I was in lower chehalis this morning.. saw zero jumpers. the 3 of us had zero fish.

The bay should be ablaze next week!

There are fish moving, both adults and jacks. I encountered several very large jacks (20+ inchers) and a couple smaller adults while looking for sea run cutts on the Lower Satsop the other day. Looked like a pretty good-sized pod was moving up to a shallow tailout, then retreating back to the deeper flat below. Must have been just a little lower than what they wanted to move up further or something. Whatever the case, there are at least some fish around. If the forecast holds, the fishing on the Chehalis should be really good mid-next week. Not enough rain to blow things out, but enough to cool the water down and put a little traveling water in the tribs. I guess we'll see.

I have been watching the forecast on NOAA's site also and as of now its the 18th for any real rain but it appears to be mostly South of us. We are looking at 1/4 to maybe 1/2 an inch. https://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/weather/10_day.cgi

Hopefully we get the rain but to early to dry to do much even with the rain we have gotten so far. Water temps have got to be dropping and that will help the river for sure. Damn near the whole Coho run coming in way early like last year is certainly out but like the saying says " fish will do what fish will do ". Somebody could make a fortune if they figured it out!!!

Amen to that!

I agree that it's probably not going to go like last season, and I think (hope) you lower river folks are going to have some fun, as long as the fish start moving before the nets go in.

My hope is always for steady movement (as opposed to bulk movement in brief events, which is what we get most of the time), because that tends to make for longer seasons and spread out the success among all groups. Like you said, nobody knows the magic set of circumstances that guarantee good fishing seasons, but my anecdotal take is that if NOAA is right, the OP will be getting light but steady rainfall over the next 10 days, with one event on the 18th that could dump an inch in the mountains. That should at least double flows (which are still quite low, but cooling) in the lower tribs, and past experience suggests that should be plenty to move some fish. Hope so, but yeah....

and fish will do what fish will do................ yeah

Put another way, you can hope in one hand....

Well I finally observed a couple of fish doing the back ripple at slack water. No idea on what fish but one appeared to be wounded by the way it was acting. Incoming tide nothing showing so far.

Had some folks ask me what is up with the river and it is about what I posted before and yes as usual fish are working their way up stream but it is not in any great numbers from what I see. I doubt the rain coming tomorrow will change that.

What will change things is the rain starting the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, and 24th is supposed to bring 3.41 inches over three days. ( 21st not so much ) So in the world of planning fishing I do believe the tribs are going to brown out for a few days and the Upper Chehalis takes 3 or so days to get to tidewater so you guys might be thinking location as the tribs will clear fast but the Chehalis will trail in both browning out and clearing up. So have a week of this weather and fishing then all hell is breaking loose.

Fished around Aberdeen today. Must have been 100 boats on the water. Didn't observe many nets flying and saw ZERO caught from the bank during 3 hours around the high tide. Heard the fishing was better between Cosi and Monte, so maybe there's food for thought....

Mr. Hamilton,
Is there any chance that Sterling Landing will be open for the Oct.1 opener? Popular take out place for boats.

sterlinglanding@portgrays.org

Address to send your questions too. As far as I know it is closed to further notice. Seems without a caretaker things got out of hand with drugs booze the usual.

9/18/2024





I know the person in Charge.....Works for GH Port but her office is at the Nuke Plant.

Reason it is "gated and locked, 24/7" is a shooting and person drown, trash, fire, tree's were cut down, donuts in the big area, dump off place for yard waste, etc.

You'll have an answer, soon!!!!

Wasn't aware Sterling Landing was closed. Bummer. I have stopped by there on the way home from points further west many times, and I've even caught a few nice fish there in years past.

Probably not much to worry about from a boating perspective if they don't open it up for the opener. Just take out at South Monte or Friends' Landing, depending on the tide when you expect to get to the mouth. The mouth of the Nooch is a snaggy mess, but it's slow, and you should be able to get a driftboat down it, especially at anything other than low tide. Going down to Friends' Landing gives you a chance to fish the big flat below the mouth of the Nooch, which can be a great spot to find fresh fish...

Weather forecast has been like chasing a drunk down the street on Saturday night. Anyhow our big rain event that was supposed to be around the 22nd is now just just a rainy day or so. So the weather pattern we have is likely to continue for the next 10 days. Looking around fish movement is spotty if you find them they bite but it is not the same everwhere. Watched a banky turn loose a Chinook keep a Coho but the other 10 or so guys not a bite. Kinda like that.

Thanks for the info Dave and Drifter.

Yeah, the two promising rain events kinda fizzled out. OP rivers should get rolling this weekend; Chehalis system is less certain and maybe less likely. There were fish moving into the lower tribs Monday (while I was trying to catch them at Aberdeen - DOH!), so they don't seem to be too upset about the water conditions now, but I bet they would really appreciate a good rain.

Once again, time will tell, but my advice is the standard: Get out there. Can't get 'em from the couch (and believe me, I would if I could LOL).

Latest on new GH Policy. Now the downside it is being discussed at a Commission meeting in Spokane. Gota love these guys.

NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Sept. 18, 2024
Contact: Commission office, 360-902-2267
Fish and Wildlife Commission meets Sept. 26-28 in Spokane

SPOKANE – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet in Spokane Sept. 26-28 for committee meetings; to discuss a Cooperative Management Agreement with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Coastal Dungeness crab policy, Grays Harbor salmon management policy, and chronic wasting disease (CWD); and to make decisions on rules related to red fox trapping and beaver relocation and a land transaction.

The meeting will be held at the Ramada by Wyndham Spokane Airport hotel (8909 Airport Drive, Spokane) and will also be live streamed online.

On Thursday, Sept. 26, the Commission meeting begins with meetings of the Big Tent, Habitat, Fish, and Wildlife committees. Agenda topics include updates on Conservation and Science policy development, Net Ecological Gain, three fish-related policies, and an update on the Non-lead Partnership, wolf-livestock protocol, and bighorn sheep pneumonia.

On Friday, Sept. 27, the meeting begins with an open public input opportunity and a report from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind and Regional Director Mike Kuttel, Jr. Next, the Commission will decide on rules related to red fox trapping and beaver relocation. The Commission will also hear an update and decide on the 4-O Ranch forest restoration project in Asotin County.

The Commission will also hear updates on the legislatively directed Cooperative Management Agreement between the Confederated Tribes of the Colville to collaboratively manage fish and wildlife, including the gray wolf, in a portion of land that was originally part of the Colville reservation in the 1800s; coastal Dungeness crab policy (C-3604); and Grays Harbor salmon management policy (C-3621). The Commission will conclude Friday with a briefing and discussion on CWD.

Saturday’s agenda begins with an open public input opportunity, followed by a meeting debrief and future meeting planning before moving into executive session.

Those interested in providing verbal public comment during the meeting, either in-person in Spokane or remotely via webinar or phone, need to register in advance. All members of the public are invited to share their perspectives and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.
The full meeting agenda, including information about submitting public comment and accessing the hybrid meeting online or by phone, is available on the WDFW website. The meeting will be recorded and published on the Commission webpage so the public can watch afterward at their convenience.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is a panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for WDFW. WDFW works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

Because folks in and around Spokane are so keenly in tune with Grays Harbor salmon management issues...

Wow. A new low?

I think I agree with you then this. I doubt that the current Commission is even aware of issues in the Chehalis Basin past and present. The difference between the Comission 10 years ago and the present one is like the difference between day and night. 10 years ago the Commission challenged WDFW staff, engaged with the public, and tried to mold a road map for the future. The current Commission is little more than a rubber stamp for a WDFW stuck in the 70s and 80s. One can be pissed which they should be but frankly it is sad. I think back to Senator Snyder and his thoughts of "we made a mistake bringing the Commission back as all WDFW does is use it for a shield from the public and legislators". I was doubtful then but not anymore and I think Sid's thoughts were and are right on.