Northwest Fishing Reports

I'll e-mail WDFW to see what they say, but I was wondering if anyone's ever upgraded their license to a combo license mid-year. I purchased a freshwater license, but am planning a trip to the coast. Rather than purchasing a separate shellfish license and a saltwater license, I was wondering if they allowed you to pay the difference and "upgrade" to a combo license. Or am I SOL? It was my understanding that it was possible, when I inquired while purchasing my first license a few years back.

Anyone ever accomplish this? Online? In store?

TIA for any useful replies.

I dunno. I'm sure that if you went to the vendor they'd let you know. I always get the full monty when I go. I know you can add on stuff later. You're either gonna be able to do it or not, so just try and give it a shot.

I am fairly certain your going to piece meal your licenses going forward. I have added a saltwater license to an existing freshwater license purchased at a earlier time and the option of a combo price was not an option. Plus there was no discount for adding the crab when fresh and salt licenses are purchased separately. However, once a combo license is purchased, crab can be added later, at the discount price offered at the time of purchase.

I suggest going to the WDFW site and starting the license purchasing process. Once your in there, it should list all the licenses you already have, just click on the box next to the one(s) you wish to add and see what the cost comes to. You don't have to follow through with the purchase and it is what a dealer is going to do anyway. I'm going to guess that you will be charged the full non-combo price, otherwise there is no point in having a combo option. The clerk you spoke with may have misinterpreted your question. If you do make the purchase, you will end up with a license printout that has all of your licenses together, making it look like a combo license.

MotoBoat wrote:I am fairly certain your going to piece meal your licenses going forward. I have added a saltwater license to an existing freshwater license purchased at a earlier time and the option of a combo price was not an option. Plus there was no discount for adding the crab when fresh and salt licenses are purchased separately. However, once a combo license is purchased, crab can be added later, at the discount price offered at the time of purchase.

I second this. Santa is bringing me a saltwater pole for Christmas this year, and I just tried adding a saltwater license online. You have to pay the separate saltwater license fee. And you have to pay at the new 2012 rate. You don't get the old rate that was in place at the start of the 2011 season.

I would guess you'll have to pay the extra $.
I purchased my elk hunting license w/ bear and cougar before they changed the license fees and combinations this year. After the fact, my neighbor asked if I wanted to go deer hunting, so I got on-line thinking I'd just have to pay the difference for the deer tag, but no matter how I tried, the system was asking me to pay the full price for a big game license w/ deer tag even though it showed that I already had my big game license . I wasn't that committed, so didn't bother following through with the purchase nor did I contact the WDFW.

Slam dunk you just go the counter and ask them to add it. They print out a new license for you and good to go. This is not rocket science.

Bodofish wrote:Slam dunk you just go the counter and ask them to add it. They print out a new license for you and good to go. This is not rocket science.

Yes, we know a license can be purchased. Then another license purchased and added at a later time. Each time a license is added, another "new" license is printed out.

But were you able to buy a freshwater, then add a saltwater (or vice versa) at a later time and get the combo price? That is what this thread is about.

Bodofish, well did ya? Others have attempted it with not luck.

gort wrote:

MotoBoat wrote:I am fairly certain your going to piece meal your licenses going forward. I have added a saltwater license to an existing freshwater license purchased at a earlier time and the option of a combo price was not an option. Plus there was no discount for adding the crab when fresh and salt licenses are purchased separately. However, once a combo license is purchased, crab can be added later, at the discount price offered at the time of purchase.

I second this. Santa is bringing me a saltwater pole for Christmas this year, and I just tried adding a saltwater license online. You have to pay the separate saltwater license fee. And you have to pay at the new 2012 rate. You don't get the old rate that was in place at the start of the 2011 season.

The license fees actually increased this year. I just can't remember if it took effect July 1 or September 1.

MotoBoat wrote:

Bodofish wrote:Slam dunk you just go the counter and ask them to add it. They print out a new license for you and good to go. This is not rocket science.

Yes, we know a license can be purchased. Then another license purchased and added at a later time. Each time a license is added, another "new" license is printed out.

But were you able to buy a freshwater, then add a saltwater (or vice versa) at a later time and get the combo price? That is what this thread is about.

Bodofish, well did ya? Others have attempted it with not luck.

Oh come on! What incentive would there be to buy the combo if you got it after the fact. My word if you even have to ask the question, you know what the answer is.................

NO

Bodofish wrote:

MotoBoat wrote:

Bodofish wrote:Slam dunk you just go the counter and ask them to add it. They print out a new license for you and good to go. This is not rocket science.

Yes, we know a license can be purchased. Then another license purchased and added at a later time. Each time a license is added, another "new" license is printed out.

But were you able to buy a freshwater, then add a saltwater (or vice versa) at a later time and get the combo price? That is what this thread is about.

Bodofish, well did ya? Others have attempted it with not luck.

Oh come on! What incentive would there be to buy the combo if you got it after the fact. My word if you even have to ask the question, you know what the answer is.................

NO

That is what I and others have been saying. But before that you said:

MotoBoat wrote:

Bodofish wrote:Slam dunk you just go the counter and ask them to add it. They print out a new license for you and good to go. This is not rocket science.

Sounds like your saying it is a slam dunk and not rocket science in response to buying a combo after the fact. What is a slam dunk?

MotoBoat wrote:

MotoBoat wrote:Slam dunk you just go the counter and ask them to add it. They print out a new license for you and good to go. This is not rocket science.

Yes, we know a license can be purchased. Then another license purchased and added at a later time. Each time a license is added, another "new" license is printed out.

But were you able to buy a freshwater, then add a saltwater (or vice versa) at a later time and get the combo price? That is what this thread is about.

Bodofish, well did ya? Others have attempted it with not luck.

Oh come on! What incentive would there be to buy the combo if you got it after the fact. My word if you even have to ask the question, you know what the answer is.................

NO[/quote]


That is what I and others have been saying. But before that you said:

MotoBoat wrote:

Bodofish wrote:Slam dunk you just go the counter and ask them to add it. They print out a new license for you and good to go. This is not rocket science.

Sounds like your saying it is a slam dunk and not rocket science in response to buying a combo after the fact. What is a slam dunk?[/quote]

As for the first question, please see the bolded text below. I realize that incorrect punctuation was used but I still recognize a question from the syntax:

Jay K wrote:I'll e-mail WDFW to see what they say, but I was wondering if anyone's ever upgraded their license to a combo license mid-year. I purchased a freshwater license, but am planning a trip to the coast. Rather than purchasing a separate shellfish license and a saltwater license, I was wondering if they allowed you to pay the difference and "upgrade" to a combo license. Or am I SOL? It was my understanding that it was possible, when I inquired while purchasing my first license a few years back.

Anyone ever accomplish this? Online? In store?

TIA for any useful replies.

So sorry if you felt I was being redundant, like everyone else that added to this post, that's life, live with it.
In a second response to your previous and erroneous statement and to your question.

NO

Sorry, I forgot to add, anyone can add a salt water license anytime you want. If the person at the counter wouldn't let you buy the license, shame on them for missing the sale and then shame on you for falling for it.


As for your last question of the round:
Ever heard of a sport called Basketball? I'm sorry to use an analogy from a fairly unheard of game with only an handful people involved and hidden from prying eyes. A "Slam Dunk" refers to a specific shot that is jamming the basketball through the one of the hoops at either end of the court. When you slam dunk, it's an easy score, no chance of missing.
So to apply the analogy to buying an additional license, all you have to do walk up to the counter and ask, slam dunk, score. It’s just that easy, you can't miss.

Please let me know if I missed anything. This is becoming a bit tedious. This thread is about buying an additional license. All that is required is walking up to the counter, requesting the license and then paying for it. No more analogies, no confusion.

Bodofish. Thanks for your input. I am sure Jayk will find it most helpfull.

Glad to help anytime. Remember it isn't rocket science upgrading a license, just walk up to the counter.

Bodofish wrote:Glad to help anytime. Remember it isn't rocket science upgrading a license, just walk up to the counter.

And, once at the counter. Ask for a combo license after purchasing a freshwater license. It's a "Slam dunk" ..............or is it?

Hey Motobud, Merry Christmas!!! Despite the fact that the answer has been very hard to miss.... written in "Huge" font and colored red. The answer is still NO. I suppose you could go to the counter and buy and additional combo license for which the State would be very grateful. If you asked to magically turn your fresh water into a combo... Still NO.
A combo is a onetime only, no do overs, opportunity. You can buy the Salt license and call it a combo if it makes you feel better. Soooo stop hitting your head on the wall and just go to the counter, tell them what you hope to accomplish and they will sell you all the licenses needed to fulfill your fishing license desires. Easy enough? Better yet.......

My advice going forward is just to buy the full monty, our wildlife program needs the cash!

Merry Christmas!!!

Bodofish wrote:Hey Motobud, Merry Christmas!!! Despite the fact that the answer has been very hard to miss.... written in "Huge" font and colored red. The answer is still NO. I suppose you could go to the counter and buy and additional combo license for which the State would be very grateful. If you asked to magically turn your fresh water into a combo... Still NO.
A combo is a onetime only, no do overs, opportunity. You can buy the Salt license and call it a combo if it makes you feel better. Soooo stop hitting your head on the wall and just go to the counter, tell them what you hope to accomplish and they will sell you all the licenses needed to fulfill your fishing license desires. Easy enough? Better yet.......

My advice going forward is just to buy the full monty, our wildlife program needs the cash!

Merry Christmas!!!

It is nifty that your answer to purchasing a combo license after either purchasing a fresh or saltwater separately is directed at me. But I am not the one needing a combo license. I have my combo fish, as well as hunting licenses galore. JayK was inquiring and I think he is looooong gone. Some of your posts were not clear. For Jay K sake I thought clarification was necessary. I doubt he still needs answers. Again, thanks and Merry X-mas

I'll check and update ya'll if something novel comes up.

Since the licenses expire come March, I'll probably just pickup a combo 2-day pass. It'll be cheaper. Then I'll just buy a combo license for 2012.

I attempted to upgrade to "combo" a couple years back. I had to piece meal it at the higher expense. The 2 day sounds like a good route.

Enjoy the fishing!