2016-2017 fish regs

[YoterHunter]

So looking at the new regs I see allot of the wet side river has a mandatory  hatchery fish retention. I looked it up in the regs it said no catch and release.   Looks like it's time to start looking for  a retirement home in some other state then here

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Curious as how WDFW in forces catch and kill hatchery fish? So many people catch and release everything.

[7mmfan]

It's that way on a lot of rivers. I don't know for a fact, but I think it's in response to a few certain rivers where people were catching and releasing 20+ steelhead a day, including wild fish mixed in. This is a way to not only remove hatchery fish from the river, but to also minimize impact on wild fish.

I don't agree with any regulation that requires me to kill something. I promise you I will not be killing that skanky spawned out summer run I catch in March on the Wynoochee, just because it's missing an adipose fin.   

[SteelheadTed]

I think this rule is trying to address several issues at once.  First, it forces people to get off the water to make room for other people.  Second, it assures that fewer fish are subject to catch and release stress that in the big picture, ends up killing a certain number of fish.  The rivers where I've seen this rule are ones that are known for large numbers of fisherman.  Something has to give and I think WDFW are trying to make the fisherman be the givers, not the fish.

It sucks, no doubt, I'd hate to see this on some of the rivers I fish regularly since on a good day we'd encounter 2 hatchery fish in 15 minutes.  I'd like to fish longer than that!

[singleshot12]

This is a common sense rule,especially for hatchery fish. The c&r eletists don't even eat fish. They would much rather take a selfie kissing the fish(adipose or not) than eat one . Fishing should always be a way of life rather than a sport anyways  

[BigGoonTuna]

 the "gets people off the water" thing will never work, most people don't catch enough steelhead in a day to make it a big deal anyway.  most of the rivers i fish any more aren't crawling with people(yes there's still a few of those out there), and they have this reg imposed, too.

it's 100% to appease the "hatchery fish = bad" crowd.  i for one won't be bringing home any boots.

[YoterHunter]

Looks like I'm going to be releasing a lot of natives this year  must be a early run natives 

[LabChamp]

So some of you guys are saying.. lets not do whats best for the fish or other fisherman. smh people in this state baffle me with their greed. Catching 2 steelhead in a day, for some would make their year. Think about that next time you guys are out there sore-mouthing a bunch of fish youre supposed to keep. You took that opportunity away from someone else who would have truly cherished that fish wether you judge it as to dark or not. Im not saying that fish wont bite again but its HIGHLY unlikely anyone else will get that fish to bite again that day, especially steelhead. Thats if you didnt kill the fish after the release.

However, others are too good to listen to the rules and dont care if they spoil it for the rest. Sad but good to note and screen shot so when you do see these guys out there, you have pics and an internet statement helping secure your poacher points. Ill be watching for poachers both of fish and game while im out there and will happily report. Sucks when people cant respect the rules put into place based off of their own wants. But karma will catch up to those who roll the dice.

Ive been on both sides of the fence and ill be the first to admit ive broken the rules too many times to count in my younger days and Im not proud of it at all. With age i realize that this is a dwindling opportunity for us and we should enjoy every fish we catch. If you cant respect the resources, just quit. Dont spoil it bc you have a hard on for the rule makers. BS excuse for bending and/or breaking the laws.

[Toad]

  

[HUNTINCOUPLE]