North Olympic Peninsula Chapter
Who Are We?
We are the Puget Sound Anglers. We are dedicated to preserving quality fisheries. We believe our fisheries resources can be restored to what they should be with sound science and appropriate management techniques. We believe we need to be involved in the process of helping establish fishing quotas and seasons through interaction with state, federal, and tribal wildlife agencies.
We believe in comradeship and acknowledge the values of our fellow sports anglers. We believe our grandchildren can have a higher quality fishery than any of us have ever had.
History
In 1985, a small group of sport fishing anglers became unhappy with the organization to which they belonged. Although they enjoyed the friendship and knowledge of persons with similar same fishing interests, they were tired of seeing the leadership using members as rungs on their own political ladders.
They were tired of their membership dues going out-of-state to pay salaries on the national level and for enhancements thousands of miles away. They were tired of being refused the right to submit input on legislation issues that involved their own fisheries. It was time for a change, and thus was spawned the Puget Sound Anglers.
Our History presentation 1/24/2024
Our Mission
The Puget Sound Anglers is an organization of independent chapters, with common goals and interests, bound only by integrity and fellowship. The goals of all our chapters are preserving, protecting, and enhancing the sport fisheries of Washington State. The general outline of the organization is for each chapter to retain its independent nature. The State Board was formed to be responsible to those chapters, to promote membership, and to help with fundraising and projects of interest to all members.
Results
There are now 16 Puget Sound Anglers chapters throughout western Washington. We are the fastest growing sport fishing organization in the state. Members have been involved in stream enhancement, educational forums, state legislation, fishing for children, and assisting developmentally disabled persons catch their first fish.
Our members are instrumental in putting on widely recognized fishing clinics for the public in the Puget Sound area. They also attend many WDFW public meetings and are on numerous WDFW fish advisory groups. They participate in the North of Falcon salmon season setting process each year.
In the spring of 2001, we launched a state website www.pugetsoundanglers.org linking all the chapters together. The response to Puget Sound Anglers has been overwhelming, as the organization is rapidly becoming known as “The Voice of Washington’s Sport Anglers.”
Benefits
In addition to the previously mentioned projects, all members have a chance to learn more about fishing, go to organized club outings, take part in projects, and to build life long friendships with other members.
Each chapter has a monthly meeting at which fishing issues are discussed. There are raffles to give members a chance to add to their fishing tackle or boating gear. Guest speakers who give presentations include guides, marine mechanics, Coast Guard Auxiliaries, WDFW employees, and members who are very knowledgeable in fishing/boating related fields.
Many members say that they get more back in knowledge than the yearly dues they pay, as they could not live long enough, nor could they afford to make the learning mistakes on their own in the fishing/boating fields.
Our membership fishes saltwater for Blackmouth, Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Sea Bass and Ling Cod and freshwater for Trout, Steelhead, Kokanee, Bass, Walleye, and Sturgeon. While some members are bank fishers, many others own boats that range in size from 12 feet to 26 feet in length.
Attendance
We invite guests to attend our general meetings. We encourage all family members to join us at any of our gatherings. Many of the chapters have picnics with something for the whole family.
Our only requirement is an interest in fishing and a desire to ensure the resource is available for future generations.
