One fish spring limit looms

[Bill Monroe]

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission reluctantly approved a plan for a one-fish spring chinook limit and a 10 or 12 day sport season downriver (no nets mentioned in the lower Columbia). The one-fish limit will be for both the Willamette and Columbia.

Dan Grogan (NSIA) and I sat in on the telephone call in the Clackamas ODFW office.

This is a negotiated settlement of the differences between Oregon and Washington commissions last Friday.

More on the blog in a bit...waiting now for the Washington commission, which Grogan believes may ask for even more time in the lower river.

Jon Englund, by the way, also raised the question of why couldn't there be more sport fishing in the lower Columbia and less on the Willamette.

[Slayer]

Just dont get it sometimes? Where ares these peoples heads?

[Bill Monroe]

Probably screwed on a little tighter than you might imagine...this will take some of the fish away from the netters above I-5, too...They need to find more expendable fish to have sportfishing in the lower river.

Reason they can't give even more time downriver is that if they do, more upriver-bound fish could get caught and shut down sportfishing up to Bonneville well before their target date of April 30...

This was something hammered out from both sides of the river Monday through Wednesday.

[Slayer]

I guess that I just don't understand their science or logic. Let me state first of all that I think nets need to come out of the rivers and ocean FOREVER. However until that happens we still need to try and do what is right. The Willamette has a small run, why even allow fishing in it? And how do they think those fish get to the willamette? They have to come from downstream. So why would we even allow that? Again just does not make sense.

[slabhunter]

One hatchery fish would make sence early in the lower river season. Above I-5 there is no reason to reduce sport landings of hatchery salmon given the forecast.

[steelfreak]

Above I-5 there is no reason to reduce sport landings of hatchery salmon given the forecast.

I agree. The 1 fish limit is just for the lower river?

[MsOutdrs]

I find it interesting that Englund excused himself from the Commission hearing last Friday...has his "conflict of interest: changed since there isn't a huge audience???

[Biteme]

Just a hunch here, if sport fishing is allowed the nets will be allowed an opener to target the early Willamette fish. Anyone want to bet?

[Bill Monroe]

He did not excuse himself. He declared a potential conflict. So did Dan Edge because many of his OSU students get grants from user groups involved.

Both commissioners repeated their conflicts today and, as Friday, both participated in the discussion.

[Bill Monroe]

Originally Posted by Biteme

Just a hunch here, if sport fishing is allowed the nets will be allowed an opener to target the early Willamette fish. Anyone want to bet?

Sure...I'll bet...I need a name and address, amount you'd like to lose and where we can connect so I can collect.

There has been no discussion at all of a lower Columbia net season...and the two states would have some pretty intense discussions on their hands if they were going to discuss it at this late date...

Send me a PM...

[beachboi26]

Originally Posted by Biteme

Just a hunch here, if sport fishing is allowed the nets will be allowed an opener to target the early Willamette fish. Anyone want to bet?

I bet ya and agree with ya , that is whats going to happen, we did get screwed.

THANK YOU F/W for messing up things for everyone, the guides and businesses that were depending on a season, you guys really make sense!

you and the whole comission are worthless and pathetic

[Bill Monroe]

Play nice, now...You've got a full season.

Plus, it's not set in stone until tomorrow...

[dontcallme13]

Originally Posted by Bill Monroe

Play nice, now...You've got a full season.

Plus, it's not set in stone until tomorrow...

If you see a rock being thrown at you, you don't actually have to let it hit you to know it's going to hurt!!!

[Tri-Fecta]

Originally Posted by Biteme

Just a hunch here, if sport fishing is allowed the nets will be allowed an opener to target the early Willamette fish. Anyone want to bet?

I hope you have enough to cover me as well, cause I'll take that bet too.

[stlhdr1]

The last day stated for gill netting on the DFW site was Feb 12th for winter sturgeon and fin clipped chinook.

With the meeting tomorrow I find it hard to beleive that they won't get more of a winter sturgeon fishery below Bonneville dam even if it only extends into March.

We'll see what happens...

Keith

[monoman]

Bill

This is not a full season! When limits are cut to one fish, fringe fishers don't buy tags. Staff even made the piont that cutting seasons to one per day did not work with the numbers needed. We should not let one fish per day seasons become the norm as we have on the river.
They also want to close the river for all fishing the day the netters are fishing. If so few are going to net, how do you close a public resource?

[stlhdr1]

Originally Posted by monoman

Bill

This is not a full season! When limits are cut to one fish, fringe fishers don't buy tags. Staff even made the piont that cutting seasons to one per day did not work with the numbers needed. We should not let one fish per day seasons become the norm as we have on the river.
They also want to close the river for all fishing the day the netters are fishing. If so few are going to net, how do you close a public resource?

That is about as silly as I've ever seen. They shouldn't have the rivers to themselves and they shouldn't be allowed to fish at night either...

Keith

[HntnFsh]

I kinda saw this coming.But doesnt it also kinda fly in the face of what WDFW has said when they voted in favor of the larger impacts by sportfishers.

They went with 63-35 because that was a good way to get more hatchery fish out of the system.

1 fish a day and a short lower season really wont help accopmplish that.Unless there is a 2 fish a day upper season.Which it doesnt sound like.

[Bill Monroe]

The news release...(Happy Valentine's Day, I guess, to lower Columbia anglers)

For Immediate Release February 14, 2008

Fish and Wildlife Commission supports lower Columbia River recreational spring chinook fishery; one fish daily bag limit

SALEM, ORE. - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission met today by conference call to discuss and get an update on negotiation efforts between Oregon and Washington regarding the 2008 Columbia River spring chinook management objectives.

As a result of today’s meeting, the Commission endorsed the following management objectives that will be forwarded to the Joint State Columbia River Compact:

Mainstem Columbia River above the Willamette River

• March 16 through April 30 from I-5 Bridge to Bonneville Dam: Open six-days-per week, closed Tuesdays (dates of closure to be decided by Joint State Columbia River Compact): One fish daily limit
• Catch expectation of 15,800 chinook

Mainstem Columbia River below the Willamette River

• March 24 through April 4 from I-5 Bridge to Buoy 10: Open seven-days-per week: One fish daily limit
• Catch expectation of 3,000 chinook

Willamette River and Willamette Tributaries

• Open seven-days-per week: One fish daily limit
• Catch expectation of 5,500 chinook

Commercial Fishery – Mainstem Columbia River

• Commercial fishing is restricted to the area from the I-5 Bridge to Beacon Rock
• Catch expectation of 5,200 chinook

Commercial Select Area Fisheries (SAFE)

• Open from mid-February through mid-June
• Catch expectation of 3,700 chinook

Tomorrow, the 2008 spring chinook seasons for sport and commercial fisheries will be set at the joint state hearing of Washington and Oregon fishery managers at 10 a.m., Feb. 15 at the Water Resource Education Center located at 4600 SE Columbia Way in Vancouver, Wash.

Last week, the commission heard more than six hours of testimony by sport and commercial fishers about the 2008 Columbia River spring chinook fishery.

###

[CATCH AND EAT]

Originally Posted by Bill Monroe

Play nice, now...You've got a full season.

Plus, it's not set in stone until tomorrow...

Bill, we have all heard that "full season" drum beat before. Never happens. Even when we had 400,000 fish it did not happen.

[drhall99]

Strange. Why not limit the area for the one fish limit to the area from the mouth of the Willamette and down river. Why limit the section between I-5 to Bonneville to one fish per person since the impact on the Willamette fish will be nearly non-existent? Does anyone understand this?

[Bill Monroe]

One other perspective on the limited netting above I-5...

It's fine to force them into fishing in the daylight, under more scrutiny (in fact, I think I said that in print as well), but the fact is that both states want them to be as effective as possible...and by that I mean they seem to want that fishery over with quickly. Their quota has been reduced to 5,200 from 6,000 in order to open the lower river to sport (not net) fishing. State managers will look at water conditions before they'll decide whether to net night or day.

Your feelings about nets aside, that makes sense to me. Get their fish and get out.

[Flatfish]

Maybe I missed it.....what's the split?

We had 57/43. What wiggle room went where?

[stlhdr1]

Originally Posted by drhall99

Strange. Why not limit the area for the one fish limit to the area from the mouth of the Willamette and down river. Why limit the section between I-5 to Bonneville to one fish per person since the impact on the Willamette fish will be nearly non-existent? Does anyone understand this?

Yeah, I get it... That's 263 fish per day for a 60 day season assuming they want the sportsman to harvest 15,800 total....

You'll be hard pressed to find a parking spot near Bonneville dam after April 1st. I wouldn't be suprised if there are days where 500+ fish a day are taken up there.....

[5-Cents]

YES! I am so glad I get to fish below I-5... I could care less about the one fish limit... how many of you guys have limited out on springers before any way???? I have a few times but its not comomon place. This also allows us to "party fish" and let everyone on the boat get a chance!

[driftin buy]

What I am missing here? With such a large Columbia river run predicted what is the reason for the one fish limit? I am certainly happy to have the whole river to fish in and can't wait to get started.

[Bill Monroe]

Originally Posted by drhall99

Strange. Why not limit the area for the one fish limit to the area from the mouth of the Willamette and down river. Why limit the section between I-5 to Bonneville to one fish per person since the impact on the Willamette fish will be nearly non-existent? Does anyone understand this?

That confused me as well...

As I understand it, fishing in the lower river is going to result in upriver fish being caught/handled as well as Willamette fish. That would/could cut into the target closure date of April 30.

[MsOutdrs]

Originally Posted by stlhdr1

That is about as silly as I've ever seen. They shouldn't have the rivers to themselves and they shouldn't be allowed to fish at night either...

Keith

I thought that was going to be the trade-off. They fish only during daylight hours and the river is closed to anglers during that day. Let's see...they still get to fish at night and river is closed off during the day to anglers. What's the point in closing the river to anglers during one day then?

[toomanydenny]

Personaly I am happy to get some fishing close to home. One fish limit does not bother me at all. Interesting that they expect 3,000 caught in the Columbia below I 5 and 5500 caught in the willamette. If its the Willamette fish that need to be protected, why allow any fishing in the W at all? Either I read it wrong or the logic escapes me.... peace

[stlhdr1]

Originally Posted by MsOutdrs

I thought that was going to be the trade-off. They fish only during daylight hours and the river is closed to anglers during that day. Let's see...they still get to fish at night and river is closed off during the day to anglers. What's the point in closing the river to anglers during one day then?

We'll see what they finalize the rules as....

Keith

[Bill Monroe]

Just in...

Dan Grogan called...the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the entire package, although they didn't set definite dates on the lower river season...that'll probably be done tomorrow.

[stlhdr1]

Originally Posted by Bill Monroe

Just in...

Dan Grogan called...the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the entire package, although they didn't set definite dates on the lower river season...that'll probably be done tomorrow.

So at what percentages were the final approvals set at between the states? What do the sportsman get vs. the gillnets?

Keith

[fishing fanatic]

Originally Posted by 5-Cents

YES! I am so glad I get to fish below I-5... I could care less about the one fish limit... how many of you guys have limited out on springers before any way???? I have a few times but its not comomon place. This also allows us to "party fish" and let everyone on the boat get a chance!

5-cents,

Why do you think we'll get to party fish? I'm hoping its true, but curious where you heard or read this info.

thanks
FF

[Bill Monroe]

Originally Posted by stlhdr1

So at what percentages were the final approvals set at between the states? What do the sportsman get vs. the gillnets?

Keith

Worked out to about 61-39. Remember, though, Oregon is trying to leave the ratio business behind and manage on guidelines and objectives. Not sure any of that has been ironed out.

(I sensed that one reason Oregon commissioners reluctantly approved this was Jon Englund's request for some lower river sportfishing...that, and Washington's position asking for it as well)

[Bill Monroe]

Originally Posted by fishing fanatic

5-cents,

Why do you think we'll get to party fish? I'm hoping its true, but curious where you heard or read this info.

thanks
FF

Party fishing isn't legal up here yet...is it?

[Flatfish]

If that's the case,

I hope Englund requests that the state give me 10,000,000 dollars. And the Mythbusters chick.

[black duck]

Bill (or anyone else),

does the March 24th - April 4th season for the LCR mean that all fishing in the Lower River must cease immediately? In the same way are we banned from fishing above the I-5 bridge until March 16. This is the way I read it. All those folks who begin to fish in earnest by March 1 are out of luck (not me, but certainly some).

[fishing fanatic]

Originally Posted by Bill Monroe

Party fishing isn't legal up here yet...is it?

I didn't think it was either, but Mr. Nickel commented on it in his post.......

FF

[MsOutdrs]

Shoot...my personal "guide" and I were hoping they would just shut off all Willy run salmonr fishing...Love to catch them and they're great to eat but we could bite the bullet for awhile if means having them in the future.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Originally Posted by 5-Cents

YES! I am so glad I get to fish below I-5... I could care less about the one fish limit... how many of you guys have limited out on springers before any way????

: smash:

[Queeg]

I'll be quite satisfied with one fish. It's so many more than NONE.

[fishncliff]

I can live with the 1 fish rule.

I don't understand targeting a weak run for sport or *******.

I would like to know why noone is insisting on a mandatory observer and an official counting from the *******. I have to punch my tag for every salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon, or get a hefty fine and with repeated offenses, lose my right to fish, period

How many salmon will be "by-catch" during their sturgeon fishing? Why aren't these fish counted toward their quota?

I too will take the bet. Because every year, they have an "energency" meeting to discuss the catch rate and invaribly, give the netters another shot at the fish.

Even though they are close to going over their limit, which they always do.

Until FB or someone butters the numbers to make it look like 3000 or so extra fish didn't really die in the nets.
AGAIN

[5-Cents]

Originally Posted by fishing fanatic

5-cents,

Why do you think we'll get to party fish? I'm hoping its true, but curious where you heard or read this info.

thanks
FF

If I tag out on springers I can still keep my line in the water and fish for steelhead right?

[Pickles]

What about the Colulmbia river above Bonneville dam?

[Jacks or Better]

If we're lucky enough to get one, then that rod in the boat has to come out? Am I correct? Can't keep fishing your rod to assist others in your boat?

[stlhdr1]

Originally Posted by Jacks or Better

If we're lucky enough to get one, then that rod in the boat has to come out? Am I correct? Can't keep fishing your rod to assist others in your boat?

Washington law allows it, as long as you can retain steelhead at that time....

Keith

[Bill Monroe]

Originally Posted by Pickles

What about the Colulmbia river above Bonneville dam?

They're still working on it. There will be some fishing, though...

[garyk]

[quote=Bill Monroe;1874611]
Commercial Select Area Fisheries (SAFE)

• Open from mid-February through mid-June
• Catch expectation of 3,700 chinook[/quote]

According to their landing report, they took ~6500 winter/spring chinook from those areas in 2007.

I can't imagine why the big reduction in 2008?????

[ANDYCOHO]

Originally Posted by stlhdr1

Washington law allows it, as long as you can retain steelhead at that time....

Keith

But they didn't in 2005 above Rooster Rock when we had Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to fish. Once you tagged your 1 Springer, you stow your rod.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Originally Posted by 5-Cents

If I tag out on springers I can still keep my line in the water and fish for steelhead right?

I don't think so Shane. Anyone?

[roadsend]

Originally Posted by Bill Monroe

Worked out to about 61-39. Remember, though, Oregon is trying to leave the ratio business behind and manage on guidelines and objectives. Not sure any of that has been ironed out.

(I sensed that one reason Oregon commissioners reluctantly approved this was Jon Englund's request for some lower river sportfishing...that, and Washington's position asking for it as well)

Thanks to Jon and the rest of the commission for looking out for the interests of ALL the sportfishermen. Thanks to you, Bill, for your keeping us all so well informed on this and so many other issues.

[beachboi26]

can we fish the CR right now above I-5?

[fish_on]

Originally Posted by black duck

Bill (or anyone else),

does the March 24th - April 4th season for the LCR mean that all fishing in the Lower River must cease immediately? In the same way are we banned from fishing above the I-5 bridge until March 16. This is the way I read it. All those folks who begin to fish in earnest by March 1 are out of luck (not me, but certainly some).

BUMP also wondering if we get 2 fish in the lower river until 3-24 or if the whole river is now closed?

[Bill Monroe]

Originally Posted by beachboi26

can we fish the CR right now above I-5?

I'm not sure...I think it's open by rule, but they'll take care of that tomorrow...reopen it March 16 I think.

[Bill Monroe]

Originally Posted by fish_on

BUMP also wondering if we get 2 fish in the lower river until 3-24 or if the whole river is now closed?

They'll shut it down tomorrow, to reopen later (with one fish).

What you will get, though, is two fish until March 1 in the Willamette River.

[Ladyangler]

This looks like someting responsible for the upcoming fishery.
Is there a limit on the amount of fish to be taken. With the hatchery tag there is no limit on the amount of fish one could harvest, will this change.
Seems to me a limit on the number of fish harvested per-angler should also be addressed. This in the past was part of the restriction when catch limits were restricted to 1 fish per day in the Willamette.
Another restriction should also include party fishing, this style of angling needs to be removed.

[Danno]

If we only get one fish, they should let use keep all lines wet until everyone limits. Gas is expensive as is everything else and when two out of four in the boat limit, it's going to be tough staying out for the other two. I guess asa Captain, I'll have to be the last to haul in a fish.

[BloodNtheboat]

Originally Posted by roadsend

Thanks to Jon and the rest of the commission for looking out for the interests of ALL the sportfishermen. Thanks to you, Bill, for your keeping us all so well informed on this and so many other issues.

you must be joking right??
Thanking jon englund on behalf of sportfishing!!
Thats crazy talk.
That guy is a wolf in sheeps clothing

-Brian Moore

[stlhdr1]

Originally Posted by CATCH AND EAT

I don't think so Shane. Anyone?

As far as I know below I-5 you can keep fishing for steelhead...

Below Bonneville the law was you had to rack your rod if you punched your card...

Keith

[pearl]

What you will get, though, is two fish until March 1 in the Willamette River

And those come easy this time of year .

Better get a dogwood limb hung off the front of that boat Monroe