The only way I can figure that the math works out at all is if the 9471 was extrapolated out based on wild:hatchery run composition, and the run composition changed enough that the formula now spits out 6000?

Fish on...

Todd

You actually think they use math?

In Area 11, the WDFW test boat hasn't encountered a wild chinook in 4 weeks.

That rational from Baltzall simply doesn't pass the whiff test. Moreover, in spouting that stuff he has set himself up to have to explain why MA11 was shut down mid July and remains closed to all salmon fishing.

Somebody has to to publicly call him out for it; maybe at the next Commission meeting.

People have tried to email him and he is not accepting emails now. Not hard to figure out why.

CM - I was unaware that it is only rich and affluent folks who go to AK to have a quality experience. Always nice to learn something new.......

And that those same fich and affluent fishers do not fish in Puget Sound.

But I would agree that those with more resources have more choices.

Here we are at a month of this chinook closure?

This is when the bulk of the hatchery adults are returning.

Larry sometimes it is simply personal preference. I get sick in boats, easily. With the exception of a few trips in a drift boat I have found most boat trips tend to the boring side. The fishing I prefer is more stalking fish; fishing spots that hold fish. All my fishing in AK was walk and wade with pretty streams and fish around. I don't begrudge the boat fishermen and the fisheries they have but why does WA seem to prefer boats to feet?

Again, wdfw obviously favors “feet” over boats ! Just look to MA 11 and the latest new bank fishing rules for salmon fishers down there.

Not to mention the total number of boat launches betwixt seattle and tacoma. Even the one public pay launch in Redondo has had the boat launching dock space cut in half this year in support of all those boat fishers.

Uh huh.....

why does WA seem to prefer boats to feet?


Tax Money for boats and trailers. The trailer write up includes a five dollar donation to State Parks unless you decline.

As I understand the paradigm the value of a recreational fishery is money spent. The "perfect" fishery is a lot of anglers out and no catch. The value of commercial fishery is fish caught in the shortest amount of time (higher ROI). And who gets listened to the most? The ones who buy the most legislators.

We have a WINNER tonight!

As to why Area 10 is open when Area 11 gets closed, I'm guessing, sorta', that the high rollers generally fish in Area 10 (and 9, if possible) over Area 11. Just a thought. When ya' can't follow the fish, follow the money.

Not only high rollers but probably present at negotiations "more".

So the "sqeaky wheel gets the grease" is the new fish management. Man, that is real management based on science.

There are not enough fish available for harvest to meet everyone's "wants" and "needs". Whoever shows up has a better chance to make the point why they should get some. I guess the idea is that if you don't show up you aren't really in need of any consideration.

We have two sport fishery advisory reps here in Tacoma for Area 11. Their pleas and advice goes unnoticed with WDFW. It is not that advisors and advocates for Area 11 are not "showing up". As far as the numbers harvestable hatchery chinook are concerned (at least this year) it will be interesting to see how many surplus fish show up at the hatcheries. There was an article in the Seattle Times yesterday showing how many chinook are passing through the Ballard Locks now. The largest return in many years. Over 400 chinook are passing through each day. The guys at Issaquah Hatchery and others will be very busy this fall. The tribal test fisheries are saying the numbers are the largest in many years.

Regardless of how many hatchery fish are there it is the wild fish that control the fisheries. That is the problem with loving mixed-stock fisheries and trying to restore wild fish while at the same time keeping those wild numbers down.

It isn't the wild encounters that are driving the closures and area restrictions this year. It is the sublegal encounters regardless if they are hatchery or wild sublegals. At least for this year that was the reason for the closures.