It looks like we start this year off trying to save more fishing in Washington State. This time it is not through WDFW, but the House Environment Committee. There was a lead ban bill proposed, HB 2241,  is a ban on lead for fishing in all state waters. It is for 1 oz or less. There is other verbage in the bill that states about 1” along the axis, which could bring many other fishing lures into the equation, illegalizing many fishing lures. At the time of writing this we are working to stop it. The bill was to be heard on Jan 19, but due to the bad weather it was postponed. It is rescheduled for the following Monday that will have happened by the time you read this.

This bill was created by a group of bird advocates with good intentions. But we already went through this with the WDFW commission and they voted to give certain lakes these restrictions. The EPA decision was that unless ingested it was not harmful to birds to use lead for fishing. Long story short we are at it again. Imagine if this bill gets a foot hold. We all know in politics that once any item sets precedence, it is much easier to expand it.  We reached out to the committee to make sure they knew that these were local jobs here in our state they will be killing if they go through and stop the making of lead jigs, small lead weights and lead lures. This will change the way fishing is today if passed as it is “for all state waters!”  Commercials, tribal and non tribal, are excluded from this.

We were told by one of the sponsors that the firearm ammunition industry changed from lead, we will have to too.  They don’t realize that tungsten being the main substitute in density for lead, takes between 4,000-6,000 degrees to melt and its much higher in price. This will be non workable and too expensive to use. Just for the sake of it I looked up on line to see how much a tungsten downrigger ball would cost if it was to get outlawed. The closest I found was a 3” tungsten ball and it cost $579.00. This is still not big enough for downrigger ball. Too much for my blood.

So the legislative session starts out with a workout from us-PSA, FishNW, and NSIA to fight this battle, We might be asking for your help shortly to defeat this if needed. These groups work hard every day to make sure we do not loose fishing opportunity. With politics, if you are not at the table, you are on the table! Please be sure to support these groups. We have full time representation in Olympia that make sure we do not end up on the table. Working with these groups and CCA we have done a very thorough job of not letting our fisheries slip away. 

We are having the second annual PSA” All Chapters Derby” in Port Townsend again this year. The date is going to be April 13 and 14.  We will be having Pot Luck on Friday April the 13^th at 5:00 at Point Hudson Marina.  All captains and crew need to bring a side dish or desert of your choice. East Jefferson wil be supplying ham for the dinner.  Saturday will be the awards dinner. Same place in the Marina room following weigh in.  There will be tickets for the derby and dinner that can be pre-purchased. Please contact the derby coordinators Monique or Scott Baker@ Fishnfun2@yahoo.com.  Which chapter will win the derby this year?

 Learn where a chapter is close to your home and join it. Meet new friends at your local chapter and enjoy Washington’s bounty.  Join your local PSA chapter and get involved. 

 www.pugetsoundanglers.org