I heard a rumor tonight about the possibility of a fin clipped king fishery during the summer? Since our fishing time is virtually non-existent, I'll believe it when I fish it. It would be nice to get to chase something other than fall and winter blackmouth up here. Any word on that, or should I quit dreaming.....

Elk, there's serious talk from WDFW of a summer season in areas 5 and 6 for marked chinook only. Bummer is that only an estimated 20 percent of the chinook will be marked. One in five chances are OK, but I worry about the four fish that will have to be released to get your one. I see too many guys mishandle the fish they release - both shakers and mature kings (like in areas 9 and 10 in summer). Seems like many people out there don't give a damn, or release the fish brutally because they're pissed they have to let them go. Makes me sick...

SB-
I agree about the mishandling of fish. I see some pretty bad ethics out at Neah Bay... However, area 6 just flat gets cheated. It is only open for blackmouth for 1 month in nov, and feb. Silvers in the summer, but they really dont get here by then.... (last year especially). It is frustraing when areas all around us get a shot at Kings and I think anything at all would be great! Chances are slim, but one can hope.

There is serious talk of this, Tony Floor mentioned it at his PSA NOPC talk he gave a month or two ago, and it was reported by Meneken in the Peninsula Daily News at that time. If you're interested in seeing this fishery, get involved, attend some of the PSA meetings and find out how to have your opinion voiced at the North of Falcon meetings in March and April.

-N.

I plan on doing just that. I was at the Port Angeles Salmon University Program today and will be joining PSA.
Thanks.