The WDFW Circus (Columbia Sturgeon)

[huntnphool]

The sturgeon fishery is fragile and could get depleted in very short notice.

Not in the next 10 days!!!

[wildmanoutdoors]

This year is definately not like recent years were they were late and the seasons got extended. This year has been like years ago. With catch and keep rates at 174 fish per day avarage they would exceed the quota by 1700 fish if they let it run its coarse.

Not sure thats the smart thing to do. Seems we need to see the big pic first. Not give in due to one good opener after so many bad ones in a row.
Its fustrating for sure. Had some days booked with Ron Holt that will not happen now. I have been in Illwaco 2 weeks in a row now working on boats and reports have been killing me as Im right there. Now I have the time and the fishery is closed.

[BENCHLEG]

Here is a thought take the nets out of the river.

[huntnphool]

This year is definitely not like recent years were they were late and the seasons got extended. This year has been like years ago. With catch and keep rates at 174 fish per day avarage they would exceed the quota by 1700 fish if they let it run its coarse.

Not sure thats the smart thing to do. Seems we need to see the big pic first. Not give in due to one good opener after so many bad ones in a row.
Its fustrating for sure. Had some days booked with Ron Holt that will not happen now. I have been in Illwaco 2 weeks in a row now working on boats and reports have been killing me as Im right there. Now I have the time and the fishery is closed.

Nobody suggested giving in. Leaving it open as originally planned, through the end of the month when they are closing it indefinitely after, certainly wouldn't have caused a devastating impact!

[Curly]

Here is another thought:  Kill a thousand or so sealions and help save the sturgeon numbers.

[cohoho]

Spent all day in stomping grounds for OS Sturgeon, not a take down, not a nibble, not a bite....  Same area - always catch OS, hit ten anchor spots, same results...  No guides fishing and this time of year they always were hitting these spots..  Hmmmmmm..

[huntnphool]

Spent all day in stomping grounds for OS Sturgeon, not a take down, not a nibble, not a bite....  Same area - always catch OS, hit ten anchor spots, same results...  No guides fishing and this time of year they always were hitting these spots..  Hmmmmmm..

They are all belly up, floating down the river with radiation poisoning.

[BENCHLEG]

Thank you wdfw you are  protecting the future , for my children. I  am glad i have pics of all fish and game animals i have harvested in the state of washington. Now my kids can see what i was privelaged to see. You suck. 

[singleshot12]

Thank you wdfw you are  protecting the future , for my children. I  am glad i have pics of all fish and game animals i have harvested in the state of washington. Now my kids can see what i was privelaged to see. You suck.

I agree! more could of been done to protect them from the poachers,nets,and sea lions. Now our kids can only hear the stories of what we had

[washingtonmuley]

 

Here is another thought:  Kill a thousand or so sealions and help save the sturgeon numbers.

[cohoho]

Glad I got a couple picture with them to show what they look like to my kids kids....    So with that I am officially resigning from Sturgeon fishing on the Columbia..... 


Ok probably not but thought about it...  Looks like any C&R fishing for them I will be hitting the Willamette 100%....

[Wacenturion]

Pay more for less opportunity. Its the wave of the WDFW future.

Got that right...all across the board.

[Gringo31]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/crc/2013/crc18jun13_fact.pdf

A 500 fish catch in 2 days does seem like a lot of fish! 

[huntnphool]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/crc/2013/crc18jun13_fact.pdf

A 500 fish catch in 2 days does seem like a lot of fish!

And yet the number of fish are so low it requires a indefinite closure from here on.

[wsucowboy]

Pay more for less opportunity. Its the wave of the WDFW future.