Commission to consider adopting plans for Columbia River chinook fisheries

OLYMPIA - The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider adopting new fishery management plans for Columbia River spring and summer chinook salmon during a public meeting scheduled here Jan. 9-10.

Those plans, which include guidelines for allocating sport and commercial harvest opportunities for the popular chinook fisheries, will top the commission's agenda Jan. 10, the second day of the two-day meeting.

The first day of the meeting will be devoted to briefings on a variety of other issues, including a pilot grazing program on lands owned by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Gov. Gregoire's 2009-11 budget proposal for the department.

The public meeting is scheduled to get under way at 8:30 a.m. both days in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. S.E. on the state Capitol Campus in Olympia.  An agenda for the meeting is available on the commission's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/com/meetings.htm .

The commission, which sets policy for WDFW, held a public hearing earlier this month on new guidelines recommended for Columbia River spring and summer chinook fisheries by a bi-state subcommittee established in conjunction with the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission.  The subcommittee addressed conservation buffers as well as management objectives for both sport and commercial fisheries.

But the Washington commission delayed action on those guidelines after the Oregon commission approved a plan to direct a larger share of the spring chinook harvest to commercial fisheries than recommended by the bi-state panel.

The Washington commission will again address the management policies for Columbia River spring and summer chinook after receiving briefings on several other issues on the first day of the meeting.  Issues scheduled for discussion Jan. 9 include:

• Gov. Gregoire's proposed budget for the department in 2009-11.
• An analysis of the economic value of recreational and commercial fisheries in Washington state.
• A pilot-grazing project on lands owned by WDFW in Asotin County and a separate partnership, established under the Wild Horse Coordinated Resource Management Plan, with landowners in Kittitas County
• The status of a timber salvage and thinning operation on portions of the Olympic and Johns River wildlife areas near Grays Harbor.

The commission will also hear public testimony on a policy proposal addressing the North of Falcon season-setting process for 2009 salmon fisheries. est Regards,
Capt. Jerry Brown
Columbia River Fishing
http://www.columbia-river-fishing-guide.com
206-920-2428

2009 Sturgeon Season Cloumbia River above Wauna

Action:   Allow retention of white sturgeon only on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from January 1 through July 31 and from October 1 through December 31.  Sturgeon may be caught and released, but not retained, Sundays through Wednesdays and during August and September.

Only white sturgeon between 38-inches fork length and 54-inches fork length may be retained per permanent rule.

Effective date:   Jan. 1 through Jul. 31 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2009

Location:   The Columbia River and tributaries from the Wauna powerlines near Cathlamet upstream to Bonneville Dam.

Species affected:   White sturgeon

Reason for action:   The regulation is consistent with Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission guidance for 2009 Columbia River sturgeon management.  The dates for retention of white sturgeon are based on the 2009 seasons adopted at the joint state hearing on December 18, 2008.  The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission had previously adopted the 38-inch fork length minimum size limit and the 54-inch fork length maximum size limit on February 1, 2008, for implementation January 1, 2009. 

Other information:   Catch and release fishing is allowed seven days per week except the area from Bonneville Dam downstream to Navigation Marker 85 is closed to all fishing for sturgeon from May 1-July 31.

White sturgeon retention on the Columbia River and tributaries below the Wauna powerlines reopens to retention seven days per week from January 1 through April 30 per permanent regulation.  The new 38-inch to 54-inch fork length size limits also apply to this area.  The area below Wauna is scheduled to close to retention May 1 through May 8, then reopen to retention seven days per week for the periods May 9 through June 24 and July 2-5.  The minimum size limit for this area is scheduled to switch to 41-inches fork length May 9.  Retention of green sturgeon is prohibited.

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

2009 Smelt Season set for Washington

Species affected:  Smelt

Effective dates:  Jan. 1 through March 31, 2009

Action (1):  Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day

Location:  Columbia River

Daily Limit:  25-pound daily limit

Action (2):  Open Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Location:  Cowlitz River

Daily Limit:  10-pound daily limit

Reason for action: A Level 1 fishery was adopted in accordance with the Washington and Oregon Eulachon Management Plan.  Abundance and productivity indicators project a weak return of smelt for 2009.  This rule is consistent with WDFW Hearing action of December 18, 2008.

Information contact: Region 5 Office (360) 696-6211

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

Columbia River Sturgeon Season Set for 2009

VANCOUVER, Wash. - The 2009 sport fishery for Columbia River white sturgeon will open New Year's Day under rules similar to those in effect this year, but with somewhat tighter catch limits below Bonneville Dam.

To compensate for high harvest levels during this year's fishery, catch limits will be 2,000 fish lower in the lower Columbia River and adjoining tributaries in 2009 under fishing rules adopted last week by fishery managers from Washington and Oregon.

The largest adjustment is in the area from the Wauna powerlines near Cathlamet  upstream to Bonneville Dam, where anglers will be limited to 11,268 legal-size white sturgeon.  This year's catch was estimated at 13,919 fish - 1,532 fish above the number allotted for that area.

To meet this year's lower guideline, anglers fishing that stretch of the Columbia River in 2009 will be allowed to retain white sturgeon only three days a week, rather than four.

"Three days of retention fishing was the norm for those waters until two years ago," said Brad James, a fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).  "Also, while the new harvest guideline above the Wauna powerlines will be lower next year, it will still be higher than the number of sturgeon caught by anglers in 2006." 

Farther downstream, fishery managers set a harvest level for 2009 of 15,529 white sturgeon for waters extending 40 miles from the Wauna powerlines to Buoy 10 at the mouth of the Columbia River.  That allocation is up from last year, but slightly below the three-year average guideline of 16,000 fish.

Next year's harvest guidelines for both areas of the lower Columbia River are designed to bring the catch into line during the fourth year of a sturgeon-management agreement between Washington and Oregon, James said. The new catch limits were adopted following a decision by the fish and wildlife commissions of both states to extend the management agreement for 2006-08 through 2009.

James said anglers who fish for sturgeon in the new year should be aware of a new rule adopted by the two state commissions that will base official size limits for white sturgeon on "fork length" measurements, rather than the total length of the fish.  The new size limits, which take effect Jan. 1, are based on the distance from the tip of a sturgeon's nose to the fork in its tail, making it easier to measure thrashing fish.

As in previous years, anglers in all areas will be limited to one legal-sized white sturgeon per day and five per year.  Anglers must release all green sturgeon, a separate species listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Fishing seasons established for the 2009 white sturgeon sport fishery on the Columbia River and adjacent tributaries are as follows:

• Buoy 10 to the Wauna powerlines:   Fishing for retention of white sturgeon is open seven days per week from Jan. 1 to April 30, from May 9 to June 28, and from July 2-5 or until the harvest guideline is reached.  From Jan. 1 to April 30, the fork length of retained sturgeon must be a minimum of 38 inches and a maximum of 54 inches.  From May 9 to June 28 and from July 2-5, the fork length of retained sturgeon must be a minimum of 41 inches and a maximum of 54 inches.  Catch-and-release fishing is allowed May 1-8, June 29 to July 1, and July 6 to Dec. 31. 
• Wauna powerlines to Bonneville Dam:   Fishing for retention of white sturgeon is open three days per week (Thursday through Saturday) Jan. 1 through July 31 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.  The fork length of retained sturgeon must be a minimum of 38 inches and a maximum of 54 inches.  Catch-and-release fishing is allowed Aug. 1 through Sept. 30 and on days when retention is prohibited.  All fishing for sturgeon will be closed from May through July in the sturgeon spawning sanctuary downriver from Bonneville Dam 5.5 miles to Navigation Marker 85.
• Above Bonneville Dam:   Fishing for retention of white sturgeon opens seven days per week Jan. 1 until individual catch guidelines are met in the Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day pools.  In the Bonneville Pool, the fork length of retained sturgeon must be a minimum of 38 inches and a maximum of 54 inches.  In The Dalles and John Day pools, the fork length of retained sturgeon must be a minimum of 43 inches and a maximum of 54 inches.  Catch-and-release fishing is allowed after the guidelines are met in all three areas above Bonneville Dam.  All fishing will be closed from May through July in two spawning sanctuaries located below John Day Dam downstream 2.4 miles and from McNary Dam downstream 1.5 miles.

Catch guidelines for areas above Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam will be evaluated in January, but are likely to remain the same as this year for Bonneville Pool and for John Day Pool.  The population in The Dalles Pool appears to be on the rebound and the population may be healthy enough to allow managers to relax the guideline for 2009, James said. 

The fishing periods will be reassessed in June based on available catch data, and may be modified as needed James said.  Any changes will be posted on the WDFW website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/ ) and distributed to the news media.

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

Sturgeon size limits will switch to 'fork length' measurement

OLYMPIA - Starting New Year's Day, anglers fishing for sturgeon should find the big fish easier to measure for compliance with state size limits.

By mutual agreement, fishery managers in Washington and Oregon have agreed to base official size limits for white sturgeon on "fork length" - the distance between the tip of a fish's nose and the fork in its tail - rather than their full length. 

That change is designed primarily to make it easier to measure thrashing sturgeon, which often run four to five feet in length, said Brad James, a fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

"In most cases, a legal-size fish under the old rules will still be a legal-size fish under the new rules," James said.  "The method of measuring the fish will change, but the size of the fish retained by anglers will remain the same."

The main problem with trying to measure the total length of a sturgeon is that the top lobe of a sturgeon's tail is longer and more flexible than the bottom lobe, James said.  "The new rule eliminates an element of subjectivity that has long been problematic for anglers and fishery managers alike," he said.

An illustration of measuring a sturgeon according to fork length is posted on the WDFW website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/sturgeon/index.html ).

Starting Jan. 1, both the minimum and maximum size limits for retaining white sturgeon will be adjusted to reflect the new "fork-length" measurement.  As under current rules, a maximum size limit will be retained to protect large, breeding female sturgeon.

Under rules currently in effect for most waters of the state, anglers may retain only those white sturgeon with a total length of 42 to 60 inches. Under the new statewide rule, the new standard for legal-size sturgeon will be 38 to 54 inches, measured from a fish's snout to the fork in its tail.

The new 54-inch size maximum limit will be in effect statewide.  However, as under current rules, minimum size limits will vary from the 38-inch statewide standard on certain stretches of the Columbia and Snake rivers.  Effective Jan. 1, new size limits on those rivers will be as follows:

• The mouth of the Columbia River upstream to Wauna powerlines near Cathlamet:  New fork-length limit is 38 to 54 inches through April 30.  (Old limit 45 to 60 inches.) 
• The Dalles Dam upstream to Priest Rapids Dam on the Columbia River:  New fork-length limit is 43 inches to 54 inches. (Old limit 48 to 60 inches.)   
• The Snake River upstream to Lower Granite Dam near the border with Idaho: New fork-length limit 43 to 54 inches.  (Old limit 48 to 60 inches.)

The new fork-length measurements will also take effect Jan. 1 for non-Indian commercial fisheries on the Columbia River.

While the Columbia River accounts for most white sturgeon caught in Washington state, James said the species is also the focus of active fisheries from northern Puget Sound to the bays and rivers along the Pacific Coast.

"Regardless of where people are fishing, these new size limits should make it easier for fishers to tell whether they should keep or release a fish," James said.

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

Puget Sound Crab Season to Close

 All areas of Puget Sound will close to recreational crab fishing at sunset Jan. 2, after which all sport crabbers licensed to fish for crab in the Sound will have 13 days to report their winter catch.

State fishing rules require that all sport crabbers submit catch reports for the winter season to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) by Jan. 15 - even if they did not catch any crab.  The winter crab season runs from Sept. 2 to Jan. 2.

"Catch reports are an important tool in managing the Puget Sound crab fishery," said Rich Childers, WDFW shellfish policy lead.  "We need to hear from everyone - including those who didn't catch any crab - because more information provides greater accuracy in estimating the catch and developing future fishing seasons."

To submit their catch reports, crabbers may either send their catch record card to WDFW by mail, or file their report on a special webpage on the department's licensing website.  Catch record cards may be mailed to WDFW CRC Unit, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.  The online reporting system will be available Jan. 2-15 at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ .

Sport crabbers who file their catch reports by the Jan. 15 deadline will be entered in a drawing for one of 10 free combination fishing licenses, which allow the holder to fish for a variety of freshwater and saltwater species during the 2009-10 season.

Puget Sound crabbers should also be aware of two important changes that will occur starting with the next crab season, Childers said. First, crabbers who fail to report their 2009 summer or winter catch will be required to pay $10 before a license vendor will issue a new catch record card for the 2010 Puget Sound crab season. Second, crabbers will have the option to decline receiving a winter catch card when purchasing their 2009 fishing license. This will help them avoid a fine for not reporting a winter catch, Childers said. 

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

Fish and Wildlife looks to slash $30.5 million

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife needs to cut $30.5 million as its part in Gov. Chris Gregoire's plan for closing Washington's $6 billion budget deficit.

Joe Stohrs, a department deputy director, told the Fish and Wildlife Commission on Friday the cuts amount to $8.5 million from the Wildlife fund and $22 million in general fund spending.

The Wildlife fund is mostly money from hunting and fishing license fees.

Department managers spent two days this week working on potential trims to the agency's budget. Those cuts include 157 full-time equivalent jobs.

Other specifics mentioned included ending the department's aviation facilities and loss of support staff for the master hunter and volunteer programs plus assistance to local governments.

Seven hatcheries were mentioned as possibilities for closure. Guy Norman, regional director, said the hatcheries are deep into the prioritized list of cuts, but includes Mossyrock hatchery in Lewis County.

Stohrs said some natural resource agencies such as the Department of Natural Resources or Department of Ecology get money from a variety of sources, but Fish and Wildlife's dollars come mostly from the two funds.

Gregoire made a campaign pledge for no new taxes, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife does not plan to ask for any fee increases.

Stohrs said the agency has identified eight different ways to increase fees if state lawmakers ask for suggestions, including a fishing license increase and a fee for using two fishing rods in designated waters.

The preliminary reduction plans strive to keep the agency's "core functions'' as whole as possible, he said.

In general, the plan favors regional staff over Olympia positions and line workers over managers, he added.

No action on spring chinook

The commission discussed but took no action on its differences with Oregon over the sport-commercial allocation of Columbia River spring chinook salmon.

Oregon favors a base sharing of 55 sport and 45 percent commercial, while Washington's proposal is 65 percent sport-35 percent commercial.

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

SW Washington Fishing Report

Cowlitz River - From the I-5 Bridge downstream, 27 bank anglers had no catch.
From the I-5 Bridge upstream, 32 bank anglers kept 9 steelhead and released 9 steelhead and 4 cutthroats. 9 boat anglers kept 3 steelhead and 1 cutthroat
and released 12 steelhead "jacks" and 3 cutthroats. Most of the catch was
observed around Blue Creek.

Kalama River - 15 bank anglers released 1 steelhead while 4 boat anglers had no catch.

North Fork Lewis River - 45 bank anglers kept 5 steelhead and 1 adult coho and released 1 steelhead. 4 boat anglers kept 2 steelhead and released 1. Most of the effort and catch was observed around the salmon hatchery.

The North Fork Lewis River from Johnson Creek (located below the salmon
hatchery) upstream to the overhead powerlines opens to fishing from floating devices beginning tomorrow (December 16).

Winter and summer steelhead smolt stocking for 2007 is now available at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/harvest/07-08/smolts.htm. The majority of the adult returns from these releases are expected during the 2008-2009 winter and
2009 summer seasons.

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

WDFW related article from today's Olympian

The state Fish and Wildlife Commission has a boatload of huge tasks in 2009.

There's a big budget cut on the way. Wild salmon and steelhead runs continue to struggle. Limited numbers of hard-working Fish and Wildlife employees will have fewer resources to manage fish and wildlife populations on millions of acres.

Fewer hunters and anglers — Fish and Wildlife's core groups — are buying licenses and going afield.

But no task will be more important than selecting a permanent director for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The director sets the tone in the department — and is responsible for everything from managing elk overpopulations near Mount St. Helens to cougars — and, soon, wolves — to reversing the decades-long decline in wild salmon and steelhead runs.

The director also must improve relations with core Fish and Wildlife groups — especially anglers, and, perhaps to a lesser degree, hunters.

Poor public relations at the top

Former Director Jeff Koenings alienated many outdoors people during his 10 years at the helm of Fish and Wildlife.

It's difficult to find an involved angler — the kind of nutsos that drive long distances to meetings at their own expense — who feel as though Koenings listened to their concerns.

For example, Koenings advocated letting Columbia River commercial gillnetters kill more wild steelhead in nets set for chinook salmon.

This proposal didn't make sense to the thousands of sport anglers who volunteer for steelhead recovery programs and have seen runs plummet in many Columbia River tributaries.

Koenings was often curt — to the point of rudeness — with user groups that questioned Fish and Wildlife policy.

And, to be transparent, Koenings was rude and vindictive — and inaccurate — to me when I asked questions about smallmouth bass eating baby salmon on the Columbia River.

Washington's biggest fishing groups didn't shed a tear when Koenings resigned.

Even more telling: declining sales of fishing licenses shows anglers are tiring of mediocre salmon fisheries.

Know that Fish and Wildlife employees are respected throughout the state. Biologists, enforcement officers, scientists and others do miracles with limited resources — and many of them are skilled at talking with user groups and rallying volunteers to projects.


It's time that Fish and Wildlife's top brass acted more like their boots-on-the-dirt employees and reached out to anglers, hunters, wildlife watchers and other outdoor lovers.

The big search

Jerry Gutzwiler, chairman of the Fish and Wildlife Commission, said the search for a new director will begin in mid-2009, after the department learns how much money will be cut from the budget.

Acting director Phil Anderson says the Legislature may cut up to $40 million out of the $170 million of state funds that went to the department in the 2007-2009 budget.

Anderson not a likely choice

Gutzwiler said Anderson, a deputy director who is the interim director at least through June 2009, is probably not a candidate for the permanent position.

Anderson, a former Westport charter boat skipper who has risen through Fish and Wildlife since 1994 and is an expert on negotiating salmon fishing seasons, doesn't have a college degree.

"Basically, Phil has stepped forward to take on a role during difficult times," Gutzwiler said.

Anderson will focus on getting Fish and Wildlife through the Legislature's budget process in 2009, Gutzwiler said.

Anderson said he's not sure if he will apply for the permanent position — and he's too busy trying to convince the Legislature that Fish and Wildlife programs drive a big economic engine.

"I'm not ready to make that decision yet," Anderson said of applying for the permanent job.

Anderson is telling anyone who will listen that natural resource agencies, such as Fish and Wildlife, get a tiny chunk of the state's budget.

Yet, Washington anglers alone spent $550 million on gear in 2006 and another $335 million on fishing-related expenses, such as hotels, gas and other expenses.

It's time for the state's anglers — and hunters and wildlife watchers — to have a Fish and Wildlife director who listens, reaches out and brings back the frustrated folks who stopped hunting and fishing.

It's time for everyone to work together, and it will take an exceptional leader to make it all happen.

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

Columbia River Catch Sharing

OLYMPIA - The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission today deferred action on allocating the catch of Columbia River spring chinook salmon between sport and commercial fisheries pending further discussions with Oregon's commission.

The delay followed approval of a plan by the Oregon commission the previous day to provide more fishing opportunities for commercial fisheries than recommended by a bi-panel created to develop a joint approach to the controversial catch-sharing issue.

Surprised by that action, Washington commissioners voted at today's meeting to delay action on both spring and summer chinook allocation plans until their next public meeting, scheduled Jan. 9-10 in Olympia.

The commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), did take action at their December meeting to:

• Extend the appointment of Phil Anderson as WDFW's interim director at least through June 30, 2009.  Anderson, who previously served as deputy director, was named interim director earlier this month after former director Jeff Koenings resigned after 10 years with the department. 
• Extend the current sturgeon-management policy for the Columbia River through 2009, providing fishery managers with a framework for setting next year's fishing seasons.
• Update facility requirements for oiled-bird rehabilitation activities to reflect new technologies and best available practices.
• Allow the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife two acquire two properties for wildlife conservation in Okanogan County and a right-of-way for bridge improvements in Yakima County.

According to a recent projection, nearly 300,000 spring chinook are expected to return to the Columbia River in 2009, which would make the run the third-highest on record. 

The spring chinook fishery presents special challenges to fishery managers, both because the catch is highly prized by both sport and commercial fishers and because the run includes wild salmon listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), which tightly limits mortality rates for listed fish.

In the spring chinook fishery, harvest opportunities for hatchery-reared fish are based on keeping impact rates on ESA-listed fish within federal conservation limits.

To help develop consistent allocation policies, the fish and wildlife commissions of Washington and Oregon created the Columbia River Fish Working Group, a joint panel established by the commissions that includes three commission members, two fishery managers and citizen advisors from each state.

Under the base allocation recommended by the Working Group, the sport fishery would be allowed 65 percent of the impacts on wild fish and the commercial fishery 35 percent.  Those shares would vary depending on the run size for the upper Columbia and Willamette rivers.

In a departure from that plan, the Oregon commission voted to allocate 55 percent to the sport fishery and 45 percent to the commercial fishery.

Other aspects of the plan recommended by the Working Group would provide:

• A 35 percent conservation fuffer to minimize the risk of exceeding ESA limits on wild stocks.
• A sport fishery of at least 45 days in March and April on the lower Columbia, with additional days through May consistent with federal conservation limits.
• Stable fisheries above Bonneville Dam in the Columbia River and lower Snake River with 25 percent of the sport fishery's allowable impacts on wild fish.
• A stable commercial fishery in off-channel "select areas" such as Deep River in Washington and Youngs Bay in Oregon.
• Some commercial fishing opportunities in the mainstem Columbia River in March and April if the run size permits. If impacts remain, harvest opportunities will be maximized in May.

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

Latest Southwest Washington Sport Sampling Summaries

Cowlitz River - From the I-5 Bridge downstream, 13 bank and 3 boat anglers had no catch. From the I-5 Bridge upstream, 42 bank anglers kept 1 and released 1 steelhead while 34 boat anglers kept 5 steelhead and 1 cutthroat and released one cutthroat. Steelhead kept were winter runs.

Last week, Tacoma Power recovered 1,215 coho salmon adults, 146 jacks, 198 winter-run steelhead, 118 cutthroat trout, ten summer-run steelhead, and one fall Chinook adult during seven days of operations at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator.

During this past week Tacoma Power employees transported a total of 630 coho adults, 40 jacks and six winter-run steelhead to Lake Scanewa above Cowlitz Falls Dam on the upper Cowlitz River, 106 coho adults, 12 jacks, one fall Chinook adult and six cutthroat trout into the Tilton River at Gust Backstom Park in Morton, 367 coho adults and 47 jacks into the upper Cowlitz River at the Skate Creek Bridge in Packwood, Washington, 28 coho adults and three jacks into the Cispus River above the mouth of Yellow Jacket Creek and recycled 221 sea-run cutthroat trout to the Interstate-5 boat launch.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife employees and volunteers transported a total of 168 winter-run steelhead to Kress Lake near Kalama, Washington during the past week.

River flows at Mayfield Dam are approximately 5,460 cubic feet per second on Monday, December 8.

Blue Creek (tributary to Cowlitz River) - In the creek, 6 bank anglers kept 3 steelhead and 1 cutthroat and released one cutthroat. Steelhead were summer runs

SW Washignton Fishing report

Fishing:   As winter steelhead runs continue to build in area rivers, WDFW will start planting lakes throughout the region with catchable-size and larger brood stock rainbow trout and excess hatchery steelhead that become available. Evening razor clam digs also are scheduled Dec. 11-14 at Copalis and Mocrocks and Dec. 12-14 at Long Beach and Twin Harbors. Digging will be restricted to the hours between noon and midnight.

Catch rates for hatchery steelhead were fairly low in the lower Columbia River Basin through the first week of December, but should improve after a good winter rain, said Joe Hymer, a WDFW fish biologist. 

"We're getting a good early return to the hatcheries, but a lot of rivers are running low and clear," Hymer said. "Rain should improve fishing and help us determine whether this run is big or just early."

Through the first week of December, 743 winter steelhead had returned to the Cowlitz  hatcheries, compared to 84 during the same period last year.  Thirty-four boat anglers contacted in a creel survey that week caught five hatchery fish above the Interstate 5 Bridge, but 42 bank anglers accounted for just two fish.  Sixteen anglers interviewed below the bridge had no catch.

During the first week of December, Tacoma Power employees transported 630 coho adults and six winter-run steelhead from the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery to Lake Scanewa above Cowlitz Falls Dam.  They also moved 106 coho adults, an adult fall chinook and six cutthroat trout into the Tilton River at Gust Backstom Park in Morton, 367 coho adults into the upper Cowlitz River at the Skate Creek Bridge in Packwood and 221 sea-run cutthroat trout to the Interstate-5 boat launch. 

Six bank anglers fishing Blue Creek caught and kept three summer-run steelhead, but catch rates were generally light on the Kalama River and the North Fork Lewis River. Returns to the Lewis River Hatchery were lagging slightly (408 compared to 489 last year), but about twice as many winter steelhead had returned to hatcheries on the Kalama and Washougal rivers through the first week of December as last year.

"It's still early in the run, but there's a chance of some good fishing once we get some rain," Hymer said. As always, anglers are reminded that any wild steelhead they intercept with an intact adipose fin must be released.

Carbon River closing December 15th, 2008

Action: Closes the Carbon River to fishing.

Effective dates: Dec. 15, 2008, until further notice.

Species affected:   All gamefish.

Location: The Carbon River from the mouth to the Highway 162 Bridge.

Reasons for action: The Voight's Creek Hatchery has been unable to secure sufficient eggs from returning hatchery winter steelhead to meet basin production goals.  Closure of the fishery is needed to collect sufficient fish to meet egg take needs. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), in support of the Hatchery Scientific Review Group recommendations, intends to use locally adapted broodstock to support the Puyallup River system winter-steelhead hatchery program rather than importing eggs from outside sources. 

Other information: When broodstock needs are met (approx. 150 fish), the fishery will revert to seasons as listed in the Sport fishing Rules 2008/2009 pamphlet edition, Fishing in Washington. WDFW will be organizing broodstock collection activities in order to more quickly acquire broodstock.

Information Contact: Hal Michael, 360-902-2659, Hal.Michael@dfw.wa.gov  

Columbia Spring Chinook Meetings

 The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider adopting new catch-sharing plans for Columbia River spring and summer chinook salmon on the second day of a public meeting scheduled Dec. 12-13 in Olympia.

The meeting, which will include several public comment periods, will be held on the first floor of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. S.E.  An agenda for the meeting is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/com/meetings.htm on the commission's website.
 
Prior to that meeting, the Washington commission will meet Dec. 11 with the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission in Portland to discuss recommendations developed by a joint working group for apportioning fishing opportunities for chinook salmon between sport and commercial fisheries in the lower Columbia River.
 
Key goals of the plan, which has not yet been finalized, are to provide greater stability for spring and summer chinook fisheries, while meeting conservation goals for wild salmon.

The joint meeting will be held from 12:30-3:30 p.m. in the Embassy Suites Portland Airport in the Oak Room, 7900 N.E. 82nd Ave.  The public is invited to attend, but there will not be a public comment period at the joint meeting.

The Columbia River Fish Working Group was created by the two state commissions to develop policy recommendations on joint issues, starting with allocation policies for spring and summer chinook salmon.  Three commissioners from each state serve as voting members, joined by top fishery managers and citizen advisors representing sport and commercial fisheries, as well as local communities, in Washington and Oregon.

The Oregon commission is scheduled to consider adoption of the group's recommendations on chinook salmon Dec. 12, a day after they are presented at the joint meeting.

In addition to possible action on a chinook-allocation policy, the Washington commission will consider proposals at its Dec. 12-13 meeting that would:

• Extend the current sturgeon-management policy on the lower Columbia River through 2009.
• Update facility requirements for oiled-bird rehabilitation activities.
• Allow the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife two acquire two properties for wildlife conservation in Okanogan County and a right-of-way for bridge improvements in Yakima County.

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