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Talked with Chuck Johnson (WDFW – Vancouver) today about this years Washington Columbia River trib limits of coho.
It looks as if 4 rivers are going to start out with 3 coho a day bag limits!
These are the Cowlitz, NF Lewis, Washougal, and Toutle. If the run size appears to be larger in these particular rivers than originally estimated, they could go to 4 or 6 fish (coho) a day with an in-season bag limit change. There is also the remote possibility any one of them could be reduced during the season if the expected runs didn’t materialize, but doubtful.
The Cowlitz and Washougal has a late run of coho. The NF Lewis has both a late and early run (strain) of coho and the Toutle has an early strain only.
Three other rivers are starting at 2 fish (coho) a day. These are the Kalama, Grays, and the Elocoman Rivers. There is the possibility that anyone of these three rivers could have an in-season change in bag limits also.
I’m a bit surprised to see the Washougal included in the 3 fish a day and the Elocoman in the 2 fish a day. In the past several years when daily bag limits were increased to 4 or 6 coho a day, the Elocoman was included and the Washougal excluded.
Anyway, great news for fall fishermen that enjoy catching hatchery coho in the rivers! I applaud WDFW for allowing fishermen to take advantage of excess hatchery coho.
All non fin clipped coho should be handled with care and released unharmed. This is extremely important in the lower Columbia and it's tribs with the current status of the "lower Columbia wild coho".
One last note: Bouy 10 will open up with a 3 coho a day bag limit August 16th.
:dance: :cheers: :grin:
It looks as if 4 rivers are going to start out with 3 coho a day bag limits!
These are the Cowlitz, NF Lewis, Washougal, and Toutle. If the run size appears to be larger in these particular rivers than originally estimated, they could go to 4 or 6 fish (coho) a day with an in-season bag limit change. There is also the remote possibility any one of them could be reduced during the season if the expected runs didn’t materialize, but doubtful.
The Cowlitz and Washougal has a late run of coho. The NF Lewis has both a late and early run (strain) of coho and the Toutle has an early strain only.
Three other rivers are starting at 2 fish (coho) a day. These are the Kalama, Grays, and the Elocoman Rivers. There is the possibility that anyone of these three rivers could have an in-season change in bag limits also.
I’m a bit surprised to see the Washougal included in the 3 fish a day and the Elocoman in the 2 fish a day. In the past several years when daily bag limits were increased to 4 or 6 coho a day, the Elocoman was included and the Washougal excluded.
Anyway, great news for fall fishermen that enjoy catching hatchery coho in the rivers! I applaud WDFW for allowing fishermen to take advantage of excess hatchery coho.
All non fin clipped coho should be handled with care and released unharmed. This is extremely important in the lower Columbia and it's tribs with the current status of the "lower Columbia wild coho".
One last note: Bouy 10 will open up with a 3 coho a day bag limit August 16th.
:dance: :cheers: :grin: