Folks:
Dolly Varden in the Puget Sound Distinct Population Segment (DPS) were listed as "threatened" under the ESA by USFWS earlier this year. They were listed under the similarity of appearance clause, as they look very similar to bull trout. However, WDFW, under USFWS guise, has been allowed to manage these fish since some of these populations are still healthy.

Bull trout and Dolly Varden to coexist in nearshore areas of the Puget Sound. Both Dollies and bull trout do eat a substantial number of salmon smolts as do sea-run cutts. In the Skagit it is CONSERVATIVE to assume that over 3 million anadromous smolts are consumed by char and sea-run cutts.

Although regulations may allow harvest in some areas, these native char species must survive for 4 to 6 years before they can spawn successfully. This long maturation period, coupled with their requirements of cold water (VERY COLD) for spawning and rearing areas, make them very susceptible to extinction.

They are a great fish to catch in both salt and freshwater. Until March, I had never caught one in the salt. Since then I have caught 13 char, between 12" and 24". Three of these were bull trout, and the rest Dollies (using the Haas Discriminant Method for identification).

Let's practice conservation now, so these fish will be around long after we are. As a bonus, there is little commercial value or tribal interest in these fish, which provides an extra value for sportsmen since our salmon and steelhead are hurting!

Tight lines.

[ 04-15-2001: Message edited by: FishPirate ]