Fishing Rule Change
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, Washington 98501-1091
Internet Address: http://wdfw.wa.gov



July 26, 2004


Fishing from a motorized boat OK during
Snohomish River pink salmon fishery



Action: On the Snohomish River - allow anglers to fish from a floating device equipped with a motor (free drifting or under power) during the August pink salmon fishery.



Effective date: Aug. 1-Aug. 31,2004



Species affected: All species



Location: Snohomish River-from the mouth (Burlington Northern Railroad Bridges, including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways) upstream to the confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers.



Reason for action: The allowance for fishing from a motorized boat on the Snohomish River, which is an exception to the “Selective Gear Rules” regulation, was inadvertently omitted from the sport rules process.



Other information: The unscented artificial flies and lures with one single barbless hook only portion of the selective gear rule remains in effect on the Snohomish River for the month of August. Please review selective gear rules definition in the 2004/2005 Sport Fish Rules Pamphlet (page 22) for a full definition. Only pink salmon may be retained and all other salmon must be immediately released unharmed.



Information contact: Chad Jackson, District Fish Biologist (425-775-1311, ext. 113)



Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license. Check the WDFW “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing regulations are subject to change. Call the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules or check the WDFW webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm for details on fishing seasons and regulations. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360) 796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.

I would bet it's just rules clarification for any ood year pinks that comeback. I would bet it is fairly common to have a few return.

Dave willapa bay in august you know that the pink runs are better in the odd years

CK: I am aware that our local pink runs have traditionally been much stronger in odd numbered years. But this rule is specifically for 2004 and it says we will be allowed to retain pinks. That makes me wonder if they are expecting a good run. I know the even number year runs have been steadily increasing for years. I can’t see why they would allow retention on a small run???

Dave the even year runs have been gaining strength for a couple of years now. Should be a very fishable run.

Tight lines

Kevin

Kevin is correct; the Snohomish even year run of pinks has been building over the last 25 years. It has grown from less than 200 fish in 1980 until this year the forecast is for 80,000 (see North of Falcon 2004 salmon forecasts). The interim escapement goal for this popualtion has been established at 30,000 and the 2002 escapement was 44,000.

This fish are much different from the odd year fish in that they enter the river much earlier and spawn a month earlier. Because of this early run timing they average a smaller size (typcially 3# or less) and tend not to mill in the salt water areas but migrate directly to the river - as a result they are much brighter and tend to be better biters. The fishery starting in August is the first legitimate river opportunity at these fish in decades. As it is a new fishery the regulations were purposely set conservatively with the selective gear restrictions.

Tight lines
S malma

Smalma: Too kewl! A new fishing opportunity. I will be out there looking for them. If they are good biters we should be able to get them on a fly. I bet a three pound, chrome pink on a five weight would be a hoot. When is the typical arrival date?

Dave -
You are correct - chrome pinks are very responsive to flies (and most everything else). Anything small and pink should do the trick; though in the past I have problems keeping off my cutthroat flies. Currently there are 10,000s in the river - mostly the upper Snohomish. The even year fish tend to spawn lower down in the system than the odd year fish; with some fish spawning down to nearly the mouth of the Pilchuck.

A 4 or 5 weight rod should be ideal. I find that in fishing fresh run pinks it helps to get the fly down some. I prefer full sinking lines rather tha weighted flies for get-down. That may limit your rod choice as type 4 to 6 sink rates tend to be the most efficient in presenting the fly. Hope you and others enjoy this new opportunity.

Tight lines
S malma

I've been wondering about how this fishery has been building, Thanks Smalma for the information.

I've been fishing the beaches on Whidbey and have only HEARD of one Pink landed this year. I've seen a lot of jumpers, but I've guessed Sockeye because nobody can seem to get one interested in taking a lure.

If there here, either they are not good biters, or they are late. (Maybe they are just few and far between)

Remember that these even fish runs are much smaller than the odd years. That last couple of years the returns of odd year fish to Puget Sound has been in the millions - the even year run is only in the 100,000 range. As a result they will be not be as easy to find. That is why I think the best opportunity will be in the river.

Also it could be that these smaller fish are much more focus on krill for it food and are less susceptible to the standard beach offerings.

Tight lines
S malma

wiil we be able to fish for pinks from the bank or just from a boat ??????

Fishforlife-
It is legal to fish from the shore. As witht he odd year pinks your success will be dependent on finding legal access to good water.

As this is a new fishery I'm sure there is much to learn about possible fishing sport and methods. Based on how the fish have behaved in the past I expect the center of the fishing will be in upper Snohomish.

Tight lines
S malma

Thanks everyone for the information. I only have one question.......the selective gear issue. I'm in total favor of single barbless hooks, all the time for everything, but is it required for the Snohomish pink fishery? If so, what are all the idiots going to use besides their usual 4 pound buzz bombs with six treble hooks on them?

Surecatch, I'll call you when the humpies are in. I know a few places....especially during certain tides.....during hot weather.......when the water is low and clear.....a special lure....

I went and ate at Tido Mexico in downtown snohomish last night for dinner and saw a bunch of pinks rising and chasing each other they looked like they had some decent size to them around 4 to 6 lbs not bad. Saw some mexicans fishing for them told them they werent open yet they just looked at me like to wanted to pound me for tell them that. I know some choice words in mexican and I understood what they were saying about me in there native tongue. They left they each had a fish. I wish I had my cell phone because I have the poaching hotline on speed dial.

Are jigs still cool under the selective rules?

Fresh pinks with eggs. I can't wait.

They are if you flatten any barb.