For you salmon fishermen - something to think about!

A quick review of creel checks around Washington State reveals that the average angler typically catches way less than his daily limit. With an additional rod we each would be more likely to catch an additional fish or two. That in itself isn't necessarily a bad thing however consider the following:

Many of our salmon fishing opportunities are limited by Endangered Species (ESA) concerns. Our seasons (read number of rod days) are limited by the incidental mortalities on ESA listed fishes. Having more rods on the water clearly will increase the incidental catch and thus the mortality of these listed fish.

Are you willing trade for shorter seasons to be able to fish with more than one rod?

I am guess that if the sporting fishing impacts on ESA listed fish were to be held constant at today's levels and an extra rod was allowed that seasons would need to be shorten 10 to 30% (cfm -just an educated guess) depending on how many of us opted to use that extra rod.

For me days on the water are more important that taking home a couple more fish but again something for each of us to ponder!

Tight lines
Smalma