I am sending out one e-mail to give an idea of what I am trying to do. I
have made some phone calls to WDFW and talked with some folks at the state
level. I need to have more information from them to see what we can do.

I am reseaching the issue now. I meet with Curt Hughs from WDFW on Thursday
1/13/05 to get more information on how the seasons are set, how the
estimates are done etc. I will do my best, however the county has no
jurisdiction on tribal or state fishing rights and rules. Is there any way
that the Poogie Club of GH can get involved and maybe we start a ground
swell organization to bring about some needed changes? I am getting quite a
few e-mails, mostly from guides. I would like to hear from others and
especially the local sports fishermen. The more people that get involved
the more effective we can be. This is a pretty serious issue. I just spoke
with Chuck Letkin, (spelling?) about a meeting at the Natural Resources
Building in Olympia on Wednesday 1/12 at 2:00 PM. supposed to be about
steelhead netting seasons. I have it on my calendar and plan to attend.

I'll keep you posted.


This is what I just recieved from Al Carter. At least he is trying to do something!
Buck

chromefish,

I feel your pain...if this is what it looks like, a trade of steelhead (that cannot be fished commercially by non-tribal fishermen...it is illegal) to treaty fishermen so that the non-treaty fishermen can commercially net more salmon, then this is at worst illegal, as it commercializes the steelhead, in spite of the law against it, and at best, a sellout of sportfishing interests for commercial interests, yet again.

On the subject of broodstock fish, though...

The tribes have a treaty right to half of the harvestable portion of fish runs, whether they be wild or hatchery fish.

When you set out to create a viable broodstock steelhead fishery, and accomplished the goal by establishing a reliable run of those fish, did you think that the tribes would not want to fish for them?

They have every legal right to do so.

Additionally, those broodstock fish return in February, March and April. If the treaty fishermen are going to net for those broodstock fish that are now plentiful enough to have a net fishery for, what else are they going to be catching in the net?

That's right, the native steelhead...native steelhead that they otherwise wouldn't be netting, but are catching now because of the presence of harvestable broodstock hatchery fish.

Keep that in mind...it has, and will continue to be, my main objection anytime someone brings up what a great idea it would be to start a broodstock program on the Skagit system.

Besides the dubious proposition that it would return more fish (more harvestable fish? Yes. More fish overall? No. They generally take wild fish out of the gene pool, spawn them, clip them, and return the same or less amount of fish than if the wild fish were just left alone...but now they can be harvested), it would most certainly lead to a tribal net fishery to catch their half...a net fishery that would also catch the wild fish.

Fish on...

Todd

Excellent post Todd, and a very astute analysis of why even broodstock programs will not work in WA if the purpose of the program is to produce fish for harvest.

Despite their proponents good intentions, I have been struggling with whether or not these programs really do any good, and your last post has solidified my position. Until tribal nets are out of the equation, any form of "enhancement" with hatchery fish is voodoo.

In coastal OR streams (non-Columbia), these programs have half a chance to prove their worth. But again, it is predicated on whether or not pulling a pair of wild spawners out of the system is truly more productive in bringing back adult progeny than if that original pair of spawners had just been left to do its thing in the wild. That's a question we will NEVER be able to answer in WA's net-infested rivers.

If there is much danger of hatchery fish spawning in the wild and disrupting the flow of genetic material from generation to generation of wild fish, AND the river is one that is not subject to tribal netting, then a broodstock program would be preferable to a regular hatchery program...

Fish on...

Todd

Buck- I too just got that same reply from Al Carter. I am very pleased to see his response. Sounds like a go getter to me. I really think we have a leg to stand on now.

Chromefish- I think every sportfisherman is pi$$ed off at the tribes for begin able to net 24/7. Well pretty much. I understand where your coming from totally. I'm not saying you have an attitude, but I am saying that you can't get ahead if your always looking backwards. As mad as I am about the tribal netting it's not going to get me anywhere unless I keep a focused mindset on the overall goal and that is too get the nets out of the water period. Well unless it's a Frabil, and of course with a fair hooked fish. Anyways with that said lets get to marching, forward that is. Al Carter said that he needs more facts to take to the state and he needs more people showing support. It's time we overuled Boldt, one step at a time. So I encourage everyone to please email your State Commisioners, email our governor (whoever that might be), email WDFW, email everyone.

Todd- You ever dreamed of catching a 30lb hatchery steelhead? I sure have! I know of such a fish that was caught out a broodstocked river. I don't think all the fish are leathaly spawned nor do I beleive that they clip 100% of the smolts from the broodstocked fish. So you no longer have a pure wild fish, but a non clipped hatchery fish that has wild genetics. But really how many actually still have 100% wild genetics. One way or another it's always nice to have a good mix of clipped and non clipped wild fish.

As far as the poggie club goes. I don't beleive that's the right place to start. I have nothing against the GH Poggie club, but I think we need to a larger group. Like maybe a combination of a few groups. For example NW Steelheaders, GH Poggie Club, Trout Unlimited, and WSC. Now we've got some ground to stand on. What do you guys think?

I am taking next Wed off to attend that meeting in Olympia. It would be nice if we had a few people there to help with "our side". Anyone else thinking about going?

I also got this email from Al Carter. It's an email that he received from a guy who's name I am witholding because I don't know him and wouldn't know if he wants his name posted. The email pretty much sums it up and I encourage for others to send like emails to the mentioned above.

Just wanted to drop a quick note that I am very disappointed in the Tribal
> Netting Schedule In Grays Harbor. I can't believe in this day and age
> with all the environmental measures that are being taken to protect wild
> steelhead, and the catch and release regulations that have been in place
> for years, that a uncaring group of tribal commercial gill netters are
> being permitted to abuse this watershed and target wild steelhead
>
> Again I am very disappointed and seriously considering not buying a new
> license this spring, and buy a license in Oregon instead. In Oregon one
> does not have to tolerate the commercial gill net abuse of a fragile
> resource. (except for the columbia)
>


Hope to see some of our issues addressed in the very near future, before it's too late to save.

Harbor-Hog

The WSC will be involved to some extent...how much, I don't know yet, but it is important and on our radar screen. I'm juggling that with the Columbia River net fishery right now, but I think I'll be able to get that one done, too.

I'll try to get a few licks about it in on the radio show tomorrow...and the newest Commissioner will also be on the show, going right after me, so I'll try to bend his ear about it, too. If he is taking calls, tune in around 7am and give a call in and ask him about it on the air!

Fish on...

Todd

This is just sick. As many years as C&R regs have been in place on most of the Chehalis drainage, it's all gonna get shot down if this aggressive netting schedule is carried out.

I'll tell you..........if the Commission lets this deal happen, I will have lost all faith in the Commission and WDFW. What the reasons are for why this deal.......or at least what appears to be a deal.........was made I don't much care. I don't care if salmon had anything to do with it, I don't care if an extended non-tribal net fishery had anything to do with it..........I just don't want nets in the friggin' river for 5 days a week through April.

Sure, close the Satsop and Wynoochee in March.........yet allow a lower Chehalis net fishery through April. Why don't you just come over and f&%k my wife too?

Great.........now I have fishing raising my blood pressure instead of lowering it. That's a fine "how do you do?"

Where is the meeting and when?

Three hot issues at once. First the proposal to cut crabbing, then the Columbia and now this!

I'm beginning to think this is a deliberate attempt to muddy the waters.

Harbor, WSC has been developing and hosting the Steelhead Summit Alliance, if you know organization or belong and interested in participating contact Dave Bailey captain@olypen.com Below is some info regarding the SSA:

The Steelhead Summit Alliance (SSA) is a consortium of organizations pursuing a common goal: conservation and restoration of wild steelhead populations throughout their native range. The purpose of forming the SSA is to coordinate wild steelhead advocacy among the participating groups, and to enable participating groups to advocate collectively to maximize our efficacy in obtaining policies, laws and regulations to achieve our goals.

The SSA is comprised of some 40 organizations from California to British Columbia that have participated in one or more summit meetings and have expressed an interest in forming an alliance. They include fishing clubs, fish advocacy groups, and conservation organizations at the local, state and national levels. A volunteer steering committee has been formed to assist in managing the SSA.

The SSA is an informal collaboration and is not organized as a separate legal entity. The SSA is only a forum for participating groups to communicate and strategize regarding wild steelhead conservation; it does not take positions on behalf of participating groups and participating groups must determine for themselves their positions on specific issues.

To date, ten issue committees have been formed within the SSA to develop general policies on such issues as hatcheries, hydropower, habitat, ESA listings, education/outreach, research, and enforcement. These policies are intended to guide the advocacy of participating groups, but are not binding and participating groups can use or not use these policies as they deem appropriate.

A principal purpose of the SSA is to establish a communication network through which member groups can be informed of policy, legal and management issues regarding wild steelhead conservation and take action to influence decision-makers. By joining the SSA, groups agree to become part of this network. However, participation in the network does not require any group to take action on any particular issue or to adopt a particular position.

Just giving it a bump. Hoping to get some more people to see this. Hope nobody minds.

Harbor-Hog

Sent my e mail Friday night.

maybe it is time to have a protest rally to show the state how mad we are about this

Let's circle the Capitol with Sleds and Driftboats and have a protest. Or we could circle the Casino. Seriously you have to bring ATTENTION to the problem through the MEDIA.

I am a product of the late 60's,I am not afraid to protest.

We could have a hog line across the Wishkah river where the gill net boats unload their Native steehead each day.

It's all BS, the Native run is not being protected.

Sent mine in on the 6th.Let's plug up the capital with our drift boat's and sleds.
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Todd, You are right. The idea of killing those native fish for the program turned me off at first. But the thought of having a good return of not just native fish but clipped fish sure seemed like a good idea. I just wish I would have thought a couple years ahead that these fish would now be netted by the tribe. Never even crossed by mind. They had never netted the chehalis like this before. That is why I said never again, because not only are they taking those hatchery fish but the natives. I have e-mailed every state official I could think of along with many friends of mine, reminding them to do the same.

Chromefish,

Hopefully we can get this stopped before they net right up through April...

As noted above, if there is an actual agreement to trade steelhead now for salmon later, salmon that are slated for a commercial fishery, then this is in direct violation of Washington State law.

There are people looking into it now...

Fish on...

Todd

As far as I see it. The only way to get the State, and WDFW's attention is to not purchase a fishing licenses for a year. The ground work will need to be set for a year or so out. They depend on sales of licenses to continue operation, at WDFW, as well as in the general fund. If Sportsmen. and Sportswomen put it to them where it hurts, then maybe they'll get the message. As for tradeing winter Steelhead for fall Coho. I can't see that as even a remote policy by WDFW.
I wonder if it is also true that non treaty Gill Netters are subsidized for the Salmon they do not catch.... If this is true, and I am led to believe it is, By a commercial Gillnetter, then how can we continually support their fishery, year after year...
As for the winter schedule in Grays Harbor, Pick up a copy at the regional office in Monteasno. 5 days per week through March, 3 days per week till April 13. April 16 opens the Tribal SPRING CHINOOK season.
Both winter Steelhead, and Spring Chinook have a commercial Sturgeon season attached. Pick up a copy and get an eye opener.

Apparently this deal is considered a government to government negotiated agreement and as such exempt from any action that could be taken by WDFW or the commission. The tribes are sovereign nations you know. Indian activities are "off the table" according to most in power.