I just got back from the SeaTac North of Falcon meeting that happened today.
It was my first time there, lots to absorb, but lots of good info and neat to see the process.

I'll post more on the rest of the meeting tomorrow, (my head's still spinning) but this post is to give a heads-up to the Area 9 fisherpeople, especially the ones that fish the west side of Area 9.

The west side of Area 9 had little to no representation at this NOF meeting, and some interesting proposals got thrown around. One of which was to change the blackmouth season from what it is now (Nov 1-30, and Feb 16th to Apr 10th) to a fishery that is just Nov, Dec, Jan.

THE WDFW IS LOOKING FOR INPUT from people that fish area 9, they want to know what sort of winter season you'd like to see there.

Please contact WDFW man Tony Floor, either email him at <floortaf@dfw.wa.gov>, or call him at 360-902-2236

I don't know about you, but to me it seems like there would be more fishable days in March and April than there are in Dec or Jan... not sure though.

-N.

Topwater, BNelson, do you guys have anything to add? My head hurts.

-N.

StorminN-
Was there any discussion as to when the coho opening would take place in areas 8-2,8-2 and 9?

Many of us coho fisherman would like a repeat of last year's Aug 1 opening but we do not believe this will take place as there are no humpies.

Ryan,

As I remember it (and I heard a lot today, but I'm looking at my notes, too) it's like this:

Area 8-1: Open 8/1 to 10/31 2 fish limit, no chinook

Area 8-2: Open 8/1 to 10/31 2 fish limit, no chinook. Tulalip terminal area open 7/1 to 9/30, 2 fish limit

Area 9: Open 7/1 to 10/31 2 fish limit, no chum retention 7/1 to 9/30, no chinook the entire time.

The coho is good news, I guess. At least you guys get to keep unclipped fish, which we're not going to be able to keep in Areas 5 and 6.

-N.

I am not an erea 9 fisherman I fish erea 10.In the past though I have done better for b-mouth in the proposed months than march april.I believe that it has to do with the bait in my erea though.You are right about the weather though.

hey little cleo area 9 is the shiznit in august then the first part of september, then fall down to area 10. if you want to start flyfishin we'll take the boat out. dawn on the west side cant be beat except sekiu or neah bay. launch at eglon. landed 7/8 in the 10 to 15 lb range on the fly last year and this year is supposed to be better than the last 2 years.

on another note the src's are starting to make some disturbance with all the smolts around some areas. landed one yesterday in the 18 inch range at low tide fishing a 2 inch smolt pattern. seen many jumpers on src's but no silvers. Ben

Rockfish,
Got into some nice cuttys the 30th north of the warren ave. bridge.One was maybe 16.Sea run cuttys will always be my favorite fish hands down!I would go to today but havent replaced my lisence and am afraid the gamy is around with the low tides and all.Taking advantage of the nice weather to whip my yard back into low maintenance mode.

I used to fish the b-mouth from shore in a couple of spots and do reel good in the earliar months but out of ten trips this year nothing,lack of bait.