Extremely salient question MPM. Why open the Skagit to CNR fishing? Well, when NMFS proposed listing Puget Sound steelhead, the agency noted that while past fishing and harvest had been a factor for decline, fishing, including the limited harvest allowed since the 1980s and 1990s were not a factor affecting stock status. That being the case, if previous CNR seasons did not adversely affect stock status and abundance, a reasonable thinker might conclude that CNR seasons going forward would not adversely affect stock status and abundance, nor inhibit steelhead survival and recovery (important ESA words there).

That would be the biological reason for re-opening the river's CNR seasons. The additional biological argument is that when the river is open to fishing, there are more eyes on the water, repressing the off season poaching that occurs, or reporting it when it's witnessed. The social argument is that it would increase the very scarce western WA opportunity for winter steelhead fishing, particularly in the PS region. The economic argument is that it would restore lost economic activity in the Skagit Valley, mainly in the form of motels, restaurants, gas stations, fishing guides, and so on.

The best argument for not re-opening the CNR seasons is that no fish ever benefited from having a hook stuck in its mouth. The next best reason for not re-opening the CNR seasons is that fisheries management is work. Since closing the fishery in 2010, WDFW has to produce a pre-season run size forecast in cooperation with the Skagit treaty tribes. Then they perform spawning surveys and calculate the spawning escapement. They don't have to deal with a single sport fisherman, you know, the group of license buying citizens that pay a significant portion of their salaries. You see, for a management agency, there isn't much of a downside to closing fishing, and it's less work. At least there isn't a downside so long as you don't peruse internet fishing bulletin boards and read that sport anglers are grumbling and complaining about closed waters and reduced fishing opportunity.

Did I miss anything?

Sg