I was hoping someone could give me insight as to why the WDFW continues to say the Hump closes March 31 in the 1999, 2000 and now the 2001 regs, yet it seems every year there is an understanding it closes Feb 28 without any "emergency notice" on the website? Does it indeed close at the end of February or the end of March? Anyone have experiences with this one or wonder the same thing? Thanks!

You can call the WDF&G office directly at 360-902-2700 to find out. Or, does anyone have their website URL that you will post here? Thanks.

Actuary,

The Hump's spawning escapement numbers have not been great the last few years. What WDFW does is set a presumed closing date of March 31st. This is what appears in the regs. When they predict escapement for a given year class, those predictions occur long after the regs have been published and, sadly, the last few years have seen early closures because runs fell below escapement.

It's a drag but it's also good for the fish in that they can be left alone to re-build. At least the dept. is acknowledging low numbers and doing something about it as opposed to past practices of kidding themselves and the public that the runs are in better shape than they are. That's what got us in this mess in the first place.

Talk about an eye catching topic! Damn, I was thinking about something different!

Im not sure if we are complaining about the WDF&W or the lack of fish or just the lack of oprotunity to go fishing, but when you bring up the hump I just get pissed... we have not had decent fishing for fall chinook for years now and the word Im hearing is this year will be more of the same. While tribal netting continues, why is there always a lack of fish for the rod but never and I mean never the tribal net!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i say split the ecean quots up more, the charter boat cities always get a huge amout of fish, dont get me wrong, i like to fish the ocean but the state goes out of there way to give a major part of fish to them, lets split it up more and have more inside fisheries. they set quota`s for kings in the ocean and the harbour and probly have the sport catch from the hump figured into that.

Dogsalmon,

Sorry man but you are mis-informed. If you have lived here any amount of time, you would know that the charter cities are skeletons of there former selves. For example, Westport's (WA) charter fleet has shrunk from a high of 200 in the early eighties to less than 40 today. Why do you think that happened? it wasn't because they were given most of the fish.

Secondly, your scenario for solving the Hump's woes sounds to me like you assume all those ocean fish are bound for Grays Harbor and the charter guys are stealing them all. The fact of the matter is that of the fish that are caught during the ocean season, over 80% are Columbia river silvers and kings.

Just setting the record straight.

Hey guys eric was right they have really cut the fleet in westport, And I dont think theres any charters out of ocean shores any more like there use to be, I grew up down there, Theres only one thing now that devastates the hump now, and its the damm nets, they dont belong there,the river is to small, also the hatchery production on kings is cut way back, and I mean way back,The state told them to do it. They also told them to up the production on silvers, and also cut the chums. The one that really gets me is the 50% cut in steelie production. With all these cutbacks why do they still let them net. for 2001 we get no kings, indians do,we get no nate silvers indians do, we get no chums indians do, we dont get much of an steelie run and who get the most who else the indians. They really cant target a specific fish. WHY net??? Well they got the silver run up now. Why cut one of the best king runs in the state WHY!!! If they want to net why dont they help out like dump some fish in the river like you use to. The state has no clue. Dont you think its time to get your head out of the clouds fish and game, these indian dont care how many fish they take. What they dont want they leave on the beach any way, as you can tell Im not a happy camper. Somebody may post that the sporties get more fish than the nets. in this area that BULL. I feel they should get the nets out of all coastal rivers. Why dont the river netters become guides, youll probally make more money. the guides on the quinault are doing well. WHOW what a concept.