Pics of Sturgeon this year

[Naches Nightmare]

I have been out a few times this year and have not seen many caught.  Lets see some pic of this year sturgeon for that we all can remember what they look like.

[Limhangerslayer]

Didn't take any pics if them on wednesday but the weather was nice.  Slow fishing, only 13 to the boat between two of us, closest one was 1 1/2 " short.

[cohoho]

Here is one..

[singleshot12]

Pics of surgeon? I thought that was a thing of the past? C n R for the sportsman and the indians are long lining netting the rest with boat loads of over-sized ones It's a  what happened to that fishery

[cohoho]

C&R is just as fun....

[singleshot12]

Why put em through the stress if ya can't eat em?  They're meant to be a food fish caught with hook and line and not commercialized

[cohoho]

Cause they are fun to catch is why...............  I can tell you, I have never caught a OS that wasn't full of energy at release time.  They get more stressed out by nets and darn seals prowling on them.  I will continue C&R till I cannot go anymore or it is told illegal by either state...  So what your saying is the only time to fish for them is when killing them for food?   They are fine to be C&R, in fact they are almost perfect for that fishery...  Should have went to that years ago before the huge decline.  I can agree to get the nets out of the water.  But C&R is fine...  Heck this year when I hit the Willamette on two separate trips, only one other boat out there compared to when retention was legal, maybe a 100+ boats full of anglers targeting keepers... 

[singleshot12]

I see what you're saying coho they are kinda fun specially when the occasional one jumps or your thumb gets burnt from their first run. But my theory is if they are in such great danger we should just leave the poor beasts alone. And sure you and I can fight and release them with good odds but not everyone is that careful. Also I wonder how many exhausted sturgeon released are just being released into the jaws of a hungry sealion just waiting for that moment. For now all my sturgeon gear is collecting dust and in the mean time my time and energy is going to spent trying to figure out how to end the commercial and poaching problem which we all know is the reason why these dinosaurs could be on their way out

And I feel the exact same way about native chinook and steelhead
 
Take a pic while you can so your kids can see what they once looked like I guess

Sorry to hijack the thread but some thing just need to be said

[cohoho]

I appreciate your comments for sure, and maybe see some of the arguments you have on protecting the native species.  But until the nets are out, the natives are out, these fish will be put in way more stress than I and every other C&R guy can ever do to them in a lifetime.  C&R on the Frazier is working without issues, but then again the First Nations People do not destroy the resources, nor are the Sea Lions attacking them at every deep hole on the river.  I haven't fished it and can only go off what I have read and get from the gossip-web...  What about Idaho, what about the mid river Columbia OS fishery, not finding these fish along the shores and they seem quit healthy there with C&R activities?    They have already provided protected areas for OS breeding areas below the dams on the Big C and Willamette during spawning season, which we can't fish, but I can guarantee their slicing those big ladies up there for eggs and selling on the black market..   But now- no more fishermen on that part of the river during that time frame both private and guides to call the fish cops when they see these things occurring...

By the way any of your gear for sale?  lol...

[singleshot12]

I hear ya! and I guess I'm just really frustrated about the whole thing. In my area(Puget sound) we lost our retention due to declining populations and just the other day someone snapped a few pics of three native boats full to the brim with ALL sizes of sturg. Same time we lost our fishery is about the same time a few commercial permits were issued, they were suppose to long line only,but of coarse nets were used. There is suppose to be an investigation but we'll see the damage is done now.
And I see what you're saying about the lack of eyes out there now it makes it easier for the poachers. Hopefully things will turn around someday and I can use my gear again. I would sell it to you coho but if anything it still has sentimental value

[BOWHUNTER45]

I seriously need to catch one ....Maybe sometime you guys can count me in 

[Ripper]

When I get my new boat I'll take you out Bowhunter. Retention is in June, but I'll be C&Ring before then. That really ticks me off that took our year round season away and gave out more commercial native licenses out. They can kill 10 a day, any size. How is that protecting the species.

[Ripper]

Oh yeah, here's one from last year.

[singleshot12]

When I get my new boat I'll take you out Bowhunter. Retention is in June, but I'll be C&Ring before then. That really ticks me off that took our year round season away and gave out more commercial native licenses out. They can kill 10 a day, any size. How is that protecting the species.

Yeah that whole closer thing for the sportsman was just a way for us to be out of the way so the commercials could clean house on them i'm afraid
And by June when it does open for retention most of the sturg have migrated out with just a few stragglers left behind

[Gringo31]

I've only been out twice this year.  Both times I was dodging nets and set lines in my holes that the indians are pounding.  Frustrating to try and catch fish in a few hours when they have 24 hour soaks.

Have yet to land one.  (this year)

[buckhorn2]

Ripper nice fish but looks like something was working on his tail. I have a new boay coming next month and hope to still be able to fish for them.