The new salmon regs state no more than two ounces of lead, Does that include downrigger balls ?
That will be the only way to protect the kings from incidental catch by silver trollers

In area nine, for example, it looks like the 2 ounces of lead is only in affect for the month of August...Am I reading it right?

Looks like just August, JK (with a note that "regulation may change"). That rule should be especially for downriggers, although someone will probably try using some 10-16 oz. balls made from another type of metal.
I'm wondering about the Area 9 season which they listed as Aug.1-Aug 31, then in the same sentence say "release chum from Aug.1 through Sept.30!" Wonder if that's a typo...
Atleast we can fish salmon from shore again, in Areas 5&6; guess they heard from enough ticked off beach fishers last year!

Hello Scaly, you brought up beach fishing in area 5/6,I would not want you to give up your hot spot, but maybe you could give me a general location of some of these beaches that beach casting for salmon is practiced. I have been chasing salmon and steelhead on Whidby Island beaches for a few years and have been considering branching out to some new teritory. Any info would be appreciated thank you.

[This message has been edited by sebastian (edited 04-11-99).]

There are only a couple that I know of in 5/6. Area 9 is usually better. Click on my email icon, above, send me your email address, and I'll send you more details.

Scaly, I believe the release chum reg your refering to has to do with protecting the listed Hood Canal summer chum.

Rich: I agree, and see that the lead limit is for the listed chinook. What confuses me is the Area 9 wording for the period of Sept thru October. Looked like they were saying there was a salmon season for August only, but no chum kept in Aug. or Sept. No mention of October, which is hopefully open for all species??
I've emailed WDFW Public Affairs for a clarification, for my newspaper columns, and suggested they make it clearer in their new pamphlet. I'll pass along their reply.