I find it interesting that the OP has never reproduced his source?

If that info notice was bogus, WDFW via Ron Warren should be able to authenticate or disprove the fact in very short order---if they actually gave a care, and were doing their jobs. BTW--if authentic--where was the Co-Management factor in the season-setting process??

Here is the phone number for the Tulalip Tribal Harvest Management office. I called but got no answer, but left a call back message. Perhaps others would like to call to ask about the authenticity and maybe get some answers?
Harvest Management
360-716-4610

Someone needs to post up on the mouth and record everything in secret. I wouldn't take any of the usual suspects word for anything. Who watches the watchers?

I'm sure this won't surprise everyone, but although this may (or may not if fake) be the first official opener, the Tulalips net the mouth and beaches every year for steelhead. There's 5-6 boats that do it. I know 2nd hand one netter already has a dozen or so wild fish for the year.

Targeting both Stilly and Snohomish wild fish. Has been like this for a long time.

To add to the comment about what the Stilly Tribes thinks of it..... it doesn't matter. The Tulalips sh!t on multiple local tribes already with their harvest.

Krijack, do you have any proof of this netting ?

The Facts as described to me by
Robert Skoog Natural Resources Specialist I, Tulalip Tribe.
360-716-4627

This is essentially a subsistence fishery, that usually only a couple of guys at the most will participate in. It is opened so if a tribal member wants to go get a fish for dinner or so, he can. Few do, because of the weather and the difficulty in finding the fish. They are targeting the Reiter Pond hatchery fish. To date, they have caught 19 fish total. No one is fishing today. And they don't expect anyone to fish for the next few days. They had two native fish total so far.

The reason the announcement was listed as a commercial fishery is due to the regulation about the length of the fishery. Subsistence and Ceremonial fisheries are limited to a couple of days. They are not fishing for commercial sale. It's because of the length of the opening that it is listed that way.

Mr. Skoog was very polite and cordial in answering all my questions and invited me to post his contact information if any one else might like to speak to him. I would hope we reciprocate his civility with the like.

Thanks, Bay Wolf, for the follow-up.

Back in my day, a question like this received in the office would be answered back certainly within an hour by WDF. Glad that the Tulalips replied and gave a really good and detailed explanation. Somebody's on the ball.

thanks Bay Wolf.

Thanks for the info. Kind of a relief. I think most would not have a problem w/ a few exercising their right for a family couple of fish. Just wish they could do that hook and line, instead of gill nets w/ the hatchery brats earlier in the season. Even give them exclusive access to closed hatchery river/creek stretches do so.

I still smell a rat. There is a history of grossly underreporting catch and I know there are many fish sold out of the back of trucks. Any activity on that fishery needs monitoring.

That they have not caught many fish yet is no reason to support this fishery!
Hard to catch fish that are already dead.

.

Thanks for posting that Baywolf but it sounds like you were fed a pile of [Bleeeeep!]. So, to paraphrase, he told you that only a couple of guys do it to get a fish or 2 to eat... and that these types of fisheries are limited to a couple of days.

Yet, he told you they’ve caught 19 in the last 2 days (it just opened, right?) and, if the original post is right, it is open from 2 days ago until the end of March.

There is no hope.

YEP.... just another inconsequential gillnet fishery. Nothing to see here, folks... move along.

Meanwhile, Out on the peninsula.

Yesterday while having lunch at Microsoft, I saw fresh PNW steelhead on the menu. Asked the Chef if he knew where they came from. He said he didn't and then I had a pulled pork sandwich. The end.

Hahahaha! Good for you! If the fish don't sell, it won't be harvested. Did you happen to ask if the pork was wild or hatch? LOL!

Last year nearly about a third of the total Reiter winter steelhead escapement was counted after 1/31/17, the year before it was about 40% showing up after 1/26/16, so it's not crazy to think Reiter fish are around.

It just sucks that (a) they'll also be killing any wild fish that are around, and (b) recs don't get a shot at the hatchery fish that are still coming in.