By Mike Maltais
Come July 24, fishing guide boats on the Methow River and all other Washington state waters will be wearing new identification decals, thanks to a new legislative measure spearheaded by Twisp resident and Methow Valley Fly Fishing Club member Larry Hill.
The new law, Washington State Senate Bill 5824, requires all game fishing guide boats and licensed commercial guide vessels to display a prominent license number I.D. tag easily visible to observers, on the port and starboard sides of their craft. The disclosure requirements will enable both the public and law enforcement to identify illegal activities and conduct.
Hill, who authored the measure, worked with the bill’s primary sponsor, Sen. Linda Evans Parlette of the 12th Legislative District — which includes Okanogan County — to secure endorsements from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, law enforcement, charter boat operators, and statewide fishing organizations. Absent a single dissenting vote, SSB 5824 passed the State House of Representatives, 97-0, and the State Senate, 48-0.
“British Columbia, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana all have similar measures on the books,” Hill said of his research into neighboring jurisdictions regarding the new bill.
Prior Washington state law included an I.D. requirement but “it was only a one-inch-by-one-inch I.D. tag,” Hill said. Such a limited exposure made it difficult for citizens to identify and report violations.
Among other requirements fishing guides must meet are a unified business identifier number under a master license; proof of current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and a minimum $300,000 commercial liability insurance.
“I think it’s great,” said Kevin Van Bueren of the new I.D. requirement.
Owner of North Cascades Fly Fishing for the past 15 years, Van Bueren also serves as exclusive guide for Sun Mountain Lodge. He offers float trips on the Methow River, wading excursions on the Twisp and Chewuch rivers, and outings on area lakes.
“If you are in a profession offering a professional service these are the things you should have been doing all along,” Van Bueren said.
“I’ve always had my boat marked, so that part doesn’t affect me,” said Leaf Seaburg, owner of Methow Fishing Adventures. “The guides always display the best etiquette. I’m one of its biggest advocates because I deal with it every day.”
Seaburg, who hosts the weekly Methow Fishing Report on radio station KTRT-FM, views the new legislation as another cost of operating in the highly visible guide business.
“The one thing I will say is that now that I am paying more than ever to operate, I do want to know who else is operating,” Seaburg said.
