The Science of the Strike: Why Salmon Hunt (And How to Catch Them)

If you want to stop guessing and start understanding why salmon do what they do, this episode is for you. Jamie breaks down the actual science behind salmon behavior -- how they find food, what triggers a strike, and why your lure action matters more than your lure color. This isn't theory for theory's sake. Every principle connects directly to how you fish.

What this episode covers:

• Why salmon in the Salish Sea are typically found in the upper 30 meters of the water column -- and how to use that to your advantage
• Why "current change" is the phrase that should replace "tide change" in your vocabulary
• How tidal jets create convergence fronts that stack baitfish -- and why that's exactly where you need to be
• What the lateral line is and why it may matter more than vision when it comes to triggering a strike
• The real science on color and depth -- and why red is essentially invisible below 33 feet
• Why erratic, irregular lure movement triggers predatory instincts in salmon

Timestamps

00:00 -- Introduction: the science behind salmon and why it makes you a better angler 
01:30 -- Salmon School announcement (August 9, Anacortes) 
03:00 -- Where salmon hold in the water column and why it matters 
04:00 -- Current change vs. tide change: why the language matters 
05:00 -- Tidal jets, convergence fronts, and where bait stacks 
07:00 -- Using sonar to find fish that won't bite 
07:30 -- Salmon diet: herring, sand lance, and matching the hatch 
09:00 -- Lure selection: Kingfisher Spoon, Coho Killer, hoochies, and matching prey 
10:00 -- The lateral line: how salmon detect your lure before they see it 
12:00 -- Why flashers work and why lure action is primary 
13:00 -- Color physics at depth: what salmon can actually see 
14:00 -- UV and glow lures: what the science says (and doesn't) 
16:00 -- What triggers the strike: erratic movement and vulnerable prey 
18:00 -- Key takeaways and closing 
19:00 -- Salmon School wrap-up

Key Takeaways

• Salmon in the Salish Sea primarily hold in the upper 30 meters -- your depth decisions should be calculated, not random.
• Current change -- not tide change -- is the variable that concentrates baitfish and creates feeding windows.
• Tidal jets create convergence fronts where herring, sand lance, and candlefish stack -- and where salmon follow.
• The lateral line is a fish's built-in pressure and vibration sensor, and research suggests it may be more important than vision for triggering a strike.
• Water absorbs red and orange light by about 33 feet deep -- color choices below that depth should lean toward green, blue, and UV reactive.
• UV lures have strong anecdotal and industry support, but peer-reviewed science on UV vision in Pacific salmon at fishing depths is still limited.
• Erratic, irregular lure movement mimics a vulnerable baitfish -- and that's what gets a salmon from following your lure to striking it.

Resources Mentioned

• Salmon School (August 9, Anacortes): https://anglersunlimited.co/salmonschool
• ScienceDirect Lateral Lines & Fish: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/lateral-line
• Encyclopedia of Puget Sound: https://www.eopugetsound.org/
• What Salmon See: https://www.science.org/content/article/how-salmon-see-world-anew
• Pacific Wild (forage fish research): https://pacificwild.org/how-salmon-need-herring/
• Steve Chamberlain previous episode: https://youtu.be/29aTkrlzHWw?si=4ZC-fd9Nz7uAYvlo
• Sea Bear Smokehouse: https://seabear.com/pages/about-seabear

Want to fish smarter this season?

We have 13 spots left at Salmon School on August 9th in Anacortes. You'll get hands-on sessions on sonar, gear setup, trolling technique, reading current, and more -- including a smoked salmon tasting from Sea Bear Smokehouse. Sign up at anglersunlimited.co/salmonschool before it's gone.

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.

Stop Guessing: The Salmon Fishing System That Actually Works

If you own a boat, have the gear, and still keep coming home empty-handed, this episode is for you. Jamie walks through the exact training she's taught in seminars and private sessions for years -- the same one boaters from all over Washington have used to go from frustrated to consistent. By the end, you'll understand the four-part system that separates the boats that limit out from the ones that go home empty every time.

Episode Overview

• Jamie shares her own rough first season chasing salmon in the San Juan Islands and the local legend who changed everything for her
• Learn the three types of fishermen and which one might be quietly holding you back
• A full breakdown of rod, reel, downrigger and terminal tackle setup
• How to plan a trip using tides, current and wind apps before you ever leave the dock
• A real video walkthrough of sending gear down and landing a fish
• The four-question review habit that turns one good trip into a repeatable process

Timestamps
00:00 - Salmon School announcement and what's ahead 
04:00 - Meet Jamie and Scott, welcome to the training 
09:00 - Jamie's early struggles finding salmon in the San Juans 
12:00 - The three types of fishermen, which one are you 
16:00 - Pillar 1, prep your gear like a pro 
21:00 - Rod, reel and downrigger setup breakdown 
27:00 - Choosing lures, bait and terminal tackle 
33:00 - Pillar 2, planning an exceptional day on the water 
38:00 - Reading tides, current and wind before you leave the dock 
46:00 - Pillar 3, on the water fishing technique walkthrough 
57:00 - Pillar 4, process and review, the nine questions that level you up

Key Takeaways

• Fishing success comes down to performance, not luck or the newest lure.
• Fishing the current change matters more than fishing the tide change.
• Most anglers skip the review step, and that's exactly what separates the committed rookie from the proficient angler.
• Prepared anglers catch more fish because they spend more time fishing and less time fixing gear.
• Sending two different lures down at once helps you figure out what the fish actually want that day.

Resources & Links
Salmon School, August 9th in Anacortes: https://anglersunlimited.co/salmonschool 

Want hands-on training with real gear demos, a sonar deep dive with Steve Chamberlin, and a filleting demo from SeaBear? Join us at Salmon School in Anacortes on August 9th. Grab your spot at https://anglersunlimited.co/salmonschool

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.

Fly Navarro on the Wildest Tie in Blue Marlin World Cup History and Why Anglers Need to Organize

This one is for anyone who fishes here in Washington but hasn't thought much about what it takes, at the policy level, to keep that fishing possible. Fly Navarro has run the only global blue marlin tournament in the world for over a decade, and it just produced the first tie in the event's 41-year history. He also sits on fishery boards back east, and had a lot to say about why our community needs to organize too. This one covers the tournament story, conservation vs. environmentalism, and hard-won lessons on decision-making, faith, and building a trustworthy circle.

Episode Overview

Guest Robert "Fly" Navarro is Tournament Director of the Blue Marlin World Cup, the only worldwide blue marlin tournament, now in its 41st year 
The inside story of the July 4th tournament tie: two boats weighed blue marlin at the exact same 653 pounds 
Why Fly believes the fishing and hunting community needs to organize the way environmental groups do 
Conservation vs. environmentalism, and how it connects to seal and sea lion predation on Washington hatchery salmon Life lessons on decision-making, choosing your circle, and taking a leap of faith, from Fly's path from deckhand to running tournaments in Saudi Arabia 
A direct invite to the Washington Tuna Classic in Westport, benefiting local veterans through Mission Outdoors

Key Takeaways

Two boats weighed blue marlin at the exact same 653 pounds, the first tie in the Blue Marlin World Cup's 41-year history. The fishing and hunting community needs to organize the way environmental groups do, before laws get passed that are hard to repeal. Conservation means protecting a resource for future generations; environmentalism means keeping people from using it at all. Seals and sea lions, protected since 1972, now eat a significant share of hatchery salmon. The best decisions come after you let the emotion pass, not in the heat of the moment. Who you let into your circle matters more than how big your reach gets. Failure isn't falling short of a goal, it's quitting after you fall.

Timestamps
00:00 - Meet Fly Navarro and what this episode covers 
00:04 - Fly's "why" behind fishing 
00:14 - From $4-an-hour deckhand to running blue marlin boats worldwide 
00:21 - Building a social media company and 1,500 free how-to videos 
00:23 - How a marina visit in Jeddah led to Saudi Arabia's first fishing tournaments 
00:28 - Why Fly and girlfriend Naomi chose the San Juan Islands 
00:33 - Why fishermen and hunters need to organize like environmental groups 
00:36 - Conservation vs. environmentalism, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
00:52 - The July 4th tournament tie: two blue marlin, same exact weight 
01:24 - Building a trustworthy circle and learning to trust your gut 
01:41 - Faith, fatherhood, and what's happened to young men 
01:59 - Closing question and the Washington Tuna Classic invite

Resources Mentioned
Blue Marlin World Cup: https://bluemarlinworldcup.com
Washington Tuna Classic (Westport, July 24-25): https://missionoutdoors.org/programs/wtc/
The FlyZone Podcast with Fly Navarro: https://open.spotify.com/show/1jqRM7mm0xFWbeqr6XkEzJ
Fly’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flynavarro_/
Fly’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/FlyNavarro
Anglers Unlimited 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.

This one was recorded dockside in Anacortes, right on the back deck of Jamie and Scott's new Pursuit 325 (you'll hear Navy jets flying overhead once or twice, no editing that out). Jamie & Scott sit down with Tom Anderson, owner of Burnewiin, right where his product actually lives. Tom walks through how he thinks about cockpit layout, why versatility at the rail level changes how you fish, cruise, and entertain, and how to set a boat up so you can go from trolling for salmon to cleaning fish to grilling dinner without gear getting in your way. Whether you're outfitting your first boat or rethinking your current setup, there's a lot here for you.

Episode Overview:

• How Tom went from ice fishing shanties in Wisconsin to running one of the Pacific Northwest's top marine accessory companies
• A full walkthrough of Jamie and Scott's new Pursuit 325 and how Tom recommends laying out mounts for trolling, drift fishing, and bottom fishing
• The gear that makes cleanup, cutting, and rigging on the water easier
• New Burnewiin products in development
• Tom's work with the American Sportfishing Association advocating for sport fishing access in Washington, DC, and how it connects to the North of Falcon process

Timestamped Sections:
00:00 – Intro: why this episode was recorded dockside on the new Pursuit 325
01:00 – Meeting Tom Anderson, owner of Burnewiin
05:00 – From ice fishing in Wisconsin to running Burnewiin
10:00 – The story behind Jamie and Scott's new Pursuit 325
15:00 – Planning rod holder placement for trolling, drift, and bottom fishing
18:00 – Building a transom rigging and cutting station
23:00 – Fender cleats, rail mounts, and keeping the gunwale clean
25:00 – New products coming from Burnewiin
28:00 – DIY installation tips for boaters rigging their own boat
45:00 – Tom's favorite Burnewiin product and why
50:00 – Sport fishing advocacy and the fly-in to Washington, DC

Key Takeaways:

• Plan your rod holder placement around how you actually fish, not just how the boat came from the factory.
• A modular mounting system lets one boat handle trolling, drift fishing, bottom fishing, and cruising without dedicated hardware for each.
• The best gunwale accessories store out of the way until you need them, then lock in fast.
• Quality accessories cost more up front but save you fish and frustration over time.
• Sport anglers and tribes often share more common ground on fisheries issues than people assume.
• Where individual anglers can actually make a difference on policy.

Resources & Links:

• Burnewiin: https://burnewiin.com/
• Islands Marine Center: https://www.islandsmarinecenter.com/
• American Sportfishing Association: https://asafishing.org/
• Pursuit Boats: https://www.pursuitboats.com/

Want the full structured learning experience?
Join the waitlist for Anglers Unlimited Gold membership (opening July 2026) at 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.

The new WDFW App: Setup Online Licensing Guide Before Season Opens

Before salmon season kicks off, there's one thing that can derail your whole day before you ever leave the dock: a fishing license problem. Jamie shares a real story from a shrimping trip gone sideways, then walks through exactly how to set up Washington's WDFW mobile app so you and your guests are legal, confident, and ready to go with the new online licensing system.

In this episode:

• How to recover a forgotten WDFW username and password step by step
• Why a screenshot of your license is NOT legal and what is
• How to find the shellfish license 
• What to do if you're in a remote area with no cell service
• The after-hours support number most anglers don't know about
• Discover Pass vs. Vehicle Access Pass and why they're not the same thing

Timestamps
00:00 - Dad forgets his license, chaos ensues 
03:00 - Why Jamie made this video 
04:00 - Myth #1: You CAN get after-hours WDFW support 
05:00 - Myth #2: A screenshot is not a legal license 
06:00 - Screen share walkthrough: WDFW website and app setup 
09:00 - How to download and navigate the myWDFW app 
10:00 - Finding the shellfish license in the app 
12:00 - Discover Pass vs. Vehicle Access Pass explained 
14:00 - "Account not found" and other common login hiccups 
15:00 - What to do if you're remote with no service 
17:00 - How to submit app feedback to WDFW 
17:30 - Dead phone = forgotten license. Bring a power bank.

Key Takeaways

• WDFW has after-hours tech support at 360-902-2464 (option 1). Use it.
• A screenshot of your license is not legal proof. You need the app's enforcement tab or a printed copy.
• An annual saltwater license does NOT cover shellfish. That's a separate $20 purchase.
• If you can't find a license in the app, use the search bar. It's easy to miss on the main page.
• Mobile license holders cannot get a reprint at a sporting goods store if they lose service.
• Open the app while you still have service before heading somewhere remote. It works offline after that.
• A dead phone is the same as forgetting your license. Bring a power bank.

Resources and Links

• WDFW Mobile App (myWDFW): Search "WDFW" in the App Store
• WDFW Mobile App Info Page: https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/apps/mywdfw
• WDFW After-Hours Tech Support: 360-902-2464, option 1
• App Feedback Email: [email protected]
• Anglers Unlimited Gold Waitlist: https://anglersunlimited.co/gold

Ready to go deeper? Join the waitlist for Anglers Unlimited Gold membership at https://anglersunlimited.co/gold -- monthly expert seminars, step-by-step courses, fishing maps, and a community of 100+ anglers who want you to succeed.

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 and 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.

Brianna Bruce of Livin' Life Adventures has guided Washington waters for 15 years and she fishes just about everything that swims. In this episode, she's back to share what makes Baker Lake sockeye one of the most unique and rewarding fisheries in the state, including the gear tweaks, troll speeds, and bait strategies that separate limits from empty coolers.

In this episode:

• Why Baker Lake produces the biggest, brightest sockeye in Washington — and why the fish arrive in such good condition
• The troll speed mistake that kills most people's chances 
• Why dodgers outperform flashers, and how leader length affects your hook-ups
• Bait and scent strategies that are legal at Baker but not allowed at other sockeye lakes
• How to fish the right depth 
• Brianna's guiding philosophy: why the best trips aren't always about the fish count

Timestamped Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome and intro to Briana Bruce

01:00 - Briana's background: a lifelong angler turned 15-year guide

05:00 - Guide philosophy: making memories when the fish don't cooperate

08:00 - Species and seasons: where Briana fishes year-round in Washington

14:00 - Why Baker Lake is her favorite fishery in the state

17:00 - 2025 season dates, limits, and run size forecast

20:00 - The mistakes anglers make: troll speed, dodgers, leaders, and bait

23:00 - Simulating a school and finding active fish

25:00 - The one that got away story

Key Takeaways:

• Troll significantly slower than kokanee setups
• Short leaders outperform long flasher-style leaders in this fishery
• Live sand shrimp early season, cured coon shrimp mid-season, cured prawn chunks late season
• Fish the 20–40 foot zone — deep marks are usually bull trout or inactive fish
• Run extra rods or dummy flashers to mimic a school and trigger more bites
• Baker Lake opens July 11th tentatively this year with a starting limit of four fish
• The run forecast 

Resources & Links:

• Briana Bruce / Livin' Life Adventures: livinlifeadventures.com
• Book a charter or connect: [email protected] | Text: 206-714-2112
• Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: search Livin' Life Adventures

Ready to go deeper? Join the waitlist for Anglers Unlimited Gold membership at https://anglersunlimited.co/gold — get access to exclusive trainings like the full Baker Lake Sockeye session with Briana, plus expert seminars, step-by-step courses, fishing maps, and a community of 60+ anglers who want you to succeed.

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.

How to Catch Spot Shrimp in Washington (Complete Beginner Guide)

If you've been thinking about getting into shrimping this season, but aren't sure where to start, this episode is built for you. Jamie and Scott walk through a Shrimping 101 seminar pulled straight from inside the Anglers Unlimited Gold community, covering everything from pot selection and gear setup to processing your catch dockside.

In this episode:

• Why shrimping is one of the best entry points for new anglers and families
• Spot shrimp biology, what makes these guys unique and why the season is short
• Coffin pot vs. Ladner vs. square pots 
• Pot puller options at every price point 
• Line management with the SMI Rope Winder and why it matters
• Bait setup: shrimp pellets, Pro-Cure attractant, Chub Mackerel, and Friskies cat food
• Weather, tides, and current planning so you don't lose gear 
• How to process your catch on the boat and stay in compliance

Timestamps
00:00 — Welcome back + Jamie's first shrimping trip with the newborn 
01:45 — 2026 shrimping regulation update and Marine Area 7 rule change 
04:15 — Spot shrimp biology 
05:30 — 2026 season dates and area openings/closures 
07:30 — Four steps to shrimping success overview 
07:50 — Shrimp pot breakdown: coffin pots, Ladners, and square pots 
11:00 — Pot puller options: Scotty, Pacific Pro/Brutus, Max T-Hall 
12:00 — Line management: bucket method vs. SMI Rope Winder 
13:30 — C-links, cannonball setup, and connecting your rig 
14:30 — Bait: pellets, Pro-Cure, Chub Mackerel, and cat food 
16:00 — Weather and current planning 
18:00 — Live boat footage: pulling a loaded coffin pot 
20:30 — Processing your catch and counting limits on the water 
21:30 — Pro tips: fishing logs, timers, and exploring new spots

Key Takeaways

• Coffin pots have the largest footprint and the most entry ramps — once Scott and Jamie switched, they started limiting out almost every time.
• Orient your bridle longways (perpendicular to current) so both bait wells throw a wider scent trail.
• Wind is not your friend — if it's bad out, you will lose pots.
• Check your first set within 45–60 minutes so you have time to move if the spot isn't producing.
• Keep a fishing log and mark productive spots on your sonar so you can return.
• Always set a timer — it's surprising how fast the time goes and how easy it is to leave gear down too long.
• Tidal prediction apps are helpful but they're predictions — not gospel.

Resources & Links

• WDFW Shrimping Regulations & Area Closures: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/pandalus-platyceros
• McKay Shrimp & Crab Gear: https://www.mckayshrimpandcrabgear.com/
• Navionics App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/navionics-boating/id744920098
• SailFlow: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailflow-sailing-forecasts/id555309964
• Windy: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/windy-app-wind-tides-radar/id997079492
• Free Shrimp Pot Setup Guide + Recipe: https://anglersunlimited.co/shrimp

Ready to go deeper? The full seminar — including a deep dive on where to find shrimp, how to read contours, and live Q&A — is inside Anglers Unlimited Gold. 

Email [email protected] with "CATCH MORE FISH" to learn more.

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.

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
• North of Falcon process info: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/management/north-falcon
• Pacific Fishery Management Council: https://www.pcouncil.org
• VTR Form https://str.wdfw-fish.us/home 
• FREE Salmon Training: https://anglersunlimited.co/3-essential-lures
• Join the Gold waitlist: https://anglersunlimited.co/gold

Want the full structured learning experience? Join the waitlist for Anglers Unlimited Gold membership at 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.

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
• 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

Want the full structured learning experience? Join the waitlist for Anglers Unlimited Gold membership at 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.

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
• WDFW Fishing Regulations: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations
• "Top 10 Reasons for the Salmon Decline" — Robert T. Lackey https://youtu.be/VVrXWt9VPMU?si=n6plzYlxsdmJxsF2

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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.