65: The Truth About Why Your Salmon Season Keeps Shrinking

65: The Truth About Why Your Salmon Season Keeps Shrinking

If you've ever stared at a shrinking salmon season and wondered who decides this stuff—and why—this episode is for you. Jamie sits down with Gabe Miller, longtime fishing buyer and 14-year member of the Puget Sound Sport Fishing Advisory Group, to pull back the curtain on North of Falcon, the models behind your seasons, and the one 30-second habit that could actually help. You'll walk away understanding the system better than 99% of anglers out there. Episode Overview: * How North of Falcon, the feds, the tribes, and Canada all have to line up before your inside seasons get set * Why the $3 billion economic value of WA sport fishing keeps getting ignored * What VTRs are and how filling them out honestly protects future seasons * Why "don't tell the fish checker anything" is quietly hurting all of us * How the advisory group really works—and why those hallway relationships matter * The real bottleneck in the whole season-setting process (it's not what you'd think) Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Gabe Miller & his PNW fishing background  00:02 – The serendipitous path to becoming a fishing buyer  00:05 – The $3 billion sport fishing economy nobody credits  00:11 – How losing steelhead opportunity pulled him into advocacy  00:12 – ESA, Hood Canal & how salmon stocks get managed 00:18 – Getting involved: joining the advisory group  00:24 – What VTRs are and why they matter  00:29 – The 30-second habit that protects your season  00:31 – Inside the Puget Sound Sport Fishing Advisory Group  00:38 – How the North of Falcon process actually works  00:41 – The real bottleneck: timing  00:44 – Gabe's epic fishing story with his son Key Takeaways: * WA sport fishing drives $3 billion, 17,000 jobs, and $275M in tax revenue—and rarely gets credit for it. * Telling the fish checker "I caught nothing" feels clever but sabotages next year's season. * Filling out a VTR honestly takes 30 seconds and genuinely helps the department manage seasons. * The advisory group carries no formal weight, but the relationships built there move the needle. * The biggest problem with season-setting isn't the science—it's the compressed last-minute timing. * Getting involved beats complaining online every single time. Resources & Links: * WDFW Fishing Regulations: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations [https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations] * North of Falcon process info: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/management/north-falcon [https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/management/north-falcon] * Pacific Fishery Management Council: https://www.pcouncil.org [https://www.pcouncil.org] * VTR Form https://str.wdfw-fish.us/home [https://str.wdfw-fish.us/home]  * FREE Salmon Training: https://anglersunlimited.co/3-essential-lures [https://anglersunlimited.co/3-essential-lures] * Join the Gold waitlist: https://anglersunlimited.co/gold [https://anglersunlimited.co/gold] Want the full structured learning experience? Join the waitlist for Anglers Unlimited Gold membership at https://anglersunlimited.co/gold [https://anglersunlimited.co/gold] About the Podcast: Fishing for a Reason is the Pacific Northwest saltwater fishing education podcast for new anglers and families who want to catch more salmon, halibut, lingcod, shrimp and crab in Washington waters. Hosted by Jamie & Scott Propst from Anglers Unlimited, each episode delivers practical techniques, local knowledge, and expert insights to help you get off the couch and into the fish. Perfect for relocated professionals, military families, and boaters who are just getting into fishing.

64: Washington's Fishing Future: Inside North of Falcon with Alex Van Hine & Philip Olson (Badger Fishing)

If you've ever felt like fisheries management was too complicated, too political, or too far above your pay grade to matter — this episode is for you. Jamie sits down with Alex Van Hine (Fish Northwest) and Phillip Olson (Badger Fishing) for a straight-talk conversation about what's actually broken in Washington's salmon fishery management process — and what you can do about it. In this episode: * Why the North of Falcon process is broken * How exploitation rate math gives one side a negotiating advantage * The advisory group issue: who's in the room, who should be, and why it matters * Why showing up in person to public meetings — even silently — changes the outcome * How to get involved starting right now, even if you've never been to a meeting Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction  01:00 – Philip's background and how Badger Fishing took off  08:00 – Alex's background: La Conner, San Juans, and getting serious about NOF  14:00 – What's actually broken in the North of Falcon process  18:00 – The Stillaguamish fin-clip problem explained  25:00 – The structural problem: time, scheduling, and communication  29:00 – The Puget Sound Sport Fishing Advisory Group: what it is and what's wrong  43:00 – How to get involved and why your voice matters  56:00 – Fish return numbers, NOF2 in Lynnwood, and the road to June  01:04:00 – Closing tradition question and where to follow Alex and Philip Key Takeaways: * The North of Falcon process is broken by design, not by the people inside it. * The most constrained stock in Puget Sound is a hatchery-marked fish we're actively keeping — that needs to change. * Exploitation rate numbers aren't equal between co-managers, and that shapes every negotiation. * The advisory group needs active NOF participants, not appointed seat-fillers. * 800,000 people buy Washington fishing licenses — 1/10th of 1% showing up would change everything. * You don't have to speak to matter. Just being in the room sends a message. * Your voice matters more than you think Resources & Links: * Fish Northwest: https://www.fishnorthwest.org [https://www.fishnorthwest.org] * Badger Fishing (Phillip Olson): Search "Badger Fishing" on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook @badgerfishingnw * Alex Van Hine (Instagram): @reelpnw_avh * WDFW: https://wdfw.wa.gov/about [https://wdfw.wa.gov/about] Want the full structured learning experience? Join the waitlist for Anglers Unlimited Gold membership at https://anglersunlimited.co/gold [https://anglersunlimited.co/gold] About the Podcast: Fishing for a Reason is the Pacific Northwest saltwater fishing education podcast for new anglers and families who want to catch more salmon, halibut, lingcod, shrimp, and crab in Washington waters. Hosted by Jamie & Scott Propst from Anglers Unlimited, each episode delivers practical techniques, local knowledge, and expert insights to help you get off the couch and into the fish. Perfect for relocated professionals, military families, and boaters who are just getting into fishing.

63: The Truth About Washington Salmon (It's Not What You Think)

If you've been frustrated by shrinking fishing seasons, confusing regulations, or contradictory information about what's really killing Washington's salmon runs — this episode is for you. Ron Garner, President of the Puget Sound Anglers, has spent nearly two decades inside the rooms where these decisions get made. He's fought to keep fisheries open, built bridges between tribes and recreational anglers, and has the data to back up what he says. This conversation will change how you see the salmon crisis. What this episode covers: * Why so-called "wild" Chinook salmon in Washington state are essentially gone * How the Hatchery Science Review Group (HSRG) was covertly suppressing hatchery production  * The real data behind habitat loss * Why seals and sea lions now kill more salmon than commercial, tribal, and recreational fishing combined  * How Ron's relationship-building approach with tribes, WDFW, and NOAA has produced more wins than any protest or petition * What recreational anglers can do right now that actually moves the needle Timestamps:  00:00 Welcome back + baby news  03:45 Ron Garner's background and how shrinking halibut seasons pulled him into fisheries advocacy  07:30 Becoming PSA State Board President and pivoting from ocean fisheries to Puget Sound salmon  09:30 NOAA's proposed Puget Sound fishing closures and how PSA stopped them with the Rockfish Descender program  15:30 The biggest problem in Puget Sound 19:00 HSRG explained and the fight to remove it from WDFW salmon policy  34:00 Ron's PowerPoint: the real root causes of salmon decline 48:00 Hatchery production cuts vs. orca decline, flood-destroyed egg beds, and why hatcheries are the only reason we still have fish  01:09:00 Predator crisis, ocean condition cycles, and what recreational anglers can actually do to help Key Takeaways: * Hatcheries are not the enemy  * Cutting hatchery production has not brought wild fish back; the data shows the opposite. * Over 82% of the Skagit estuary is gone  * Seals and sea lions kill more salmon than all fishing sectors combined, multiplied by six. * The tribes have saved recreational fishing more times than most anglers will ever know. * Relationship-building with WDFW, NOAA, and tribes has produced more wins than any protest or petition. * If we don't stop fighting each other and start making more fish, our grandkids won't be fishing. Resources & Links: * Puget Sound Anglers: https://pugetsoundanglers.org [https://pugetsoundanglers.org] * WDFW Fishing Regulations: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations [https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations] * "Top 10 Reasons for the Salmon Decline" — Robert T. Lackey https://youtu.be/VVrXWt9VPMU?si=n6plzYlxsdmJxsF2 [https://youtu.be/VVrXWt9VPMU?si=n6plzYlxsdmJxsF2] Want the full structured learning experience? Join the waitlist for Anglers Unlimited Gold membership at https://anglersunlimited.co/gold [https://anglersunlimited.co/gold] Fishing for a Reason is the Pacific Northwest saltwater fishing education podcast for new anglers and families who want to catch more salmon, halibut, lingcod, shrimp, and crab in Washington waters. Hosted by Jamie & Scott Propst from Anglers Unlimited, each episode delivers practical techniques, local knowledge, and expert insights to help you get off the couch and into the fish. Perfect for relocated professionals, military families, and boaters who are just getting into fishing.

62: Halibut Season Is Open: Rigs, Bait & Derby Tips from a Pro

If you're fishing Washington waters in 2026 — or thinking about it — this episode is your early-season cheat sheet. Jake Lint from LFS Bellingham breaks down his halibut setup, derby strategy, and go-to lures for Bellingham Bay salmon. Plus, Olivia Erb shares what's happening with LFS's Women in Fishing campaign and everything you need to know about their upcoming Spring Fishing Seminar. In this episode: * Jake's halibut rigs, bait, and how he targets fish early season in 60-80 feet of water * What he learned running halibut charters in Alaska — and how it applies to fishing the San Juans * Gear recommendations for Bellingham Bay salmon (including West Coast Tackle picks) * A 58-pound halibut, a lost 100-pounder, and a 76-year-old Vietnam vet who pulled anchor by hand * LFS's Women in Fishing campaign and the incredible stories behind it * What to expect at the LFS Spring Fishing Seminar on April 25th Timestamps: 00:00 — Meet Jake Lint & Olivia Herb from LFS Bellingham  03:00 — Jake's guiding background: six years, Alaska halibut charters  06:30 — LFS Spring Fishing Seminar: April 25th details, free food, prizes & 20% off  09:00 — Halibut opener April 2nd: Jake's day-one spots and depth strategy  11:00 — Halibut jigging setup: the stinger hook and why it's non-negotiable  16:30 — Fish Northwest Derby recap: the 58-pounder they landed and the 100-pounder they lost  21:00 — Big halibut safety: harpoon, gaff, and boat protocol for large fish  24:00 — Salmon season outlook: Bellingham Bay proposal and 2026 projections  27:00 — Go-to lures for Bellingham Bay salmon (West Coast Lures breakdown)  31:00 — Rod & reel recommendations at every price point  39:00 — LFS Women in Fishing campaign: stories of women reshaping the industry  47:00 — Closing question: how to get the next generation excited about fishing Key Takeaways: * Early halibut season means shallower water — start at 60-80 feet and go deeper as the season progresses. * A stinger hook on your jig is non-negotiable when jigging for halibut  * Circle hooks don't lose fish  * Small, white lures (West Coast Tackle fatty 2.5 in ghost white) dominate the Bellingham Bay bubble. * You don't need expensive gear to catch fish — match your gear investment to how long you plan to use it. * Getting kids into fishing is about comfort, sugar, and going somewhere they'll actually catch something. * Women are reshaping the fishing industry, and LFS is actively telling those stories. Resources & Links: * LFS Bellingham (Sports Fishing Dept — ask for Jake) [https://www.go2marine.com/] * LFS on Instagram/Facebook/TikTok: @LFSMarine * LFS Spring Fishing Seminar — April 25th, 10AM–3PM, Fisherman's Pavilion, Bellingham: Link to RSVP on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/events/1456195966146332/?post_id=1456195976146331&view=permalink] * Fish Northwest Halibut Derby (April 11–12) [https://fishnorthwest.org/] * Anacortes Halibut Derby (May 2–3) [https://www.psafidalgo.org/anacortes-halibut-derby/] * West Coast Tackle [https://westcoastfishingtackle.ca/] * OnX Maps (land ownership + public access app) [https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app] * Anglers Unlimited Gold Membership Waitlist [https://anglersunlimited.co/gold] Ready to level up your fishing? Join the waitlist for Anglers Unlimited Gold — monthly expert seminars, step-by-step courses, fishing maps, and a community of anglers who want you to succeed. https://anglersunlimited.co/gold [https://anglersunlimited.co/gold] Fishing for a Reason is the Pacific Northwest saltwater fishing education podcast for new anglers

61: The #1 Downrigger Mistake Killing Your Chinook Fishing with John Sporting Goods' Conner Martinis

If you fish Puget Sound — or want to — Conner Martinis of John Sporting Goods in Everett is one of the most trusted names in the region. In this episode, Conner shares his family's legacy in the fishing industry, what's keeping him up at night before the Area 10 blackmouth opener, and the new JSG Guide app that's about to change how anglers navigate Puget Sound. Episode Overview * Conner's story: how a third-generation family business became the go-to resource for Puget Sound anglers * What to expect on the Area 10 blackmouth opener — locations, pressure, and honest expectations * The #1 mistake anglers make with downriggers (and the fix that changes everything) * Gear breakdown: spoons, hoochies, plugs, and bait for spring Chinook * The JSG Guide app — interactive waypoints, AI fishing advice, tides, currents, and trip reporting in one place Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction and Connor's background at John Sporting Goods  01:00 — Family history: from Bob's Sporting Goods to Connor taking over in 2019  04:00 — Fishing obsession, the competitive mindset, and what drives Connor  05:30 — Life after taking over: fishing schedule, weekday advantages, store hours  07:00 — Vision for John Sporting Goods and the upcoming JSG Guide app  12:00 — Where to follow Connor and how to track the app launch  13:00 — Area 10 blackmouth opener breakdown: spots, conditions, and expectations  16:00 — The #1 downrigger mistake and how to work the bottom correctly  18:00 — Bait rigs, banana weights, and anchovy setup for spring Chinook  19:00 — Spoons, hoochies, plugs: Connor's full gear breakdown  22:00 — West Coast Tackle inventory and new gear Connor is excited about  23:00 — Pro Troll's "Con Man" flasher and what's hot this season  24:00 — Most common customer question: what color is working?  25:00 — Closing question: mastering current to find more fish Key Takeaways * Hit the bottom with your downrigger ball every minute — don't set it and forget it. * The current — not just the tide — tells you where the bait is moving and where the fish will be. * Confidence in your gear matters as much as the gear itself — fish what works and don't swap out when the bite is slow. * The Killy Magee spoon has been Conner's top producer for two straight seasons. * Dirty river runoff can push resident blackmouth out toward the strait — adjust expectations accordingly. * Fishing during the week means less pressure and the freshest reports when you get back to the dock. Resources & Links * John Sporting Goods (Everett, WA): https://www.johnsportinggoods.com [https://www.johnsportinggoods.com] * JSG Guide App (coming soon) — follow John Sporting Goods on Facebook and Instagram for the launch * WDFW Fishing Regulations: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations [https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations] * Anglers Unlimited Gold Membership Waitlist: https://anglersunlimited.co/gold Ready to go deeper? Join the waitlist for Anglers Unlimited Gold membership at https://anglersunlimited.co/gold [https://anglersunlimited.co/gold] — expert seminars, fishing maps, step-by-step courses, and a community of anglers who want you to succeed. About the Podcast Fishing for a Reason is the Pacific Northwest saltwater fishing education podcast for new anglers and families who want to catch more salmon, halibut, lingcod, shrimp, and crab in Washington waters. Hosted by Jamie & Scott Propst from Anglers Unlimited, each episode delivers practical techniques, local knowledge, and expert insights to help you get off the couch and into the fish. Perfect for relocated professionals, military families, and boaters who are just getting into fishing.