Chehalis Basin to Close for all Fishing

https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=2470

Thought this should have a headline even though mentioned in other threads. This is going to put lots of pressure on what's left open. Wonder how long until others will close?

People will shift for a bit. Most realize this year's run is coming in way less, coast wide. Thus moving on to other fisheries.

With the Steelhead closure scattered among several threads I thought a dose of reality might be helpful. When the QIN pulled for conservation the reported harvest number was 249 ( no break out on H/W ) which is not good. Then factor in that the QIN are non selective so their impacts on wild are substantial. Using the 2016 / 17 run reconstruction the 10 yr average for QIN is 583 W and 1376 H. The Rec impacts are 94 W and 5226 H . These are the average for 10 years with years up in number as well as down.

Recs on average harvest a greater portion of Steelhead than QIN ( remember Chehalis tribal are also in the states share but not in these averages ) because we are selective. So at the time of the QIN shutdown the 249 net harvest on average would have an impact of 99 W fish. As the river was mudville I doubt that Rec impacts were at 99 when the agency shut things down, in fact the 10 year average says Rec could fished normal seasons and still not equalled the QIN impacts on W.

Simply put this is not about conservation but rather about the QIN fisheries being non selective and Rec are selective. Just as in the Springer closure this is what it is about and frankly the agency just rolls over to the QIN on this issue. After due thought and consideration I think I am giving them to much credit. They are not even in the game!

Thanks Dave for the data. Lots of us who fish the Chehalis and tribs regularly and for many years know it was never about conservation. It was about the QIN.

I just got back from a three week vacation only to hear about the fishing closure. In talking to my fishing friends, they had been experiencing really good fishing on the system (?).

LOL.
Yup the only ones confused seem to be the WDFW.

Really has gone downhill since your departure.
Sucks butt!!!!!!!!!

anyone else look at the escapement report released today? it's a total joke we are not fishing

Other river systems are having the same issues with wild fish escapement, why are they not closed? The State and tribes are not happy when they are challenged to change from the status quo. I believe the closure is a slap in the face of the sportsman to make a statement. Dont take us to court or we will make it so you can’t fish. I know it’s a conspiracy theory but why just the Chehalis system?

Thumbburner, QIN.

The WDFW works for us...

Cut off the doughnut delivery and they will leave.