As of last night (at NOF meeting) WDFW relayed that as of then they had not received a the permit from NOAA. WDFW has hired the staff to do the monitoring are ready to go shortly after receiving their permit.

They report that on their weekly calls the last 3 weeks they have been told next week. They have another call today or tomorrow. Next week????

Curt

I heard the other day that the attorneys were taking another look at it. I don't think they get it that if they finish near the end of April it's the same as not doing their jobs at all. It's not like you can move a fishing season.

What's the point? Everyone in a race to catch the last one.
Same could be said for the entire OP as well.
No thank you.

Wow.

This is a prime example of our government and other related agencies complete disconnect from the real world.

As I’ve mentioned in prior posts we need to hold these people and groups to a higher standard.

Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory...insert wide world of sports intro here...

Thanks Smalma and Salmo g for keeping us up to date!

I have got to wonder if any of the analysis they do will be carried over to next year, or if all the time and resources spent be wasted when they don't get the job done. In the private world, they would be getting penalized for everyday we are not fishing. In the end, they would not be paid and perhaps sued for losses. In their world, they probably will wait another week and then apply for over time to get it done by the end of April.

Next year's analysis will be based on next year's run size. They will have to evaluate against that run.

Looks to me like the state may end up with the 2 week season they wanted in the first place, if we’re “lucky!”


Hiring the employees to run a presumptive 6 week season, well before the season length was set or approved, seems like a pretty big blunder by WDFW on several fronts. I know I’d get fired if I hired a bunch of employees without knowing if or when I’d actually need them.

I’d be curious to know if those people are being paid to perform other tasks, if they’re being paid to do nothing, if they’re sitting around waiting to maybe work etc.

Thanks Carcassman for confirming my suspicions tonight! Nothin' better than job security!

That's not how it works. The RMP and PEPD analyze whether fishing under the proposed plan would jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of Skagit steelhead. Since the take limit is graduated according to the estimated run size, the managers and analysts are persuaded that fishing won't interfere with the conservation goal. As an added precaution, the approval of the plan is for five years, at which time the results will be re-analyzed for verification.

Sg

The state didn't ever advocate for a two week season. That was the remark of the regional biologist before he was given the authorization and budget to hire technicians to do the monitoring work.

It takes time to hire and train personnel, so WDFW hired technicians on the time frame provided to them by NMFS. They really expected to be able to begin the fishing season around the first of March. Clearly, NMFS dropped the ball. The technicians have been assigned to other, but lower priority, work until the fishing season opens or the funding runs out.

Sg

That all important paperwork must have fallen on the floor and got swept up by the janitor.....Oh Well..........

The paperwork....uh, Ron Warren took it home to wipe his as$ with it!

Glad to know the shareholders(?) received consideration this year! Can't make it up now can you Bay wolf.... Business as usual I see... Sad...Damn Sad!

Can't blame Ron Warren for this. The ball remains in NMFS' court. They haven't issued the ROD and approval to WDFW yet.

Probably a good time to head to the coast.
https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=2110

Fishery managers have scheduled openings beginning April 14-15, and continuing April 18-22, and 25-29. The fishery includes the following areas:

Skagit River, from the Dalles Bridge in the town of Concrete to the Cascade River Road Bridge in Marblemount. Fishing from a boat that is under power is prohibited.
Sauk River, from the mouth to the Sauk Prairie Road Bridge in Darrington. Fishing from a boat equipped with an internal combustion motor is prohibited.

It's fer reelz! No thanks to NMFS for missing two-and-one-half months of what should have been a three month season. But props to WDFW for announcing the opening within minutes of receiving the approval from NMFS.

12 days.