Northwest Fishing Reports

Here is link to a very interesting and disturbing article by John Beath. Apparently, we fisherman need to be a little more tight-lipped about the shakers and wild fish we are catching when talking to the fish checkers. It appears since these are considered an "encounter", they count against the quota. It is a Short article, and it would be interesting to get other's thoughts. I find it quite irritating.

http://salmonchronicles.com/2016/02/07/ ... omment-558

I've been told it really doesn't matter if you keep the tight lipped route or not. They have some math formula where they take the number of boats that return to the launch and the number of people on those boats ... followed by some insane average of encounters each boat on average should have.

My favorite fishing shop or local kryptonite location (I say that because I can't drive past the place... I have to stop and spend money regardless - sad part is the fact is the store is a hop and a skip from my house.... not good). One of the employees suggested that people not tell the counters about the undersized/wilds as it counts as bycatch or bye bye opportunities to catch. Right behind me was a volunteer counter and the guy blurts. It doesn't matter if you tell us or not. We mark the number of boats and the number of people on those boats. The people in the home office take those numbers and work some funny math.

Then I asked a counter up in Everett if that is what pretty much happens and ..... he said... I won't say yes and I won't say no... and nodded his head yes as he was saying it.

Unfortunate!

So I have heard a few guys, " I was not fishing" wonder if that works? It is sad in this day and age we have to use algorithms to figure out salmon encounters and close seasons over it. Wonder how many sub legal fish seals eat or netting boats catch...do they stop them. I am all for conservation but fairness to all who fish the same waters no matter who or what your are. Close area means CLOSED to ALL!

For me my answer will be sorry I WAS NOT FISHING, final answer.

The whole reason for this is because they have allowed the fishery to get so bad that they have to count each individual fish. There is no room for error.

Our fisheries are being managed into extinction.

Hunter757 wrote: I am all for conservation but fairness to all who fish the same waters no matter who or what your are. Close area means CLOSED to ALL!

For me my answer will be sorry I WAS NOT FISHING, final answer.

Fairness in our current system is impossible: As a guy once explained, Fish management in this state is like playing poker. WDFW is forced to deal three aces right off the bat to the Tribes; 1 ACE= Federal Protection, 2 Ace= Mandated Treaty Rights, 3 Ace = Sovereign Nation Status. Add to that Political cronyism, campaign donation corruption and ...well...you get the picture.

Unfortunately, if the current trend continues, "sorry I WAS NOT FISHING" will be the final answer, as all Washington State sports fishermen will have planter trout and sand dabs as our only "Opportunity".

North of Falcon is fast approaching. MAKE SURE TO ATTEND. AND DON"T SIT QUIETLY BY AND WATCH THE PONY SHOW. SPEAK UP. ASK THE QUESTIONS. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.