As of midnight tonight (4-21-04) the Columbia upstream of I5 will close. Downstream is still open until further notice. I will post the full new letter once Bob, reformats it for me. Or maybe he can post it?

Columbia River Fishery Notice

Joint State Action

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

April 21, 2004

A Joint-State hearing took place today to review salmon stock status and the ongoing recreational fishery and the following actions were taken:


Mainstem Columbia River Spring Chinook Sport Fishery Modifications:

Effective 12:01 AM Thursday April 22, 2004 until further notice the mainstem Columbia River from I-5 Bridge upstream to Bonneville Dam will be closed 7 days per week.

No modifications were adopted for fisheries occurring below the I-5 Bridge, that area will remain open 7 days per week until further notice.

No modifications were adopted for fisheries upstream of Bonneville Dam.

Other gear and bag limit restrictions remain as per permanent regulations.

The fishery may likely close after April 30, 2004, however additional management action may be taken at the next Joint State Hearing.


FUTURE MEETINGS

The next Joint State hearing is at 1 PM Wednesday April 28, 2004 via telephone.

*********************

This isn't really unexpected...it's to protect the upriver ESA fish, and to save some hatchery fish for upriver fisheries, and to concentrate fishing effort on the Lower Columbia tributary hatchery springers.

Fish on...

Todd

From the WDFW website, emergency rules...

Fish on...

Todd

Wow! I hate to see what the crowds in the lower river are going to be like when the ENTIRE springer fleet gets compressed into the lower river below I-5! What do you say TRBO.... kind of like what happens on the Kasilof when they shut down the Kenai.

That Bonne fishery must have put a serious dent into the allowable sport impact. I know that success rates there have been 5-10 times greater (depending on who you talk to) than in the lower river. Be interesting to know how much of the allowable sport impact was used up in that egg show.

The "angler demand " is definitely still there, it will simply be displaced into the lower river. Can't imagine the lower river fishery can last much longer with all that extra effort down there. Another week tops, especially since managers are considering downsizing their original run-size forecast. Get 'em while they last, boys and girls! It may well be over by the first of May.

Me, I'm stuck on call for the emergency room this weekend, so I'll have to stay nearby.... fresh razors on the North Beach!

The catch is no where what they say it is....they are just concerned about what has actually gone over the dams, when they get what they need they will let us fish again.....I am lucky....i have more Spring fish this year than last so i will not complain. I hope they let us get a chance at those Summer Chinook...(NOT FALL) Summer...my son got a finclipped 35lber last year on a blue tipped clamshell spinner i made


Louis F.

Yahooo, more fish for me!