I'm curious, is there any way for F&W to reverse their decision to close the Puget Sound river systems? From what I've heard, there are more natives showing up than was forecasted when the decision was made. I know it won't happen, but I'm curious about whether decisions like these CAN be reversed. I don't know much about bureaucratic politics. That said, and this is a whole new topic, I can't think of a more idiotic course of management. First of all, this is the catch and release season. Statistics (those I've read, and i'm open to any cross-reference) indicate a 5 percent mortality on released fish, and this only deals with fish that are caught. What we're dealing with, then, is about 1-2 percent mortality overall, hardly anything. And why was the decision made before anyone knew how many fish were going to show up? Reports indicate decent numbers. Now, I agree totally with conservative management of steelhead. They aren't doing as well as they should be. How about looking at other ways of protecting fish (gear restrictions, catch-and-kill restrictions, net restrictions) rather than keeping C&R fisherman off the river? Am I missing something??????

What I do know is that F&W forcasted a low return of coho on the Snohomish system and shut it down before it started. Well, wouldn't you know it, but a whole bunch of coho showed up and we got our season after all. Let's hope for the best, but I've heard that it's going to be pretty much a done deal no matter what. Thanks, F&W, you guys are doing a great job

This post echoes my topic from yesterday. I don't understand the closure either. Take the Puyallup system for example. The hatchery run is all but over. The nates are C&R to the tune of maybe 8-10 fish per day throughout the river, however, any given Saturday or Sunday there are 75-100 guys up and down the river content to seek the opportunity. Has the State considered the trickledown effect of all the guys on the Puy, Carbon, Sky, Sno, etc heading west to pound the hell of the Hoh? Look out Forks, here we come...

Seems a little early to say it's going to be banner year. However, closing the C&R season isn't going to solve any problems. I am going to try and attend the next WSC meeting and hear what Kurt Kraemer has to say.

I heard Kurt Kraemer was going to be present at the Wild Steelhead Coalition meeting which I believe is tomorrow on (Wednesday 2/28). I wouldn't mind asking him about this myself. Unfortunately, I have to be in class at the time and can't attend. If anyone else would like to do so and give me a report and write a 3-5 page paper (OK that's optional) that would be awesome. We ought to put some pressure on to restore the C&R season. I agree with all of you guys that all it's going to do is place added pressure on other runs.

They'll probably say that with the low water conditions the success rate for spawning will be low and therefore the closure is still needed.

The Wild Steelhead Coalition will meet March 7 (Wednesday) at 7 PM at the Bothell American Legion Post, 13215 Bothell Way N.E. Sorry, I posted the wrong info last time.

I talked with a fisheries biologist right after the closure was posted. He said the reason for the closure was that the escapment for this returning year was only about 75% of the goal. They figure there is a fatality rate in the C&R and couldn't afford to lose any fish with the escapment so low.

I believe this is the year's retned from the record snow pack? We had lots and lots of water late into the summer season. Just wondering if this is the reason for the low numbers.

Don’t expect an opener (re-opener?) even if you believe more wild fish are returning than forecasted. Unlike what happened with the coho last fall, according to WDFW there is no way they can monitor run size mid-season. The only way they can be sure of how many fish are in the system is by redd counts at the end of the season. By then it is too late to re-open it.

Ron Bob, the first explanation given for the closures was that the floods in 1997 hampered juvenile survival and spawning success, so yeah, you're right. That's why the low returns were forecasted if I recall. Turns out the're not all that low, but then again the low flows this year (why the damn extremes!?) is another reason for the closure. Anyone else know more about this? What was the official reason and did it change?