Harbor Hog

I am with you, brother!

The Hump piece of the WDFW plan is fine the way it is. There are plenty of surplus fish to support a chinook kill season Oct 16-Nov 30.

The Chehalis side is where all the problems are... there simply are NOT enough fish to support 4 weeks of combined chinook retention in 2-2 AND mainstem Chehalis.

For the sake of clarity, I will spell it out in chronologic order with some minor additions.

Sept 16-30 open Area 2-2 to coho, release adult chinook. Also open the north bank of the Chehalis upstream to Elliott Slough, single hook no bait, bank only, release adult chinook. This shore based fishery is meant to target unexploited early-timed surplus hatchery coho returning to the Lake Aberdeen Hatchery.

Oct 1-15 open remainder of Chehalis mainstem to coho and one adult chinook. Allow one adult chinook in Area 2-2. Release all chum.

October 16 forward release all chinook and chum

This plan provides maximum recreational opportunity for all users... bank-bound anglers, those with smaller boats that can navigate the mainstem Chehalis, and those with larger sea-worthy boats capable of taming the wind waves in the bay. There is also ample harvest opportunity for all users while still meeting the basins escapement goals.

Recreation, harvest, AND conservation... what more do you want?