First off - I'm not a fan of the floss and flounder crowd at Swift Creek on the Skagit. When the Chum are in, the vast majority of fishermen on this stretch of the river practice little more than snagging - that includes the fly guys too, of which I am one at times so this isn't a flog the fly guy post. There are exceptions to this statement but many also know what I have posted to be true. All you have to do is keep your eyes open!

That said I definately don't agree with the regs this year. Why the need for the release of Chum salmon on the whole river? Even down on the lower river where the fish actually have food value to their meat. I don't have stats in front of me but from fishing this river there don't seem to be a shortage of Chum Salmon. Most people don't even realize they're in the river until at least half the fish have spawned. When the Chum are running, from rockport to Marblemount every shallow slow water area there is - are alive with Chum spawning. I really haven't noticed a change in numbers in the last 15 years. Besides which they're probably the most tenatious of the Salmon species.

I think somethings rotten here. The regs don't actually state that you can't fish for them but you sure can't retain them. Does anyone know why the regs took the drastic change this season on this River? I think this just may be the tip of the iceberg for things to come on this system. Mis-management at it finest.