I was working at Lake Wilderness Lodge last night (part-time job) and ran across a bass fisherman walking the shore.  He shared with me that he belonged to a local Washington bass-club (shall remain unnamed) who mentioned that because of regulation changes, higher tournament charges, etc.., that their club is actually considering doing away with going through the state to book tournaments.  Instead they are just going to "show-up" and gather as friends (who just so happen to weigh each other's fish) and perhaps "bet" on who can catch the biggest string.  He said other clubs he has talked to are thinking about doing the same.  Really?

So I've been gone for three years from WBC - someone fill me in on what has changed in terms of state regulations, costs, etc.. that would cause a club to go to these lengths to disguise a club tournament?  Has it really gotten that bad?

Before I judge, I need to be brought up to date on the recent politics of bass tournaments.  Is  the guy blowing hot air, or is bass tournament fishing in our state in jeopardy?

A fishing contest is defined as any event where six or more licensed anglers (age 15 and older) fish competitively for game fish and determine winners, regardless of the prize value. A fishing contest permit is required by and issued by The Department of Fish and Wildlife. The fee for a fishing contest permit is $24.00 (no more than seven permits will be issued to any one permittee during the calendar year). Effective March 1, 2013, an application fee of $70.00 will be charged for each application submitted (RCW 77.65.480). The $70 application fee will be collected in addition to the fishing contest permit fee and it is non-refundable.

Yes the state has increased fees to the point were small clubs can not afford to hold tournaments. WBC and WBA are teaming up on tournaments for the 2014 year. Over all club memberships and tournament numbers are down.

It would be interesting to have a rep from the WDFW come to WBC and speak on this subject for entertainment some month.  (We could inform the other clubs and maybe they would come too.)  I would love to discover the true motives for such dramatic changes in policy.  I would like to know if they have thought through the impact this has on small clubs.  Wow, I stop fishing for a couple of years and the world I knew and loved goes crazy... This is very disturbing.

Did he shed any light on this subject?

Chuck and Guys if you are mad about permit fees then you will be steaming about what I just heard from someone at the state level that said that fishing would be not allowed at all in the state next year due to cut backs in funding.You know how that would effect every sporting goods business out here and every fisherman out here.

If you really care about this sport and fishing in general you better get off your couch and get involved.

Russ

Screw that! Why should their funding stop our fishing?? We buy our licenses...not our fault they spend what they get poorly. We can allow people to smoke Marijuana, but keep people from fishing?? If that's the case, guess I'll be poaching next year. Wait...can it be poaching when we RELEASE everything?? Stupid....no way that can fly. They gonna stop people from driving too when the Dept. of Transportation runs out of money??