No salmon fishing in PUget Sound?

[Larry3215]

Depending on your boat and the weather, you can still fish the ocean or the Columbia river. Those are likely to be very short seasons though and probably very crowded.

You can also fish for ling cod, halibut and rock fish - but again those are limited seasons and areas and will likely be very crowded. Also, you can't fish for rock fish anywhere inside Puget Sound - just limited areas in the straight and on the ocean. There are still a few lings available each year inside Puget Sound but not many. Halibut are pretty much nonexistent except in the straight or ocean.

Im almost ashamed to go ling fishing inside the sound or in most of the straight any more. Those fish are rapidly going the way of the rock fish inside. Halibut are moving in that direction too.

[sickbayer]

yeah and I just paid 88 bucks for combo license with everything. I almost regret it.

[BARCHASER10]

I just posted a report on Sekiu trip, Thurs to Sunday. Two rods my boat, three Chinooks, not too good on the Bfish though. 6-7 boats fishing salmon and all did about the same for their stay, 2-3 fish per boat. Still have until next Saturday for Chinooks, may be last chance this year anywhere around here.

I'm going over to Sekiu tomorrow for four days. Why not? Prob my last chance to use my boat for Salmon this year unless I decide to take another trip to Ucluelet or maybe the Columbia for URBs which will be really crowded. Try for bottomfish in MA 4 if the wind isn't too bad. Made a reser at Olsons yesterday and the guy there claims the Blackmouth fishing is pretty good. Their website shows some fish. I need to use up the gas in the tank from last Fall.

[BARCHASER10]

Combined statement by several rec/fishing groups including CCA, Marine Trade Asso and PS Anglers. Basically says that NOF is a dead duck that doesn't work anymore. Maybe this should be a federal process.. period. I don't like that idea either but what we have now doesn't work anymore.

http://skunkbayweather.com/NOF%20Press%20Release.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Larry3215]

No way it can work if one side plays dirty tricks.

Im beginning to think maybe we should just close it ALL down for a few years - commercial and tribes especially.

Your Sekiu report is a perfect example of why. You caught 3 fish in 4 days - and that was GOOD fishing!

[BARCHASER10]

In a perfect world, I would agree to your proposed shutdown for a few years. But I am afraid of the tribes. Not all the tribes, there are around 20 with treaty rights but the Mukleshoots and Puyallups are the most aggressive and seem to have control. They basically want us off the water. Our Coho problem is mostly due to reduced feed as a result of the warm water blob, El Nino etc. We are going into a La Nina cycle now which should hopefully mean colder water, more feed and better Coho runs. We should have had a much reduced PS Chinook fishery to at least keep some momentum and protect our rights. Otherwise, sport salmon fishing around here is gone. Besides, the tribal commercial fishery would never agree to a shutdown. I'm betting one way or another, there will be tribal nets out there this summer, while we sit on the beach. Trouble with sports we spend a lot of time fighting with each other.

[Bodofish]

So if you want to fish, start by applying pressure in the right places.

Go here: http://www.ccawashington.org/home Then click on the action center button and send some messages to your legislators and our Governor.

It's a worthy join, they help to look out for us.

[Larry3215]

Just saw this on the OutDoor line. Looks like NOAA is out to screw us over. They have said they will expedite the tribes application and delay WDFW application unless WDFW caves to the tribes.

http://www.theoutdoorline.com/forum/vie ... f=8&t=2800" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Gonefishing]

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

April 27, 2016
Contact: Ron Warren, (360) 902-2799
WDFW, tribes again call off talks
on Puget Sound salmon fisheries

OLYMPIA – After additional discussions Wednesday, state and tribal fishery managers did not reach an agreement for this year's Puget Sound salmon-fishing seasons.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and treaty tribes separately will continue to seek federal permits necessary for holding marine and fresh water fisheries in Puget Sound, where some fish stocks are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.

"We had one last round of negotiations in hopes of ensuring salmon seasons in Puget Sound this year," said Jim Unsworth, director of WDFW. "Regrettably, we could not agree on fisheries that were acceptable to both parties."
The department proposed salmon fisheries that allowed anglers to harvest chinook while protecting coho, which are expected to return in low numbers this year. The state's proposed fisheries met conservation goals that WDFW and the tribes had previously agreed upon, Unsworth said.

State fishery managers are uncertain whether the department will receive the necessary permit in time to hold salmon fisheries in Puget Sound through much of the season.
WDFW and the tribes typically secure a federal permit together for holding Puget Sound salmon fisheries. State and tribal fishery managers did not reach agreement during the annual season-setting process, which concluded in mid-April. Further talks last week were also unsuccessful.

Unsworth said he is hopeful the state and tribes can work together in the future to develop plans to bolster salmon stocks as well as improve the season-setting process.

"We want to work with the tribes to address long-term resource management concerns, such as restoring habitat and increasing hatchery fish production," Unsworth said. "The breakdown in this year's negotiations demonstrates the need for a change to the process of setting salmon-fishing seasons."

Absent an agreement, all non-tribal commercial and recreational Puget Sound salmon fisheries, including Marine Area 13 and year-round fishing piers around Puget Sound, will close May 1 to salmon fishing until further notice.

Any updates on Puget Sound salmon-fishing seasons will be posted to WDFW's webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/northfalcon/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, where summaries of this year's salmon fisheries for the Columbia River, Washington's ocean waters and north coastal rivers can be found.

I want a refund on my salt water license if Puget stays closed.

[sickbayer]

So the rivers will be netted then.?

[Larry3215]

Sounds like it. But no river seasons for us.

Time to start writing our bought and paid for representatives and NOAA.

[sickbayer]

Well that is a bit discriminatory IMO. I wonder how many people are not going to buy a salt water license this year? Maybe this is the year that us sport fishermen collectively join the fight. This could get nasty I reckon.

[Larry3215]

We better get in the fight or we will loose even bigger than we have already.

[18ftTrophy]

Maybe we should boycott also the Mukleshoots and Puyallups business enterprises! hit them in the pocket books!!!!

[Larry3215]

Apparently the guy running this at NOAA is the same ass who used to be head of WDFW back when. The same one who let the bottom draggers wipe out the rock and bottom fish in the sound and helps the WFC at every turn by screwing up his end of things as far as hatcheries. He seems to be in the tribes pocket too.

[NWBoater45]

It's time!!! It is time for the Northwest Sport Fishermen stand up and fight back!!!! We have no voice currently in Olympia. The WDFW can only due so much. Their fight is more about keeping their jobs then it is about sport fishermen's rights. No fish, no licenses, no funds, means no pay for WDFW. I hate to say this but we need someone like Tim Iman and get initiatives on the ballot to stop all netting in all waters of Washington. Which should be illegal anyways due to the protection of native runs and the endangered species act. We have to use barbless hooks while they use killnets...how does that equate? When we see nets on the waters we need to have sit ins like the tribes did back in the 70's. I don't think the general public is really in tune as to what is going on. We need to raise awareness on what killnets are actually doing to our waters and native runs. I am sure there still are thousands of miles of ghost nets laying in or at the bottom of our waters still killing fish. While I am sure ocean conditions have played apart in the current situation I just think the timing is right to get our voices heard. Not only in Olympia but to the general public as well.

I am interested to hear the responses to this. If there is enough interest I might start poking around and see about putting together a sport fishermen group for those who are willing to help fight for our rights.

[Larry3215]

There are already a couple of groups doing just that. Look at Bodofish's post above for a link to the CCA. There is also Puget Sound Anglers who work with CCA quite often. Both could use more help and are worth joining.

[Larry3215]

I'll post it again:

http://www.ccawashington.org/home" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and the PSA

http://www.pugetsoundanglers.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just stay away from the WFC!

[BARCHASER10]

I've been keeping my eye on Piscatorial Pursuits.

http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/foru ... 674/7.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Those guys are really informed on the NOF news, the tribes and all the rest. If we do take some action, the leaders and organization will come from Puget Sound Anglers, CCA and others like that and the news will prob be posted on PP.

Its just a dream but the one I like is legalize Casino gambling, the Indians will find out how much that hurts, they deserve it. As far as demonstrations, a parade of trailered boats going down the freeway to Olympia would get some media attention. But that takes a lot of organizing and leadership and I haven't heard of anything like that coming.

Keep an eye on PP for news.

[BARCHASER10]

You're right. We should all join one of the established groups that have good reputations. I've never been much of a joiner but PSA is something I've considered joining for a long time. Need to get off my butt. For me either the Edmonds or Everett Chapter, I've met guys from both.

I'll post it again:

http://www.ccawashington.org/home" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and the PSA

http://www.pugetsoundanglers.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just stay away from the WFC!