I agree FnP but this is pretty tough.

Here is what I know:

Plenty of Kings on the Hump
Virtually No wild Coho on the Hump
Plenty of Hatchery Coho on the Hump

I will admit that I do not know anything about the hump so I decline to offer any ideas.

Now, the Chehalis, this is what I know.

Very few Kings
Lots of wild and hatchery Coho


I believe in the name of conservation we do all that we can do to limit exposure to the Kings. Though I have fished the Johns River fishery I do not know the nuances of it. My question here is how do we maximize the opportunity for Silvers while minimizing the risk to the Kings? Timing?

As for the river upstream of the Aberdeen bridge. I talked or emailed with three different biologists today about it and after those conversations I am thinking pretty radically but very simplistic.

Spinners, spoons or jigs, single barbless only

I know that puts a big hit on the traditional jack fishery with eggs, and the plug pullers which I am one. But I don't think we dare allow bait or the ability to fish King water with the plugs. Though I have caught Kings on the three aforementioned lures, I believe the impact on Kings is less.

The tributaries, primarily the Satsop and Wynoochee could be handled with a delayed opening and probably no bait.


Please feel free to discuss, argue and be mad. Lets do this now so that our voice can be unified later when its necessary.

JimB