Now that the fury has died down, I'd like to ask this of those who were so upset with the seasons: What would you have done?
Keep in mind:
The urgent need to not exceed impacts.
The unreliability of pre-season run forecasts. Esp. when large runs are forecast.
The legal requirement to share the catch with the commercials.
The pressure to share the sport catch throughout the river.
The URGENT need to not exceed impacts. (I listed that one twice because it's the single most important factor).
If you want your criticisms to carry any weight, give me reasoned alternatives.
i would not let a season happen until 4-1. then i would review the early results on fish over dam to the 10 year ave. i would also check on catch rates. i would have the dfw's review the season catch rates vs fish over dam every 5 days or so.
the later start date would allow the bigger 5 year fish to make it spawning grounds easier. genetics passing along biggest best fish get mate, just like nature intended.
by having a later start the front loading would allow a better analysis of data imho.:twocents:
i think we as fishermen could donate a least 1 day to man a dock and help with catch vs road hours since i dont like dfw sample rate theroy
i would not let a season happen until 4-1. then i would review the early results on fish over dam to the 10 year ave. i would also check on catch rates. i would have the dfw's review the season catch rates vs fish over dam every 5 days or so.
the later start date would allow the bigger 5 year fish to make it spawning grounds easier. genetics passing along biggest best fish get mate, just like nature intended.
by having a later start the front loading would allow a better analysis of data imho.:twocents:
A hundred and thirty or so jumped on one thread to bash the season. 308 views of this thread and two people weigh in with an opinion on how to make it better. Why is that?
The majority of people, besides being opposed to gill nets, were upset with the allocation and the disregard the Oregon Commission showed to the working group's recommendation. Each day the nets are allowed in the mainstream Columbia, countless ESA salmon, steelhead and undersize sturgeon are killed. Like a car with the "service engine" light on, ODFW continues to drive this broken system, with little intention of fixing it. They continue with business as usual until irrepairable damage is done.
i think its fair. i still think we should share. i dont have a problem with it. dfw people know more about what is going on that anyone else. yet, uneducated people still try to sound like they know whats best.
And, without commercial fishing that would leave a bigger quota for sporties. still sounds like children not wanting to share.
" you cant have any, i want them all"
the movie Finding Nemo comes to mind..... mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine. ( remember the seagulls )
I like the thought of an March 21 opener, 1 fish daily limit, a 45 day season with impacts checked April 20. Oh and open six days a week (monday closed) and no nets in the mainstem CR. (Toungue Point to Bonnieville)
I have to put my two cents in here. I have been asking questions for years with no more then a smirk from all involved. The "key" term here is ESCAPEMENT! Yes, I am from the lower part of the Willamette Valley where you hear a whole lot of complaining....and rightfully so.
Alaska and BC has a strict Escapement program that works wonders on runs that are in that "fragile" stage. If the numbers don't meet the needed numbers for safe propagation of the species then the fishery just doesn't happen - end of story. No commercial or recreational fishing what so ever. Very successful and they have done for many years.
I truly do not understand why our ODFW does not apply this method. I get the feeling that since they didn't do it first then they are embarrassed to implement such a program - kind of like a foolish pride thing.
This escapent program would work the entire basin of the Willamette River. In fact, the numbers would have to be met all the way up to the hatcheries before any fishing were to be allowed by anyone on the stretch. If the numbers are not being met then we know that fishing would have to be curtailed or cut off completely in order to save this years run. Most people forget that it's actually about saving the species, not who gets what. That's definitely where the ODFW board has lost their way.....
Another reason could just be their flat out poor management skills. One store owner told me once that if we ever wanted to get rid of a species that is over running everything else - just let the ODFW take over the management of that species....problem solved.
Without a doubt it is the way our quota is counted. That is the biggest bastardation of the whole process. I have seen few if any volunteer fish checkers at the boat ramps on the Columbia River when it matters most.
I do, however, see the boat counting airplane flying daily up and down the river. How does this math work without volunteer fish checkers at the ramps??? The allocation split is meaningless when this corruption is taking place. It is all just smoke and mirrors.
ODFW and WDFW are at odds over ~5% allocation. That is a mute point when we get a "fuzzy corrupt math" catch report from our fishery managers:anyone:
Please do not apply common sense to salmon management.
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