Is It Time for Leadership Change at WDFW? | Badger Fishing Show Ep. 5

Is It Time for Leadership Change at WDFW? | Badger Fishing Show Ep. 5

In Episode 5, Phillip Olson and Alex Van Hine take an in depth look at one of the biggest questions facing Washington’s outdoor community: Is it time for leadership change at WDFW? We discuss: • The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission and why recreational anglers need to get involved. • Why public comment matters and what happened at the latest Commission meeting. • The electronic catch reporting app controversy and why data accuracy matters. • Budget concerns, accountability, and where license dollars are going. • The Skokomish River dispute and why recreational fishing remains closed. • Why transparency and leadership matter for the future of fishing and hunting in Washington. • What recreational anglers can do to help protect opportunity for future generations. Whether you agree with us or not, we hope this episode encourages respectful discussion and greater public involvement in the future of Washington’s fisheries. If you enjoy these conversations, please:  Like the video  Leave your thoughts in the comments  Share with another angler  Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes. The Badger Fishing Show Advocacy | Transparency | Accountability Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2614359/support]

My Real Opinion on Tribal Fisheries, VTRs & Monitoring | The Badger Fishing Show Ep. 4

In this episode, Phillip Olson and Alex Van Hine take a deep dive into some of the most controversial topics facing Washington fisheries today. We discuss the future of salmon fisheries, the role of Voluntary Trip Reports (VTRs), fishery monitoring requirements, and how limited resources and budget challenges may impact data collection and management moving forward. The conversation also covers strong salmon forecasts in several river systems, how fisheries are modeled, concerns about accountability and data accuracy, and the ongoing debate surrounding tribal and recreational fisheries. Throughout the episode, we examine whether current management practices are providing the transparency, conservation outcomes, and fishing opportunities anglers expect. Topics include: • VTRs and angler participation • Fishery monitoring and budget concerns • Salmon forecast outlooks • Recreational fishing opportunity • Tribal and non-tribal fisheries • Data collection and fishery modeling • Conservation, accountability, and transparency • Washington salmon management The Badger Fishing Show covers the latest fishing and fisheries news while advocating for recreational anglers across the Pacific Northwest through investigations, transparency, and accountability. 🎣 Follow Badger Fishing for weekly fisheries news, policy discussions, conservation issues, and fishing reports. #Fishing #SalmonFishing #WashingtonFishing #BadgerFishing #NorthOfFalcon #WDFW #RecreationalFishing #FisheriesManagement #Salmon #PacificNorthwestFishing #Conservation #FishingPodcast #PugetSound #VTR #SalmonSeason Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2614359/support]

Why WDFW Snubs Its Own Advisory Board Members | North of Falcon Exposed

In Episode 3 of the Badger Fishing Podcast, Phillip & Alex sit down with longtime Puget Sound fishing advocate Art Tatchell to break down the truth behind the North of Falcon process, the Puget Sound Recreational Advisory Group, and why many anglers feel ignored during salmon season negotiations. Art shares decades of firsthand experience inside the WDFW advisory system, discusses how recreational fisheries continue to shrink, and explains the politics, policy pressure, and behind the scenes negotiations shaping Washington salmon seasons. Topics include: • North of Falcon process • WDFW advisory groups • Recreational salmon season cuts • Tribal co-management • Puget Sound fisheries • Chinook impacts and quotas • In-season management • Salmon enhancement net pens • Hatchery programs • Washington salmon fishing politics This is one of the most detailed public conversations yet about how salmon seasons are really shaped in Washington State. Subscribe for more fisheries investigations, policy breakdowns, public records deep dives, and Pacific Northwest fishing content. #northoffalcon #wdfw #salmonfishing #pugetsound #chinook #washingtonfishing #badgerfishing #fishingpodcast #salmon #pnwfishing #sportfishing #nof   Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2614359/support]

Uncovering Washington's Dirty Gillnet Secrets Killing Salmon | The Badger Fishing Show Ep. 2

In this episode of the Badger Fishing Show, Phillip Olson & Alex Van Hin sit down with Nello Picinich, Executive Director of Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Washington, for an in-depth discussion about one of the most controversial fishing issues in the Pacific Northwest: non-tribal commercial gillnetting. Nello explains how gillnets work, why they are considered non-selective, and what the latest observer data reveals about bycatch and mortality of wild salmon and steelhead. The conversation also explores the history of CCA, the organization’s efforts to reduce non-tribal gillnetting, and the $14.5 million Washington State gillnet buyback program. Topics covered include: - How gillnets operate and why they remain controversial - Release mortality and bycatch impacts on ESA-listed fish - Observer data and the lack of recent monitoring - Hatchery fish, selective fisheries, and terminal areas - The economics of commercial harvest versus recreational fishing - The Columbia River reforms and Washington's gillnet buyback program - Why this issue continues to divide anglers, advocates, and policymakers Whether you're a recreational angler, conservation advocate, or simply interested in how fisheries are managed, this episode offers a detailed look at the science, politics, and economics behind one of the most debated harvest methods still used in Washington State. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2614359/support]

Does The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Listen to Fishermen? | The Badger Fishing Show Ep. 1

Welcome to Episode 1 of The Badger Fishing Show. In this first episode, Alex Van Hine and Phillip Olson sit down to discuss a question that recreational anglers across Washington have been asking for years: Does the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife really listen to fishermen? We share how we first connected, our involvement in the North of Falcon process, and why we believe anglers need a stronger voice in fisheries management. We also discuss hatchery surplus, public records research, and our goal of breaking down complex fisheries issues into clear and understandable conversations. In this episode: * How Phillip and Alex first connected * North of Falcon explained * Hatchery surplus and excess fish sales * Why anglers feel unheard * The future of this podcast * Giving fishermen a voice Our mission is simple: take complex fisheries topics and make them understandable, actionable, and transparent for everyone. Whether you’re a salmon angler, policy advocate, or someone who simply wants to understand how fishing seasons are decided, this podcast is for you. Text your gear requests, fishing tips, and videos to the Badger Tip Line: 360-620-1333. Your tip may be featured in a future episode. Subscribe and join us as we dig into the issues impacting fishing opportunities throughout the Pacific Northwest. #WDFW #FishingPodcast #BadgerFishing #NorthOfFalcon #SalmonFishing #WashingtonFishing #PNWFishing #AnglerAdvocacy #PublicRecords #FisheriesManagement #HatcherySurplus #TheBadgerFishingShow Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2614359/support]