I'm reading a lot of posts alleging that WDFW has managed WA steelhead fishing into the ground. I'm not a fan of every decision WDFW makes by a long shot. But I'm curious about exactly how WDFW has mis-managed steelhead, and exactly what actions WDFW could have taken that would have all the rivers full of steelhead today and keep all the steelhead fishermen satisfied. The reason I am curious about this is because I don't think it is possible. What would you have done differently?
Sg
Humptulips, Chehalis, Wynoochee, Satsop..........QIN, used to net for not many months in winter time....I seem to remember 12/01 - 1/31, then the closing date just kept getting longer, this year it is May 2.
QIN netting schedule is 5 days a week.......Wild steelhead numbers are decreasing........while I don't know about "redd counts", I do get the trap report off the Wynoochee.........Native counts as of March 14, 2014
was 31.......there have been years when the count for the complete season was under 20.
Qin netting schedule is 5 days a week.....my observation is very few members are netting.......reason, IMO......not many fish.
What could help......WDFW and QIN, sit down and work out a schedule....ie 3-4 days a week but not past February. Might have to have cut sport seasons/restrictions......maybe deadlines...Wynoochee, No fishing above White Bridge, Satsop, No fishing above West Fork , Humptulips, no fishing above 101 Bridge.
No easy answer.....gone are the Pre-Bolt days........25# steelhead were common, even a few 30's were caught.....not anymore....
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