In talking with various people who were there, the confirmation hearing on state Fish and Wildlife Commission member Miranda Wecker went as expected given the political ill will surrounding the commission these days.

There was no vote taken to confirm Wecker's seat on the commission following this morning's hearing. Wecker has been on the commission for four years without being confirmed.

Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, allowed two Wecker supporters and two opponents speak before his natural resources committee. At least another 40 people signed in on behalf of Wecker, according to one source.

From all the reports, the bulk of questions had to deal with fisheries, the commission's relationship with treaty tribes and communications between the commission and committee.

That is understandable. A recent report done for the state shows sport fishing supports 12,850 jobs in Washington and 3,524 commercial fishing jobs. Recreation fishing generates $376.1 million in earnings along with $148 million from commercial fishing. Perhaps committee members failed to remember that hunting ($313 million) and wildlife watching ($122.6 billion) also generate plenty of income within the state.

Even if those issues are valid -- and I question the veracity of some -- is a confirmation hearing the best time to discuss them? I thought the hearing was supposed to be a discussion of Wecker's qualifications and ability to serve on the commission, one that serves ALL interests in the state.

If Jacobsen has issues regarding communication with the commission, why not ask for a meeting with them? Why not try to resolve them, rather than sit there and be critical of a lone commissioner? After all, communication is a two-way street.

In the meantime, there was a hearing this afternoon on HB 17788 that nows includes Jacobsen's attempt to greatly reduce the authority of the commission. I had no word on how that went.

It concerns me that we have all this turmoil at the time when the state and treaty tribes are supposed to sit down next week and hammer out salmon fishing seasons for the 2009-10 season.

Fishing at Long's Pond in Lacey will be closed for two days before the Lacey Family Fish-In youth fishing event.

The pond will be closed from 12:01 a.m. April 16 until 8 a.m. April 18. This will allow staff time to set up nets and stock fish for the event.The fishing event will begin at 8 a.m. April 18.

Long's Pond is located at Woodland Creek Community Park, 6729 Pacific Ave. S.E., Lacey.

Long's Pond is open for fishing only to juvenile anglers, 14 years of age or younger.

Pre-registration is required for participation in the April 18 Family Fish-In. Juvenile anglers are not required to have a fishing license. For information about the event, contact Lacey Parks & Recreation at 360-491-0857.