Puget Sound fishing

Just printed a read the req's. Might as well left them close for all we got.
 
Go Northwest to San Juan Islands.
2 chinook in July, hatchery only + 2 sockeye bonus
1 chinook each in Aug and Sept, hatchery or wild + 2 sockeye bonus

Neah Bay 2 chinook per day, wild or hatchery
Sekiu 2 chinook per day, hatchery only + 2 sockeye bonus

Westport can be good, but only 1 chinook per day, wild or hatchery.
Keep an eye on it, it sometimes goes to 2 chinook per day if fishing is slow, but if one knows where to go, see Rick, then it's go time!
 
I was at work and did not read the entire thing. Still no coho season I gather.

Honestly, fishing up here is stupid, at least for salmon. It's not worth the investment in gear IMO.
 
Here's a silver lining: Crabbing opens on Friday, July 1st!!!!!

Predictions are for not as good as last year...which means we'll have really good season since last year was the best in a very long time.

So it's cruising and crabbing in August and more in September since Anacortes will be open thru 9/30 for crabbing.
 
Here's a silver lining: Crabbing opens on Friday, July 1st!!!!!
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Not up here in the bulk of the San Juan Islands. Marine area 7-south doesn't open until 7/15.....and yes, it does stay open later than other areas (9/30). Marine Area 7-north opens even later . OTOH, Whidbey Island and along the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula areas (marine area 8-1 and 6) open on 7/1 too.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/crab
 
Thanks Sandy, you're right.
Gotta get out and enjoy your boat everyone. Fishing isn't everything, I have come to realize. Just take advantage of the opportunities that exist and join your local fishing club and give support to make things better for us now and our kids in the future.
Like my parents used to tell me, "It's better than a sharp stick."
 
No doubt. We will still TOTALLY enjoy the summer and our boat. I'm not much for spending thousands to catch a 5# salmon anyway. We do love crabbing though and of course partaking of the crab catch afterwards.
 
No doubt. We will still TOTALLY enjoy the summer and our boat. I'm not much for spending thousands to catch a 5# salmon anyway. We do love crabbing though and of course partaking of the crab catch afterwards.
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Enjoy the crabbing up north while it lasts. The tribes will soon take all the crab as they have done in area 13 due to their over fishing.
 
forrest":2t7arvht said:
Enjoy the crabbing up north while it lasts. The tribes will soon take all the crab as they have done in area 13 due to their over fishing.
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I'm not from here, originally.

That said, I've seen the entire area 8-1 carpet bombed with tribal pots, including inside the channel to Everett marina! I've been on Lake Sammammish (on our Sherrif's dept boat) and seen the gauntlet of nets blocking the entrance to Issaquah Creek.

When my partner and I went ashore to talk to them, I could feel/see their resentment towards us. I felt as though I was the enemy and their eyes showed their disdain. I found it eye opening...

The entire system seems very short-sighted, especially for a group that supposedly loves the land. :? I've seen it in the native Hawai'ians too. Not all of them. Mostly the younger generations. They have lost respect for the aina (the land) and all it provides. They think of only today, with no thought of tomorrow or the future.

Rant over.
 
This is why I did not even get a license for 2016, At least not in the US. I am still having a great time 2-4 times per year fishing up well north of the border. Shrimping is appealing to us but we would need more space to pursue it.

Greg
 
I only got a shellfish this year, Greg. Did zero halibut/ling fishing anyway and the coho stuff is not worth it IMO. I've gone w/ friends and family that have all the $$$ gear; I have a pole/real and some lures. That's it.

Shrimping was good and 7W is still open. I'm heading up week after next w/ my brother. Hopefully, the dungy season will be productive as well.
 
For me fishing is about the entire experience, not just what you can take home (if you're lucky). I love the preparation, the fishing, scenery, company, everything. That's why I love it even if I don't catch anything. I am growing increasingly upset about the state of affairs in puget sound. I am going to try and get involved on some level. I can't imagine not being able to fish or know my kids will not have the excuse to experience everything puget sound has to offer. I took 44 fish from area 9 last year and I want to put more than what I take out back, in some way. I think it's important to remain hopeful but not just rely on hope, we need to do something to help (what to do I am not sure, but I am learning). I am teying to remain appreciatative of the opportunities I have. That said I took advantage of the catch and release season they opened in area 10 last weekend. I took my brother in law out who had never caught anything bigger than a pink. He landed 3 kings and we faught 5. We saw a pod of orcas swim by the boat and enjoyed the sunset. I never even fished and it was awesome! We came home with no fish but what an afternoon. It's all about the experience that fishing creates...
 
Kevin,
I agree with what you said. About getting involved, there are many opportunities.
One of the best is to join the PSA SnoKing Chapter. Meetings are right by your boat, not literally, almost though. Edmonds Senior Center and Ron Garner is PSA State President and member of SnoKing. He is one of the ones to work with if you are able to be more involved. After years of his work and collaboration, the State, WDFW come to HIM when they are making decisions, that's how connected he is.
I am a member, but I don't have the time to be extremely involved, but I support through emails and such and membership to have my voice heard.

Here is the link:

http://www.fisharc.com/groups/2-PSA_Sno_King

I don't see a meeting subject for July, but keep checking. I won't make the July meeting, will be out on the boat.

Hope to see you at a future meeting.

In the meantime, it's taking advantage of opportunities to enjoy our resources and work to keep and expand them.

BTW, good job on the catch and release! You're a real fishy guy!
 
Good thoughts Kevin and the rest of the non-fishing experience we just refer to as boating. One day until the next trip....!

Greg
 
Kevin,

This is a little out of left field, but before I became a salt water power boat guy, I did a TON of backpacking and high lake trout fishing (at 70 years old, going up isn't so easy anymore :D).

Anyway, after many years I felt much like you do now about "giving back". Eventually, I got involved in many ways, but one of the prime ways was that I sat for many years on something called the IFPAG (Inland Fishery Policy Advisory Group) run by the WDFW (Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife). The WDFW has many of these "groups"....including for salman, salt water, and the like. Each group has about 15 citizens on it, and they meet 3 or 4 tiems a year to discuss and recommend positions on issues pertaining to that fishery. Over time one can become quite influential.

One has to be nominated, and show an involvement with the fishery, but since it is all volunteer, it ain't that hard to get accepted. But in any case, these group meetings are open to the public. If I were you, I'd call the WDFW, or nose around on their website, and find the Policy Group that most interests you; then attend their next meeting. They will be happy to see you, and you will see/hear LOTS about what can be done to contribute. I don't think anyone will make you feel obligated.....they will just be glad you are interested (even if they never see you again).

Sandy
 
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