I, too was bummed and angry when I first heard about the closure of recreational fishing, for the same reasons as I've read here. I looked into it a little, though, and it may make more sense than it seems. First, when the stores lost the ability to keep hand sanitizer and toilet paper on the shelves, what do you suppose happened? Knuckleheads (I really have a different description for them) went to the restrooms at fishing access points, campgrounds, etc, and broke open the sanitizer dispensers and toilet paper dispensers and stole the contents. Then, when the restrooms were locked due to the vandalism people crapped on the ground behind and around the restrooms. Our (we all pay for them with our taxes and licence fees) facilities can only take so much abuse. Second, in the realm of vital, essential employees, wildlife managers and facilities managers probably are not near the top of people who must be out patrolling, and maintaining, interacting with the public. Third, nearly every fishing trip results in a trip to the gas station, tackle store, mini mart or whatever, causing unnecessary interactions between people. Fourth, there have been many reports of people gathering at popular fishing spots and not maintaining a decent distance. With Washington now over 4300 confirmed cases of covid-19, maybe we could quit thinking about ourselves for once, and consider our place in helping out for the greater good. Just Sayin

I've been learning surf perch fishing for a while now, and haven't been able to nail down a hard and fast pattern for timing re: tides. I'm farther north of Long Beach, above ocean shores. For bait, Clam necks, sand shrimp and gulp camo sandworms seem to work best. I use 1 oz pyramid sinker about 18 inches below one or two dropper loops with#4or6 bait hooks. I have had most success during the last two hours of an incoming tide. Let us know how you do.