Author Topic: Grays Harbor closures (Read 9433 times)

Martinhunter · « **on:** October 28, 2015, 05:56:27 PM »

Was just wondering how long you guys think the chehalis will be shut down? The fish and game are saying until further notice which is fine for the coho sake but I'm concerned if the closure will cut into our steelhead season on the chehalis? I personally love fishen the chehalis for steelhead in December through March. You guys think it'll stay shut down well into next year?

STIKNSTRINGBOW · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2015, 06:05:04 PM »

Depends on how the netting issue is resolved...
Weird how one group wants fishing rights while another group loses fishing privilege.

wildmanoutdoors · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2015, 06:31:10 PM »

What netting issue? The QIN have agreed to not net. They will revisit the run in mid November.

Martinhunter · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2015, 06:34:13 PM »

Wow really, well how thoughtful of them.

Hunterman · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2015, 07:29:53 PM »

The e-mail I just read is that the state "CLOSED ALL OF GRAY HARRBOR" to ALL fishing. So much for sea bass this winter.

Hunterman(Tony)

JimmyHoffa · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2015, 07:43:44 PM »

The news release says salmon fishing for Grays Harbor/rivers/tributaries. Is there a link to more info for the closure of all fishing or that of steelhead?
I wonder how much is just fish arriving late? Some of the coast rivers don't get the big numbers of silvers until another week or two.

Westside88 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:35:12 PM »

I saw something posted on the northwest fishing board of piscatorial pursuits that basically said the Quinault Tribe asked the game department to shut down steelhead too to avoid coho mortality while their nets were out. The game department basically stated they would have a hard time keeping the river closes if and when the escapement and egg quotas were met. Either way I would think that Steelhead in December may be ok, most Coho have returned by then. I wish I could believe that they are just late, but it doesn't seem that way. I wonder if some of the major flooding issues we've had are showing their effects along with El Niño

STIKNSTRINGBOW · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2015, 08:55:00 AM »

Quote from: wildmanoutdoors on October 28, 2015, 06:31:10 PM

What netting issue? The QIN have agreed to not net. They will revisit the run in mid November.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,184454.0.html

Squidward · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2015, 10:13:40 AM »

It's not the rivers that are closed until the 30th, its the Salmon fishing as of the 26th. Rivers are still open to trout fishing until the 30th, this would includes Steelhead.
there are silvers going up the main stream after this last rain.

WSU · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2015, 10:42:19 AM »

Quote from: Squidward on October 29, 2015, 10:13:40 AM

It's not the rivers that are closed until the 30th, its the Salmon fishing as of the 26th. Rivers are still open to trout fishing until the 30th, this would includes Steelhead.
there are silvers going up the main stream after this last rain.

No, they aren't. That was closed too in a later announcement.

STIKNSTRINGBOW · « **Reply #10 on:** October 29, 2015, 10:54:38 AM »

Quote from: WSU on October 29, 2015, 10:42:19 AM

Quote from: Squidward on October 29, 2015, 10:13:40 AM
It's not the rivers that are closed until the 30th, its the Salmon fishing as of the 26th. Rivers are still open to trout fishing until the 30th, this would includes Steelhead.
there are silvers going up the main stream after this last rain.

No, they aren't. That was closed too in a later announcement.

Fishing to close in Grays Harbor and all tributaries

Action:

(1) Grays Harbor Catch Area 2-2 and all tributaries: Closed to all fishing.

(2) The following rivers and their tributaries: Humptulips, Hoquiam, Wishkah, Chehalis, Wynoochee, Satsop, Black, Skookumchuck, Newaukum, Johns and Elk rivers, and Van Winkle Creek: Closed to all fishing.

Effective Date: Oct. 30, 2015, until further notice.

Species affected: All species.

Location: Grays Harbor catch area 2-2, Humptulips, Hoquiam, Wishkah, Chehalis, Wynoochee, Satsop, Black, Skookumchuck, Newaukum, Johns and Elk rivers, Van Winkle Creek, and their tributaries.

Reason for action: In-season run size assessments conducted by WDFW indicate that coho run sizes are significantly below pre-season forecasts. Conservation objectives may not be achieved for coho if this action is not taken.

Other information: WDFW will continue to monitor the progress of the Grays Harbor coho run.

Information contact: Mike Scharpf, (360) 249-1205.

JimmyHoffa · « **Reply #11 on:** October 29, 2015, 08:48:56 PM »

Heard that the Quinaults are even stopping fishing on the Queets and its tribs now. So, maybe expect the WDFW to close Queets, Clearwater and Salmon rivers? But Quinault river will still be fished?

Sitka_Blacktail · « **Reply #12 on:** October 29, 2015, 09:09:58 PM »

Quote from: JimmyHoffa on October 29, 2015, 08:48:56 PM

Heard that the Quinaults are even stopping fishing on the Queets and its tribs now. So, maybe expect the WDFW to close Queets, Clearwater and Salmon rivers? But Quinault river will still be fished?

That would be the Hoh Tribe I believe.

JimmyHoffa · « **Reply #13 on:** October 29, 2015, 09:35:06 PM »

That has a date of 2002.
I think there were a bunch of different tribes that were all under the same treaty as Quinault and are supposed to use the reservation. The powers at the time just made one big rez instead of giving all the coastal tribes their own land. But they have been trying to be more autonomous per band(?) over the years. I think park would close Queets, but then WDFW would have to close the tribs, Salmon and Clearwater. So....all the people displaced by Grays Harbor Closure and Queets closure would go to the Hoh or Quileute systems (I'm guessing) and a closure would follow there too?

Coastal_native · « **Reply #14 on:** October 29, 2015, 09:38:57 PM »

The Quinaults shut down the stretch of Queets on the rez to both gill netting and guides.

HarboritE · « **Reply #15 on:** November 06, 2015, 07:56:54 PM »

They're reopening a few sections of the grays harbor rivers starting tomorrow

Martinhunter · « **Reply #16 on:** November 07, 2015, 01:40:01 AM »

Great news!! Except for the part that the Chehalis is to remain closed.

PolarBear · « **Reply #17 on:** November 07, 2015, 02:22:20 AM »

http://nwsportsmanmag.com/headlines/select-grays-harbor-tribs-reopen-fishing/

Martinhunter · « **Reply #18 on:** November 22, 2015, 03:10:54 PM »

Anyone here any rumors lately on river opening back up?

Antlershed · « **Reply #19 on:** November 24, 2015, 09:13:13 AM »

Chehalis tribe has been hammering the fish the last 4-5 days and the Quinaults are going in this weekend in the lower river. Fishing still remains closed to Sportsmen! Speculation on a sport re-opener, is that it isn't likely until mid-December at the earliest.

PolarBear · « **Reply #20 on:** November 24, 2015, 09:20:13 AM »

The tribes are hammering the Hump as well but a few chrome steelhead are getting through.

JimmyHoffa · « **Reply #21 on:** November 24, 2015, 09:28:12 AM »

The Hoh river is closed now until Dec.

Martinhunter · « **Reply #22 on:** November 24, 2015, 03:27:13 PM »

So I guess I'm confused.... Isn't the rivers closed down for sport fishing to protect the coho runs since their slim to none this year? Then why the heck are there nets in the rivers? Makes no sense to me!! Makes me want to just go fish anyways and just risk getting a ticket. That's rediculous!

2labs · « **Reply #23 on:** November 24, 2015, 03:29:00 PM »

The 2% gotta get there 50

Martinhunter · « **Reply #24 on:** November 24, 2015, 03:51:13 PM »

I just called the region 6 office in montesano and asked for any tentative dates on sport fishing opening back up on the chehalis and she said she has no info on dates, next I mentioned to her that I heard tribal is netting the river even though it's shut down to sport fishing and why that is, I told her it makes no sense to me. Her response was their only able to net on tribal land, and she has no other info about it. Wow thanks for the help and helping me to make sense of this ridiculous law. Who cares where their netting, their still gonna rape the river of the fish.

2labs · « **Reply #25 on:** November 24, 2015, 03:59:35 PM »

Are you new? They've been doing it since"74"

Martinhunter · « **Reply #26 on:** November 24, 2015, 04:02:47 PM »

Well I guess I'am or I just haven't been paying attention very well. I guess since it hits so close to home it gets my attention.

2labs · « **Reply #27 on:** November 24, 2015, 04:05:41 PM »

Read up on it. It'll make ya puke.

WSU · « **Reply #28 on:** November 24, 2015, 04:39:22 PM »

The short answer is the QIN will do what they want until there are consequences. The Chehalis fish out of the non-tribal share and are basically last in line (after QIN, non-treaty nets, and sportfishers). The QIN already have their 50%, and more, and are going back in the water this weekend. Frankly, we should be applauding WDFW for closing things down to protect the coho that didn't show and also pissed at them for allowing this over harvest to happen in the first place. One is a step in the right direction and the other a sign of the management continuing to fail.

Martinhunter · « **Reply #29 on:** December 05, 2015, 04:43:39 AM »

I just checked wdfw site to see if there's been any changes with the closures and couldn't find anything on it anymore. They had it listed on the "Latest news" but it's no longer there? Does anyone know if anything has changed?

PolarBear · « **Reply #30 on:** December 05, 2015, 09:52:03 AM »

They were supposed to meet this week to figure it out. My guess is the will be posted next week, hopefully.

Martinhunter · « **Reply #31 on:** December 11, 2015, 09:04:50 PM »

Just read a update on wdfw website, rivers to open on the 14th.

https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=1737

PolarBear · « **Reply #32 on:** December 12, 2015, 08:36:50 AM »

Yeah, opens up for one soreback coho. Hipeeeeeee!

JimmyHoffa · « **Reply #33 on:** December 12, 2015, 10:08:07 AM »

I heard that quite a few changes for steelhead season were passed at the WDFW meeting yesterday. I haven't seen anything on their website updating for the changes (probably out on Monday?) or know if any of the GH rivers will be affected. Something like no more bait, barbless hooks only, no fishing from a boat, no more wild fish retention, etc--not sure what else. Somebody probably has the real accurate info.

Martinhunter · « **Reply #34 on:** December 12, 2015, 12:22:12 PM »

No more bait??

metlhead · « **Reply #35 on:** December 12, 2015, 12:38:05 PM »

The stretch above 7400 has been many times closed to fishing from a boat. It would be fantastic fishing if they did that on the lower river also. That river is perfect for hopping out on a bar and really working a drift over well. So crowded now with fellas running up and down free-drifting, it makes it tough to find a spot for yourself. Sometimes I wonder if that river gets emptied out of fish over a weekend. I'm getting dreamy

Bullkllr · « **Reply #36 on:** December 12, 2015, 01:20:12 PM »

Quote from: JimmyHoffa on December 12, 2015, 10:08:07 AM

I heard that quite a few changes for steelhead season were passed at the WDFW meeting yesterday. I haven't seen anything on their website updating for the changes (probably out on Monday?) or know if any of the GH rivers will be affected. Something like no more bait, barbless hooks only, no fishing from a boat, no more wild fish retention, etc--not sure what else. Somebody probably has the real accurate info.

Haven't found anything yet either.
Those are some pretty heavy-weight proposals. Be very interesting to see what passed.
Proposal summary can be found here, if anyone is interested.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings/2015/12/dec1115_04_summary.pdf

BigGoonTuna · « **Reply #37 on:** December 12, 2015, 09:58:07 PM »

Quote from: metlhead on December 12, 2015, 12:38:05 PM

The stretch above 7400 has been many times closed to fishing from a boat. It would be fantastic fishing if they did that on the lower river also. That river is perfect for hopping out on a bar and really working a drift over well. So crowded now with fellas running up and down free-drifting, it makes it tough to find a spot for yourself. Sometimes I wonder if that river gets emptied out of fish over a weekend. I'm getting dreamy

I miss that, made at least one area a bankie could go and get away from the army of boats.

I liked fishing up by the trap, I think with all the pressure these days, not much makes it up there any more...

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Author Topic: Grays Harbor closures (Read 9433 times)

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