If you haven't heard the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission unanimously adopted a policy that established a new framework for salmon fisheries on the lower Columbia River. Key provisions of the new policy will allocate more of the catch to sport fisheries, gradually shift non-tribal commercial gillnets to off-channel areas stocked with more hatchery salmon, and spur development and use of new selective gear for commercial fisheries on the main stem Columbia River.

The new policy also requires anglers to use barbless hooks when fishing for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River. The commission directed the department to adopt rules to make permanent a temporary barbless hook rule that took effect Jan. 1. Miranda Wecker, commission chair, said the new policy is designed to support conservation of wild salmon and expand the economic benefits the state derives from sport and commercial fisheries.

My fishing buddy and WDFW Commissioner Rollie Schmitten told me that in his 40 years of fish management this is the most important action for recreational fisherman. For decades anglers throughout the Columbia River system have complained about the commercial fishery on the lower Columbia River, particularly the gillnet fishing. The action taken by the governing bodies in both Washington and Oregon have been applauded by recreational fishing organizations in both states.