Will Sauk Open w/ Skagit

A buddy told me that he went to a Fly Shop up North and they said the Sauk and Suiattle will open w/ the Skagit this coming opener? Any confirmation?

The Sauk will for sure, I would be incredibly surprised if the Suiattle did.

Fish on...

Todd

The Suiattle was on the list to be opened but they might shrink the open areas to allow enforcement/monitoring dollars to last longer so we get more than 14 days. At least that is how I understand it. It would be nice to have as many river miles open as possible to spread people out.

Agreed; the Suiattle was on the list, but it is not included in the RMP. The Suiattle has limited access and fishing area, so little would be gained by including it since all open area needs to be monitored. Much better to include a section of the mainstem Skagit downstream of the Dalles to about Gilligan Creek.

The main thing is NMFS doesn't officially care what the fishing area boundaries are or when the fishing season is. The over-riding consideration factor is staying within the allowable take limit, which is based on the forecasted runsize.

Refresh my memory, but the suiattle wasn't open ten years ago in he late winter/spring, was it?

No, it's been a much longer time than that since the Suiattle was open in the winter/spring.

Fish on...

Todd

I have been fishing up there since the early 90's and even then I remember the Suiattle closing after Feb.

Looking for a mid-March opener now. Better late than never?

Was curious on timing? I have heard it may be open only 14 days. That being the case, 14 days straight? 4-3 day weekends +? 7 days hear, 7 days there? March 1st is Thursday already.

I'm sure they will have it open for April so people have to run out and buy a 2018 license.