This Rule Change may not get posted on the internet, but will be on the phone hotline mid-morning on Sunday.


Fishing Rule Change
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, Washington 98501-1091
Internet Address: [url=HTTP://www.wa.gov/wdfw][url=HTTP://www.wa.gov/wdfw][url=HTTP://www.wa.gov/wdfw]HTTP://www.wa.gov/wdfw[/url][/url][/url]

August 30, 2003

Four fish daily limit extended in Marine Areas 5, 6, and 9


Action: Extends the four salmon daily limit in Marine Areas 5, 6, and 9 beginning September 1, 2003 through September 15, 2003.

Areas 5 and 6 - Daily limit 4 salmon, no more than 2 may be coho. Release chinook, chum, and wild coho.

Area 9 - Daily limit 4 salmon, no more than 2 may be coho. Release chinook and chum.


Effective Date: September 1, 2003 through September 15, 2003.


Species affected: Pink salmon


Location: Marine areas 5, 6, and 9.


Reason for action: Returns of pink salmon are greater than originally forecast.


Information contact: Steve Thiesfeld, Puget Sound Recreational Salmon Fishery Biologist. (369) 902-2715

Check the WDFW 2003/2004 “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet or the Fishing Section of the WDFW webpage at http:www.wa.gov/wdfw for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing regulations are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (866) 880-5431.

Thanks for the heads up! I will be in Sekui.

HOW SWEET IT IS SEE YA ALL IN SLAYQUE

Not surprised at all. There are still more humpers up there than mosquitos at a Minnesota barbeque. Had our limits in the last hour of Friday evening and the first hour of Saturday morning. It was ridiculous. It took us longer to find our way back to the dock on Saturday morning in the fog than it took us to limit on both days put together. It was a total waste of time to even bother using a downrigger. Toss a herring, squid or spoon with 20 to 30 pulls and wham! We caught them at a fast clip, where you could actually see your rig working just under the surface, down to as slow as catching one on a dangling coyote spoon while we were dead in the water bleeding out our catch. At the 300' we marked MASSIVE schools of humps at 25', but even when we tried to use the DR to get below them we still caught pinks at 60' & 90'. It was fast and furious with a lot of doubles and a couple of double netters this time out. The silvers we caught seemed closer in (as best a I could keep track) than the humps and we had to release alot of nates to get our keepers. Looks like a awesome year so far and hopefully more to follow.

Silver Hilton

Sorry for not being clear. I was fishing at Sekiu, which is area 5. Which also explains why the fishing was so hot. And yes, I do live and fish down here in Area 9. Although it has been good here too, it hasn't been that good. Maybe soon though. Keeping my fingers crossed, cause I've got alot of "salmon maggots" to feed and that last batch is gone already. I think the fish are going to have to get bigger soon if I'm going to be able to keep up though. Tough work but somebody's gotta do it.

Yeah, I figured that out. Unfortunately, I can't get away to Sekiu, so we'll just have to find them around here.