The “two rode” rule is not new to Washington. I used to fish two poles per person back in the 70’s. Of course that was only in the salt. I have fond memories of one Milk Fund Derby back in the early 70’s when my wife decided it was time for me to take my oldest son of 6 years salmon fishing. So, off we went – just the two of us.Anglinarcher wrote: I was surprised to see the two rod rule come to Washington.
Back then the term “downrigger” did not exist in the sports fisherman’s vocabulary. The methods back then were to either mooch or troll with a banana weight. I fished with a modified “hand girdies” that came from a commercial trawler. They were just two arms that extended over the side of the boat with a hand winch with brake. I used 16 lb balls with a rubber Snubber and a rubber band for the release. It was primitive but deadly.
I remember looking out over Elliott Bay that morning and seeing all the boats stacked up like cord wood from the middle of the bay to the south end at the river’s mouth. Knowing that my method of fishing was a gear catcher of all those mooching and trolling I decided to go toward Alki that was on the other side of Duwamish Head. I no more got all four rods down when not one, or two, or thee, but all four rods loaded up. Can you imagine having four kings on with only a 6 year old beside you? Believe me, it turned out to be one of those Chinese fire things. I just gave my son Brian a pole that was tied off to the boat, grabbed another and let the two others just play the fish until we landed the first two. During the fight people would come along side trying to find out what we were using. One boat even banged into us. Here we were with four fish on, the cables and balls still in the water and all those jokers pressing us for information. I don’t know how but we managed to catch all those fish. Once the fish were on board it seemed as if the whole bay of fishermen decided I was in the “Honey Hole” and they all joined us. I just fired up the big engine and headed toward the middle of Elliott were everyone once was and started fishing. We no more than got down when two rods went off. In less than 11/2 hours we had six kings, the boat loaded up and headed home. I found it ironic that only 12 fish were checked in for the derby that date. To bad I didn’t enter Brian and myself in the derby.
Do I like the “two rod” rule? Not really. Think about it. We are supposed to be sports fishermen – not sports catchermen!
Well said Stamp=Master Baiter:-$ you be the man!!!!:cheers: :chef: 
was one of are only tools to fish and get are goodies in the bang zone I was one of the first to paint mine bright orange, pink and more#-o :-
