Backtrollin,

Fisheries that come under the Selective Fishing Regulations state "no fishing from a boat equipped with a motor." The WDFW Commission made an exception to that part of the regulation for the Skagit CNR season because the Wildcat Steelhead Club asked for it. Traditional Skagit style boondogging occurs with the motor off and the boat guided with a long pair of sweeps or oars. The CNR fishery occurred from 1981 through 2009 with no adverse effects to the wild steelhead population due to fishing. That's the background.

Occupy Skagit requests that the traditional Skagit-Sauk CNR season be re-instated with the traditional regulations. Under the precautionary principle and be careful of what you wish for, we urge all OS supporters to refrain from suggesting regulatory alternatives. WDFW and the Commission are very well aware that it is within their purview to further restrict the fishery if necessary for conservation or to avoid being inconsistent with recovery.

What,

When the Skagit re-opens I expect an initial increase in fishing pressure that will fade when anglers discover "it ain't all that." Anglers will return for the novelty of re-experiencing what has been a lost opportunity for five years. And newbie wannabes will come because of the reputation of the Skagit and are personally skunked, contrary to the expectations based on magazine and internet lore.

FF02,

Contrary to some opinions, the Skagit steelhead are not endangered. Not even threatened, except by association with the rest of the PS populations. Did you know that if all of the Skagit basin were north of the 49th parallel, it would be the healthiest wild steelhead population in southern British Columbia? It also would not be closed to fishing, but it would be CNR, barbless hooks, no bait, and probably no fishing from boats - BC is like that.

Both treaty and non-treaty fishing contributed to the decline of wild steelhead in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but that changed with fishing patterns and regulations beginning in the mid to late 1970s. Fishing has not been a factor affecting the abundance of Skagit wild steelhead since 1978, and the data, i.e., the best available scientific information supports that conclusion.

OS requests and appreciates all support for re-instatement of the tradtional CNR Skagit-Sauk fishery. Please leave all personal agendas at the door.

Sg