...was quite flattered to have a gentleman stop and click my picture as I was fishing the Skagit today--then I got to thinkin' "Hey--I ain't that cute..."

Thought I read that the upper Skagit was open for a C-n-R season. Got back to the rig, checked the regs booklet--opens MARCH 15! I had originally planned to go to the Sauk, and must've thought the Skagit was open, too...how embarrassing!

...but wait--I followed a couple other sets of felt-soled boot marks in, and there were a few people fishing at Potter's Creek, and even a couple of sleds working spots above the eagle viewing station there, and a few more at the mouth of the Cascade. Open? or Closed? What gives?

Here's your information...

The upper river is open, the Cascade istelf is not, so you were probably OK...but give it a read.

Note that these are *exceptions* to the regular regulations, which have the entire river open.
...

February 20, 2002

Fishing closures on Skagit River system

Action: The Skagit River, from the mouth to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete, including Fisher Slough, will close to all fishing beginning March 1, 2002.

Effective opening and closing dates:

March 1, 2002 through April 12, 2002 - The area from the mouth upstream to the State Route 536 Bridge at Mt. Vernon, will be closed to all fishing;

March 1, 2002 through May 31, 2002 - The area from the State Route 536 Bridge at Mt. Vernon upstream to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete, as well as Fisher Slough from the mouth upstream to the State Route 530 Bridge, will be closed to all fishing;

April 13, 2002 through April 30, 2002 - The area from the mouth upstream to the State Route 536 Bridge at Mt. Vernon will re-open for trout, Dolly Varden and other fish, but will remain closed to fishing for steelhead.

Species: Steelhead and all other fish.

Location: Skagit River, including Fisher Slough.

Reason for action: The pre-season forecast for Skagit River wild winter steelhead returning this winter and spring is 5,000 fish, 83 percent of the basin's escapement goal of 6,000 fish. The area from the mouth to the State Route 536 Bridge at Mount Vernon will re-open April 13, 2002 through April 30, 2002, to allow fishing opportunity on sea-run cutthroat trout.

Other information: The Skagit River and Sauk River catch-and-release seasons remain open as outlined in the 2001/2002 Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet. Anglers should check the 2002/2003 Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet for regulations that apply to the area below the State Route 536 Bridge at Mount Vernon, effective May 1, 2002.

Information contact: Pete Castle, District Fish Biologist, (360) 466-4345 ext. 230.

...

Fish on...

Todd.

This is how I understand it. The Cascade is closed completely now. The Skagit is open to bait and barbs until March 15 from Dalles Bridge to the mouth of the Cascade and after March 15 goes completely C & R. So if one happens to get a hatchery Steelhead you can still keep it. The Sauk is just like it reads in the Reg book, C & R with no bait as of March 1 until April 30.

...phew! So I was legal:

"from Cascade River to Bacon Creek: June 1-Mar 15"

...my paranoid myopia only allowed me to see the "All Game Fish: Mar 16-Apr 30" line.

...well shucks--maybe I do look pretty good--from a distance, anyway... :p