Monday, September 29, 2008

SW Washington Fishing Report

Salmon/Steelhead

Toutle River - Bank anglers are doing best in the North Fork Toutle, averaging about ½ adult coho per rod.

Cowlitz River - Hatchery coho are being caught around the mouth of the Toutle while sea-run cutthroats are being caught at the trout hatchery. In the upper Cowlitz, anglers are catching coho in Packwood while effort and catch was low in the Cispus.

Last week, Tacoma Power recovered 267 fall Chinook adults, 145 jacks, 2,871 coho salmon adults, 559 jacks, one spring Chinook adult, one mini-jack and two cutthroat trout during six days of operations at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator.

During the week Tacoma Power employees released 775 coho salmon, 96 jacks and one spring Chinook adult into the upper Cowlitz River at the Skate Creek Bridge over the Cowlitz River in Packwood, Washington and 287 coho adults and 23 jacks into the Cispus River. A total of 257 fall Chinook adults, 138 jacks, and 15 coho salmon were released at the Ike Kinswa State Park boat launch in Mayfield Lake.

River flows at Mayfield Dam are approximately 6,880 cubic feet per second on Monday morning, September 29.

Kalama River - Some hatchery coho are being caught. Adult chinook must be released.

Lewis River - Lots of effort around the salmon hatchery last weekend with bank anglers catching some hatchery coho, mainly adults but also some jacks.

Klickitat River - Bank anglers are catching chinook and some coho.

Lower Columbia below Bonneville Dam - Last week we sampled 129 anglers (including 54 boats) with 20 adult and 5 jack chinook and 11 adult and 14 jack coho. Overall, boat anglers averaged an adult chinook per every 6 rods based on completed trips. Boat anglers at the mouth of the Cowlitz are mainly catching adult coho while those in the Longview area are catching coho jacks.

No catch was observed from the bank and effort is low with just 24 WA anglers counted during the Saturday September 27 flight. However, nearly 300 boats were counted with the majority found upstream from the mouth of the Lewis except for a pod of 27 boats at the mouth of the Cowlitz.

Bonneville Pool - Boat anglers are catching adult chinook. Most of the effort has been off the mouth of the Klickitat with 30 boats counted there yesterday (Sunday September 28).

Hanford Reach - Anglers averaged 1 Chinook for every 18 hours of fishing, or one per every 0.8 boats. Best success came from the Vernita area were effort was highest.

An estimated 980 adult and 227 jack fall chinook were harvested this past week from an estimated 1,407 angler trips. A total of 2,841 chinook (2,121 adult 720 jacks) and 9 coho have been harvested this season. Harvest is 20% higher in 2008 than 2007.

Summer steelhead may be retained up to the Old Hanford Town Site (Wooden Power Lines) starting October 1. Fish must be adipose and right ventral fin clipped to be kept.

Sturgeon

Lower Columbia from the Wauna power lines upstream - Effort and catches are increasing. Boat anglers from Longview upstream averaged a legal kept per every 4.6 rods while bank anglers just below Bonneville averaged one per every 8.6 rods based on mainly completed and incomplete trips. Boat catches were spread throughout the river.

During the Saturday September 27 flight, nearly 150 boats and 258 WA and 219 OR bank anglers were counted. Heaviest effort was in the gorge but scattered all the way downstream to the Wauna power lines.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Chehalis River Salmon Opens Oct 1st-Next week

After a short spurt of colorful recreational angling at the mouth last week, the Chehalis River opens for widespread salmon fishing next week.

The Chehalis, from the mouth at Grays Harbor to the Weyerhaeuser High Bridge above Pe Ell, opens on Oct. 1.

For the first 15 days, anglers may retain up to two adults, one of which may be a wild coho. Adult chinook and chum must be released. From Oct. 16 through Jan. 31 the mainstem remains open for hatchery coho, but wild coho, all chinook and all chum must be released.

The Skookumchuck and Newaukum will open for salmon angling on Oct. 16. As in the mainstem, only hatchery coho may be retained; adult chinook, wild coho, and any chum must be released.

As the Chehalis system opens, the Willapa season moves above the Highway 6 bridge and permits retention of up to two adult chinook and one wild coho in the three-adult limit.

Meanwhile, waters closing to retention of adult chinook on Oct. 1 include the Elochoman upstream from Highway 4, North Fork Toutle above the Kidd Valley Road Bridge, the Green River, the Cowlitz from Blue Creek to Mill Creek, and the Kalama from the gas pipeline crossing upstream.

Also closing for kings on Oct. 1 is the Washougal from the Little Washougal upstream and the White Salmon River above the posted markers above the Highway 14 bridge.

River anglers on the Cowlitz are catching some steelhead and hatchery coho, especially near the mouth of the Toutle, where the bag average was around two to three fish per rod this week.

On the Lewis, which is closed to the retention of chinook, anglers have been catching a mixed bag, keeping only coho.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Adult chinook must be released

Action:   Kalama River anglers must release adult Chinook salmon. 

Species affected:   Chinook salmon.

Effective dates: Sept. 27 through Dec. 31, 2008

Location: From boundary markers at the mouth upstream to the upper salmon hatchery. 

Reason for action:   Under permanent rules, adult Chinook must be released from the natural gas pipeline crossing upstream beginning October 1.  However, the hatchery may not achieve its egg take goal, thus requiring an expanded closure for adult Chinook retention.  Hatchery (adipose clipped) Chinook jacks  remain available for harvest.   

Other information: Daily limit is 6 salmon, of which no more than 4 may be adults.  Release adult Chinook, wild Chinook jacks, wild coho, and chum.  

Closed waters, gear restrictions, and night closures remain the same as listed in the 2008-2009 Fishing in Washington pamphlet. 

Information contact:   (360) 696-6211.  For latest information press *1010.  

Best Regards,
Capt. Jerry Brown
Columbia River Fishing
http://www.columbia-river-fishing-guide.com
206-920-2428

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Fwd: J and L Hooksetter Newsletter-October

 


 
With the smell of Fall in the air and October just around the corner, its time to start pursuing Coho Salmon and several rivers.. J and L Guided Sportfishing is gearing up for Fall fishing on the Chehalis, Cowlitz, and Lewis rivers. With both summer steelhead and the Buoy 10 season over we are looking forward to being on the waters of Southwest Washington. Fall fishing for Coho is one of the best times for an angler in Washington.
 
The Chehalis river opens on October 1str and is the best bet for Fall Coho. Using light spinning rods and jigs we hook 15 to 25 fish a day in the calm tidal water of the river just outside on Elma, WA. October 1st thru the 15th an angler may catch 2 adult coho with only one being wild. Then on the 16th, all wild coho must be realeased. All Chinook salmon incidently caught will be released. Chehalis river coho are Big! Averaging 12 pounds with some as large as 18. Looking for lots of fight on light tackle Then this is your fishery. Call me today. Stop wishin and lets go fishin!!!
 
The Lewis river is aso a great bet specially if the  weather "blows" out the Chehalis. Coho in this river are availble thru mid November and run 8 to 12 pounds. Hover fishing bait and small spinners is the way to go.  The Cowlitz also is a good bet just above the mouth of the Toutle better known as "the lake". Trolling wiggle warts is the ticket on this section of the river. Fish can also be caught up at Blue Creek and Barrier Dam. Summer run steelhead are also available in the Cowlitz.
 
 
We are currently taking reservations for Chehalis, Lewis and Cowlitz rivers. Jet boat trips on the Columbia and Lewis rivers for 4 anglers are at a special price of just $580.00.
 
Additional information can be obtained online at http://www.columbia-river-fishing-guide.com/  or by phone at 206-920-2428
 
Best Regards,
Capt. Jerry Brown
Columbia River Fishing
http://www.columbia-river-fishing-guide.com
206-920-2428

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Public workshop scheduled to discuss how recreational salmon fishing seasons are established

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled a public workshop Oct. 1 in Lacey to discuss how annual seasons are set for recreational salmon fisheries.

The workshop, which is scheduled during a meeting of WDFW's Anadromous and Marine Resources Sportfishing Advisory Group, will begin at 9 a.m. at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave.

During the meeting, WDFW staff will discuss legal, technical and policy issues regarding the annual salmon season-setting process, known as North of Falcon, said Pat Pattillo, salmon policy coordinator for WDFW.

"We'd like to discuss North of Falcon with the sportfishing advisory group and anyone else interested in how the salmon seasons are established in Washington," said Pattillo. "Our hope is to help broaden the understanding of the process and receive some suggestions on how to make improvements."

Pattillo said WDFW is considering a second public workshop during a sportfishing advisory group meeting later this year. That workshop would be a continuation of the first meeting and also focus on potential 2009 salmon fisheries, he said.  

Each year state, federal and tribal fishery managers gather to plan the Northwest's recreational and commercial salmon fisheries. This series of public meetings, usually scheduled from late February through early April, involves federal, state and tribal fisheries managers, as well as industry representatives and citizens.

Fishery managers generally refer to the entire set of pre-season meetings as North of Falcon. The name refers to Cape Falcon in northern Oregon, which marks the southern border of active management for Washington salmon stocks.

More information about the North of Falcon process is available on WDFW's North of Falcon website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/northfalcon/index.htm .

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Much of the lower Columbia River will re-open for Chinook

OLYMPIA - Starting Saturday (Sept. 20), Columbia River anglers will again be allowed to retain chinook salmon they catch on a large section of the river below Bonneville Dam.

Encouraged by a new estimate of returning upriver bright chinook, fishery managers from Washington and Oregon agreed to reopen most of the area that closed to chinook retention earlier this week.

Under that agreement, anglers will be allowed to catch and keep an adult chinook salmon as part of their daily catch limit from the lower end of Bachelor Island, near the mouth of the Lewis River, upriver to Bonneville Dam.

The chinook fishery in that area will remain open until further notice, said Cindy LeFleur, Columbia River policy coordinator for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

"We’re pleased that this run is coming in so much stronger than expected," LeFleur said.  "This season is turning out quite a bit better than we expected."

Earlier this month, tens of thousands of anglers fishing from Rocky Point up to Bonneville Dam caught 9,200 chinook during 16 days of fishing.  LeFleur noted that the downstream boundary for the chinook fishery that opens Saturday has been moved above the mouth of the Lewis River to protect a weak chinook run there this year.

But upriver brights, returning to the Hanford Reach area and to the Snake River, are putting in a strong showing, LeFleur said.  A technical advisory committee increased the estimated size of the upriver bright run to 212,500 fish, compared to the pre-season forecast of 164,400 fish.

New allowable catch rates for those fish, established in a new 10-year U.S. v. Oregon agreement, also contributed to the decision to reopen the fishery, LeFleur said.

That agreement, approved by a federal judge last month, allows non-tribal fishers to harvest a total of 11 percent of the upriver bright run, compared to 8.25 percent under the previous accord.  Parties to the U.S. v. Oregon agreement include the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho; federal resource agencies; and tribal governments.

"These runs have improved in recent years, and that fact is reflected in the new catch rates," LeFleur said.

The combination of strong returns and new catch rates may allow the states to open a chinook fishery in the lower Snake River in the coming weeks, she said.  "If that occurs, it would be the first fall chinook opening we’ve had there in several decades."

Anglers can find updates on fisheries throughout the state on the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov .

 
--
Thanks,
Jerry Brown
http://www.columbia-river-fishing-guide.com
206-920-2428

White River Travel
http://www.white-river-travel.com

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Make no mistake, wild steelhead rules haven't changed

OLYMPIA - State fishery managers are again reminding anglers they must release any wild steelhead they catch on all but 11 Washington rivers - most of them on the Olympic Peninsula.  The annual limit is one wild steelhead per year.

While those rules have been in place since 2004, the wording on this year's catch record cards apparently has caused some confusion, said Bob Leland, statewide steelhead manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

The new statement on the cards, used by anglers to report their annual catch, reads:  "One Wild Steelhead Allowed On This Card."

"Some anglers are apparently under the impression the card allows them to catch and keep a wild steelhead anywhere in the state," Leland said.  "It doesn't.  The statement only applies where retention of wild steelhead is allowed."

As noted in the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet , the only rivers in Washington open to retention of wild winter steelhead - and then, only during specific seasons -- are the Bogachiel, Calawah, Clearwater, Dickey, Hoh, Hoko, Pysht, Quillayute, Quinault and Sol Duc rivers on the Olympic Peninsula.  The Green/Duwamish River, which flows into Elliott Bay near Seattle, is open to the harvest of wild summer steelhead in summer and fall.

All other rivers in the state are closed to retention of wild steelhead to protect weak runs of naturally spawning fish.  Many rivers are, however, open to retention of hatchery steelhead, which can be identified by a clipped adipose fin.

Leland said the statement on the 2008 catch cards was added after the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission dropped the 30-fish annual limit for hatchery steelhead, giving anglers the option of purchasing additional catch record cards for hatchery steelhead. The new statement was added to indicate that anglers should report the catch of a wild steelhead on the first card, not subsequent cards.

"We'll work on the wording for next year's catch card to avoid any confusion," Leland said.  "The message now is that the rules haven't changed in terms of where anglers can catch and retain wild steelhead."  

Friday, September 12, 2008

Cowlitz River opens Sunday for chinook salmon fishing

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Starting Sunday (Sept. 14), anglers fishing the lower Cowlitz River may keep one adult chinook salmon as part of their daily catch limit.
The area open to chinook retention extends from the boundary markers at the mouth of the river upstream to 400 feet below Mayfield Dam.
With more chinook returning to the Cowlitz River Hatchery than expected, state fishery managers now believe they can open a chinook fishery and still collect enough fish to meet hatchery-production goals.
"This year's outlook has improved for Cowlitz River chinook," said Pat Frazier, regional fish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "We've been telling anglers we'd open the fishery if the count at the hatchery supported it, and it does."
Based on early returns and historic run patterns, the department now expects to meet its goal of getting 2,600 adult chinook salmon back to the hatchery, he said.
Starting Sunday, anglers fishing the Cowlitz River may catch and keep one adult salmon as part of their six-salmon daily limit, which may also include hatchery-reared chinook jacks and adult hatchery coho.
Adult chinook with or without a clipped adipose fin may be retained, but chinook jacks with an intact adipose fin must be released. Effective Oct. 1, adult chinook must be released from Blue Creek to Mill Creek.
Frazier noted that anglers fishing the lower Cowlitz River may also retain up to six hatchery-reared adult steelhead per day through Oct. 22, after which the limit returns to two fish per day.
"This is a good time to go fishing on the Cowlitz River," Frazier said. "Salmon are moving into the river from the mainstem Columbia and the daily catch limits are favorable. We're happy to be in a position to give anglers this opportunity."

Thursday, September 4, 2008

SW Washington Fishing Report 8-4-2008

Now that the Buoy 10 fishery is closed for the season, hundreds of Columbia River anglers have moved upriver to fish for salmon - including chinook - from Rocky Point/Tongue Point to Bonneville Dam. Fishing started fairly slow Sept. 1, but could pick up quickly in the days ahead if past years are any indication.
"The bite can pick up fast, because the run tends to move through that part of the river fairly quickly," said Wolf Dammers, a WDFW fish biologist. "Anglers who don't want to miss the peak of the run are advised to get a line in the water sooner rather than later."
Creel checks conducted during the second day of the fishery indicated catch rates of about one salmon - most of them chinook - for every one to two boats, Dammers said. Most boats, and there were plenty of them, were concentrated between Longview and Washougal, he said.
Through Sept. 16, anglers fishing between Rocky Point and Bonneville Dam may retain two adult salmon - of which only one may be a chinook - as part of their six-salmon daily limit. After Sept. 16, only hatchery coho may be retained in that part of the river.
Dammers reminds anglers that all chinook must be released this year on the mainstem Columbia River in the eight-mile fall chinook sanctuary area near the mouth of the Lewis River. That area is defined on page 79 of the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ).
Several tributaries to the Columbia River also opened for chinook fishing Labor Day. On the Elochoman River, anglers may now retain up to two adult chinook as part of their daily salmon catch limit. On the Toutle River System, which includes the North Fork Toutle and the Green River in Cowlitz County, anglers may retain one chinook per day.
Including hatchery coho, the daily catch limit on those rivers is six fish per day, of which four may be adults. Anglers may retain any adult chinook, but must release any chinook jacks not marked as a hatchery fish by a clipped adipose fin. Areas of those rivers open to retention of chinook are:
Elochoman River from the mouth to the West Fork.
Mainstem Toutle River from the mouth to the confluence of the North and Southfork Toutle.
North Fork Toutle River from the mouth to the deadline below the Fish Collection Facility.
Green River (Cowlitz County) from the mouth to the 2800 Bridge.
Salmon fishing also opened Sept. 1 on the Grays River (including the West Fork), but chinook caught there may be retained only if they have a clipped adipose and/or ventral fin. For more information on that fishery, check the Fishing in Washington rule pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm .
Anglers should also be aware of new rules adopted during the North of Falcon season-setting process to conserve chinook salmon in those and several other area tributaries, including:
Lewis River: Anglers are required to release all chinook salmon intercepted on the Lewis River, where wild chinook returns are expected to reach only about half of the 5,700-fish escapement goal. The requirement to release chinook is in effect in the Lewis River, the North Fork Lewis River and in the chinook sanctuary area on the mainstem Columbia River noted above. Fishing for hatchery coho and hatchery steelhead remains open, but fishing from boats is prohibited on the North Fork Lewis from Johnson Creek upstream to Merwin Dam to minimize chinook handling.
Cowlitz River: Anglers must continue to release all chinook - except marked, hatchery-reared jacks - because hatchery returns are not expected to meet management goals. Anglers may still retain hatchery steelhead and hatchery coho caught in both rivers.
Kalama, Washougal, Wind and White Salmon rivers, plus Drano Lake: Anglers may retain any adult chinook salmon on all or part of these waters, but must release any wild, unmarked chinook jacks they encounter. For specific area boundaries, see the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ).
In addition, the lower portion of Mill, Abernathy, Germany, and Coal creeks and Coweeman River will be closed to all fishing in September and October to protect spawning fall chinook.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

NEHALEM RIVER FALL CHINOOK FISHING

Nehalem River Fall Chinook Fishing!!! Oregon Coast


September means Fall Chinook on the Oregon Coast. With the Columbia Buoy Ten season now closed, its time to fish Nehalem Oregon a few minutes south of Cannon Beach.

Chinook Salmon on the Nehalem River average 20 to 35 pounds with fish being caught in excess of 50 pounds every September. Most fish are caught in the "calm" waters out in front of the town of Nehalem between the Hwy 101 bridge out to the river mouth or the "jaws" on the Pacific Ocean. Using 10' 6" Fetha Styx mooching rods, trolling is the show here with cut-plugged herring and large spinners in 8 to 25 feet of water making for a tremendous fight. We average 4 to 6 King salmon a day.

We are currently taking reservations for fishing trips on the Nealem river. We will be fishing from a large and roomy 25 foot Alumaweld Super Vee with a 200hp Yamaha Outboard. Prime dates are still available for September.

Also we are booking the October Coho fishery on the Chehalis, Cowlitz, and Lewis rivers. Don't wit for the fishing to get good, Book it now!

Catch rates, fishing reports, and fishing reservations may be obtained online at http://www.columbia-river-fishing-guide.com or by phone at (206)-920-2428.

Also I have started an on-line travel company. Please take a look next time you're booking travel for a fishing trip with J and L Guided Sportfishing, ( aifare, hotels, rental vehicles) and if I'm the same or less, I would appreciate you booking with White River Travel rather than Expedia or Travelocity.