Technically it is illegal to be even fishing for the kings. If a certain salmon species season is closed, it is not legal to target them.

Anyways many of us do it, including a well-known local charter business.

But PLEASE practice proper catch and release. Do not net the fish but if you must use a soft cotton mesh net and DO NOT bring the fish into the boat. Pull the fish to the side of the boat, lean over, grab its tail, unhook him and hold him until he has power to swim away on his own.

I stress this for two reasons. We do not want to inadvertanly kill the last of the Puget Sound's wild chinook because of poor C&R practices. Plus, if many fisherman are observed abusing the kings and not practicing proper C&R, we will lose our summer resident coho fishery.

Okey dokey, off my soapbox.

[ 07-26-2001: Message edited by: RPetzold ]