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:

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The Badger Fishing Show
Advocacy | Transparency | Accountability

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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

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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

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