Accidental chinook catch among pollock is an issue
By Hal Bernton
Seattle Times staff reporter
The Bering Sea trawl fleets last year set a new and unwelcome catch record: Their vessels accidentally snared more than 120,000 chinook salmon as they dropped their nets in pursuit of pollock in North America's biggest seafood harvest.
The chinook are the largest of Pacific salmon, a prized catch in coastal and river harvests in Alaska, Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Last year's big accidental haul by the pollock fleet has prompted Alaska native groups, the Canadian government and conservationists to push for new restrictions on Bering Sea trawl operations.
"It's unbelievable that there is not a cap on the amount of salmon the pollock fleets can kill," said Jon Warrenchuk, a marine scientist with Oceana, a fisheries conservation group. "It's time for action."
The pollock-harvest rules are shaped by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, a group of state, federal and industry officials who are meeting this week in Seattle. Today, they are scheduled to consider several options to reduce the chinook catch, including placing a limit on the chinook harvest that — if reached — would terminate the annual Bering Sea pollock harvest.
It's a high-stakes decision. The pollock harvest yields more than $1 billion worth of fish processed into fillets and other seafood products, and it is a mainstay for Seattle-based trawlers in the Bering Sea.
Seattle trawl operators are hoping they can fend off a cap in favor of other options such as temporary closures of salmon hot spots in the Bering Sea or avoiding fishing in October, when salmon catch rates increase.
"We feel we can achieve the same objectives without that high cost of potentially shutting down the harvest," said Brent Paine, executive director of United Catcher Boats, which represent some Northwest trawlers. "But the pressure is on. This is a really emotional issue."
Chinook form a small fraction of the fish that wind up in the trawl nets, and to discourage fisherman from targeting them, they cannot be sold. Some are given to food banks.
In recent years, the size of this accidental catch has risen, with last year's record chinook catch more than double the 10-year average. Scientists are unsure why the trawl fleet is catching more chinook, which are born in freshwater, then undertake a lengthy migration to feed in the Bering Sea.
Since 2005, researchers have conducted genetic testing of about 1,600 of the trawl-caught chinook to find out where they were from. Initial results indicate that a sizable percentage would have returned to western Alaska, where the chinook are important fish for Alaska natives.
"There's a lot of concern," said David Bill Sr., a Yupik Eskimo leader who came to Seattle to support a salmon cap. "This is our livelihood."
The studies also indicate about 40 percent of the fish caught in a prime summer harvest zone of the Bering Sea would have returned to British Columbia or the Pacific Northwest, according to Jim Seeb, a University of Washington fishery professor who helped conduct the genetic testing.
Those findings have heightened concerns in the Pacific Northwest and California, where chinook are prized by sport, tribal and commercial fishermen. Some chinook stocks are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act and have been the focal point of a lengthy and expensive rebuilding effort.
"For these fish, it does not appear that the trawl harvest is a major factor impeding recovery," said Bill Tweit, a Washington state representative to the Federal Fishery Council. "But that doesn't let us off the hook. You have to address every source of mortality in order to get recovery."
During weekend sessions, the council is expected to select several possible options for limiting the trawl fleet's salmon harvest. A final decision is expected this year.
Hal Bernton: 206-464-2581 or hbernton@seattletimes.com
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Flies for sale!
Steelhead season is winding down but I know you won't forget about it. You can pre-order your flies for next season with me. Just give me a call.I can custom tie just about anything you want from classic spey to moal leeches. I can also get you set up for summer trout and salt flies. Don't hesitate to call. 360-927-4700. The nice photos here are by Ed Megill.
Steelhead don't bite in clear water! Bah humbug!
I got a bit more sleep than I normally do before a trip because I had been out that day and was pretty much ready. The day felt good from the get go and the sun didn't take long to start warming us up and tanning our faces. Randy and Kenn were game for a split tactic of hard nymph drifting and swinging. My plan was to lose flies by getting tight into rip-wrap and log structure and maybe we could pull out a steelhead. There was one guy at the Mosquito Lake launch floating in his pontoon and then we didn't see another boat until almost 2pm. I kept asking myself where all the people were but then I got my answer after talking to some gear fishermen. "You can't catch steelhead when it's this clear." Ah I see, all 
the boats are down on the main stem where the South Fork is coloring up the clear water some.I gave Randy a black and olive moal leech I tied with a chartreuse conehead. Kenn had on a black and purple marabou. Nothing going on the first run we hit except a couple of dead chickens in the middle of the river. Free tying material! Free chicken dinner (couldn't find the spot on my catch record card and they looked like they might wild Nooksack chickens!).
The next run we hit was in beautiful shape and I was pretty sure it would have been overlooked by the previous floater (no offense Tyler). Kenn took the top half and Randy started in on the lower half. About half way down to the tail out I heard a yelp from Randy and he was hooked up strong. She was a fighter! Made several great runs but really had nowhere to go, in fact there couldn't be a much better hole to land a steelhead on as far as being worry free of snags. I was so psyched! Randy played her well and I tailed her. We kept the beautiful chrome wild fish under the water and got a measurement of 27 inches. With the formula (girth of around 14 inches) this fish comes out between 6 and 7 pounds. Thanks Randy for making my day! The rest of the day for Randy was just icing on the cake. Who says steelhead don't bite in clear water?We worked hard to get Kenn a fish as well. There
were a few fishermen at the Eagle Park and down river but not what I expected for a Saturday. The sun was super hot and I was definitely over-dressed for the first day all winter. Chrome on a summer day in February, what more can you ask for? Great job Randy. Kenn will be out with me a couple more times this season so there is still hope for him. Great float with great people!I still have two spots for Wednesday, come on now, it is time to call in sick to work! This is the last week on the Nooksack. Don't you want your own picture like this? I was wishing to float the South Fork this week but I really think it is done for the year. Some huge chunk of clay must have fallen in the river upstream of Skookum because it is way too off color for the flow levels it is at. Sad state of affairs and I think I am going to take a hike in March and figure out why this is happening.
Well, I suppose if nobody wants to go out Wednesday, I will just have to go catch one myself and maybe on a fly rod instead of a kid's rod.
North Fork Nooksack clear clear clear!
Sarah and Glenn hired me for a second trip with a goal of getting Glenn a birthday fish. After Sarah hooked her second dolly varden, I could hear Glenn muttering, "I love her, I love her." I just had to laugh because I know how that goes with fishing partners. I wish my fishing partner was my wife. Glenn knows he has it good! I couldn't ask for two more fun people to have out on the water and I sure wish I could have given Glenn that birthday fish.
The weather is just way too nice. This certainly doesn't feel like steelheading to me. You can see 15 feet to the bottom of the river. Those fish are probably tucked way up under logs and boulders just waiting for the sun to drop a little lower to come out. Fishing at dusk is good on days like these. We fished the river hard today from the hatchery down to Mosquito Lake Road and a couple dolly's rewarded our efforts, an awesome day all in all.
Shakespear Rainbow Rod's, believe it!
The weekend started on Thursday. I took the boys, my 4 year old Addison and my 2 1/2 year olds Owen out to check the clarity on the Nooksack for Friday's float. I knew I shouldn't bring any fishing gear because that wouldn't be fun for them. They wanted to fish so I brought Addison's Zebco and Owen's Shakespear along. We showed up at the river with our picnic and hiked down to an inviting run with an easy beach for them to fish from (not necessarily where I would choose to fish from but easy walking for them).
My eldest son has become quite a fly tyer, tying big flamboyant flies that I might even consider using for steelhead. I rigged him up a float, he picked out one of his flies, and I added enough weight for him to cast. He went to work on the run, casting and swinging the setup having an absolute blast. As I watched him I thought, you know he could catch a fish with that method. For Owen I rigged up a giant washer so he wouldn't hurt himself flinging it around.
After about twenty minutes both boys decided to have lunch. I took Owen's Shakespear Rainbow and rigged up a double glow bug setup with an indicator and started casting. It's hard for a die hard fisherman to be at the water and not fish. I was looking at the run and noticed that there were quite a few rocks downstream about twenty feet and I walked down making sure the boys were happily eating lunch. I cast a few times drifting the rig through the rocks that were two to three feet down in the water. It looked like a great spot.
On the fifth cast the indicator dropped suddenly and I pulled back expecting a snag. Suddenly I had a fish tugging hard at the line. The drag was not set well and I fumbled to adjust the drag on the broken plastic housing of this blue and green close-faced spin reel. The fish ran out into the river and I yelled back at the kids, "Come on down here, I have a fish." Meanwhile, I am saying to myself, "I hope it's a dolly, I hope it's a dolly!" The fish came in easier than I thought it might, but the rod was bent to the hilt. Sure enough it was a steelhead. About a 24 inch wild hen. I only had my camera phone so I did my best to take a quick snap shot keeping it in the water and making sure the kids had a chance to see their first live steelhead. I let Addison grab the tail and slide it out into the main river. Wow! Winston BIIx $600+, Nautilus reel $400, Rio Versa-tip line $125; catching a wild steelhead on your son's Shakespear Rainbow rod, priceless!
My eldest son has become quite a fly tyer, tying big flamboyant flies that I might even consider using for steelhead. I rigged him up a float, he picked out one of his flies, and I added enough weight for him to cast. He went to work on the run, casting and swinging the setup having an absolute blast. As I watched him I thought, you know he could catch a fish with that method. For Owen I rigged up a giant washer so he wouldn't hurt himself flinging it around.
After about twenty minutes both boys decided to have lunch. I took Owen's Shakespear Rainbow and rigged up a double glow bug setup with an indicator and started casting. It's hard for a die hard fisherman to be at the water and not fish. I was looking at the run and noticed that there were quite a few rocks downstream about twenty feet and I walked down making sure the boys were happily eating lunch. I cast a few times drifting the rig through the rocks that were two to three feet down in the water. It looked like a great spot.
On the fifth cast the indicator dropped suddenly and I pulled back expecting a snag. Suddenly I had a fish tugging hard at the line. The drag was not set well and I fumbled to adjust the drag on the broken plastic housing of this blue and green close-faced spin reel. The fish ran out into the river and I yelled back at the kids, "Come on down here, I have a fish." Meanwhile, I am saying to myself, "I hope it's a dolly, I hope it's a dolly!" The fish came in easier than I thought it might, but the rod was bent to the hilt. Sure enough it was a steelhead. About a 24 inch wild hen. I only had my camera phone so I did my best to take a quick snap shot keeping it in the water and making sure the kids had a chance to see their first live steelhead. I let Addison grab the tail and slide it out into the main river. Wow! Winston BIIx $600+, Nautilus reel $400, Rio Versa-tip line $125; catching a wild steelhead on your son's Shakespear Rainbow rod, priceless!
Gary Loomis and CCA coming to Bellingham
Dear Fellow Anglers,
One of the most important things you can do this year for your fishery is come hear Gary Loomis speak on March 11. In February, my wife and I drove to Mt. Vernon to hear Gary speak on behalf of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and for sport fishermen. It's not too late to save our fishery and CCA offers a proven track record, system and method that will enable us to save one of our most treasured resources and pastimes. This is a call to action and a call for support. Gary's talk is enlightening, motivating and entertaining. Please join me at this free informational speech. Bring your friends and your family and let us pack the house!
Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Bloedel Donovan Park Multi-Purpose Gymnasium
Who: Anyone who is concerned about our fishery
Questions: Jason@angleronthefly.com
Jason Cross 360.927.4700
Sincerely,
Jason Cross
Angler on the Fly
(CCA press release below)
Anglers Organize for Coastal Conservation
Gary Loomis to give informational talks about Coastal Conservation Association chapters in the Pacific Northwest
VANCOUVER, WA - The fast-growing Pacific Northwest chapters of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) continue their membership recruiting drive with a series of information sessions by PNW Chairman Gary Loomis. Just 11 months after a handful of concerned anglers brought CCA to the Northwest, membership exceeds 4,000 and shows no signs of slowing.
"CCA is a grassroots advocacy organization, not a fishing club, and that makes it different from most groups in the country," said Matt Kayser, Executive Director of CCA PNW. "Our members are getting involved to change the future of fisheries in the Northwest. That is the strength of CCA."
Frustrated sports anglers are "refusing to let wild salmon populations disappear forever at the hands of commercial gillnetters," said Matt Olson, president of CCA Washington.
"Gary Loomis deserves much of the credit for bringing CCA to Washington and Oregon. He has been tireless in spreading the message and he has the visibility and charisma to draw attention to this issue," said David Cummins, CCA president.
"The plight of salmon is really motivating people by the hundreds to get involved in CCA. We have rarely seen this degree of frustration with a fishery and its management. People here know what is at stake and they are ready to do whatever they have to do to fix the situation."
CCA is the largest marine resource conservation group in the country, with more than 100,000 members in 17 state chapters along the Gulf, Atlantic, and Pacific coasts.
Hear Gary Loomis, Tuesday, March 11 at 6:30 PM
Bellingham, WA
Event and raffle hosted by Angler on the Fly
Bloedel Donovan Park Multi-Purpose Gymnasium
2214 Electric Avenue
Contact: Jason Cross 360-927-4700
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Gary Loomis and CCA coming to Bellingham
Dear Fellow Anglers,
One of the most important things you can do this year for your fishery is come hear Gary Loomis speak on March 11. In February, my wife and I drove to Mt. Vernon to hear Gary speak on behalf of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and for sport fishermen. It's not too late to save our fishery and CCA offers a proven track record, system and method that will enable us to save one of our most treasured resources and pastimes. This is a call to action and a call for support. Gary's talk is enlightening, motivating and entertaining. Please join me at this free informational speech. Bring your friends and your family and let us pack the house!
Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Bloedel Donovan Park Multi-Purpose Gymnasium
Who: Anyone who is concerned about our fishery
Questions: Jason@angleronthefly.com
Jason Cross 360.927.4700
Sincerely,
Jason Cross
Angler on the Fly
(CCA press release below)
Anglers Organize for Coastal Conservation
Gary Loomis to give informational talks about Coastal Conservation Association chapters in the Pacific Northwest
VANCOUVER, WA - The fast-growing Pacific Northwest chapters of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) continue their membership recruiting drive with a series of information sessions by PNW Chairman Gary Loomis. Just 11 months after a handful of concerned anglers brought CCA to the Northwest, membership exceeds 4,000 and shows no signs of slowing.
"CCA is a grassroots advocacy organization, not a fishing club, and that makes it different from most groups in the country," said Matt Kayser, Executive Director of CCA PNW. "Our members are getting involved to change the future of fisheries in the Northwest. That is the strength of CCA."
Frustrated sports anglers are "refusing to let wild salmon populations disappear forever at the hands of commercial gillnetters," said Matt Olson, president of CCA Washington.
"Gary Loomis deserves much of the credit for bringing CCA to Washington and Oregon. He has been tireless in spreading the message and he has the visibility and charisma to draw attention to this issue," said David Cummins, CCA president.
"The plight of salmon is really motivating people by the hundreds to get involved in CCA. We have rarely seen this degree of frustration with a fishery and its management. People here know what is at stake and they are ready to do whatever they have to do to fix the situation."
CCA is the largest marine resource conservation group in the country, with more than 100,000 members in 17 state chapters along the Gulf, Atlantic, and Pacific coasts.
Hear Gary Loomis, Tuesday, March 11 at 6:30 PM
Bellingham, WA
Event and raffle hosted by Angler on the Fly
Bloedel Donovan Park Multi-Purpose Gymnasium
2214 Electric Avenue
Contact: Jason Cross 360-927-4700
Monday, February 18, 2008
Portaging the North Fork
Well, I guess the word never really got to me about the trees below the hatchery. Now that I mention it to my friends, they say, "Oh, you haven't floated that section in a while." Yeah, it was early December when I last put in at the hatchery. I drove my rig up instead of down to Kendall Creek. That was my first mistake.
Or was it......we landed 4 beautiful 17 inch dolly varden. Everyone else seemed to have had less fish that day so maybe we payed our dues. Jim got his Grandson Jake a trip for Christmas. Now this kid can fish! He is 9 years old and casting a fly rod better than most 11 or 12 year olds. He had the biggest fish and biggest smile. Nice 17 and a half inch dolly varden Jake. It was great to run into a pod of char after not seeing that many all winter. Thanks Jim and Jake for a great day and sorry about those portages!
It is truly amazing how much this river can change. More swinging water is available on this upper section now but a lot of it is shallow and fast. The lower part of this float spreads out and gets really flat and braided. An exploration on foot would be good in this section. 
I couldn't even find the area where I landed a 12 lb native last season. The hatchery area is still the most crowded with people, but once you get around the s turn big rock bend you at least have the right bank to yourself. What a beautiful float with interesting geological features. When you get a beautiful day out there it rejuvenates your sole. What a gem this river is, lets keep it this way.
What I am talking about here is the amount of fishing line I pulled off the bank and trees. Now, I have nothing against gear fishing, but everything I found was from gear setups. Check out the picture below.
I have seen plenty of fly fishermen clipping line and letting it drop in the river or on the ground. I have dropped a few pieces of mono, but I try not to. What is so hard about putting all your clippings in your pockets and picking up your line mess off the shore? Just do it. Nobody wants it there, think about it, not even the guys who drop it like seeing it there later. Those who litter must not care about their river. This picture is just a tiny portion of what is out there. Enough about this trash, lets just clean it up, I will. Jake, the nine year old, asked me "Why do people leave their line out here?" I said, "I just don't know Jake, but we won't leave it here."
Or was it......we landed 4 beautiful 17 inch dolly varden. Everyone else seemed to have had less fish that day so maybe we payed our dues. Jim got his Grandson Jake a trip for Christmas. Now this kid can fish! He is 9 years old and casting a fly rod better than most 11 or 12 year olds. He had the biggest fish and biggest smile. Nice 17 and a half inch dolly varden Jake. It was great to run into a pod of char after not seeing that many all winter. Thanks Jim and Jake for a great day and sorry about those portages!
It is truly amazing how much this river can change. More swinging water is available on this upper section now but a lot of it is shallow and fast. The lower part of this float spreads out and gets really flat and braided. An exploration on foot would be good in this section. 
I couldn't even find the area where I landed a 12 lb native last season. The hatchery area is still the most crowded with people, but once you get around the s turn big rock bend you at least have the right bank to yourself. What a beautiful float with interesting geological features. When you get a beautiful day out there it rejuvenates your sole. What a gem this river is, lets keep it this way.What I am talking about here is the amount of fishing line I pulled off the bank and trees. Now, I have nothing against gear fishing, but everything I found was from gear setups. Check out the picture below.
I have seen plenty of fly fishermen clipping line and letting it drop in the river or on the ground. I have dropped a few pieces of mono, but I try not to. What is so hard about putting all your clippings in your pockets and picking up your line mess off the shore? Just do it. Nobody wants it there, think about it, not even the guys who drop it like seeing it there later. Those who litter must not care about their river. This picture is just a tiny portion of what is out there. Enough about this trash, lets just clean it up, I will. Jake, the nine year old, asked me "Why do people leave their line out here?" I said, "I just don't know Jake, but we won't leave it here."
South Fork Nooksack float
We put in above Saxon Road on Friday, February 15th. The flows had dropped so much, I was sure that there would be some clarity. The morning saw about 15 inches of clarity but a nice level. I like to have at least two feet to give me real confidence. Large dark flies had to be the ticket to summon up a strike. Second run down, we were really focusing on the dangle when Hal got the tug. Unfortunately, he was looking up river at the time, but he was working the fly back and forth at the dangle. This is a great thing to do when you are the first one through a run and especially if the water clarity is off. Give those fish something to think about, make sure they see it.
That was the only tug of the day. Jon, Bill and Hal fished hard in some great looking water. Clarity increased to about 21 inches by late afternoon. The rains set in and I am sure it was off again for Saturday. I just got a report that the clarity was still poor on Sunday. The South Fork didn't used to be this way. It was interesting fishing with Bill. He was taught fly tying by the late Syd Glasso, steelhead guru of the OP, famous for his spey flies such as the Orange Heron and Sol Duc Spey. Great people on a great river, a high quality day.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Skagit/Sauk Rivers to remain open through March!
Skagit River system steelhead rules change
Action: The Skagit, Sauk, and Cascade rivers and Fisher Slough will go to the selective gear rules, release all fish, except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day, beginning Feb. 16, 2008.
Effective date: Feb.16, 2008 through various dates - see Locations and Restrictions.
Species affected: Steelhead and all other game fish.
Locations and Restrictions:
Skagit River
From mouth upstream to the Memorial Highway Bridge (Highway 536 at Mt. Vernon) effective February 16 until May 31. Selective gear rules apply, internal combustion motors allowed. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
From Memorial Highway Bridge (Highway 536 at Mt. Vernon) upstream to Gilligan Creek effective February 16 until March 15 (closed March 16 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply, internal combustion motors allowed. Release all fish, except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
From Gilligan Creek to Dalles Bridge at Concrete effective February 16 until March 15 (closed March 16 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply, internal combustion motors allowed. Release all fish, except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
From the Dalles Bridge at Concrete to the Highway 530 Bridge at Rockport effective February 16 until March 31(closed April 1 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply, internal combustion motors allowed. Release all fish, except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
From the Highway 530 Bridge at Rockport to the Cascade River effective February 16 until March 31(closed April 1 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply, internal combustion motors allowed. Unlawful to fish from a floating device while under power. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
From Cascade River to Gorge Powerhouse (Dam) effective February 16 until March 15 (closed March 16 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply, internal combustion motors allowed. Unlawful to fish from a floating device while under power. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
Sauk River
From mouth to the Darrington Bridge effective February 16 until March 31 (closed April 1 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
From the Darrington Bridge to Whitechuck River effective February 16 until February 29 (closed March 1 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
Cascade River
From mouth upstream (entire river) effective February 16 until February 29 (closed March 1 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
Fisher Slough
From mouth to Highway 530 Bridge effective February 16 until May 31. Selective gear rules apply. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
Other Information: The definition of selective gear rules can be found on page 26 of the 2007/2008 Fishing in Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.
A Hatchery Steelhead is defined as: A steelhead with a clipped adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar at the location of the clipped fin.
Reason for action: The preseason forecast for Skagit River wild winter steelhead returning and spawning this winter and spring (2008) is 5,061 fish, the basin’s escapement goal is 6,000 fish. The spawning escapement last spring (2007) was 4,113 fish. We anticipate the 2007/2008 winter steelhead run to be the second year in a row the basin will be underescaped, therefore these measures are being implemented to limit impacts to the wild run and assist in recovery efforts. Puget Sound steelhead were formally listed under the federal Endangered Species Act in May 2007.
Information contact: Brett Barkdull, District 14 fish biologist, 360-466-4345 - ext. 270; Bob Leland, Steelhead Program Manager, 360-902-2817; Annette Hoffmann, Region 4 Fish Program Manager, 425-775-1311- ext. 120
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.
Action: The Skagit, Sauk, and Cascade rivers and Fisher Slough will go to the selective gear rules, release all fish, except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day, beginning Feb. 16, 2008.
Effective date: Feb.16, 2008 through various dates - see Locations and Restrictions.
Species affected: Steelhead and all other game fish.
Locations and Restrictions:
Skagit River
From mouth upstream to the Memorial Highway Bridge (Highway 536 at Mt. Vernon) effective February 16 until May 31. Selective gear rules apply, internal combustion motors allowed. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
From Memorial Highway Bridge (Highway 536 at Mt. Vernon) upstream to Gilligan Creek effective February 16 until March 15 (closed March 16 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply, internal combustion motors allowed. Release all fish, except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
From Gilligan Creek to Dalles Bridge at Concrete effective February 16 until March 15 (closed March 16 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply, internal combustion motors allowed. Release all fish, except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
From the Dalles Bridge at Concrete to the Highway 530 Bridge at Rockport effective February 16 until March 31(closed April 1 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply, internal combustion motors allowed. Release all fish, except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
From the Highway 530 Bridge at Rockport to the Cascade River effective February 16 until March 31(closed April 1 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply, internal combustion motors allowed. Unlawful to fish from a floating device while under power. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
From Cascade River to Gorge Powerhouse (Dam) effective February 16 until March 15 (closed March 16 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply, internal combustion motors allowed. Unlawful to fish from a floating device while under power. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
Sauk River
From mouth to the Darrington Bridge effective February 16 until March 31 (closed April 1 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
From the Darrington Bridge to Whitechuck River effective February 16 until February 29 (closed March 1 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
Cascade River
From mouth upstream (entire river) effective February 16 until February 29 (closed March 1 through May 31). Selective gear rules apply. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
Fisher Slough
From mouth to Highway 530 Bridge effective February 16 until May 31. Selective gear rules apply. Release all fish except up to two hatchery steelhead may be retained per day.
Other Information: The definition of selective gear rules can be found on page 26 of the 2007/2008 Fishing in Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.
A Hatchery Steelhead is defined as: A steelhead with a clipped adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar at the location of the clipped fin.
Reason for action: The preseason forecast for Skagit River wild winter steelhead returning and spawning this winter and spring (2008) is 5,061 fish, the basin’s escapement goal is 6,000 fish. The spawning escapement last spring (2007) was 4,113 fish. We anticipate the 2007/2008 winter steelhead run to be the second year in a row the basin will be underescaped, therefore these measures are being implemented to limit impacts to the wild run and assist in recovery efforts. Puget Sound steelhead were formally listed under the federal Endangered Species Act in May 2007.
Information contact: Brett Barkdull, District 14 fish biologist, 360-466-4345 - ext. 270; Bob Leland, Steelhead Program Manager, 360-902-2817; Annette Hoffmann, Region 4 Fish Program Manager, 425-775-1311- ext. 120
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Kudos to Nooksack Tribal Enforcement
On Wednesday, February 6th, Ed Megill and I met Nooksack Tribal Enforcement officer Mike Hammell for some coffee. At the meeting we provided Mike with 8 GPS coordinates for derelict gill nets between Hwy 9 and Nugent's Corner on the Nooksack River. We expressed our concern for these nets and especially for two that would be endangering wild steelhead if the rivers were to come up again.
Mike listened and told us he would see what he could do. The next day I received a call from Officer Hammell. He said that he and his boss were gearing up to go out and remove nets with a jet sled. Later that afternoon (March 7), Officer Hammell reported having removed six of the eight nets and that they would go back out the next day to get the other two.
You can only imagine how excited I am by this course of action. Nothing speaks better than action. What can we all learn from this? Sitting down for a one on one, making the extra effort, and doing your part will all pay off to make this a better fishery for everyone. Thank you Officer Mike Hammell and Nooksack Tribal Enforcement.
I know there are other derelict nets out there on sections of the river that I don't fish regularly. If you see one, take the time to GPS its location and report it. If you don't have a GPS, let me know where it is and I will get it GPS'd.
I like what Ed had to say in the last blog entry. Joining CCA is so important for anyone who cares about our fisheries. Please come and hear Gary Loomis speak on March 11. I will have a location this week.
Mike listened and told us he would see what he could do. The next day I received a call from Officer Hammell. He said that he and his boss were gearing up to go out and remove nets with a jet sled. Later that afternoon (March 7), Officer Hammell reported having removed six of the eight nets and that they would go back out the next day to get the other two.
You can only imagine how excited I am by this course of action. Nothing speaks better than action. What can we all learn from this? Sitting down for a one on one, making the extra effort, and doing your part will all pay off to make this a better fishery for everyone. Thank you Officer Mike Hammell and Nooksack Tribal Enforcement.
I know there are other derelict nets out there on sections of the river that I don't fish regularly. If you see one, take the time to GPS its location and report it. If you don't have a GPS, let me know where it is and I will get it GPS'd.
I like what Ed had to say in the last blog entry. Joining CCA is so important for anyone who cares about our fisheries. Please come and hear Gary Loomis speak on March 11. I will have a location this week.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Save our Fisheries! by Ed Megill
The Nooksack River Valley is an awesome place; one you could spend a lifetime exploring. I am out as much as I can be and many times with my good friend, Jason, a local guide here. But, when you are out there frequently, you see a lot of nets.
Being relatively new to the area, but not to fishing, we came up with a significant number of questions about those nets. Jason contacted Nooksack Tribal Enforcement to obtain information about Tribal netting activities, laws governing such, how, where, when, etc. Through that contact, good information was gathered.
We had also met up with a Washington Fish and Wildlife officer, checking licenses. We retained her card as a potential resource.
Having some basic knowledge on Tribal netting law, we began to call in nets which we knew to be illegally placed as well as abandoned, derelict nets. There has been some effort in response to our reports, but certainly not enough.
On a call to report an abandoned net, Nooksack Tribal Enforcement told Jason that if we could provide GPS coordinates for the net locations, it would make it easier for them to be found.
Prior to getting out with the GPS, Jason was guiding a trip and called to tell me he had just found a net, pulled onto river left, containing 18 dead and completely wasted fish. Six were hatchery steelhead. I was completely stunned.
This came at a time when the North Fork above Mosquito Lake Road had been closed to fishing due to low returns at the Kendall Creek Hatchery as they only had three steelhead back. Yes, three.
This net was originally spotted on 12/21/2007 and reported to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on 12/23/2007 as well as Nooksack Tribal Enforcement the following week. The name of the netter and his associated number were provided in both reports.
On 12/28/2007, on a subsequent guided trip, Jason discovered this net was still there along with a aluminum John boat wrapped on the bridge pilings just downstream. A new net, that had obviously fallen out of the boat, was hung up mid-river downstream of the boat. Photos of the boat with hull numbers and “new” net location were provided to Nooksack Tribal Enforcement on the evening of 12/28/2007. On Jason’s next guide trip on 12/30/2007, Jason noted that the boat had been removed yet the derelict net remained in mid-river.
On 1/9/2008, Constantine, another fishing buddy of ours, and I obtained the GPS coordinates of this net as well as for seven other derelict nets.
I called U.S. Fish and Wildlife thinking maybe we were just not getting to the right person. It seemed to me that Tribal would fall under Federal jurisdiction rather than State; however, I was referred back to WDFW, Mill Creek.
The locations of these eight derelict nets were provided via email to WDFW on 1/10/2008. I did not receive a reply of confirmation of receipt of this email; so, I left a message for one of our local WDFW enforcement officers. At a point when I was set to call again, I received a call from a WDFW enforcement officer. Conversation was had. The email apparently did not get forwarded to him; so, the GPS coordinates were provided directly to him on 1/29/2008.
The nets are still there as of February 1, 2008.
The worst part is that this net, with the 18 dead fish, will begin working again at a flow of approximately 5000cfs at the Cedarville station.
At that point, it will begin killing wild steelhead.
We will continue to follow up on this terrible problem to make sure that one way or another, these nets come off the river.
But, this leads to me to a point. I think we can all agree on one thing: our very favorite resource is in big trouble and, right now, we are on the very short end of the stick.
My wife and I are members of the Coastal Conservation Association (www.CCA-PNW.com) as well as other fine, problem-focused organizations. CCA is an exceptional organization though. They are an intelligent bunch with a proven track record in fishery’s recovery. They will formulate a solid plan and take action. I saw, first hand, the dramatic and positive difference CCA made for the Gulf Coast. My friends’ children will have fish to catch down there. Will yours here?
So, whether it’s CCA-PNW, WSC, NSEA, CREP it all matters…a lot. They are working hard to try to protect and improve the resource we love.
However, on the core issues here, we must absolutely band and stick together…period. The bottom line though is that YOU have to do your part; get educated, get involved and stay involved. If you don’t have time, give money.
Gary Loomis will be here on March 11th, 2008 to speak about our Pacific Northwest fisheries and CCA-PNW efforts; and, what you as an individual, can do about it. The location of this venue will be announced here in the near future.
Special thanks goes to Jason as a great mentor and for the use of his raft in obtaining the GPS coordinates. He has volunteered to be the interim President for a Whatcom County CCA chapter. This fine person certainly has my vote.
Thanks for reading. Let’s start working on getting this fixed. See you out there.
Ed Megill
emegill@cablespeed.com
360-303-7409
Being relatively new to the area, but not to fishing, we came up with a significant number of questions about those nets. Jason contacted Nooksack Tribal Enforcement to obtain information about Tribal netting activities, laws governing such, how, where, when, etc. Through that contact, good information was gathered.
We had also met up with a Washington Fish and Wildlife officer, checking licenses. We retained her card as a potential resource.
Having some basic knowledge on Tribal netting law, we began to call in nets which we knew to be illegally placed as well as abandoned, derelict nets. There has been some effort in response to our reports, but certainly not enough.
On a call to report an abandoned net, Nooksack Tribal Enforcement told Jason that if we could provide GPS coordinates for the net locations, it would make it easier for them to be found.
Prior to getting out with the GPS, Jason was guiding a trip and called to tell me he had just found a net, pulled onto river left, containing 18 dead and completely wasted fish. Six were hatchery steelhead. I was completely stunned.
This came at a time when the North Fork above Mosquito Lake Road had been closed to fishing due to low returns at the Kendall Creek Hatchery as they only had three steelhead back. Yes, three.
This net was originally spotted on 12/21/2007 and reported to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on 12/23/2007 as well as Nooksack Tribal Enforcement the following week. The name of the netter and his associated number were provided in both reports.
On 12/28/2007, on a subsequent guided trip, Jason discovered this net was still there along with a aluminum John boat wrapped on the bridge pilings just downstream. A new net, that had obviously fallen out of the boat, was hung up mid-river downstream of the boat. Photos of the boat with hull numbers and “new” net location were provided to Nooksack Tribal Enforcement on the evening of 12/28/2007. On Jason’s next guide trip on 12/30/2007, Jason noted that the boat had been removed yet the derelict net remained in mid-river.
On 1/9/2008, Constantine, another fishing buddy of ours, and I obtained the GPS coordinates of this net as well as for seven other derelict nets.
I called U.S. Fish and Wildlife thinking maybe we were just not getting to the right person. It seemed to me that Tribal would fall under Federal jurisdiction rather than State; however, I was referred back to WDFW, Mill Creek.
The locations of these eight derelict nets were provided via email to WDFW on 1/10/2008. I did not receive a reply of confirmation of receipt of this email; so, I left a message for one of our local WDFW enforcement officers. At a point when I was set to call again, I received a call from a WDFW enforcement officer. Conversation was had. The email apparently did not get forwarded to him; so, the GPS coordinates were provided directly to him on 1/29/2008.
The nets are still there as of February 1, 2008.
The worst part is that this net, with the 18 dead fish, will begin working again at a flow of approximately 5000cfs at the Cedarville station.
At that point, it will begin killing wild steelhead.
We will continue to follow up on this terrible problem to make sure that one way or another, these nets come off the river.
But, this leads to me to a point. I think we can all agree on one thing: our very favorite resource is in big trouble and, right now, we are on the very short end of the stick.
My wife and I are members of the Coastal Conservation Association (www.CCA-PNW.com) as well as other fine, problem-focused organizations. CCA is an exceptional organization though. They are an intelligent bunch with a proven track record in fishery’s recovery. They will formulate a solid plan and take action. I saw, first hand, the dramatic and positive difference CCA made for the Gulf Coast. My friends’ children will have fish to catch down there. Will yours here?
So, whether it’s CCA-PNW, WSC, NSEA, CREP it all matters…a lot. They are working hard to try to protect and improve the resource we love.
However, on the core issues here, we must absolutely band and stick together…period. The bottom line though is that YOU have to do your part; get educated, get involved and stay involved. If you don’t have time, give money.
Gary Loomis will be here on March 11th, 2008 to speak about our Pacific Northwest fisheries and CCA-PNW efforts; and, what you as an individual, can do about it. The location of this venue will be announced here in the near future.
Special thanks goes to Jason as a great mentor and for the use of his raft in obtaining the GPS coordinates. He has volunteered to be the interim President for a Whatcom County CCA chapter. This fine person certainly has my vote.
Thanks for reading. Let’s start working on getting this fixed. See you out there.
Ed Megill
emegill@cablespeed.com
360-303-7409
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Fly Fishing Show in Bellevue
I spent the day in Bellevue at the Fly Fishing Show working the booth for Emerald Waters. It was a good time and it was great to meet people and make a bunch of connections. My favorite part of the show was what I called "stud row". This was a row of famous fly tyers showing off their skills. I slowly moved my way down the row picking up interesting info and watching these masters at work. It was amazing, especially Harry Lemire. Harry sat there tying perfect, beautiful spey flies without a vise! Yes, without a vise.
At 4:15pm an English casting guru by the name of Simon Gawesworth gave an amazing casting demonstration on spey and two handed casting. He did most of the casts with a single-handed rod because of limited space. My eyes were wide throughout the demonstration. I came away with ammo to improve my instructing ability and with ammo to improve my personal spey casting which I have fallen in love with this year. Next season I will be carrying spey rods on a regular basis and giving basic spey casting instruction. I can't wait to pick up a switch rod that will work well for the North and South Forks. The name switch rod is really an incorrect title for these rods. When they are loaded properly for spey casting, especially winter fishing with heavy grain heads, they are a mini spey rod. Well, not so mini because many are 10.5 to 12.5 feet in length. When loaded for spey these rods can't be used to suddenly cast single handed much more than a regular spey rod. If you change lines then they can be used single handed albeit not entirely fun.
If you went to the show. Post something cool that you saw or learned there. It's not too late there is still one more day to go.
At 4:15pm an English casting guru by the name of Simon Gawesworth gave an amazing casting demonstration on spey and two handed casting. He did most of the casts with a single-handed rod because of limited space. My eyes were wide throughout the demonstration. I came away with ammo to improve my instructing ability and with ammo to improve my personal spey casting which I have fallen in love with this year. Next season I will be carrying spey rods on a regular basis and giving basic spey casting instruction. I can't wait to pick up a switch rod that will work well for the North and South Forks. The name switch rod is really an incorrect title for these rods. When they are loaded properly for spey casting, especially winter fishing with heavy grain heads, they are a mini spey rod. Well, not so mini because many are 10.5 to 12.5 feet in length. When loaded for spey these rods can't be used to suddenly cast single handed much more than a regular spey rod. If you change lines then they can be used single handed albeit not entirely fun.
If you went to the show. Post something cool that you saw or learned there. It's not too late there is still one more day to go.
Float Fly Fishing the Nooksack
I had the pleasure of floating the Nooksack with Brady on Friday. We had first hand reports from good friends of multiple fish landed and good conditions. We floated from Mosquito Lake Road to Nugents Corner and encountered crystal clear water on the North Fork. Some of the water looked really good even as low as it is but produced nothing for us. The mainstem had perfect clarity with the addition of the tainted South Fork. We could sense a fish on each cast but never felt the tug. The clay banks were dropping some serious color into the river and we should have spent more time up above. We did see two fish that we floated over and some of the jet sleds fishing gear caught fish. You know February is here when the main stem starts to get busy with jet boats. If you can get out there, go early and hit your run before the jet boats take over your hole.
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