So, do you think Washington's "angler-friendly?"

late fall, wife and I were camping on a river in WA in 2000, on our way bck from a month long fly fishing tour of the west, had set-up our camp, paid our fee for a site over looking the river, no one else in the campground.
White state truck drives up, heavy set gal in a ranger get-up gets out and approaches us.
"You're parking in a premium space and you only paid for a general campsite, so you either need to pay another $10 or relocate your camp."
She seemed offended when I asked her if she was actually f'n serious.
When comparing the restrictions in WA for water access and camping compared to Oregon's, pretty much like comparing discipline between the Marines and a T-ball team.
 
I find it confusing which permit is required where for access in Washington. National parks and forests, federal recreational lands, state parks and recreational lands, BLM, on top of all the options for fishing licenses. I would not be surprised if I missed some...
 
@Dustin Chromers I would like to see more enforcement too, not having fished Oregon enough to vouch but WA lacks.

Where I see WA poaching enforcement lacking is in county line protocol for WDFW. I can name 3 rivers that spill into other counties with jurisdictions requiring around the mountain/1.5hr drives. It is those rivers I also find pre-season salmon being walked home on the road with such complacency I’m sure other rules aren’t being followed either.
 
Divad said:
@Dustin Chromers I would like to see more enforcement too, not having fished Oregon enough to vouch but WA lacks.

Where I see WA poaching enforcement lacking is in county line protocol for WDFW. I can name 3 rivers that spill into other counties with jurisdictions requiring around the mountain/1.5hr drives. It is those rivers I also find pre-season salmon being walked home on the road with such complacency I’m sure other rules aren’t being followed either.
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You got wardens? Lucky!
 
And it irks me that fish n game here doesn’t use apps to go after people. Just download FishBrain and in 30 minutes I can find people taking from rivers/lakes that aren’t allowed, or species that are taken that aren’t, wild fish and blatant snagging setups in the photos!
 
Dustin Chromers said:
You got wardens? Lucky!
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I saw him one time, he gave me a ticket when I passed the vehicle lineup of 7 cars going well under the speed limit. Submitted dashcam and did the zoom meeting/court appearance in the airport. We don’t have them unfortunately.
 
I got a ticket in Montana this summer for camping in a non-designated spot. Fishing guides complained because I took one of "their" parking spots. Fishing was so awesome it was worth the 130 dollar ticket.
The warden was super cool, there was a T storm coming in. I told him we'd move in the morning, he was good with that. Don't feel the slightest bit guilty.
Sign for the access point says "parking in designated parking spots only yet guides were parked everywhere including half in the driveway..
 
I would say for the fisher seeking planter trout or warmwater fish, Washington is "angler friendly". I base this mostly on abundant lake fishing opportunity. For moving water, not very friendly, nor as well managed, IMO. Stream rules vary too much, emergency regulations kick in too often. I'd like to see year round C&R, special regs, on all moving water. And some exam, similar to DMV, before you get a first license, so folks know there ARE regulations, and how to use them. Maybe licensing is too friendly.
 
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Tom Butler said:
And some exam, similar to DMV, before you get a first license, so folks know there ARE regulations, and how to use them. Maybe licensing is too friendly.
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You know, I've thought about this, but I don't know if it would really make a difference. I'd be surprised if most poachers had a license to begin with, let alone read the regs. I've had people start talking to me while I'm fishing, asking questions, and when I start talking about regulations, they have no clue what I'm talking about. It hasn't happened to me in Oregon, but it's happened to me fishing in other places I've lived. Some folks think they are entitled to walk down to any body of water, "fish" however they see fit, and keep whatever they catch. It was a common sight on a popular fly-fishing only stretch in western NC. Acquiring a license doesn't even enter their mind.
 
DerekWhipple said:
You know, I've thought about this, but I don't know if it would really make a difference. I'd be surprised if most poachers had a license to begin with, let alone read the regs. I've had people start talking to me while I'm fishing, asking questions, and when I start talking about regulations, they have no clue what I'm talking about. It hasn't happened to me in Oregon, but it's happened to me fishing in other places I've lived. Some folks think they are entitled to walk down to any body of water, "fish" however they see fit, and keep whatever they catch. It was a common sight on a popular fly-fishing only stretch in western NC. Acquiring a license doesn't even enter their mind.
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It's easier to fool people by faking ignorance than faking intelligence.
 
Peyton00 said:
What I like about fishing in Washington, if you don't fish next to your car or the road, you won't see another fisherman.
This state has lazy fishermen or they prefer to fish in masses.
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It's even worse with hunters (particularly duck hunters) congregating on the same few spots.
 
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