last time I was able to fish this run was back in '01 just below lewis st. bridge and it was amazing C&R. I have read on here that it has gone very much down hill since then, has it really gotten that bad? going to finally be back this winter and was hoping that it would be worth trying for some C&R. wondering if it is worth the trip or not?

Skykomish chum used to be stuffed in nearly every run of the river. The last few years there are only a few select runs where there is any number at all to speak of. It really tanked and with the depressed numbers, I couldn't morally make the decision to target them. Besides, I think you will find it to be closed this year. It's a shame, even if they are only dogs.

wow, didn't know it was that bad,( been stuck in NJ for the last 10yrs)that really sucks, they were a good time. Thank you for the info

It will be open this year although the #'s will be way down from years ago. A # of factors at play.

yeah I saw that it will still be open on the WDFW website, don't think I will get started on how much sense I think that makes. Thanks everyone for the info.

coho are plenty of fun that time of year.

Not only is the system open for chums...but the limit is 3! Why?

Funny, despite the local river having a fair number of summer run steelhead, and with the upcoming saltwater Chinook and Baker Lake Sockeye openers on the horizon, I too found myself thinking about fall Sky chums today too...

Ike

It's going to be open, it shouldn't be, but the possible reason is valid.

They figure the escapement should be 28,000 fish, and estimate 38,000 will return. And With the 10,000 surplus, useless, and possibly dangerous over escapement of paper fish, for our protection they will need to be killed.

Since there were 10,000 fish over what's needed (in their science) the tribes want to have a fishery, and with the current laws in place it's hard to deny them a share of the (possible) surplus. They can either be given all 10,000 and the sportsman none, or they can split the take and have it open for both. 5000 for each group

If you give the tribes (any net fishery) 10,000 you can be assured they will get every last one of that allotment plus many more. Nets are very efficient.

The sportsman don't keep many and they predict only about 1,000 will be kept by them. This results in at least 4,000 more fish spawning than if they didn't open it for sportsman.

The problem is there is easy bank access right where most of the spawning takes place now, so a small group of "sportsman" stand there and repeatedly snag fish off the redds.

I would prefer it to stay closed for everyone (its been closed for a few years) until the numbers rebound and we actually experience a couple of good runs. There is nothing but a prediction of a better run this year, there's nothing that says the runs are improving other than the same science that showed them to be healthy during the extreme over harvest that lead to their demise.

yeah, just one of many good memories from before the military, shame that it has gotten so bad

I'm pleased to see a chum opening on the Sky as a recreational fishery, but it should be strictly C&R. If retainment is part of the plan, I am all for ondarvr's views.

It seems to me that the current opening is just an excuse for commercial over-exploitation of a fishery that they have already nearly destroyed.

The current opening with a 3 fish limit exists presently to attempt to make sportsfisherman feel like we have not been forgotten. As the time nears and few fish return...there will be a closure...

Yeah, them Monroe fellas got it dialed in.

Me Pop was born and raised there. Had some fine fishin' and moon shinin' stories.

Very true. Who knew fishing could be so political?

+1 all those fish just get dumped only to become fertilizer.

agreed

funny how we go from almost 0 now to "hey there is a ton of fish".
fricken state. always cooking the numbers to suit there f-d up agenda.
need a major change in Oly.