StorminN

I realize some of your buddies disagree however…

-It’s my opinion that the wind isn't more of a factor in December than in Mar/Apr. There is always a wind factor in area 9. As far as daylight hours go the Nov, Dec, Jan is great fishing. You can sleep in and still get to fish first light. This time of year you can fish first light then through a tide change and still be home by noon or get off work early and hit the afternoon tide change and evening bite and still be home for dinner. Let's face it you still have about twelve hours of fishing time. Remember it's a one fish limit. How much time do you need? If you’re into C&R then my original post is supported because there are more fish around.

-Your statement that a Nov/Dec blackmouth season conflicts with hunting or steelheading is pretty weak. Are you saying that getting up in the morning and trying to decide either to go steelheading, hunting or blackmouth fishing is a bad thing? Some of us don’t hunt and would rather fish when there are greater concentrations of blackmouth in area 9.

-The holidays through Thanksgiving and the new years are full of time off! Why not fish! I don't buy into the fact that you have less opportunity during the holidays. Give two days to the family and then go fishing for one or two.

-Increased pressure? Area 9 is huge. Even during peak coho season there is room. It is expansive with many hot spots for both trollers and moochers. Not a Problem.

-I agree with your concerns about shakers. Shakers are a problem no matter what time of year it is. This is a recreational fishing educational problem. We need to educate recreational fishers on how to handle a non-harvestable fish. Keeping shakers in the water, not netting them, gear selection etc. Species identification is also critical. However if your concerns are about encounters or "takes" according to the ESA it doesn't make any difference when you fish in Puget Sound, because the juvenile chinook that are listed are always present.

Lastly, you don’t know Scaly?? He’s an active and very educated member of just about every group/club that strives for fish conservation in the state.