Grim, bleak, not buying a license this year

[Stein]

This will be the first year I haven't bought a fishing license since we moved here in 1998.  I may end up at B10, but I just can't justify the $53 based upon the salmon numbers.  Looks like coho and chinook both stand a huge chance of limited or no seasons.  Pink numbers are way, way down over 2015 as well.

Sad to see, hope the ocean conditions turn around soon.

On a positive note, clams are open this weekend!

[Thenewguy]

Sorry, but 53 dollars (part of which is used to plant more Salmon) just isn't a high price for even a down years opportunity. 1 Spring chinook (if the river ever goes down) is worth more then that!

[Dhoey07]

I didn't buy a fishing license for the first time in my life last year and I survived 

[plugger]

There are a lot more fish in this state to catch than  :tup:salmon.

[baker5150]

Sorry, but 53 dollars (part of which is used to plant more Salmon) just isn't a high price for even a down years opportunity. 1 Spring chinook (if the river ever goes down) is worth more then that!

It costs a LOT more than $53 to catch a salmon in the salt

[Magnum_Willys]

Gas, lunch, dinner, beer......

[WAcoueshunter]

Gas, lunch, dinner, beer......

You were already going to eat lunch and dinner, and drink beer.  So depends on your gas cost.  Mine isn't much.  I'd guess my true variable cost per fish might actually be negative.  Might spend more $$ if I wasn't fishing.

Some of these posts are essentially saying you should buy your steak at Safeway instead of going hunting.  Apparently to some of you there no value in hunting/fishing itself, you just do it to decrease your cost of protein.      

[hitman2]

fishing license $53, gas for the boat,truck $100, spending time out with my two sons and three grandsons priceless.

[Fishstiq]

I'm going to be out on the water anyway, I just like being out there.  Sometimes it's fun to run to Langley for dinner just because, or spend a day in the sun on the water.  Maybe a lazy day trip up the canal to La Conner or through deception, or sightseeing in the San Juans.  Might as well be able to legally wet a line while I'm at it 😁.

After gas, boat, and all the $$$ in tackle, $53 seems worth it (although a bit steep for a fishing license IMHO).  Add to that how priceless time and memories with family and friends is and it's an easy choice for me.  Shoot, bringing home a fish would just be icing on the cake! 

[Magnum_Willys]

Gas, lunch, dinner, beer......

And you pay these every time, say you go 5 times a year the license cost averages just $10 a trip......

[Stein]

Gas, lunch, dinner, beer......

And you pay these every time, say you go 5 times a year the license cost averages just $10 a trip......

x 4 for the family, then you forget to send in the cards or they don't record them and it's another $40.  Very much worth it in a normal year, but anymore I am going to wait until the seasons are announced before jumping in.

[Wazntme]

I fish to have fished.

[JimmyHoffa]

I probably won't again this year.  WDFW and Olympic Park usually close the whole river to all fishing when they do have emergency closures for one fish.  They make is so you can't fish for small trout when Chinook are believed to be in. 

[WSU]

I just bought mine.  I'm going springer fishing this weekend.  There are lots of options even on a down year.  There are going to be lots of salmon options.  Looks like there will be some meaningful coho options and some good Chinook opportunity.  The south sound Chinook forecast is twice what it was last year and I managed a fish or three every time I went out last year.  If you are willing to drive a bit, there will be plenty of fish.

I've also got plans for halibut, bottom fish, tuna, lakes and rivers for trout, crabs, clams, and likely something else thrown in.  $53 doesn't sound expensive for all that.

[Dhoey07]

I just bought mine.  I'm going springer fishing this weekend.  There are lots of options even on a down year.  There are going to be lots of salmon options.  Looks like there will be some meaningful coho options and some good Chinook opportunity.  The south sound Chinook forecast is twice what it was last year and I managed a fish or three every time I went out last year.  If you are willing to drive a bit, there will be plenty of fish.

I've also got plans for halibut, bottom fish, tuna, lakes and rivers for trout, crabs, clams, and likely something else thrown in.  $53 doesn't sound expensive for all that.

I wish I had time for all those trips. 

[WSU]

It helps that many of those are within an hour of my house.

[sumpnz]

I just bought mine.  I'm going springer fishing this weekend.  There are lots of options even on a down year.  There are going to be lots of salmon options.  Looks like there will be some meaningful coho options and some good Chinook opportunity.  The south sound Chinook forecast is twice what it was last year and I managed a fish or three every time I went out last year.  If you are willing to drive a bit, there will be plenty of fish.

I've also got plans for halibut, bottom fish, tuna, lakes and rivers for trout, crabs, clams, and likely something else thrown in.  $53 doesn't sound expensive for all that.

I just bought my license yesterday.  Heading to Lake Chelan to try for macks this weekend.  Heading to Neah for halibut in a month.  Plus probably another trip to the coast for lings and rockfish later in the summer.  Just got my downrigger set up so I might try the salt for salmon if they open the seasons.  SWMBO wants more tuna so we can pressure can some.  Need to take the kids fishing a couple times too.

I'll my $$ worth out of that license.

[buckcanyonlodge]

You could decide to become an undocumented fisherperson---no license needed. That way you do not need to follow NO stinking license laws. Any Game Warden that would DARE give you a ticket could be fired because he would be a racist.

[Wetwoodshunter]

I love fishing and hunting. I fish in Neah Bay 4+ days per week once lingcod opens in April - July. I just got my boat back from the mechanic that was just under $1,000 for routine maintenance. The boat and gear in it is probably another $35,000 a garage to store the boat and a truck to pull it more money tied up there. So as I see it $50 ish dollars for a license is nothing I see to complain about. Also, there is tons of opportunities in WA to fish, if you only like fishing for one species in one area and that closes tough, go to an open area.

I figure I'll never make the money back on either hunting or fishing but I have a good time doing it. Also what's the point of living life if your not having a good time and making memories in the process.

[JimmyHoffa]

If you are willing to drive a bit, there will be plenty of fish.

Yeah, that's kind of the issue.  Plus need all the different gear/boat setups for each program.  If you have a drift boat, a jet sled, a trout lake boat (could substitute earlier mentions) and a blue water boat....and have tackle from egg hooks on 2 lb mono on up to 10/0s with 180 lb braid; then yeah you can drive the hours necessary to hit each of those fisheries. 

[Roundhead]

If you are willing to drive a bit, there will be plenty of fish.

Yeah, that's kind of the issue.  Plus need all the different gear/boat setups for each program.  If you have a drift boat, a jet sled, a trout lake boat (could substitute earlier mentions) and a blue water boat....and have tackle from egg hooks on 2 lb mono on up to 10/0s with 180 lb braid; then yeah you can drive the hours necessary to hit each of those fisheries.

Yeah, let's do what he suggested and drive to Florida, Mexico, Alaska, and Russia, there will be plenty of fish.

[Bullkllr]

While I'm certainly not happy with the ongoing management trends, I simply cannot imagine not spending time on the water any chance I get.

54 years now, most of it either with a rod in my hand or dreaming about it. WDFW knows I can't make a different choice, no matter how screwed up things get.

[allen]

Salmon & steelhead fish for $15 & all you gotta do is turn 70

[Night goat]

.......I prefer to get paid to fish, so, I'm going seining in Alaska this summer....

But...

I'll get a saltwater lisence, because my house is a 6 min walk from the beach, and even the lowly humpy is a hoot on a fly rod. To me, given my proximity to the beach.... It will be cheap entertainment for when I get back from Alaska.... Have a few beers at the house, walk down to the beach looking like Jimmy Buffet, swing some flys, stumble back home, grill a fish on the deck overlooking the beach, turn up the stereo​, kick back.... Sometimes I forget that isn't the norm for most.....

[Roundhead]

I used to purchase my license automatically like clock work.
Not any more, now I'm buying my license the day before i fish.

[WSU]

Off to a good start for me. Two springers for the freezer. It seems like the first fresh salmon of the year tastes better than all the rest.

[kball4]

Any day on the water catching or not still beats a day in the office.

[sumpnz]

Any day on the water catching or not still beats a day in the office.

[Dslayer]

The high lakes fishery is the best bang for your buck outdoor recreational activity in the state.  You also get the added benefit of physical activity, chance to see wildlife, and there's lots of places to go that you don't have to be a mountain goat to do it, 4-6 mile roundtrips to good fishing.  I really empathize with people who are being aced out of an activity you love; I thought at one time I'd live and die steelhead fishing in the Klick, but fishing high lakes has become my great passion-as well as a family deal, and it's affordable.

[Stalker]

Attached link has what looks like the 2017-18 NOF Marine and River Salmon Season for Puget Sound as agreed upon by state and tribes. Interesting..........

http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/976210/2017_NOF_Puget

[Mfowl]

Elliott Bay! Welcome back ol' friend! Short but still sweet!