Section 220-56-210. Fly fishing.

(1) It is unlawful to fish in waters restricted to "fly fishing only" with the use of:

(a) A fixed spool reel.

(b) Fishing line other than conventional fly line or conventional "Tenkara" fly line, except that other line may be used for backing and leader if it is attached to not less than 25 feet of conventional fly line.

(c) Hooks that exceed 1/2 inch when measured from point to shank.

(d) Not more than two flies each with a barbless single hook.

(e) Bait.

(f) Weight attached to the leader or line.

(2) Only knotless nets may be used to land fish in waters restricted to "fly fishing only."

(3)(a) A violation of gear restrictions in subsection (1) or (2) of this section is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160, unless the person possesses fish taken with prohibited gear.

(b) It is unlawful to possess fish taken with gear in violation of the provisions of this section. Possession of fish while using gear in violation of the provisions of this section is a rebuttable presumption that the fish were taken with such gear. Possession of such fish is punishable under RCW 77.15.380 Unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree—Penalty, unless the fish are taken in the amounts or manner to constitute a violation of RCW 77.15.370 Unlawful recreational fishing in the first degree—Penalty.

(4) "Fly" means a lure on which thread, feathers, hackle, foam, rubber, or yarn cover a minimum of half the shank of the hook. Metallic colored tape, metal wire, metal tape, tinsel, mylar, or beadeyes may be used as an integral part of the design of the fly pattern.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, persons who have a permanent disability that significantly limits the use of one or both upper extremities may use spinning gear and may fish from a floating device equipped with an electric motor in lakes where fishing from a floating device is allowed in fly fishing only waters as provided for in this section.

(a) A fisher with a disability must apply for a fly fishing special use permit by presenting a letter from a physician stating that the fisher's disability is permanent and that, because of the inability to use one or both upper extremities, the fisher is physically incapable of using conventional fly fishing gear.

(b) The fisher will be issued a fly fishing special use permit in the form of a wearable tag. The fisher must have the special use permit in his or her possession at all times while using spin casting gear in fly fishing only waters, and may display the permit on outer clothing.

(c) It is permissible for persons in possession of a fly fishing special use permit to use the following gear:

(i) Fishers may use spin casting gear with a casting bubble.

(ii) Monofilament line with no limit on the breaking strength of the line.

(iii) Hook size and barb restrictions, fishing fly requirements, and bait and weight prohibitions as provided for in this section apply to both conventional fly fishing and spin-bubble fly fishing.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012 and 77.12.047. WSR 16-06-073 (Order 16-30), § 220-56-210, filed 2/26/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 15-06-065 and 15-06-006 (Order 15-033), § 220-56-210, filed 3/4/15 and 2/20/15, effective 7/1/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 07-05-051 (Order 07-22), § 220-56-210, filed 2/16/07, effective 3/19/07; WSR 06-09-021 (Order 06-67), § 220-56-210, filed 4/11/06, effective 5/12/06; WSR 02-08-048 (Order 02-53), § 220-56-210, filed 3/29/02, effective 5/1/02; WSR 01-06-051 (Order 01-31), § 220-56-210, filed 3/6/01, effective 4/6/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. WSR 95-04-066 (Order 95-10), § 220-56-210, filed 1/30/95, effective 5/1/95; WSR 80-03-064 (Order 80-12), § 220-56-210, filed 2/27/80, effective 4/1/80.]

RCW 77.04.012 and 77.12.047. WSR 16-06-073 (Order 16-30), § 220-56-210, filed 2/26/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 15-06-065 and 15-06-006 (Order 15-033), § 220-56-210, filed 3/4/15 and 2/20/15, effective 7/1/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 07-05-051 (Order 07-22), § 220-56-210, filed 2/16/07, effective 3/19/07; WSR 06-09-021 (Order 06-67), § 220-56-210, filed 4/11/06, effective 5/12/06; WSR 02-08-048 (Order 02-53), § 220-56-210, filed 3/29/02, effective 5/1/02; WSR 01-06-051 (Order 01-31), § 220-56-210, filed 3/6/01, effective 4/6/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 75.08.080. WSR 95-04-066 (Order 95-10), § 220-56-210, filed 1/30/95, effective 5/1/95; WSR 80-03-064 (Order 80-12), § 220-56-210, filed 2/27/80, effective 4/1/80.