Northwest Fishing Reports

Posted: **Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:31 am**

I am thinking about going to this. Is anyone else going?

http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/mar0613a/

March 06, 2013
Contact: Ryan Lothrop, (360) 902-2808
Larry Phillips, (360) 902-2721

South Puget Sound salmon
discussion scheduled March 19

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled a public meeting March 19 in Olympia to discuss this year’s salmon returns and potential fishing seasons in southern Puget Sound.

The meeting is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street S.E., in Olympia.

Those attending the meeting will have an opportunity to talk to fishery managers about the pre-season forecasts and potential recreational salmon fisheries in south Puget Sound, particularly in the Puyallup, Nisqually and Skokomish rivers.

WDFW added the meeting to the salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon, which involves representatives from federal, state and tribal governments and recreational and commercial fishing industries.

A meeting schedule and more information about the salmon season-setting process for Puget Sound, the Columbia River and the Washington coast is available on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/northfalcon/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Posted: **Sat Mar 23, 2013 9:42 pm**

Hi Toni,just wondering if you made it to this and what you learned from the meeting. Thanks,John

Posted: **Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:40 am**

What I learned is that they had this meeting to hear from the bank sports fisher person. (rivers) That in order for them to put more fish in the river they have to balance what is caught in the ocean. I was impressed by all the components that go into making seasons. Most of the outspoken people were talking about the Skokomish River.

They listen to the people to take in what is said. Now I hope they didn't listen to ranters who take up a lot of time to say very little. If some entity asks for something they consider how to get it done.

I feel that a person should come to these meetings if they want to be heard...or write an email. But it is really good to have the 2 sided conversation.

The Skok has some issues that they were trying to make better and they wanted to hear from the people who are there. Mainly it was those who thought many are snagging. So bobber and bait fisherpeople thought their way was the way to stop that. While drift fishers thought that was penalizing them, and the legal enforcement said they had to have positive proof to write people up because it has to go to court. So they (LE) look for intent, like weight on treble hook. They aren't looking at drift fishing people who set the hook hard at a bump. Of course leader length was brought up by the people in the audience.
Now all this is going on because of the small amount of Wild component of Chinook going up that river. The Wild might be snagged (intentionally or unintentionally) causing a higher rate of mortality. Trying to find an answer...circle hooks, short leader length, shorten fishing season.

The Nisqually is being watched because the pinks are starting to go into it.

The Puyallup has 2 tribes netting it and they have asked for more closed and more river area closed so they can work not harassed by the sportsmen who have unsportsmanlike behavior. One person made cussing remarks in the back. What the WDFW was asking is that sportsman would behave better and if you see bad behavior call 911.

Another point was several people seeing illegal behavior and not calling the legal enforcement.

Skok guy were complaining about Indians netting at night and the LE said it is not only Indians doing that. But the Skok guys who were speaking out stopped listening and wouldn't hear that they were saying that LE is trying to catch the night netters. How else would they know they weren't non-indians. One person made what I thought was a derogatory comment about Legal Enforcement doesn't work at night.

So it was an eye opening experience.

But this is only what I saw and remembered of it.
I recommend that as many people who can should go.

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