Mike,

PSE owns and operates the Baker dams, which contributed to high spawning flows in 2001 and then ran out of water to incubate eggs downstream of the Baker River prior to their emergence. Most Skagit chinook and chum - the affected species - mature at age 4, so this effect would extend only to returning 3 year olds in 2004. I think it’s unlikely this is the reason for a prospective closure.

Plunk,

You’re incorrect about the dewatering effect. PSE, and the Baker River sub-basin didn’t have enough water to incubate those chinook and chum eggs in the Skagit downstream of the Baker River through emergence. As I recall, about 10% of the incubating chinook eggs in the affected river reach were lost to dewatering and an unknown number of chum because the chum redd distribution wasn’t well enough documented. I made the loss estimate, but would have to go look it up to verify the number. However, I agree, this isn’t likely the reason for restricting chum fishing.

And . . . could you spare us the details of your personal issues in the future. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.