Species covered in proposed rule • Not species specific
Rule to Change: None.
New Rule Proposal: Licensed guides that fish for hire cannot angle while having paid customers onboard.
Why the change is needed: This change mirrors a rule used on the Kenai River in Alaska. The result is that guides cannot catch fish for a paid client. Rather, the clients are the anglers hooking and catching fish. The end result is that the number of rods fished on a boat equals the number of paid clients on the boat.
Names of individuals or groups with whom you have discussed this change: None.
Describe their support and/or concerns:
n/a
Submitted by: VARSHOCK, KAREN — BRUSH PRAIRIE, WA
Date submitted: 06/14/2012
WDFW Rule Proposal Recommendation
Not Recommended for further consideration Reference ID: DFW019644
Regulating commercial fishing guides is not permitted under this rule making process.
Online Public Comments(2 comments)
HAROLD, RUSSELL S September 21, 2012 TACOMA, WA Comments: I support this rule change.
ANDREWS, NICHOLAS R September 24, 2012 TACOMA , WA Comments: I would respectfully disagree with this proposal. I feel this would not be beneficial as guides in this State bring large amounts of money to our already depressed economy. This is because as a individual who has been on guided fishing trips many times the guide and the client want the best experience possible. This means catching fish. It is important that guides be able to fish along with there clients for many reasons. First, sometimes you are guiding client who have never fished before and the techniques are difficult for clients to pick up right away. Second, you have clients that may not be able to do so because of physical limitations. Lastly, clients regardless experience or limitations want to reel in fish, which is why they have hired a guide in the first place. I feel that guides should be able to fish along with the clients as long as they have obtained a valid Washington State fishing license.
