CM-

That minimal impact associated with a game fish season on the Stillaguamish this year was not saved by not fishing. Instead those impacts were transferred/used for additional salmon fishing - no fish saved!

The co-managers (tribes and Department of salmon) clearly agreed those impacts were better used in a salmon fisheries targeting hatchery Chinook and/or coho.

I do agree with you that FW fisheries; especially target trout/steelhead fisheries are not a priority.

Stonefish -
For more than 35 years I have enjoyed targeting game fish on both the Skagit and Stillaguamish. In the period between the middle of July to the end of November I have typically fish those waters 20 to 40 times a season. These closure leave a major hole in my fishing calendar. For the fly angler looking to target wild indigenous trout those basins offer an unique opportunity combining diversity of fishing and ease of access while producing results with outstanding quantity and quality of fish encountered. I recognize that match those freshwater opportunities are not likely to be matched in north America.

Just returned from a trip BC and will likely continue to spend increasing amount of my recreational dollars out of state (BC and/or Montana) with less fishing in this State. Depending on what develops on the fishing front in the next few months I may expand my fishing some here in Washington but expect to fish less than normal.

Part of that time will be spend working on management issues with the hopes that others will not experience the pain I feel from the situation on my home waters.

Curt