Sadly today is my last day here at Creekside. In about two months I am off to the wilds of Mexican food, snow bunnies, large trout that eat microscopic flies and yes, even, crazy mountain bikers. Where is this wonderland you ask? Why no, it is not Vancouver, BC. Try again. Jackson Hole? Been there done that. Ok, ok I will tell you, just put down that log you call a spey rod. It is the magical land of Durango, Colorado where I will be fishing such rivers as the San Juan, Animas, Florida, Green and others, err...well I will stand there and tell others where to cast and with what fly. Yes, I realize there is no steelhead or salmon. No, I will not go into withdrawal...ok maybe I will a little. I have already completed my application to SSA (Salmon and Steelheaders Anonymous), so I should be ok. Let's be honest though, there really wasn't any steelhead here anyway...duh.
Whilst working at Creekside I have garnered the ability to BS with the best of them, obtained and increased the urge to fish for the mythical steelhead in a driving snowstorm and sub-zero temperatures, been fascinated by the amount of fishing knowledge Dan has in his head (and the amount he has most likely forgotten along the way. Someone, please write a book about this man), and had the fact that all women are crazy injected into my soul by Brett. While the later may in fact have nothing to do with working at a Fly Shop, it is still an inscrutable cold hard fact that I will take with me, so I thank Brett for clearing that up for me. Some apparently are less crazy than others. ( I still don't believe it by the way, so if any ladies read this put the pitchforks and rope down. I was just kidding. I swear.)
I enjoyed my time here and sucking the knowledge of all things fishing from Dan, Brett and Pete and interacting with many of our wonderful customers. So before I leave for the landlocked state of Colorado, I shall leave you with my last Top Five list. I know, how very High Fidelity of me.
Top Five Fishy Places to Live
1. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - In light of seeing the Olympics just 3 hours north of us, yet tape delayed by NBC so that we have to stay up until midnight to watch for results we already got from that fancy doohickey the internet, this makes my #1 spot. And no, it's not just because April Vokey lives near there, remove mind from gutter please. Can I continue now? Good. This city is like what Seattle used to be. Drive 2 hours east, north, south, northeast, southeast, etc and you are most likely standing on, near, or in water that has fish, be it salmon, steelhead, trout or sturgeon. It would be like putting Seattle in the middle of the Olympic Peninsula, only better. Unlike Seattle however, these fish actually exist and you can actually catch them. I've seen photos. (I'm not allowed in Canada see...I umm...let's not get into that.) The scenery is awesome and of course in the winter when you get bored of world class steelheading you can go do some world class snow sports, plus the people are a hoot...eh?
2. Jackson Hole, Wyoming - I lived in this mecca for almost 4 years. Doing everything I could to not turn into a meat popsicle in the winter while I waited for the thaw and fishing to begin again. Once you get past the fact that it's one of the most ridiculously expensive places to live in the US and that you will remain poor, it's actually quite wonderful. Within 2-3 hours of this place (depends on traffic through the park, July snowstorms and of course bison) you have all the rivers in the park (Firehole, Yellowstone, Madison, Gardiner, Lamar, Soda Butte, Slough Creek, etc.), the Snake River, South Fork of the Snake River, Henry's Fork, Green, Hoback, Gros Ventre, Salt, Flat Creek...ok grab a map would ya?! I can spend all day listing the epic fishing. You get the picture. The people here are awesome, the beer is good, great arts culture, and well, the nightlife is crazy. I was sad to go, but my liver thanked me. My suggestion...take up skiing so you don't get addicted to World of Warcraft waiting for the winter to end...
3. Bozeman/Livingston/Ennis, Montana - I'm sure that any of these three you've heard of or visited. Again with the epic fishing within a couple hours. Yellowstone National Park is right there, the Madison, the Missouri is within a reasonable drive, the Bighorn, spring creeks, Rock Creek, and others. Plus, it's Montana, you honestly cannot go wrong living in Montana. It seems that their drainage ditches have more and bigger fish than any river here in Washington. Plus if you ever get bored with the area around here, you can just go to Idaho or Wyoming, it's just a short jaunt away. Oh and did I mention Simms is located here...
4. Naples, Florida - You thought I was just gonna chill on the West Coast for this huh? I string you along with a couple Western cities than BOOM! Florida comes at you like a spider monkey. Naples is on the Gulf side of Florida and sure while you have to contend with hurricanes every once and awhile, it is soooo worth it. The Everglades sit dead south/southeast of Naples and of course you are within a couple hours of the Keys. So Snook, Tarpon, Redfish, Permit, and Bonefish are on the plate down here, oh and also that elusive hanging chad (sorry you can't mention Florida without a Bush joke. It is a fact.). And it is almost always wicked warm, which is a nice change from the "OMG it's still raining" springtime here in the Pacific Northwest. The problem with moving here is, your friends from here will start calling in November and not relent until June, begging for a place to stay for 3 days which than turns into 5 months. Just a fair warning, your house will smell like the inside of the bait cooler down on the beach if you allow this to happen.
5. Christchurch/Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand - And this is my dream place to move if the bloody wankers ever make it easy for someone like me to gain citizenship into their country. I mean comon...you let Elijah Wood in, why not me?! WHY! I don't think I need to tell you about the fishing here, you've all seen the films, magazines, photos...Hell, Gollum's buddy even caught a damn jumbo in Lord of the Rings, pulled him right outta the boat. If a halfling can do it, so can I, so can you. Sea-run Browns, Rainbows, and multitudes of other fish would make me very happy to leave the US and become a Kiwi. Well and the beer, mountains, golfing, surfing, proximity to Australia....Can you tell I want to move here? Maybe I can pick up the accent too, I hear it works wonders on the ladies...
There you have it. An extensive Top Five and my last one for this lovely company. I have enjoyed the time and opportunities granted to me here. Peace out, catch you on the flip side and if y'all get the itch to leave Washington and come to Colorado, don't. I keed, I keed. But no really.
Thanks again to Pete and Creekside for putting up with me for as long as they did. Peace out.
-RB
Feed Fish Flies, Not Plastic
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Your favorite river may be closing this week
Thank you WDFW for the further mismanagement of our state's fisheries and scapegoating the recreational fishermen. But hey we can still fish the Wallace and the falls pool on the Snoqualmie even though no native steelhead spawn up there. -BW
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS RELEASE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
February 12, 2010Contact: Bob Leland, (360) 902-2817
Steelhead fishing will close Feb. 18 in five river systems around Puget Sound
OLYMPIA – Steelhead fishing will close Feb. 18 in five major river systems in the Puget Sound area to protect wild fish, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.
The closure will affect the Puyallup, Nooksack, Stillaguamish, Samish and Snohomish rivers and their tributaries.
Pre-season estimates developed by the department indicate that returns of wild steelhead will fall far short of target levels in all five river systems, said Bob Leland, WDFW steelhead manager.
“This is the fourth straight year that we’ve seen a downward trend in wild steelhead returns,” Leland said. “These closures are necessary to meet the conservation objectives of our statewide steelhead management plan and comply with provisions of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).”
Wild steelhead in the Puget Sound region have been listed as “threatened” under the ESA since 2007. Although anglers are required to release any wild fish they catch in those rivers, some of those fish inevitably die from the experience, Leland said.
Rivers closing to steelhead fishing Feb. 18 include:
Puyallup River system
Puyallup River mainstem from the 11th St. Bridge in Tacoma upstream to Electron Power Plant Outlet
Carbon River from the mouth to Hwy.162 Bridge
White (Stuck) River from the mouth to R Street Bridge in Auburn
Nooksack River system
Nooksack River from the mouth to the confluence of the North and South Forks
North Fork Nooksack from the mouth to Nooksack Falls
South Fork Nooksack from the mouth to Skookum Creek
Middle Fork Nooksack from the mouth to headwaters.
Samish River system
Samish River from the mouth to the Hickson Bridge.
Stillaguamish River system
Stillaguamish River from sloughs south of Marine Drive to forks.
North Fork of the Stillaguamish from the mouth to Swede Heaven Bridge.
South Fork of the Stillaguamish from the mouth to the Mt Loop Hwy. Bridge (above Granite Falls).
Canyon Creek from the mouth at the South Fork of the Stillaguamish to the forks.
Snohomish River system
Snohomish River from mouth (Burlington-Northern railroad bridges) to the confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways.
Snoqualmie River from the mouth to the boat launch at Plum Landing (~1/4 mile below Tokul Creek).
Skykomish River from the mouth to the forks.
North Fork of the Skykomish from the mouth to Deer Falls (about ¼ mile upstream of Goblin Creek).
South Fork of the Skykomish from the mouth to the Sunset Falls Fishway.
Pilchuck River from mouth to the Snohomish city diversion dam.
Sultan River from mouth to the diversion dam at river mile 9.7.
Tolt River from mouth to the confluence of the North and South Fork.
Raging River from the mouth to the Highway 18 Bridge.
The Wallace River, Tokul Creek and Snoqualmie River above the boat ramp at Plum Landing will close Feb 28.
Reopening dates for all of these waters will be noted in the 2010-11 Fishing in Washington fishing rules pamphlet.
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS RELEASE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
February 12, 2010Contact: Bob Leland, (360) 902-2817
Steelhead fishing will close Feb. 18 in five river systems around Puget Sound
OLYMPIA – Steelhead fishing will close Feb. 18 in five major river systems in the Puget Sound area to protect wild fish, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.
The closure will affect the Puyallup, Nooksack, Stillaguamish, Samish and Snohomish rivers and their tributaries.
Pre-season estimates developed by the department indicate that returns of wild steelhead will fall far short of target levels in all five river systems, said Bob Leland, WDFW steelhead manager.
“This is the fourth straight year that we’ve seen a downward trend in wild steelhead returns,” Leland said. “These closures are necessary to meet the conservation objectives of our statewide steelhead management plan and comply with provisions of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).”
Wild steelhead in the Puget Sound region have been listed as “threatened” under the ESA since 2007. Although anglers are required to release any wild fish they catch in those rivers, some of those fish inevitably die from the experience, Leland said.
Rivers closing to steelhead fishing Feb. 18 include:
Puyallup River system
Puyallup River mainstem from the 11th St. Bridge in Tacoma upstream to Electron Power Plant Outlet
Carbon River from the mouth to Hwy.162 Bridge
White (Stuck) River from the mouth to R Street Bridge in Auburn
Nooksack River system
Nooksack River from the mouth to the confluence of the North and South Forks
North Fork Nooksack from the mouth to Nooksack Falls
South Fork Nooksack from the mouth to Skookum Creek
Middle Fork Nooksack from the mouth to headwaters.
Samish River system
Samish River from the mouth to the Hickson Bridge.
Stillaguamish River system
Stillaguamish River from sloughs south of Marine Drive to forks.
North Fork of the Stillaguamish from the mouth to Swede Heaven Bridge.
South Fork of the Stillaguamish from the mouth to the Mt Loop Hwy. Bridge (above Granite Falls).
Canyon Creek from the mouth at the South Fork of the Stillaguamish to the forks.
Snohomish River system
Snohomish River from mouth (Burlington-Northern railroad bridges) to the confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers including all channels, sloughs, and interconnected waterways.
Snoqualmie River from the mouth to the boat launch at Plum Landing (~1/4 mile below Tokul Creek).
Skykomish River from the mouth to the forks.
North Fork of the Skykomish from the mouth to Deer Falls (about ¼ mile upstream of Goblin Creek).
South Fork of the Skykomish from the mouth to the Sunset Falls Fishway.
Pilchuck River from mouth to the Snohomish city diversion dam.
Sultan River from mouth to the diversion dam at river mile 9.7.
Tolt River from mouth to the confluence of the North and South Fork.
Raging River from the mouth to the Highway 18 Bridge.
The Wallace River, Tokul Creek and Snoqualmie River above the boat ramp at Plum Landing will close Feb 28.
Reopening dates for all of these waters will be noted in the 2010-11 Fishing in Washington fishing rules pamphlet.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Modern Spey Lines-A Seasonal Approach
Hey you, spey dude. Having trouble deciphering all the technical mumbo jumbo regarding today's spey lines? Or even if you have a good handle on it and you just like free stuff, you need to come down the the Issy shop on Wed. Feb. 17th @ 6pm for a clinic from Sage/Rio/Tibor sales rep. George Cook. will conduct a free clinic on today's myriad of spey lines and how to find the right lines for you. We will also raffle off a couple of lines for you to put to use after the clinic. And you'll be guaranteed (not really) to catch more fish llike the one in the picture, just minus the teeth and neopreone waders. No need to sign up, just show up. If anything George Cook is always entertaining so it'll be a good time. Call Issy for more info 425-392-3800. Word. - BW
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Yakima Salmon Plans
Earlier this last year I wrote about Sockeye Salmon returning to Lake Cle Elum for the first time in like 100 years. We also had a decent (and by decent I mean more than 50, which technically is abysmal) steelhead count up over Rosa Dam and of course a good Chinook return due to the hatchery. Now we are getting word that they might actually build a fish passage through the Lake Cle Elum Dam so that sockeye and other salmon/steelhead can get downstream to leave and upstream to spawn in one of their native grounds. Of course when I say one I mean that Keechelus and Kachess won't be happening anytime soon eventhough they were natural sockeye holdover lakes before the dams were put in and there will be no fish passage built on either of those dams or on the Easton Dam anytime soon, but hey, 1 of 3 is good enough for baseball so it must be for the Fish and Game Dept too, right?
I also here tell that people are opposed to this because they are afraid that these returning salmon will destroy their precious trout fishery. I'm from Cle Elum, grew up there, fished before and after the current chinook fishery was put in and I will say that the upper river is more healthy now than it was before the return of the salmon. The fish are bigger and more active and omg...they are hatchery fish! So are every other Columbia River salmon/steelhead...remember those dams on the Columbia? They killed almost every wild fish we had until the hatchery systems and ladders were implemented. So I don't want to hear about how hatchery fish are ruining our wild fish...in the Columbia system...most of those wild fish are technically hatchery fish that spawned in the wild. Get over it.
Yes I understand hatchery fish spawning on wild fish and the whole genetics thing, but do you really think the genetics will be any better with 250 fish coming up the river? Mull that over.
I digress, my main point is salmon = nutrients in the system, which in turn equates to bigger trout once the initial surge is over and the system rebalances closer to natural levels. So calm down. The salmon were there before and the trout did fine, so it will be again. Anyway. Here's the article.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010922245_fishproposal29.html
-RB
Feed Fish Flies, Not Plastic
I also here tell that people are opposed to this because they are afraid that these returning salmon will destroy their precious trout fishery. I'm from Cle Elum, grew up there, fished before and after the current chinook fishery was put in and I will say that the upper river is more healthy now than it was before the return of the salmon. The fish are bigger and more active and omg...they are hatchery fish! So are every other Columbia River salmon/steelhead...remember those dams on the Columbia? They killed almost every wild fish we had until the hatchery systems and ladders were implemented. So I don't want to hear about how hatchery fish are ruining our wild fish...in the Columbia system...most of those wild fish are technically hatchery fish that spawned in the wild. Get over it.
Yes I understand hatchery fish spawning on wild fish and the whole genetics thing, but do you really think the genetics will be any better with 250 fish coming up the river? Mull that over.
I digress, my main point is salmon = nutrients in the system, which in turn equates to bigger trout once the initial surge is over and the system rebalances closer to natural levels. So calm down. The salmon were there before and the trout did fine, so it will be again. Anyway. Here's the article.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010922245_fishproposal29.html
-RB
Feed Fish Flies, Not Plastic
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Fail People are Fail
Yeah you know it. People who transport a boat from an area that is infested with Zebra Mussels (ie, Meeeeechigan) to a place that doesn't want them (ie, everywhere, including Washington) and has said Zebra Mussels on the boat they are transporting. Than when told to wait for WDFW to show up and disinfect the boat, takes off and than is arrested in Blaine trying to launch the damn thing.
Well, stupidity was never something some Americans failed at, especially this one apparently. Here's the article.
-RB
Feed Fish Flies, Not Plastic
Well, stupidity was never something some Americans failed at, especially this one apparently. Here's the article.
-RB
Feed Fish Flies, Not Plastic
January 26, 2010
Contact: Sgt. Eric Anderson, WDFW (360) 902-2426
Michael Boska, Kittitas County Prosecutor’s Office, (509) 962-7520
Arrest warrant issued in zebra mussel case
OLYMPIA – An arrest warrant has been issued for a commercial trucker from Michigan charged with transporting invasive zebra mussels into Washington state aboard a 50-foot cabin cruiser.
David Derderian, 44, of Fraser, Michigan, was charged in Kittitas County Lower District Court last November with unlawful transportation of a deleterious exotic species and making false statements to law enforcement officers.
The court issued a warrant for Derderian’s arrest when he failed to appear for his arraignment Jan. 13, said Michael Boska, deputy prosecutor for Kittitas County.
“We appreciate the court’s help on this case,” said Bruce Bjork, chief of enforcement for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), which sought the initial charges against Derderian. “We need to do everything we can to keep zebra mussels and other invasive species out of this state.”
Zebra mussels are small, freshwater mollusks that can quickly infest lakes and rivers, threatening native fish species and public water systems, Bjork said. Since the 1980s, when zebra mussels entered the Great Lakes in ships’ ballast water, they have spread to more than 20 states, including Michigan.
The invasive mussels often spread by attaching themselves to boats and trailers. Washington state law prohibits the transportation of aquatic invasive species on boats or trailers and allows state authorities to stop them for inspection.
The charges against Derderian stem from the delivery of a Sea Ray cabin cruiser from Lake Michigan to Washington. Derderian was hauling the boat when he was stopped Nov. 14 by the Washington State Patrol at the Cle Elum truck scale on Interstate 90.
State Patrol commercial vehicle officers found zebra mussels on the boat and alerted WDFW, which has special equipment to decontaminate boats carrying zebra mussels. But Derderian left with the boat and continued to Blaine before the WDFW officers could arrive at the scene, according to the department’s report.
Bjork said WDFW officers later intercepted Derderian in Blaine and stopped him from launching the boat. Based on Derderian’s statements and actions, they then asked the Kittitas County Prosecutor’s Office to press charges.
WDFW has also referred the case to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service for consideration of federal charges for interstate transport of the invasive mussels, which would be a violation of the Lacey Act.
“We are pressing for federal charges in this case,” Bjork said. “It’s essential that we have people’s cooperation in our efforts to keep zebra mussels and other invasive species out of Washington. Besides the risks to fish and shellfish, these invaders have already cost industry, government and private citizens billions of dollars in damage to water and hydropower facilities in this country.”
For information on zebra mussels, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/enforcement/ on WDFW's website. To report zebra mussel sightings, call 1(877) WDFW-AIS.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Dropping Acid in the Mix
You know that giant soup of plastic twice the size of Texas in the Pacific. Or maybe the overfishing that is leading to the eminent demise of multiple species of fish, including our lovely steelhead and salmon. Or the rising sea temperatures that are raising toxic sulfide levels off the coast of Africa, South America and Indonesia, killing fisheries and causing the sea to be as barren as, oh say, the Skagit River today.
What else could I tell you that could make it worse you say? Well, here ya go. I am going to throw some more metaphorical gasoline on the preverbial fire.
-RB
Feed Fish Flies not Plastic
Pacific's rising acid levels threatening marine life
A sweeping 15-year study of pH levels in the Pacific Ocean confirmed that upper reaches of the sea are becoming increasingly more acidic.
By Sandi Doughton
Seattle Times science reporter
Related
Archive Oysters in deep trouble: Is Pacific Ocean's chemistry killing sea life?
The most extensive survey of pH levels in the Pacific Ocean confirms what spot measurements have suggested: From Hawaii to Alaska, the upper reaches of the sea are becoming more acidic in concert with rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
"If you see these changes across an entire ocean basin, you can be assured it's happening on a global scale in other ocean basins around the world," said Robert Byrne, a marine chemist at the University of South Florida and lead author of an upcoming paper in Geophysical Research Letters.
Ocean acidification is a threat to shelled creatures and other marine life, and is a leading suspect in the ongoing crash of Pacific oyster populations in Washington.
Byrne collaborated with Seattle scientists on the survey, which was 15 years in the making. The team first measured acidity along the 2,800-mile sweep of ocean between Oahu and Kodiak in 1991. They returned in 2006 aboard the University of Washington research vessel Thomas G. Thompson, working around the clock in shifts to collect and analyze nearly 1,500 water samples over two months.
It's the first time measurements have been taken across such a wide area, said co-author Richard Feely, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Seattle.
"The fact that we saw this very significant change over the last 15 years is a reminder of how mankind is affecting the oceans at an ever-increasing rate," Feely said.
In addition to contributing to a global greenhouse effect, some of the carbon dioxide from cars, factories and power plants dissolves in the ocean, creating the same carbonic acid that gives soda pop its tang. The process makes seawater slightly more acidic, and also gobbles up carbonate, a basic building block of seashells.
The result can be an environment where shells dissolve, destroying plankton, marine snails and other small creatures that sustain the rest of the marine food web. Acidified water also can kill fish eggs and larvae.
Byrne and his colleagues developed a more precise way to measure pH, using a dye that turns from purple to bright yellow as acidity increases. On board the ship, they used instruments called spectrophotometers to measure the color change and nail pH levels 10 times more accurately than possible before.
Debby Ianson, an ocean climate modeler for Canada's Institute of Ocean Sciences who was not involved in the project, said the approach is a good one. "We need studies like this," she wrote in an e-mail.
As expected, the researchers found acidification was strongest in the top layer of water, closest to the atmosphere. Normal seawater is slightly alkaline, with a pH value of about 8. Over the past 15 years, average pH levels in the top 300 feet of the ocean dropped 0.026 pH units. That sounds tiny, but is equivalent to a 6 percent jump in acidity, Byrne said.
Working a thousand or more miles off the West Coast, the scientists took samples down to the ocean floor. They found no change yet in acidity at the deepest levels. But as carbon-dioxide levels in the atmosphere continue to climb, natural mixing eventually will raise acidity throughout the water column, Byrne said.
Analysis of air bubbles trapped in Antarctic ice cores show that atmospheric carbon dioxide already is higher than anytime in the last 800,000 years, and the same is almost certainly true of ocean acidity, Byrne pointed out. Since the start of the Industrial Age, the scientists calculate that the acidity of the world's oceans has increased by 25 to 30 percent.
Under a business-as-usual scenario, Feely said, ocean acidity could triple by the end of the century.
Ianson cautions that extrapolating future rates of acidification is difficult, because the ocean and atmosphere are so complex.
Still, Byrne said, the trend is clear.
"We're seeing unprecedented rates of change in the atmosphere, and we're going to see changes in seawater in lock-step with that," he said.
What else could I tell you that could make it worse you say? Well, here ya go. I am going to throw some more metaphorical gasoline on the preverbial fire.
-RB
Feed Fish Flies not Plastic
Pacific's rising acid levels threatening marine life
A sweeping 15-year study of pH levels in the Pacific Ocean confirmed that upper reaches of the sea are becoming increasingly more acidic.
By Sandi Doughton
Seattle Times science reporter
Related
Archive Oysters in deep trouble: Is Pacific Ocean's chemistry killing sea life?
The most extensive survey of pH levels in the Pacific Ocean confirms what spot measurements have suggested: From Hawaii to Alaska, the upper reaches of the sea are becoming more acidic in concert with rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
"If you see these changes across an entire ocean basin, you can be assured it's happening on a global scale in other ocean basins around the world," said Robert Byrne, a marine chemist at the University of South Florida and lead author of an upcoming paper in Geophysical Research Letters.
Ocean acidification is a threat to shelled creatures and other marine life, and is a leading suspect in the ongoing crash of Pacific oyster populations in Washington.
Byrne collaborated with Seattle scientists on the survey, which was 15 years in the making. The team first measured acidity along the 2,800-mile sweep of ocean between Oahu and Kodiak in 1991. They returned in 2006 aboard the University of Washington research vessel Thomas G. Thompson, working around the clock in shifts to collect and analyze nearly 1,500 water samples over two months.
It's the first time measurements have been taken across such a wide area, said co-author Richard Feely, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Seattle.
"The fact that we saw this very significant change over the last 15 years is a reminder of how mankind is affecting the oceans at an ever-increasing rate," Feely said.
In addition to contributing to a global greenhouse effect, some of the carbon dioxide from cars, factories and power plants dissolves in the ocean, creating the same carbonic acid that gives soda pop its tang. The process makes seawater slightly more acidic, and also gobbles up carbonate, a basic building block of seashells.
The result can be an environment where shells dissolve, destroying plankton, marine snails and other small creatures that sustain the rest of the marine food web. Acidified water also can kill fish eggs and larvae.
Byrne and his colleagues developed a more precise way to measure pH, using a dye that turns from purple to bright yellow as acidity increases. On board the ship, they used instruments called spectrophotometers to measure the color change and nail pH levels 10 times more accurately than possible before.
Debby Ianson, an ocean climate modeler for Canada's Institute of Ocean Sciences who was not involved in the project, said the approach is a good one. "We need studies like this," she wrote in an e-mail.
As expected, the researchers found acidification was strongest in the top layer of water, closest to the atmosphere. Normal seawater is slightly alkaline, with a pH value of about 8. Over the past 15 years, average pH levels in the top 300 feet of the ocean dropped 0.026 pH units. That sounds tiny, but is equivalent to a 6 percent jump in acidity, Byrne said.
Working a thousand or more miles off the West Coast, the scientists took samples down to the ocean floor. They found no change yet in acidity at the deepest levels. But as carbon-dioxide levels in the atmosphere continue to climb, natural mixing eventually will raise acidity throughout the water column, Byrne said.
Analysis of air bubbles trapped in Antarctic ice cores show that atmospheric carbon dioxide already is higher than anytime in the last 800,000 years, and the same is almost certainly true of ocean acidity, Byrne pointed out. Since the start of the Industrial Age, the scientists calculate that the acidity of the world's oceans has increased by 25 to 30 percent.
Under a business-as-usual scenario, Feely said, ocean acidity could triple by the end of the century.
Ianson cautions that extrapolating future rates of acidification is difficult, because the ocean and atmosphere are so complex.
Still, Byrne said, the trend is clear.
"We're seeing unprecedented rates of change in the atmosphere, and we're going to see changes in seawater in lock-step with that," he said.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Slippery Slope Gets Slipperier
In another couple years the rivers will be open all year long because there won't be anything left in them to incidentally kill. Thank you WDFW, for constantly punishing the lowest impact user group on our rivers for the sins of everyone. Better get some now if you want any at all. - BW
This message has been sent to the WDFW Regulatory Information mailing list.
Visit the Emergency Fishing Rule Website at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm
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WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov
January 15, 2010
Closure of Skagit and Sauk rivers to fishing
Action: Close the Skagit and Sauk Rivers to all fishing.
Species affected: All game fish species
Location and effective closure dates:
- Skagit River from the mouth upstream to Highway 536 (Memorial Hwy. Bridge) at Mount Vernon will be closed Feb.16, 2010 through April 30, 2010.
- Skagit River from the Highway 536 (Memorial Hwy. Bridge) at Mount Vernon upstream to the Gorge Powerhouse will be closed Feb.16, 2010 through May 31, 2010.
- Sauk River from the mouth upstream to the Whitechuck River will be closed Feb. 16, 2010 through June 4, 2010.
Reasons for action: The closure will reduce incidental hooking mortality on wild steelhead. The 2009/2010 forecasted return of wild winter steelhead to the Skagit Basin is expected to be below the escapement floor of 6,000.
Other information: The rivers will reopen to fishing as listed in the 2010/2012 Fishing in Washington Sport Fishing Rules.
Information Contact: Region 4 (425) 775-1311.
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.
This message has been sent to the WDFW Regulatory Information mailing list.
Visit the Emergency Fishing Rule Website at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm
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Thursday, January 14, 2010
Can You Identify This River?
If you are the first one to identify this river and the state it's in you win a dozen trout flies of your choice. Email your guesses to info@creeksideangling.com Creekside employees and anyone else we deem shifty are not eligible. Good luck. - BW
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Skip Morris Tying Clinic
Skip Morris, yes the galaxy wide known author and angler, is coming to the Issaquah shop for a super cool tying clinic, Lake Tying and Fishing. Skip is an expert tyer and lake fisherman. The tips and tactics will fly faster than you can think. Best to bring a pen and paper. Clinic is Tuesday Jan. 12th, 6pm-8pm+. Cost is $35, space is limited and registration is required. For more info or to sign up call the Issaquah shop 425-392-3800. Word! -BW
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Holidays, Triple Play
Now for the third and final edition of Holidays, The Wish List. I've covered movies and books for the long dreary winter months. I know right this instant you are perusing the web looking at photos from Belize, Ascension Bay, Argentina, New Zealand, and the Bahamas, than consequently looking outside and a fever has got a hold of you. No, not the Swine Flu, or the one that needs more cowbell. This fever is the need to be someplace sunny and warm and despite the claim throwing fly line to cruising fish while the significant other lays on the beach sipping Mai Tai's, and no, this place is not Philly. (Yeah I know the show says it's always sunny, but it lies.)
Here is some gear that can help you pack your garage to your destination of choice. Whether that would be the Olympic Penninsula (not sunny either) or the wilds of Patagonia, this gear will get your fishing stuff there in one piece and might even hold some other amenities.
Gear
1. Outcast Neff Bag (LG and MD) - A good heavy duty bag for carrying around waders, boots, jackets, and other apparel. This bag will hold up under the worst conditions and won't cost an arm and a leg. They are also large enough to fit a small animal in or a fishing partner that is too poor to afford the plane ticket, but is crying about not being able to join you.
2. Sage Kit Bag - A large center compartment has plenty of space for stuffing it full of your bajillion fly-boxes and plenty of outer pockets for leaders, tippets, reels, chewing gum, beer, soda, and whatever else you can think of. It comes with a comfortable shoulder strap for easy carrying and works perfectly in boats and as a carry-on (if you can convince the TSA you aren't going to hijack the plane with that 1/0 tarpon fly.)
3. Simms Gear Bag - A nice bag that can hold your technical outerwear and a lower vented compartment for your waders/boots. A couple outer pockets will hold your gloves, hats and whatever else you decide to throw in there. Works perfectly for getting your frozen body parts out of your waders, stuffing them into the bag and than tossing said bag into the trunk as you high step to the front seat and crank the heat.
4. Fishpond Arroyo Chest Pack - Perfect for those long hot days in Ellensburg, Missoula, Yellowstone or Island Park that you are wishing were coming a lot sooner. Also perfect for when you are hiking through the wilds of Patagonia, Kashmir, New Zealand or wherever else you are dreaming of going. This pack is light and has enough space to carry 2 boxes plus any other terminal gear you can think of (you know tippets, leaders, beer). Just a fair warning, this pack will not fend off bears, cougars, misquitoes, etc.
Well. Thanks for coming out. I know most of you are now stringing together massive wish lists to hand to your significant other or friends or dog. Just take some deep breaths the Holiday season is almost over and than it's more college football mayhem (yes, I too think the BCS is crap), New Years, and than Steelhead season begins, Yay!
Have a good holiday season, eat lots of food and be merry with your friends and family.
Feed Fish Flies, not Plastic
-RB
Here is some gear that can help you pack your garage to your destination of choice. Whether that would be the Olympic Penninsula (not sunny either) or the wilds of Patagonia, this gear will get your fishing stuff there in one piece and might even hold some other amenities.
Gear
1. Outcast Neff Bag (LG and MD) - A good heavy duty bag for carrying around waders, boots, jackets, and other apparel. This bag will hold up under the worst conditions and won't cost an arm and a leg. They are also large enough to fit a small animal in or a fishing partner that is too poor to afford the plane ticket, but is crying about not being able to join you.
2. Sage Kit Bag - A large center compartment has plenty of space for stuffing it full of your bajillion fly-boxes and plenty of outer pockets for leaders, tippets, reels, chewing gum, beer, soda, and whatever else you can think of. It comes with a comfortable shoulder strap for easy carrying and works perfectly in boats and as a carry-on (if you can convince the TSA you aren't going to hijack the plane with that 1/0 tarpon fly.)
3. Simms Gear Bag - A nice bag that can hold your technical outerwear and a lower vented compartment for your waders/boots. A couple outer pockets will hold your gloves, hats and whatever else you decide to throw in there. Works perfectly for getting your frozen body parts out of your waders, stuffing them into the bag and than tossing said bag into the trunk as you high step to the front seat and crank the heat.
4. Fishpond Arroyo Chest Pack - Perfect for those long hot days in Ellensburg, Missoula, Yellowstone or Island Park that you are wishing were coming a lot sooner. Also perfect for when you are hiking through the wilds of Patagonia, Kashmir, New Zealand or wherever else you are dreaming of going. This pack is light and has enough space to carry 2 boxes plus any other terminal gear you can think of (you know tippets, leaders, beer). Just a fair warning, this pack will not fend off bears, cougars, misquitoes, etc.
Well. Thanks for coming out. I know most of you are now stringing together massive wish lists to hand to your significant other or friends or dog. Just take some deep breaths the Holiday season is almost over and than it's more college football mayhem (yes, I too think the BCS is crap), New Years, and than Steelhead season begins, Yay!
Have a good holiday season, eat lots of food and be merry with your friends and family.
Feed Fish Flies, not Plastic
-RB
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Holidays, Part Duex
So I listed a previous blog post "Holidays, Part One" so that obviously means there would be a second post sometime in the near future. Well the future is now, err I guess that would make it the present...or whatever. You catch my drift. The weather has warmed up a bit from the "OMG! I can't text you because my fingers are frozen!" level to the typical Seattle winter trist of "Rain, drizzle, overcast, wind, rain, mist, rain." Take lots of vitamin D, keep the fridge stocked with beer/soda/wine/fruit juice, coffee pot pumping out gallons of black sludge all day and your fly-tying desk stocked, and you'll be fine. Promise. Winter Steelheading is coming, you have to prepare for the torture.
Until that day comes and this Holiday Season ends. (Yes, holiday. I went over this already.) I have some books you may want to indulge yourself, or others with, until the steelhead begin laughing at your poor excuse of a fly in 20 below weather.
Books
1. Trout Flies For Rivers - A book by the venerable Skip Morris and his wife Carol Ann, which includes flies from the west that work everywhere. It has step by step instructions, material lists, a DvD and it may even have the kitchen sink (not sure still looking). This book is perfect for your ventures into the basement when the Seahawks are losing 400 to 0 on Sunday morning and rain is coming down so hard you feel like you're in "Rambo: First Blood", only replace the jungle with conifers and the hostiles with your significant other. (Oh by the way, Skip Morris will be in our shop giving a clinic on Tuesday, January 12th. It's $35 and the best way to spend your sick day. Promise.)
2. Inventing Montana, Dispatches from the Madison Valley - This enigmatic book by Ted Leeson is, as I've been told, one of the better reads. Incoming insertion of a blurb about it from Amazon.com....Oh come on you think I would do that to you?! Sheesh. This book follows Leeson and his friends that return to the Madison every year to stay at a ranch house and intertwines fishing, geography and why the Montana of our youths (oh yeah, I went there) has become our Mecca in the world of fly-fishing. This is a perfect read when the Sonics are losing 100 to...err...wait we don't have basketball anymore....nevermind. Just read it ok?
3. Olive and the Little Woolly Bugger - Looking for a good kids book? This is it. Kirk Werner, esteemed writer and fellow Wazzu alumnus (yeah I went to that school too.) Has created a fun, entertaining and well illustrated book that follows a Olive and her friends around. The illustrations alone are worth picking the book up. Yes I read it. You did see where I went to college right? (Ha! Beat you to that joke didn't I?) But really, for those of you trying to create smaller fly-fishing fanatic version of yourselves, this book is the perfect gift.
4. A River Runs Through It, A Good Life Wasted - If you've read these books than you know how good both of them are and should probably read them again. Or you could share the joy with your less, shall we say, bookish friends and buy them the book for these long winter months when all they do is cry at you on the phone about how they can't fish and they are going crazy and therefore are beginning to infect you with their crazy talk of fishing when the Skykomish has made the yellow line on Highway 2 it's main channel. Books save lives. True story. Write that down.
You don't want that, niether do we. Turn the cell phone off, brew some coffee and sit down in the basement with the music up so you can't here your significant other banging on the door to get your butt upstairs and do the dishes. I mean sheesh, don't they realize it's the winter and you must prepare mentally for the upcoming fishing season? The thoughtlessness...I tell you.
As always, Feed Fish Flies not Plastic.
-RB
Until that day comes and this Holiday Season ends. (Yes, holiday. I went over this already.) I have some books you may want to indulge yourself, or others with, until the steelhead begin laughing at your poor excuse of a fly in 20 below weather.
Books
1. Trout Flies For Rivers - A book by the venerable Skip Morris and his wife Carol Ann, which includes flies from the west that work everywhere. It has step by step instructions, material lists, a DvD and it may even have the kitchen sink (not sure still looking). This book is perfect for your ventures into the basement when the Seahawks are losing 400 to 0 on Sunday morning and rain is coming down so hard you feel like you're in "Rambo: First Blood", only replace the jungle with conifers and the hostiles with your significant other. (Oh by the way, Skip Morris will be in our shop giving a clinic on Tuesday, January 12th. It's $35 and the best way to spend your sick day. Promise.)
2. Inventing Montana, Dispatches from the Madison Valley - This enigmatic book by Ted Leeson is, as I've been told, one of the better reads. Incoming insertion of a blurb about it from Amazon.com....Oh come on you think I would do that to you?! Sheesh. This book follows Leeson and his friends that return to the Madison every year to stay at a ranch house and intertwines fishing, geography and why the Montana of our youths (oh yeah, I went there) has become our Mecca in the world of fly-fishing. This is a perfect read when the Sonics are losing 100 to...err...wait we don't have basketball anymore....nevermind. Just read it ok?
3. Olive and the Little Woolly Bugger - Looking for a good kids book? This is it. Kirk Werner, esteemed writer and fellow Wazzu alumnus (yeah I went to that school too.) Has created a fun, entertaining and well illustrated book that follows a Olive and her friends around. The illustrations alone are worth picking the book up. Yes I read it. You did see where I went to college right? (Ha! Beat you to that joke didn't I?) But really, for those of you trying to create smaller fly-fishing fanatic version of yourselves, this book is the perfect gift.
4. A River Runs Through It, A Good Life Wasted - If you've read these books than you know how good both of them are and should probably read them again. Or you could share the joy with your less, shall we say, bookish friends and buy them the book for these long winter months when all they do is cry at you on the phone about how they can't fish and they are going crazy and therefore are beginning to infect you with their crazy talk of fishing when the Skykomish has made the yellow line on Highway 2 it's main channel. Books save lives. True story. Write that down.
You don't want that, niether do we. Turn the cell phone off, brew some coffee and sit down in the basement with the music up so you can't here your significant other banging on the door to get your butt upstairs and do the dishes. I mean sheesh, don't they realize it's the winter and you must prepare mentally for the upcoming fishing season? The thoughtlessness...I tell you.
As always, Feed Fish Flies not Plastic.
-RB
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Holidays, Part 1
Ok. So it's that time of year. When Mother Nature turns from a nurturing, warming, motherly woman to the slap you in the face, Catholic nun schoolteacher, cold, hard, witch of a woman who likes to rain down frozen hell on your fishing time. While this cold snap may darken your spirits and turn you into Frosty the Abominable Fisherman or the I-Organize-My-Fly-Tying-Desk-Five-Times-A-Day Dude it also means it's the holiday season. Yes holiday, not Christmas, not Hanukkah, Festivus or whatever it is you celebrate. (I personally like the Rainier season, take that as you will.)
And for you gear or movie or book or pack rat junkies, we have some things that may ease your "I don't care if it is -50 outside and the wind is blowing 40 mphs with snow pellets the size of small missiles, I am fishing that bloody river now!" guys or gals.
DvD's
1. Rise- From the same dudes that brought you Drift. Their newest film will captivate you with some interviews and footage from premier fishing places around the world. From the worm hatch in Florida for Tarpon to the fly-line painter in Idaho to the wilds of Venezuela. The movie produces weather/travel envy in even the best of us.
2. Best Videos of Catch Magazine- A new DvD produced by Todd Moen highlighting the best videos from our favorite online rag (can we actually call it a rag since it wastes no paper? Well I just did so deal with it!) Catch Magazine has some of the best fishing photos I've seen and the videos are pretty top notch too. Excellent footage of fishing locales that will make you drool. From New Zealand to Oregon Steelhead, this video has excellent cinematography and some absolutely stunning footage. Perfect for those cold, winter days when your eyes are fried from tying 50 dozen flies in your dark basement.
3. Skagit Master with Ed Ward- A hot new ticket for anyone wanting to learn the intricacies of spey casting and spey flies. Following Ed Ward a world renowned spey caster and tyer, he will teach you different casts, how to swing a fly and anything you may need to learn about catching steelhead on a two-handed rod. INterviews with other guides and beautiful cinematography highlight this film and even better $1 of the DvD sale goes directly to Western Rivers Conservancy.
4. Rivers of a Lost Coast - A chilling documentary narrated by one of my personal favorite actors, Tom Skerritt (you know the dad from A River Runs Through It...for you younger bucks Viper from Top Gun), that exposes the ugly truth about the downfall of the Northern California Coastal Rivers. It follows Bill Schaadt and includes interviews with Lani Waller, Russell Chatham and host of other steelheaders. Plenty of archaic footage and some vintage photos, this movie is done with the kind of feel and narration that will captivate your attention.
Well there's some stocking stuffers and/or anti-pyschotics for you in these days ahead when the addiction kicks in but the weather/wife/dog/frostbite/old football cheerleading injury just won't let you get out on the river.
Enjoy the cold.
Feed Fish Flies, not Plastic.
-RB
And for you gear or movie or book or pack rat junkies, we have some things that may ease your "I don't care if it is -50 outside and the wind is blowing 40 mphs with snow pellets the size of small missiles, I am fishing that bloody river now!" guys or gals.
DvD's
1. Rise- From the same dudes that brought you Drift. Their newest film will captivate you with some interviews and footage from premier fishing places around the world. From the worm hatch in Florida for Tarpon to the fly-line painter in Idaho to the wilds of Venezuela. The movie produces weather/travel envy in even the best of us.
2. Best Videos of Catch Magazine- A new DvD produced by Todd Moen highlighting the best videos from our favorite online rag (can we actually call it a rag since it wastes no paper? Well I just did so deal with it!) Catch Magazine has some of the best fishing photos I've seen and the videos are pretty top notch too. Excellent footage of fishing locales that will make you drool. From New Zealand to Oregon Steelhead, this video has excellent cinematography and some absolutely stunning footage. Perfect for those cold, winter days when your eyes are fried from tying 50 dozen flies in your dark basement.
3. Skagit Master with Ed Ward- A hot new ticket for anyone wanting to learn the intricacies of spey casting and spey flies. Following Ed Ward a world renowned spey caster and tyer, he will teach you different casts, how to swing a fly and anything you may need to learn about catching steelhead on a two-handed rod. INterviews with other guides and beautiful cinematography highlight this film and even better $1 of the DvD sale goes directly to Western Rivers Conservancy.
4. Rivers of a Lost Coast - A chilling documentary narrated by one of my personal favorite actors, Tom Skerritt (you know the dad from A River Runs Through It...for you younger bucks Viper from Top Gun), that exposes the ugly truth about the downfall of the Northern California Coastal Rivers. It follows Bill Schaadt and includes interviews with Lani Waller, Russell Chatham and host of other steelheaders. Plenty of archaic footage and some vintage photos, this movie is done with the kind of feel and narration that will captivate your attention.
Well there's some stocking stuffers and/or anti-pyschotics for you in these days ahead when the addiction kicks in but the weather/wife/dog/frostbite/old football cheerleading injury just won't let you get out on the river.
Enjoy the cold.
Feed Fish Flies, not Plastic.
-RB
Friday, November 27, 2009
Klickitat River Closing
Just a reminder that the season on the Klickitat River ends November 30th. The fishing has been great up to this point on the river and as of Wednesday the water was low with 5-6 feet of visability. Plenty of steelhead and coho still cruising around and the steelies are even taking swung flies.
For swung flies a moal leech (black, black/blue, purple, or one with a hot pink cone over a black body) is your best bet. Use a deep 6, 8 or t-14 setup to bounce the fly off the bottom and induce a strike. If nymphing is your game a size 6 black or purple Egg sucking leech with a glow bug or pegged egg dropper is going to catch you fish. The most effective color of the egg is a mottled orange, although a cotton candy/light pink color will also draw the ire of the chromies and even some coho.
Get out before it closes and have fun.
Feed Fish Flies, not plastic.
-RB
For swung flies a moal leech (black, black/blue, purple, or one with a hot pink cone over a black body) is your best bet. Use a deep 6, 8 or t-14 setup to bounce the fly off the bottom and induce a strike. If nymphing is your game a size 6 black or purple Egg sucking leech with a glow bug or pegged egg dropper is going to catch you fish. The most effective color of the egg is a mottled orange, although a cotton candy/light pink color will also draw the ire of the chromies and even some coho.
Get out before it closes and have fun.
Feed Fish Flies, not plastic.
-RB
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
It's Gonna Cost Ya
As if WDFW's budget wasn't already slim enough. Hopefully these new dollars will actually go straight to fisheries management and not into the general fund. -BW
November 17, 2009
Contact: John Long, (360) 902-2733
Columbia River salmon, steelhead
endorsement will take effect April 2010
OLYMPIA – Starting April 1, anglers who fish for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River and its tributaries will be required to purchase a new endorsement that will help maintain and improve fishing opportunities throughout the basin.
The Columbia River Recreational Salmon and Steelhead Pilot Program endorsement was authorized by Senate Bill 5421 during the 2009 Legislative session. The annual endorsement was one of several license fee changes approved by the Legislature earlier this year to help offset a $30 million cutback in state funding for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
The total charge of the endorsement, after transaction and dealer fees, will be $8.75. The endorsement and recreational fishing licenses for the licensing year that begins April 1, 2010 can be purchased beginning Dec. 1, 2009.
Funds generated from the endorsement fee will support the evaluation of selective fisheries in the Columbia River Basin, said John Long, WDFW’s statewide salmon and steelhead fisheries manager. Funds also will be used for other management activities, including fisheries enforcement, data collection and monitoring.
Selective fisheries allow anglers to catch and keep abundant hatchery fish, which are marked with a missing adipose fin, but require that they release wild fish.
“This program is designed to support current selective sport fisheries for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River and its tributaries, and – to the maximum extent possible – expand those opportunities in the future,” said Long.
The endorsement will be required, along with a fishing license, for anglers 15 years of age and older to fish for salmon and steelhead on the Columbia River and its tributaries when open to fishing for those species.
WDFW, working with the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Recreational Advisory Board, has proposed a list of rivers, lakes and other waters in the Columbia River basin where the endorsement will be required. That list, available on the department’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/crss_endorsement/, is one of more than 100 proposed sportfishing rules for 2010-12.
The entire sportfishing rule-proposal package can be found on the department’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/rule_proposals/index.htm.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
More Friends Fighting the Pebble Mine!
Local restaurants are teaming up to inform their patrons about the most hated idea in the flyfishing world. No, not snagging chums, the Pebble Mine. Support the local eateries listed in this article (especially Tilth mmmm, soooo tasty) because they are supporting us too in our battle against the evil Pebble Mine. Word! -BW
Chefs serve salmon with warning on fishes' future
Seattle diners who order the salmon will get their meal with a message next week.
Associated Press Writer
Seattle diners who order the salmon will get their meal with a message next week.
Chefs at more than a dozen restaurants are cooking up fish dishes that come with a special side: a warning that the creature's future could be threatened by a giant gold and copper mine proposed for Bristol Bay in southwest Alaska, home to the world's largest sockeye salmon runs.
Kevin Davis, co-owner of the Steelhead Diner, is an avid catch-and-release fly fisherman who recently returned from Washington, D.C., where he lobbied for permanent protection of Bristol Bay.
"Wild seafood is a rare and special commodity," Davis said Thursday. "When I heard the news about the Pebble Mine and how it could potentially affect what is probably the world's remaining strongholds of salmon, I became very concerned."
To encourage his customers to help in the cause, the Steelhead Diner will feature three dishes using Alaska salmon: Tomato-Crusted Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon, Meyer Lemon-Crusted Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon and Hot-Smoked Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon Cheesecake.
Trout Unlimited is strongly opposed to the mine because of its proposed location near the headwaters of two rivers that produce large runs of sockeye and king salmon.
Conservationists fear that toxic mine wastes could drain into the waters of the region's world-class trout and salmon streams and ultimately into Bristol Bay, which Trout Unlimited says provides nearly half of the world's wild sockeye salmon to consumers.
"We are trying to get salmon consumers, chefs and restaurants and anybody who buys and appreciates wild salmon on their plates to think about where the salmon comes from, in this case Bristol Bay," said Elizabeth Dubovsky, Trout Unlimited's WhyWild program director. "This is one of the last pristine ecosystems we have left."
She said participating restaurants have been sent a range of materials, including salmon recipe cards for diners and table displays with information about Bristol Bay and the Pebble mine.
John Shively, CEO of the Pebble Partnership that is promoting the mine, said the chefs don't understand the Pebble project and don't appreciate what it could do for the people of the region.
"I don't think that chefs in Seattle from high-priced restaurants have any idea of how hard it is for people in rural Alaska to live there," he said. "Therefore, I find it a little bit disingenuous that they would eliminate this potential economic opportunity without even understanding what the project is like."
Chef Seth Caswell, owner of Emmer & Rye, said one of his reasons for joining the Savor Bristol Bay campaign - which starts Sunday - is concern for Alaska Natives who rely on Bristol Bay salmon for food.
"A whole culture could be wiped away," he said.
Caswell said his menu likely will feature Bristol Bay salmon with a garnish of locally grown wild grains and mushrooms. He's also considering raw fish dishes, perhaps salmon thinly sliced and cured in lemon, salt and pepper.
"It is more a flavor, almost like getting a whiff of the sea," he said.
Caswell said he hopes the dishes will inspire his patrons to buy and prepare Bristol Bay salmon for themselves.
"The power of purchasing sends a message," he said.
Savor Bristol Bay salmon week coincides with Pacific Marine Expo 2009, the largest commercial marine trade show on the West Coast, and Trout Unlimited has an exhibit at the show.
The participating restaurants are: Art of the Table, Chiso, Emmer & Rye, Flying Fish, Persimmon, Ponti Seafood Grill, Rover's Restaurant, Steelhead Diner, Tilth Restaurant, Tilikum Place Cafe, The Pike Brewing Co., Palace Kitchen and Etta's Seafood.
Your Tax Dollars at Work (in a good way)
These federal stimulus dollars are being spent properly. Now if we can only get "the man" to ban all netting in the Sound we'd be on our way. - BW
Old gill nets: silent killers of the Puget Sound
Old gill nets littering the sea floor are the silent killers of the Puget Sound.
The Associated Press
Old gill nets littering the sea floor are the silent killers of the Puget Sound.
But thanks to federal stimulus money, an ongoing effort to remove old fishing gear has picked up the pace.
The Northwest Straits Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Program received $4.6 million in stimulus dollars this summer. Now four boats and about a dozen paid divers are working on the problem full-time. The organization's goal is to remove 90 percent of the estimated 4,000 nets sitting in the Puget Sound by December 2010.
The group estimates that over the last 30 years, nets have been responsible for the casualty of 30,000 birds, 110,000 fish and almost 2 million invertebrates.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sockeye in the Yakima System
Thanks to the Yakima Tribal Nation and other biological entities in the state. The Yakima River system, which I was told had one of the largest sockeye runs in the Lower 48, is beginning to see a return of sockeye to the Upper Cle Elum River basin. It only took them...100 years...so not that long....
Remember my blog post earlier about internet terms? This is one of those moments where you scream diaf at the Bureau of Reclamation. 100 years... Ridiculous! You say? Ludicrous! You say again? Preposterous! I say...You know for being the most advanced country on Earth, we sure don't learn from mistakes very fast. I mean, come on. Sample conversation of the BoR's early thoughts on dams...
BoR circa 1910: "We put the dams up and the fish disappeared, we can't figure out why."
YN: "Your dams killed the run."
BoR: "Yeah right. You obviously know nothing of dams."
BoR 100 years later: "Wow. Our dams did kill the fish. Our bad."
Anyway. Here's the article.
Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife News Bulletin
Feed Fish Flies not Plastic
-RB
Remember my blog post earlier about internet terms? This is one of those moments where you scream diaf at the Bureau of Reclamation. 100 years... Ridiculous! You say? Ludicrous! You say again? Preposterous! I say...You know for being the most advanced country on Earth, we sure don't learn from mistakes very fast. I mean, come on. Sample conversation of the BoR's early thoughts on dams...
BoR circa 1910: "We put the dams up and the fish disappeared, we can't figure out why."
YN: "Your dams killed the run."
BoR: "Yeah right. You obviously know nothing of dams."
BoR 100 years later: "Wow. Our dams did kill the fish. Our bad."
Anyway. Here's the article.
Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife News Bulletin
Feed Fish Flies not Plastic
-RB
Thursday, October 29, 2009
An Ocean of Trash
You know that great song by The Arcade Fire Ocean of Noise? Well replace noise with plastic or trash and you get the great soupy mess we have in our Pacific Ocean right now. We keep wondering why our fish are dying or not returning. We blame the gillnetters (yes they are a major issue), Global warming (maybe just part of the planet's carbon cycle, maybe greenhouse gases, maybe a mixture of both?), and excessive habitat degradation (no side comment here). This is a major issue that needs to be discussed. It is killing fish, zooplankton, birds and apparently working it's way up the food chain.
Rolling Stone's 1090 (Oct. 29, 2009) issue has a great article on it by Kitt Doucette unfortunately they have not linked it on their site yet. So you may have to go buy the magazine to actually read it. There is also a wikipedia site dedicated to it (yes, I know...wikipedia is sometimes full of crap, this one is legit), an actual website dedicated to cleaning it up, Good Morning America, A great youtube video featuring Capt. Charles Moore, and even Oprah (bleh but hey...use people with power to get things done...amirite?)
Wikipedia Article
Stop Trashing Our Ocean
Good Morning America Clip
Capt. Charles Moore Interview
Enjoy and get involved. I mean only if you like fish and stuff.
Feed Fish Flies not Plastic.
-RB
Rolling Stone's 1090 (Oct. 29, 2009) issue has a great article on it by Kitt Doucette unfortunately they have not linked it on their site yet. So you may have to go buy the magazine to actually read it. There is also a wikipedia site dedicated to it (yes, I know...wikipedia is sometimes full of crap, this one is legit), an actual website dedicated to cleaning it up, Good Morning America, A great youtube video featuring Capt. Charles Moore, and even Oprah (bleh but hey...use people with power to get things done...amirite?)
Wikipedia Article
Stop Trashing Our Ocean
Good Morning America Clip
Capt. Charles Moore Interview
Enjoy and get involved. I mean only if you like fish and stuff.
Feed Fish Flies not Plastic.
-RB
Friday, October 16, 2009
New section of the Methow to Open
So they opened another section of the Methow starting October 21. You can keep 4 hatchery fish over 20 inches and must fish selective gear and no boats with a motor. Enjoy. This rain should be pushing the river levels up and getting some fresh fish to push into the systems.
-RB
October 15, 2009
Additional section of the Methow River to open for steelhead fishing Oct. 21
Action: Open the Methow River from the second powerline crossing upstream of Pateros to the first Hwy 153 Bridge.
The daily limit will be four adipose fin-clipped, hatchery-origin steelhead, 20-inch minimum size
Mandatory retention of adipose fin-clipped hatchery origin steelhead
Selective gear rules apply, no bait allowed
A night closure is in effect for the duration of the fishery
Release any steelhead with one or more round holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin
Boats with motors are not allowed
Location: The Methow River from the second powerline crossing upstream of Pateros to the first Hwy 153 Bridge.
Effective date: Oct. 21, 2009
Species affected: Steelhead.
Other information: Anglers are required to release all adipose-present steelhead. Any steelhead caught with an intact adipose fin may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
Reason for action: Sufficient numbers of wild steelhead have moved up-river from this section, allowing anglers additional opportunity to harvest adipose fin-clipped steelhead with minimal impact to wild fish. The fishery will reduce the number of excess hatchery-origin steelhead and consequently increase the proportion of natural-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds. Higher proportions of naturally produced spawners are expected to improve genetic integrity and stock recruitment of upper Columbia River steelhead through perpetuation of steelhead stocks with the greatest natural-origin lineage.
Information contacts: Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, (509) 754-4624, Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist, (509) 997-0316
-RB
October 15, 2009
Additional section of the Methow River to open for steelhead fishing Oct. 21
Action: Open the Methow River from the second powerline crossing upstream of Pateros to the first Hwy 153 Bridge.
The daily limit will be four adipose fin-clipped, hatchery-origin steelhead, 20-inch minimum size
Mandatory retention of adipose fin-clipped hatchery origin steelhead
Selective gear rules apply, no bait allowed
A night closure is in effect for the duration of the fishery
Release any steelhead with one or more round holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin
Boats with motors are not allowed
Location: The Methow River from the second powerline crossing upstream of Pateros to the first Hwy 153 Bridge.
Effective date: Oct. 21, 2009
Species affected: Steelhead.
Other information: Anglers are required to release all adipose-present steelhead. Any steelhead caught with an intact adipose fin may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
Reason for action: Sufficient numbers of wild steelhead have moved up-river from this section, allowing anglers additional opportunity to harvest adipose fin-clipped steelhead with minimal impact to wild fish. The fishery will reduce the number of excess hatchery-origin steelhead and consequently increase the proportion of natural-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds. Higher proportions of naturally produced spawners are expected to improve genetic integrity and stock recruitment of upper Columbia River steelhead through perpetuation of steelhead stocks with the greatest natural-origin lineage.
Information contacts: Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, (509) 754-4624, Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist, (509) 997-0316
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
They Said it, Not Me
So the WDFW says the pink salmon are doing so well because, and I quote, "We don't manage it." Hmmmm...interesting thought. I think maybe it has something to do with Pinks being viewed by commercial operations as "junk fish", but hey what do I know? All the environmental factors/dam improvements haven't helped the coho, chinook or steelhead returns any. Soooo...yeah. Here's the story.
-RB
Angler's delight: Record run of pink salmon
Returning pink salmon have swarmed the trap-and-haul facility on the White River near Buckley. More than 470,000 have been moved to spawning grounds.
By Mike Archbold
The News Tribune
Biologist Steve Fransen calls the record pink-salmon run that has area anglers whooping for joy "nature at its finest."
He's not exactly sure what's happening, but he's impressed nonetheless.
"Fish are always trying to tell a story and we don't speak their language," Fransen said.
The pink run is doing so well "because we don't manage it," joked Mike Scharpf, area fish biologist for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. Like Fransen, he can't fully explain this year's massive run.
There are no management plans for pink salmon. There are no hatcheries.
These are wild salmon whose numbers have exploded in Puget Sound and on many rivers.
The record pink run is on display in the trap-and-haul facility on the White River near Buckley below the Mud Mountain Dam.
Since August, crews have collected more than 470,000 pinks and transported them to their natural spawning grounds above the dam, using specially designed tanker trucks. Their fingerlings will head downstream through the dam's tunnels to Puget Sound and the ocean.
Those pinks will return in 2011 and with any luck, set another record.
"I do believe this is a record number of salmon hauled at any facility in the country in a single season," said Fransen, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Pinks, which have a two-year life cycle, return in odd years on the White River.
The previous record for pinks at the dam was 127,541 in 2007. In 2003, only 13,190 came home.
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Their numbers may be growing but the market for them is still small. Pink salmon, which average about 4 pounds, are considered oily and aren't served in restaurants. Instead, they are often canned, smoked or salted.
Chinook and coho are the prize salmon, but their numbers aren't growing.
Last week, pink salmon were still swarming into the trap-and-haul facility.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the Mud Mountain Dam for recreation and flood control on the White and Puyallup rivers in South King County and North Pierce County. It was completed in 1948.
The trap-and-haul facility was built at the same time at the White River Diversion Dam near Buckley that for nearly a century has diverted water into a flume to Lake Tapps for hydroelectric power and recreation.
Every hour, 750 pinks are lifted up in the water-filled hopper at the diversion dam and emptied into three tanker trucks. They're hauled 13 miles upriver around the dam.
Record numbers of fish have meant increased costs. Andrea Takash, a spokeswoman for the Corps in its Seattle District Office, said the Corps received an extra $460,000 in federal stimulus money to handle the pink-salmon run.
Takash said the Corps is designing a new diversion dam and a larger trap and haul facility with three hoppers. The Corps also traps and hauls native chinook, coho and steelhead.
"Efforts like these serve to substantiate the feasibility of trap-and-haul fish passage alternatives when fish ladders (at dams) are not feasible," Fransen said.
He admitted the size of the pink-salmon return this year to the Puyallup and White rivers took him by surprise, even with the forecast of a record 5.1 million pink salmon returning to Puget Sound this year. While pinks have always been present in the White River, there were few of them.
Jeff Dillon, a biologist with the Corps at the dam, said conditions in the river have improved in the past 10 to 15 years, particularly increases in instream flows needed to support fish.
For decades, the White River served mainly to provide water for Lake Tapps and the hydroelectric project there. Flows were almost nonexistent in the late summer and early fall when the pinks returned.
The low flows also hurt other salmon species that called the river home, though in much smaller numbers.
Dillon said the removal of Tacoma Public Utilities' pipeline crossing, which acted as a partial barrier, also has contributed to the pinks' success.
Improvements at the dam have made it easier for fingerlings to pass back through the dam.
Fransen also suggested that small climatic changes that have expanded the pink salmon's range in the Pacific Ocean have helped the overall Puget Sound run.
The lesson of the pinks is simple.
"They are a good example of the resiliency of salmon if environmental factors can bounce back," Fransen said.
-RB
Angler's delight: Record run of pink salmon
Returning pink salmon have swarmed the trap-and-haul facility on the White River near Buckley. More than 470,000 have been moved to spawning grounds.
By Mike Archbold
The News Tribune
Biologist Steve Fransen calls the record pink-salmon run that has area anglers whooping for joy "nature at its finest."
He's not exactly sure what's happening, but he's impressed nonetheless.
"Fish are always trying to tell a story and we don't speak their language," Fransen said.
The pink run is doing so well "because we don't manage it," joked Mike Scharpf, area fish biologist for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. Like Fransen, he can't fully explain this year's massive run.
There are no management plans for pink salmon. There are no hatcheries.
These are wild salmon whose numbers have exploded in Puget Sound and on many rivers.
The record pink run is on display in the trap-and-haul facility on the White River near Buckley below the Mud Mountain Dam.
Since August, crews have collected more than 470,000 pinks and transported them to their natural spawning grounds above the dam, using specially designed tanker trucks. Their fingerlings will head downstream through the dam's tunnels to Puget Sound and the ocean.
Those pinks will return in 2011 and with any luck, set another record.
"I do believe this is a record number of salmon hauled at any facility in the country in a single season," said Fransen, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Pinks, which have a two-year life cycle, return in odd years on the White River.
The previous record for pinks at the dam was 127,541 in 2007. In 2003, only 13,190 came home.
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Their numbers may be growing but the market for them is still small. Pink salmon, which average about 4 pounds, are considered oily and aren't served in restaurants. Instead, they are often canned, smoked or salted.
Chinook and coho are the prize salmon, but their numbers aren't growing.
Last week, pink salmon were still swarming into the trap-and-haul facility.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the Mud Mountain Dam for recreation and flood control on the White and Puyallup rivers in South King County and North Pierce County. It was completed in 1948.
The trap-and-haul facility was built at the same time at the White River Diversion Dam near Buckley that for nearly a century has diverted water into a flume to Lake Tapps for hydroelectric power and recreation.
Every hour, 750 pinks are lifted up in the water-filled hopper at the diversion dam and emptied into three tanker trucks. They're hauled 13 miles upriver around the dam.
Record numbers of fish have meant increased costs. Andrea Takash, a spokeswoman for the Corps in its Seattle District Office, said the Corps received an extra $460,000 in federal stimulus money to handle the pink-salmon run.
Takash said the Corps is designing a new diversion dam and a larger trap and haul facility with three hoppers. The Corps also traps and hauls native chinook, coho and steelhead.
"Efforts like these serve to substantiate the feasibility of trap-and-haul fish passage alternatives when fish ladders (at dams) are not feasible," Fransen said.
He admitted the size of the pink-salmon return this year to the Puyallup and White rivers took him by surprise, even with the forecast of a record 5.1 million pink salmon returning to Puget Sound this year. While pinks have always been present in the White River, there were few of them.
Jeff Dillon, a biologist with the Corps at the dam, said conditions in the river have improved in the past 10 to 15 years, particularly increases in instream flows needed to support fish.
For decades, the White River served mainly to provide water for Lake Tapps and the hydroelectric project there. Flows were almost nonexistent in the late summer and early fall when the pinks returned.
The low flows also hurt other salmon species that called the river home, though in much smaller numbers.
Dillon said the removal of Tacoma Public Utilities' pipeline crossing, which acted as a partial barrier, also has contributed to the pinks' success.
Improvements at the dam have made it easier for fingerlings to pass back through the dam.
Fransen also suggested that small climatic changes that have expanded the pink salmon's range in the Pacific Ocean have helped the overall Puget Sound run.
The lesson of the pinks is simple.
"They are a good example of the resiliency of salmon if environmental factors can bounce back," Fransen said.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Snake and Grande Ronde
The state has again increased hatchery steelhead retention this time on the Snake and Grande Ronde Rivers. Remember the possession limit is twice the daily limit. Possession meaning in transport, cooler, etc. Check the regs for a more accurate description of what that means.
The Wenatchee and Methow Rivers have both mellowed out after the initial surge of fisherman but so has the fishing. A good rain would probably pick the fishing back up and push some fish into the river but we've been hearing it's been slow.
-RB
Retention limit of hatchery steelhead changed in Grande Ronde, Snake Rivers
The Wenatchee and Methow Rivers have both mellowed out after the initial surge of fisherman but so has the fishing. A good rain would probably pick the fishing back up and push some fish into the river but we've been hearing it's been slow.
-RB
October 6, 2009
Action: Allow the harvest of five (5) hatchery steelhead per day in the Snake River and a portion of the Grande Ronde River.
Effective date: Oct. 7, 2009 through March 31, 2010 in the mainstem Snake River from its mouth to the Oregon state line (including the boundary waters with Idaho).
Oct. 7, 2009 through April 15, 2010 in the Grande Ronde River from the County Road Bridge to the Oregon state line.
Species affected: Hatchery steelhead
Fishery Location and Harvest Rules: In the mainstem Snake River from its mouth upstream to the Oregon border (including the boundary waters with Idaho), the daily hatchery steelhead limit will be five (5) of which not more than three may be equal to or greater than 32 inches total length).
Grande Ronde River within Washington. 1) From the mouth of the Grande Ronde River to County Road Bridge (approximately 2.5 miles upstream) release all steelhead. 2) From the County Road Bridge to Oregon state line the daily limit will be five (5) hatchery steelhead per day, with no upper size restriction.
Reason for action: A large number of hatchery steelhead is returning to the Columbia and Snake River basins. Only a small number of these returning hatchery steelhead are needed for broodstock purposes, therefore all excess hatchery steelhead can be harvested. Removal of excess hatchery steelhead will reduce potential adverse effects on ESA listed wild steelhead.
Gear Restrictions: See 2009-2010 WDFW Fishing Rules pamphlet for applicable gear restrictions within southeast Washington waters open to steelhead fishing.
Other information: Anglers are encouraged to retain all hatchery steelhead they catch when it is legal to do so. This regulation change for steelhead angling ensures consistent daily sport fishing limits in boundary waters of the Snake River with Idaho, and adjacent areas of the Snake and Grande Ronde rivers with Oregon.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Tired of the Hump-ty dance?
Ok so the local rivers are choked with humpies. At one point on the Snoqualmie I couldn't swing a steelhead fly or nymph without hooking/snagging a pink. We did catch one steelhead and here it is. That is our very own John Wise with a nice hatchery hen, excuse his goofy smile, he was hopped up on cold medicine.
If you want to escape the humpty hump dance (thank you Digital Underground) I would recommend escaping over to the other side of the mountains. The Grande Ronde, Klickitat, and Wenatchee are all fishing well. Yes the Wenatchee, it's open, duh. The Methow is fishing well too, but umm, you will have the joy of dealing with idiots if you go there, so if you want to keep your sanity avoid that place.
There you have it. Proof that steelhead do exist. Go out and enjoy the liquid sunshine and steelhead your butt off.
Feed fish flies.
-RB
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The Wenatchee, Okanogan, Methow and Entiat
Ok...are you sitting down to read this? I mean seriously, you may pass out. We've only waited an eternity for this to occur. Are you ready? Here we go.
The Wenatchee, Okanogan, Methow and Entiat Rivers are all open to fishing for steelhead as of right....meow! I mean I know everyone is excited about the Methow reopening oh, like 72 hours after they closed it (Good idea there WDFW), but I've wanted to steelhead on the Wenatchee since I moved to Cle Elum and had to drive by it for basketball, football, and baseball games in Cashmere and Leavenworth. Time to call in sick to work...err...I probably shouldn't have posted that here.
Here is the rule posting straight from the WDFW site.
-RB
September 28, 2009
Upper Columbia, several other rivers to open for hatchery steelhead fishing
Actions: Open the Columbia River from Rock Island Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam, including the Wenatchee, Entiat, Methow, and Okanogan Rivers, September 29, 2009, and Similkameen River, November 1, 2009, to fishing for adipose-fin clipped hatchery-origin steelhead until further notice.
The daily limit will be four (4) adipose fin-clipped, hatchery-origin steelhead, 20-inch minimum size, per day.
Mandatory retention of adipose fin-clipped hatchery origin steelhead.
Selective gear rules apply with various exceptions in some areas (see below)
A night closure is in effect for all waters for the duration of the fishery
Current salmon and all other game fish gear rules do not apply during steelhead season
Release any steelhead with one or more round holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin.
1) The mainstem Columbia River from Rock Island Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam. September 29, 2009 until further notice. Night closure and Selective Gear Rules apply, except motorized vessels and bait are allowed. Release all coho and after October 15, mandatory release of all salmon.
2) The Wenatchee River mouth to the sign about 800 feet below the most downstream side of Tumwater Dam. September 29, 2009 until further notice. Night closure and selective gear rules apply. Release all salmon.
3) Icicle River, from the mouth to 500 feet downstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam. September 29, 2009 - November 15, 2009. Three coho, minimum size 12 inches, may be retained daily. Release all floy-tagged coho.
4) The Entiat River upstream from the Alternate Highway 97 Bridge near the mouth of the Entiat River to 800 feet downstream of the Entiat National Fish Hatchery outfall. September 29, 2009 until further notice. Night closure and selective gear rules apply, except motorized vessels are allowed. Release all salmon.
5) The Methow River from the Hwy. 97 Bridge in Pateros upstream to the second powerline crossing, and from the first Hwy. 153 Bridge north of Pateros to the confluence with the Chewuch River in Winthrop, WA. CLOSED WATERS FROM SECOND POWERLINE CROSSING UPSTREAM TO THE FIRST HWY 153 BRIDGE. September 29, 2009 until further notice. Night closure and selective gear rules apply, except motorized vessels are allowed. Whitefish gear rules do not apply. Release all salmon.
6) The Okanogan River: CLOSED WATERS from the Lake Osoyoos Control Dam (Zosel Dam) downstream to the first Hwy 97 Bridge below Oroville Washington. September 29, 2009 until further notice. Night closure and selective gear rules apply, except motorized vessels are allowed.
7) The Similkameen River, from its mouth to 400 feet below Enloe Dam. November 1, 2009 until further notice. Night closure and selective gear rules apply.
Species affected: steelhead
Other information: Anglers are required to release all ad-present steelhead. Any steelhead caught with an intact adipose fin may not be totally removed from the water and must be released immediately. For all waters, mandatory release of all salmon unless otherwise noted above.
Reason for action: The fishery will reduce the number of excess hatchery-origin steelhead and consequently increase the proportion of natural-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds. Higher proportions of naturally produced spawners are expected to improve genetic integrity and stock recruitment of upper Columbia River steelhead through perpetuation of steelhead stocks with the greatest natural-origin lineage.
The Wenatchee, Okanogan, Methow and Entiat Rivers are all open to fishing for steelhead as of right....meow! I mean I know everyone is excited about the Methow reopening oh, like 72 hours after they closed it (Good idea there WDFW), but I've wanted to steelhead on the Wenatchee since I moved to Cle Elum and had to drive by it for basketball, football, and baseball games in Cashmere and Leavenworth. Time to call in sick to work...err...I probably shouldn't have posted that here.
Here is the rule posting straight from the WDFW site.
-RB
September 28, 2009
Upper Columbia, several other rivers to open for hatchery steelhead fishing
Actions: Open the Columbia River from Rock Island Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam, including the Wenatchee, Entiat, Methow, and Okanogan Rivers, September 29, 2009, and Similkameen River, November 1, 2009, to fishing for adipose-fin clipped hatchery-origin steelhead until further notice.
The daily limit will be four (4) adipose fin-clipped, hatchery-origin steelhead, 20-inch minimum size, per day.
Mandatory retention of adipose fin-clipped hatchery origin steelhead.
Selective gear rules apply with various exceptions in some areas (see below)
A night closure is in effect for all waters for the duration of the fishery
Current salmon and all other game fish gear rules do not apply during steelhead season
Release any steelhead with one or more round holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin.
1) The mainstem Columbia River from Rock Island Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam. September 29, 2009 until further notice. Night closure and Selective Gear Rules apply, except motorized vessels and bait are allowed. Release all coho and after October 15, mandatory release of all salmon.
2) The Wenatchee River mouth to the sign about 800 feet below the most downstream side of Tumwater Dam. September 29, 2009 until further notice. Night closure and selective gear rules apply. Release all salmon.
3) Icicle River, from the mouth to 500 feet downstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam. September 29, 2009 - November 15, 2009. Three coho, minimum size 12 inches, may be retained daily. Release all floy-tagged coho.
4) The Entiat River upstream from the Alternate Highway 97 Bridge near the mouth of the Entiat River to 800 feet downstream of the Entiat National Fish Hatchery outfall. September 29, 2009 until further notice. Night closure and selective gear rules apply, except motorized vessels are allowed. Release all salmon.
5) The Methow River from the Hwy. 97 Bridge in Pateros upstream to the second powerline crossing, and from the first Hwy. 153 Bridge north of Pateros to the confluence with the Chewuch River in Winthrop, WA. CLOSED WATERS FROM SECOND POWERLINE CROSSING UPSTREAM TO THE FIRST HWY 153 BRIDGE. September 29, 2009 until further notice. Night closure and selective gear rules apply, except motorized vessels are allowed. Whitefish gear rules do not apply. Release all salmon.
6) The Okanogan River: CLOSED WATERS from the Lake Osoyoos Control Dam (Zosel Dam) downstream to the first Hwy 97 Bridge below Oroville Washington. September 29, 2009 until further notice. Night closure and selective gear rules apply, except motorized vessels are allowed.
7) The Similkameen River, from its mouth to 400 feet below Enloe Dam. November 1, 2009 until further notice. Night closure and selective gear rules apply.
Species affected: steelhead
Other information: Anglers are required to release all ad-present steelhead. Any steelhead caught with an intact adipose fin may not be totally removed from the water and must be released immediately. For all waters, mandatory release of all salmon unless otherwise noted above.
Reason for action: The fishery will reduce the number of excess hatchery-origin steelhead and consequently increase the proportion of natural-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds. Higher proportions of naturally produced spawners are expected to improve genetic integrity and stock recruitment of upper Columbia River steelhead through perpetuation of steelhead stocks with the greatest natural-origin lineage.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Hope is Dashed
As if we should've expected anything less... Salmon be damned (no that's not a pun, that would be "dammed").-BW
Obama administration follows flawed Bush salmon plan despite scientific, economic and legal failings
Obama administration follows flawed Bush salmon plan despite scientific, economic and legal failings
Administration avoids sound science and legal guidance
PORTLAND, Ore. — Today a broad coalition of businesses, clean energy advocates, and fishing and conservation groups voiced grave disappointment the Obama administration’s decision to follow a flawed Bush 2008 biological opinion for the Columbia-Snake Rivers. The plan has been criticized by scientists and the courts, and runs counter to the advice of Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), more than 70 members of Congress, three former Northwest governors, thousands of scientists, and more than 200 businesses from across the nation. The groups are joined in the litigation by the State of Oregon and the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho.
NOAA Fisheries today filed documents with the U.S. Federal District Court in Portland, Oregon indicating that the federal government would continue to support an old Bush-era federal salmon plan, with only minor, cosmetic changes. The decision includes support for the Bush-era scientific analysis, legal standard, and disregard for the impacts of dam operations and climate change on salmon.
Salmon advocates have long argued that this plan remains illegal under the Endangered Species Act and largely ignores the impact federal dams have on listed salmon and steelhead in the Columbia-Snake River Basin. In fact, this plan allows the roll-back of current in-river salmon protections. District Court Judge James Redden has agreed with salmon advocates in challenges to two prior plans.
“This was a test for Commerce Secretary Gary Locke — on both economics and science — and this plan failed on both accounts,” said Zeke Grader, Executive Director of Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations. “This decision will no doubt leave salmon in the perilous decline they have been in for years and communities up and down the coast and inland to Idaho will continue to suffer. For an administration so set on protecting and restoring jobs, this decision is a huge mistake and a clear signal to fishermen that their jobs don’t count.”
Commercial and sportfishing representatives from up and down the Pacific Coast sent a letter to Secretary Locke last week urging him to meet with them to begin a dialogue on how to address the Pacific coast salmon crisis that has plague coastal communities over the last eight years. More than 25,000 jobs have been lost due to Columbia-Snake River salmon declines alone, and more jobs continue to be lost as major businesses that rely on salmon close their doors. Salmon advocates expect this new Obama plan to continue the practices of the Bush administration, allowing salmon declines to continue and salmon-related jobs and communities to suffer.
“Although the Bush administration is gone, unfortunately it looks like it’s policies will live on for Columbia-Snake salmon,” said Bill Arthur, Deputy National Field Director for the Sierra Club. “It’s a bit like the Night of the Living Dead, we keep fighting these failed and illegal salmon plans, but they continue to spring back to life. We had hoped that this administration wouldn’t buy this badly flawed plan pushed by the regional bureaucrats who are opposed to change and fear science and would instead work with us to craft a plan that was both legal and scientifically sound. It’s a grave disappointment to see another zombie plan instead. It’s now time for the Judge to bury this plan for good, and provide a fresh opportunity to get it right for the people, communities and magnificent salmon and steelhead of the Northwest.”
The administration’s decision allows for a multi-year study — at some point in the future — of what is already a viable salmon recovery option — lower Snake River dam removal — and even then only if already depressed salmon numbers plunge even further.
Todd True, one of the attorneys for the fishing and conservation groups in the litigation, said, “The government has failed completely to use the last four months of review for a serious, substantive, or cooperative effort to build a revised plan that follows the law and the science and leads to salmon recovery. Instead of the actions these fish need, they are offering a plan for more planning and a study for more studying. Nowhere is this more apparent than in their treatment of major changes to the dams and river operations, which are among the most critical issues for salmon survival and recovery. We look forward to explaining to the Court just how little this latest effort accomplishes. We can do much better — but not by trying to avoid the problems facing wild salmon in the Columbia and Snake rivers."
President Obama has made several public statements about protecting sound science. In his inaugural address, the President said that his administration would “restore science to its rightful place…” At the 160th Anniversary of the Department of Interior, he said that he would “help restore the scientific process to its rightful place at the heart of the Endangered Species Act, a process undermined by past administrations[,]” and look “for ways to improve the [ESA] — not weaken it.” The President echoed those statements in a speech before the National Academy of Sciences where he said: “Under my administration, the days of science taking a back seat to ideology are over… To undermine scientific integrity is to undermine our democracy… [We will] ensure that federal policies are based on the best and most unbiased scientific information.”
“This Bush salmon plan appears to be inconsistent with President Obama’s public statements about relying on sound science,” said Bill Shake, former Regional Director for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. “We scientists believed the President when he said he would protect science and strengthen the ESA, but Secretary Locke has seemingly allowed political pressure to circumvent a decision based on sound science. The federal agency action today is a true reversal of fortune for the Pacific Northwest economy, for an important American resource and endangered species, for communities that depend on salmon for their livelihood, and those who believe that policy should be based on science not politics. We had hoped for more because fishing families and communities deserve more.”
Opponents of following the science have called the idea of removing dams dangerous in light of climate change concerns. Salmon advocates, however, point to expert analysis from the NW Energy Coalition and a new analysis from the Northwest Conservation and Planning Council to show that protecting salmon and providing for a clean energy future is both imminently doable and affordable.
“We truly can have both clean, affordable energy and healthy salmon runs in the Pacific Northwest,” said NW Energy Coalition Executive Director Sara Patton. “It’s not an either/or. We have an abundance of untapped clean energy opportunities, so saying dam removal would lead to large increases in climate emissions is nonsense. The Northwest can show the rest of the country how to right our past mistakes while creating jobs and providing for a better future.”
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Fishing Terms...Internet style.
Ok. So I have nothing new to report about much of anything and it is the middle of the week. The fishing is decent around these parts. The Skykomish system is fishing well for pinks/Steelies, the Yakima is in typical fall shape, the salt is winding down, and the Olympic Peninsula is well...the Peninsula. Get out and feed fish flies.
Now...since I have been promising regular updates I will now present you with a dictionary of sorts for fishing terms, internet style. Beware of boredom.
LOL. (Laugh out Loud) What you do when your buddy eighty-sixes himself trying to wade a Class IV rapid to get at a piece of pocket water the size of small inner tube even though you told him he is not Brad Pitt and this is not a "River Runs Through It" and that there is a perfectly fine hole the size of the moon just 15 feet upstream where you are preceding to catch fish at an exponential rate.
ROFL. (Roll on Floor Laughing) This occurs when your fishing partner hooks himself in the ear/butt/face with a 2/0 weighted leech as he tries to cast 200 feet with a 5 wt rod in a 40 knot wind to a spot where he swears a salmon jumped. He is most likely jumping around the boat doing his best impression of the "So You Think You Can Dance" tryouts screaming expletives at you as you roll around on the deck boat laughing. Note: This should only be done while on a boat or on a hard surface as doing this in water may cause you to drown.
:) (This is a smile) The smug look you have on your face when you have finished the day catching your limit and your buddies have caught nothing because earlier they scoffed at you for tying on a Washougal Olive and said, "Hey old timer where's your cane?" And henceforth proceeded to tie on every newfangled fly they saw in last weeks publication of some east coast magazine and beat the water to death. Be careful with this look, especially if your buddies are the ones driving you home. Trying to hitchhike with dead fish is not an enjoyable experience.
QQ (Two eyes crying) What is commonly referred to as whining. Your buddies do this when they recite to you the reason they caught no fish was because you wouldn't give them a Washougal Olive. Even though you were perfectly willing to give it to them. I mean all they had to do was cross the Class V rapid, climb that 40 foot cliff and than scamper out on a rotten log to get to you. Also happens anytime a fisherman loses a fish to a snapped line, has leaky waders and everytime they read the government's plans on saving salmon/steelhead runs.
LMAO. (Laugh My Ass Off) Can be used in replacement of the ROFL if you are standing chest deep in water in a blowing snowstorm in the middle of January and your buddy hooks himself and than proceeds to eighty-six himself into the deepest hole in the river. Coincidentally what also happens when one reads Patrick McManus, David Ames or recites lines from Caddyshack (Cinderella Story, this greenskeeper...Oh it's in the hole!).
DIAF. (Die in a fire) What you tell your fishing partner over the phone as he recites the number, size, and species of fish he is catching from the river you were supposed to be on with him, but your boss pulled a Lumbergh and chained you to your cubicle for the weekend to get those TPS reports done. He coincidentally is also loling at your misfortune. Can also be used under the breath to curse poachers, floaters, and Fish and Game's approach to saving our fisheries.
And....boredom complete. Enjoy or whisper diaf at me because I took up your time in reading this.
-RB
Now...since I have been promising regular updates I will now present you with a dictionary of sorts for fishing terms, internet style. Beware of boredom.
LOL. (Laugh out Loud) What you do when your buddy eighty-sixes himself trying to wade a Class IV rapid to get at a piece of pocket water the size of small inner tube even though you told him he is not Brad Pitt and this is not a "River Runs Through It" and that there is a perfectly fine hole the size of the moon just 15 feet upstream where you are preceding to catch fish at an exponential rate.
ROFL. (Roll on Floor Laughing) This occurs when your fishing partner hooks himself in the ear/butt/face with a 2/0 weighted leech as he tries to cast 200 feet with a 5 wt rod in a 40 knot wind to a spot where he swears a salmon jumped. He is most likely jumping around the boat doing his best impression of the "So You Think You Can Dance" tryouts screaming expletives at you as you roll around on the deck boat laughing. Note: This should only be done while on a boat or on a hard surface as doing this in water may cause you to drown.
:) (This is a smile) The smug look you have on your face when you have finished the day catching your limit and your buddies have caught nothing because earlier they scoffed at you for tying on a Washougal Olive and said, "Hey old timer where's your cane?" And henceforth proceeded to tie on every newfangled fly they saw in last weeks publication of some east coast magazine and beat the water to death. Be careful with this look, especially if your buddies are the ones driving you home. Trying to hitchhike with dead fish is not an enjoyable experience.
QQ (Two eyes crying) What is commonly referred to as whining. Your buddies do this when they recite to you the reason they caught no fish was because you wouldn't give them a Washougal Olive. Even though you were perfectly willing to give it to them. I mean all they had to do was cross the Class V rapid, climb that 40 foot cliff and than scamper out on a rotten log to get to you. Also happens anytime a fisherman loses a fish to a snapped line, has leaky waders and everytime they read the government's plans on saving salmon/steelhead runs.
LMAO. (Laugh My Ass Off) Can be used in replacement of the ROFL if you are standing chest deep in water in a blowing snowstorm in the middle of January and your buddy hooks himself and than proceeds to eighty-six himself into the deepest hole in the river. Coincidentally what also happens when one reads Patrick McManus, David Ames or recites lines from Caddyshack (Cinderella Story, this greenskeeper...Oh it's in the hole!).
DIAF. (Die in a fire) What you tell your fishing partner over the phone as he recites the number, size, and species of fish he is catching from the river you were supposed to be on with him, but your boss pulled a Lumbergh and chained you to your cubicle for the weekend to get those TPS reports done. He coincidentally is also loling at your misfortune. Can also be used under the breath to curse poachers, floaters, and Fish and Game's approach to saving our fisheries.
And....boredom complete. Enjoy or whisper diaf at me because I took up your time in reading this.
-RB
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