I've had several calls from folks asking about the new regs emplaced before the week-end.

Here is the info for those who want to know:

October 17, 2002

Quillayute River closes Oct. 19 to all fishing

Actions: Closed to fishing for all species on the Quillayute River.

Effective date: October 19, 2002

Species affected: All fish including chinook, coho and steelhead.

Location: Quillayute River, from mouth to confluence of Sol Duc and Bogachiel Rivers, including Olympic National Park waters.

Reason for action: Fall chinook salmon are not migrating upriver in a normal pattern because of extreme low flow conditions with little or no rainfall in the immediate forecast. Many chinook are not migrating at all but are milling in the river and appear to be moving in and out with the tides. Biologists are concerned that chinook may be subjected to higher than normal harvest rates in the tribal and sport fisheries in the lower river because the of lack of movement upstream. Releasing all chinook in the sport fishery will allow many of these fish to reach the spawning grounds as soon as flows increase. In addition, a significant amount of snagging is occurring in the lower river.

Other information: Once rainfall begins and flows increase to a more normal pattern, the Quillayute River (from mouth to confluence of Sol Duc and Bogachiel Rivers, including Olympic National Park waters) will re-open to sport fishing as per the 2002/03 Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet. The exact date will be determined by WDFW Biologists and announced to the fishing public.

Information contact: Bill Freymond, District Fish Biologist, 360-249-1225

Hoh River closes to chinook salmon fishing Oct. 19, 2002

Actions: Closed to the taking of chinook salmon in the Hoh River. All species selective gear rules from the DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch to Morgans Crossing boat launch.

Effective date: October 19, 2002

Species affected: Chinook salmon

Location: Hoh River, from mouth to Morgans Crossing boat launch.

Reason for action: Fall chinook salmon are not migrating upriver in a normal pattern because of extreme low flow conditions with little or no rainfall in the immediate forecast. Many chinook are not migrating at all but are milling in the river and appear to be moving in and out with the tides. Biologists are concerned that chinook may be subjected to higher than normal harvest rates in the tribal and sport fisheries in the lower river because the of lack of movement upstream. Releasing all chinook in the sport fishery will allow many of these fish to reach the spawning grounds as soon as flows increase.

Other information: Once rainfall begins and flows increase to a more normal pattern, the lower river (from the mouth to the DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch) will re-open to chinook retention. The exact date will be determined by WDFW. The upper river (from the DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch to Morgans Crossing boat launch) will remain closed to chinook retention with selective gear rules to provide additional protection to fall chinook on the spawning grounds.

Information contact: Bill Freymond, District Fish Biologist, 360-249-1225

Chinook fishing closes Oct. 19 on Bogachiel,
Calawah, Dickey and Sol Duc rivers

Actions: Bogachiel, Calawah, Dickey and Sol Duc rivers closed to the taking of chinook salmon.

Effective date: October 19, 2002

Species affected: Chinook salmon

Location: Bogachiel (from mouth to Hwy 101 Bridge); Calawah (from mouth to Hwy 101 Bridge); Dickey (from mouth to East Fork Dickey River including Olympic National Park); Sol Duc (from mouth to concrete pump station at Sol Duc hatchery).

Reason for action: Fall chinook salmon are not migrating upriver in a normal pattern because of extreme low flow conditions with little or no rainfall in the immediate forecast. Many chinook are not migrating at all but are milling in the river and appear to be holding in the deeper holes. Biologists are concerned that chinook may be subjected to higher than normal harvest rates in the sport fishery because the of lack of movement upstream. Releasing all chinook in the sport fishery will allow many of these fish to reach the spawning grounds as soon as flows increase.

Other information: Once rainfall begins and flows increase to a more normal pattern, the Bogachiel, Calawah, Dickey and Sol Duc Rivers will re-open to sport fishing as per the 2002/03 Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet. The exact date will be determined by WDFW Biologists and announced to the fishing public.

Information contact: Bill Freymond, District Fish Biologist, 360-249-1225