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#442697 - 07/07/08 11:54 PM Baker Sockeye's ?
bobbymcph Offline
Parr

Registered: 07/05/06
Posts: 65
Loc: lynnwood, wa
Does anyone have info on this fishery? I have never been up there and thought about giving it a try. Is there decent access? How do people usually fish it?


thanks robert


Edited by bobbymcph (07/07/08 11:55 PM)

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#442702 - 07/08/08 01:49 AM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: bobbymcph]
DaveD Offline
Returning Adult

Registered: 06/24/99
Posts: 291
Loc: Ellensburg, WA
Access is good but the available fishing area is fairly limited causing some crowding issues. Most people fish the confluence of the Baker with the Skagit on the east side. Plunking a wing bobber with sand shrimp is popular although I hear that bobber and jigs can work too. They were expecting a very good return this year but last I heard, the run was a little late.

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#442856 - 07/08/08 06:15 PM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: DaveD]
ISO Chrome Offline
Carcass

Registered: 12/18/03
Posts: 2421
Loc: The SKAGIT (Where else would I...
The tribe has been netting all day today, and when I spoke with the local Gammie this morning he said they are doing "fair". One fellow left a set net sitting in an eddy across from my place. So far he has checked it regular, and taken a few fish each time.

This is actually about average for when the run arrives...maybe a day or 2 late, but nothing to speak of.

Bobby, there are other spots to fish the sockeye from, but getting there can be a PITA if you don't know the area. Generally, the best success is at the mouth of the Baker.

ISO


Edited by ISO Chrome (07/08/08 06:16 PM)
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"Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical, liberal minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

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#442869 - 07/08/08 08:38 PM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: ISO Chrome]
Salmo g. Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 03/08/99
Posts: 4089
The run might be a little late, but it is very likely that the pre-season forecast has over-estimated the runsize. Using Fraser River and Lake Washington sockeye for a clue, low runs are expected. The optimistic Baker forecast is based on the good size of the smolt population that emigrated Baker Lake two years ago. The pre-season forecast has completely omitted the variable of ocean survival as far as I know. And as we have learned, ocean survival can vary by quite a bit. Don't be too surprised if not so many sockeye show up.

Sg

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#442945 - 07/09/08 11:28 AM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: bobbymcph]
bobbymcph Offline
Parr

Registered: 07/05/06
Posts: 65
Loc: lynnwood, wa
Thank you all for your reply's and help. when does this run usually show up? I have next week of and I am thinking about making the trip up. Is it worth it?

thanks Again,

robert

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#442949 - 07/09/08 12:04 PM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: bobbymcph]
Brant Offline
Juvenille at Sea

Registered: 12/09/03
Posts: 150
Loc: Seattle
I was up last weekend and saw very few people fishing. The run usually peaks in mid-July. I would try my luck on the Cascade for kings over the Baker but I don't think either are red hot right now. Good luck.

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#442959 - 07/09/08 12:49 PM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: Brant]
Salmo g. Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 03/08/99
Posts: 4089
Bobby,

Baker sockeye peak at the Baker trap between July 12-15. Of course, the peak can be as much as two weeks earlier or later, but two weeks is uncommon. A few days, plus or minus, is normal. If the trap count is 5,000 or higher by Monday, then yes, it's probably worth it.

Sg

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#443069 - 07/10/08 07:25 AM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: Salmo g.]
ONTHESAUK Offline
Returning Adult

Registered: 11/03/01
Posts: 340
Loc: Darrington, WA
Nets were in at the mouth of the Baker when I came by yesterday.
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#443074 - 07/10/08 07:57 AM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: ONTHESAUK]
Tillerdemon Offline
Parr

Registered: 10/17/07
Posts: 40
Originally Posted By: ONTHESAUK
Nets were in at the mouth of the Baker when I came by yesterday.


And Hwy.9 Bridge.... Still plenty of Kings coming out.... Thank You N.O.F for the great job this year with allowing the Chinnook fishery on the Skagit... I'm certain it will help rebuild The Skagit to the premiere River in the N.W again.

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#443083 - 07/10/08 09:22 AM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: Tillerdemon]
ISO Chrome Offline
Carcass

Registered: 12/18/03
Posts: 2421
Loc: The SKAGIT (Where else would I...
If you guys will review the history of the Spring King season on the Skagit (hatchery fish only) that came as a trade off to the tribes (IF I recall correctly) in order for them to get 2 days of netting on the Baker/Skagit for the sockeye.

The last 2 years I have not seen them net a single fish (they tried) but got blown out by the river or just didn't catch anything.

I know from having spent time at the Baker launch during those netting days that the fishery is under the very controlled eye of the local warden, and every fish is checked and noted.

I biatch about a lot of the netting in the rivers....but this their 2 days on the Baker is not causing harm, and the majority of those fish would just wind up at the hatchery anyway.

ISO



Edited by ISO Chrome (07/10/08 09:23 AM)
_________________________
"Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical, liberal minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

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#443113 - 07/10/08 11:25 AM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: ISO Chrome]
Tillerdemon Offline
Parr

Registered: 10/17/07
Posts: 40
Originally Posted By: ISO Chrome
If you guys will review the history of the Spring King season on the Skagit (hatchery fish only) that came as a trade off to the tribes (IF I recall correctly) in order for them to get 2 days of netting on the Baker/Skagit for the sockeye.

The last 2 years I have not seen them net a single fish (they tried) but got blown out by the river or just didn't catch anything.

I know from having spent time at the Baker launch during those netting days that the fishery is under the very controlled eye of the local warden, and every fish is checked and noted.

I biatch about a lot of the netting in the rivers....but this their 2 days on the Baker is not causing harm, and the majority of those fish would just wind up at the hatchery anyway.

ISO

If all they netted was the Baker then no Problem..... But when they net the system from the mouth to the baker and sell everything they get then it's a problem. Far less Sockeye would wind up at the Hatchery if there was a sporty fishery on the Skagit from the mouth to the Baker.


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#443138 - 07/10/08 12:41 PM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: Tillerdemon]
Salmo g. Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 03/08/99
Posts: 4089
Netting the Skagit for sockeye and incidentally taking chinook is a poorly designed fishery. Every one of those sockeye will swim into the fish ladder and trap on the Baker River. The harvestable surplus of prime condition sockeye could be taken there. I thought it was nice when the tribes would just back a truck with a fish tote and ice on it up to the trap and haul a load of fresh sockeye to the reservation for distribution to tribal members. Sound management is tough to beat.

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#443139 - 07/10/08 12:49 PM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: Salmo g.]
Waterboy Offline
Juvenille at Sea

Registered: 07/25/06
Posts: 136
Agree 100%. They tribes have been "fishing" sockeye in the river since mid june. I even heard a tribal netter in June say, "I don't know why they call it a sockeye fisherie, there are no sockeye in the river until July." So what does everyone think they were catching?

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#443141 - 07/10/08 12:50 PM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: Waterboy]
Salmo g. Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 03/08/99
Posts: 4089
Chinook.

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#443147 - 07/10/08 01:22 PM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: Salmo g.]
Todd Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 03/08/99
Posts: 7207
Loc: Seattle, Washington USA
Originally Posted By: Salmo g.
Chinook.


...and wild winter run steelhead.
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#443199 - 07/10/08 04:51 PM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: Todd]
Salmo g. Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 03/08/99
Posts: 4089
That was in May. Although steelhead are caught in June, I think the preponderance of the catch then was Chinook.

Sg

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#443207 - 07/10/08 05:37 PM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: Salmo g.]
Todd Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 03/08/99
Posts: 7207
Loc: Seattle, Washington USA
I'm sure the preponderence was Chinook all along, but there probably were wild steelhead in there almost every day all thru June, too.

Fish on...

Todd
_________________________


Team "Drift Boat Veterans for Truth"

Untra isn't a place, it's a State of Mind.

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#443221 - 07/10/08 07:40 PM Re: Baker Sockeye's ? [Re: Todd]
ISO Chrome Offline
Carcass

Registered: 12/18/03
Posts: 2421
Loc: The SKAGIT (Where else would I...
They must not have done too good here this year. Last year we had a dozen boats of theirs driftnetting the area near our place and below, and this year I only saw 2 boats, and one was running only about a 30' set net.

ISO
_________________________
"Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical, liberal minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

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