Willamette Springers

[Pete]

This has been quite a springer season. On the plus side, the quota has started to move in the right direction and we had some great weather for this time of year. On the negative side, I didn't have enough time to really dial things in. I still have very little confidence in the accuracy of the ODFW estimation methods. I spoke with the data manager for the Columbia River Fish Passage Center about estimation methods. His unofficial assessment of the ODFW method is that it is "hooey". I hope we can see some improvement in methodology before next season.

[Deleted User]

I agree Pete. Gettin better. And will get a lot better from 2001 or 2002 on because all the hatchery springers (the majority) will be fin-clipped so that we will have bigger quotas and longer seasons; with C&R on nates (natives). Same for the trib.s - Steve

[Deleted User]

The C&R (catch & release) for hatchery springers might work if we can C&R (catch & report) enough of the nate poachers that just can't part with a luscious springer.