Low water fall Chinook

[Myfish]

I feel like some of the costal rivers or creeks should be closed in Sept, Oct, and Nov, when the water is still at or has dropped to summer levels. Does anyone else feel this way? Post your opinions, for or against and why.

[First Bite]

I fish the Wilson river on the coast weekly during the Fall months. At times the Wilson river level is as low as 1.8 feet. These have consistently been my best Steelhead mornings year after year. I'm not talking about stacked up stale Summer fish sitting in deep pools either. These are fresh fish that trickle in regardless of water levels throughout the fall. Nine out of ten are hatchery Steelhead with an occasional fish having all its fins. So in my opinion I feel it should remain open.

Your topic was low water Fall Chinook. In certain cases I would be for a restriction on fishing for Salmon in extreme low water conditions. For example, the Chum Salmon have a tendency to spawn in the lower rivers of the coast and I feel these fish should not be molested if the water levels impede their up river migration. That would be a hard law to enforce though.
Mark

[Deleted User]

I think during the recent Tillamook fall 'Nook season the water and runs were low enough that the ODFW should have considered emergency C&R rules for chinooks (which are a majority native fish that were reduced by the '96 floods)), while leaving the river open for keeping hatchery steelhead that they would prefer be caught. - RT

[This message has been edited by RT (edited 01-19-2001).]

[Joe]

September and at least early October are usually low water conditions. Usually the fish just hold in tidewater until the first rain.

[This message has been edited by Great White hunter (edited 02-06-2001).]

[Trout,myster]

I don't agree with the idea of closure during fall months unless the people mandate that. By that remark, I'm referring to unethical types that tend to gang up around the best snagging holes or hammer the tailouts where the spawners are.

I also fish the Trask and Wilson when it opens for fall chinook and have had some terrific days fishing fast whitewater at the heads of holes. In my opinion, increased law enforcement and fishermen using good ethical judgement would go far to help out the fisheries. The increased law enforcement is probably not in the state's budget so I doubt we'll see that. The ethical part is up to the person with the rod in their hand.

Just my 2 cents!

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Troutmyster

[Myfish]

It's nice to see that there are other fisherman that agree with the points I was trying to make about the unethical fishing that has been obviously taking place on our rivers and streams, and fisherman keeping fish that are beyond having any other purpose than spawning. The rivers and streams have seen a progressivly decreasing run of Chinook Salmon and I feel that part of the reason to this is just what Troutmyster indicated above. Nothing makes me angrier than seeing other fisherman using treble hooks, no bait, and the fish they have kept are as black as sin. I am not seeing this once in awile, I am finding it everytime I go fishing. I understand that law enforcement may not have the funds to supply the game officers needed to help control this from happening, but must be having an effect on our fish runs. Low water closures for fall Chinook Salmon may be the only viable solution.