was watching a Florida fishing show and they were talking about their conservation efforts. Some of you probably know this but if they catch a trophy bass (over 12 pds) and release it, they get a free replica.

I thought that was pretty cool and think that might be good incentive program for Washington.

I don't know that "guides" have been offering that or not? There is a STATE RUN program up there called "Release a hog" where the state will give you $800 towards a mount if you catch a 52+" king and jump through there hoops.

Personally, I don't think I'm willing to pay for someone else's mount. With all the extra fees the last year, I suspect any addional fees would not be well received.

NOT the state... Release-A-Hawg is run by the Kenai River Sportfishing Assn w/ private funds.

http://www.krsa.com/krsa-education-programs.htm

Rules and application here....

http://www.krsa.com/documents/2012%20Trophy%20Mount%20Application%20and%20Rules%20Fillable.pdf

Interesting to see how this program has morphed to utter insignificance over time.

Originally the reward was paid at 48".... basically a bonafide 50-plus on the scale.... and included fish caught in June.

Then it went to 50" a few years later (60-plus in weight), excluding June fish that had to be released by regulation anyway. At that cut-off, the program offers essentially no incentive to release big hens.... statistically 99.8% of them are less than 50".

Not sure when it went to 52", but these are basically bucks in the 70-plus range. Damned few left, so can't count on many being caught, let alone being turned in for the reward. Sad to say, but to this day, "the bigger the deader" is still the mantra of most folks fishing the Kenai.

Thanks for the correct, Doc. I neither realized it was paid for via the sportsman association. I also didn't realize this only applied to the Kenai.