Does the Skagit open for Kings this year? I have never been out for Kings and would like to make a try at them.

I live in Duvall, is there any other rivers maybe better suited to fishing for Kings in the general vicinity (withing 3 hours)?

Thanks for any help.

Doubletake

I doubt they will open it up to kings again, there is such a large number of fish poached off of the south skagit highway between rockport and the casscade river that they would need to have a great run forcasted to open it. I wish they would open it up to a 1 fish or 3 fish per season limit to at least give the local guides and us sportsman an opportunity at catching these awesome fish. I greww up fishing there alot in the 70's and 80's, I sure miss it.
If it does open you need to contact Rob Endsley or Tom Nelson, they fish it all the time and have there fingers on the pulse of that river. I would suggest that you call Robb and he could give you the lowdown.
He is also on this board quite often he goes by Robbo.
Peace Superfly

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Funny you should mention that Joe, I brought Curt Kraemer up to the December meeting of the Wildcat Steelhead Club and on the way back we discussed the Skagit king run. I too grew up fishing those lunkers and Curt was guardedly optimistic about a fishery in the not too distant future. The main obstacle in the way -given harvestable numbers- is the ESA listing of Puget Sound kings. Currently we are allowed a 2% impact on wild fish during a hatchery run harvest. The North of Falcon process determines where the 2%impact takes place i.e. Westport, Sekiu, or the Skagit itself. Needless to say I'm going to NOF in Portland and Seattle this year to argue for a river fishery.
The possibility exists for a June/July king fishery this year on the Skykomish but only if we can fight it through the NOF process. Can you imagine Summer-runs and Kings on the Sky!!! I don't need to tell you where the Thor Built will be living if that happens.
Drop me a line Joe, I've got a fish story for you. Later, Tom

Kings on the Sky?! I think I'd better take a cold shower now!!