Stilly River - South side of Silvana closed until october 15

[jumpin]

       

W T F

[h2ofowlr]

I saw that they had heavy equipment on the gravel bar just west of I-5.  That may have something to do with it.

[Ripper]

That sucks!

[Fishnclifff]

The fork is in Arlington.
I dont get the connection.
It all looked normal yesterday in Arlington.
Are you talkin about the water treatment plant construction?

[coyotemadness]

  Action: Close Cook (Koch) Slough (a channel of the Stillaguamish River), the North Meander, and the Stillaguamish River from where Cook Slough rejoins the Stillaguamish to 1,000 feet downstream to fishing.
Effective dates: July 18 through Oct. 15, 2011.
Species affected: All fish.
Closure location details: All of Cook (Koch) Slough ( the South channel of the Stillaguamish River/including all waters of the barrier/diversion dam channel). The closure begins approximately 1/2 mile West of Interstate 5), 350 feet upstream of the barrier/diversion dam and continues approximately 3.5 river miles to the downstream confluence with the Stillaguamish River. The North Meander, a side channel that connects the mainstem Stillaguamish (at Hevly Road) with Cook Slough. The Stillaguamish River, from the downstream confluence with Cook Slough (below the westernmost Silvana RR bridge) to 1000 feet downstream.
Reason for action: The repair of an in-stream weir and fish ladder on Cook Slough require the installation of a cofferdam upstream of the weir and restriction of flows to 30 cubic feet per second through Cook Slough. A fish exclusion device at the downstream end will prevent fish from entering Cook Slough.
Other Information: If work finishes before Oct. 15 and flows are restored Cook Slough will reopen before Oct. 15.
Information contacts: Jennifer Whitney, District 13 fish biologist, (425) 775-1311; Annette Hoffmann, Region 4 Fish Program manager, (425) 775-1311.

[Fishnclifff]

wont hurt fishing at all.

[jumpin]

wont hurt fishing at all.

Only if you live in Vancouver!

That's My favorite area and we have been waiting for two years to fish it.

Public access on the north side is minimal.
Its Just another way to pack all of us in to a smaller area so its easier to monitor.
You just wait and see how many people will be packed on the east side of I- 5.

It will be COMBAT fishing at its finest.

I can not believe it is a good thing for the fish run considering that the salmon spawn in that whole area.  I think we all need to call those biologists to find out.

[Fishnclifff]

You still have the main stem on the west side don't you.
I used to hit that with spoons and jigs and quit when I was sore.

[fish vacuum]

Its Just another way to pack all of us in to a smaller area so its easier to monitor.

It's pretty unlikely they blocked the entire river channel for easier enforcement of fishing regulations. The work they're doing involves a temporary dam on the south branch, so it's probably not a good place to be if that dam fails.

I can not believe it is a good thing for the fish run considering that the salmon spawn in that whole area.  I think we all need to call those biologists to find out.

Not many salmon spawn down that low, except for a few pinks. And if you read the announcement you'll see that they're blocking fish from going up the south branch. The fish ladder at the diversion dam is being repaired or replaced, which should ultimately be good for the fish.

I agree that it eliminates a lot of access but I imagine there are very specific timing issues for the project related to flow levels and possibly the presence of ESA listed fish.

[singleshot12]

I would think the section that all the water will be diverted to will change permanently. With that much more flow the whole section will change wiping out all the existing holes and making a deep long channel 

[Stilly bay]

I too was looking forward to fishing this area since access is so limited up river and down from there.

I FIND IT VERY INTERESTING THAT THEY DIDN'T MAKE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BACK IN APRIL BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ONLY COME OUT TO FISH FOR HUMPYS ON THE STILLY BOUGHT THIER LICENSES.   its not like they didn't know this stuff  need fixing four months ago.

I save my money for better managed states with better fisheries, but this year I broke down and bought a WA state fresh water license so I could partake in the humpy madness with some kids and family members.  truth be told the price of a fishing license isn't going to break me, but its more the principal of the thing, and that those sneaky FUX could have said something earlier, especially in this economy where a lot of people just can't afford to throw away money on a fishing license or gas to hit other rivers that are farther away.

just like the license increase-I hope they did research to prove otherwise- wouldn't they sell more licenses  and tags if they made them slightly cheaper? how many guys who may only get to hunt or fish a weekend or two out the year say screw it and not even buy a license or tags because of the investment?

anyway thats my rant. we need to start spending less money on fishing and hunting gear and the gas to pursue and more money and energy on fixing this state which is rapidly going down the drain.

this year instead of minding my own on a quiet somewhat private stretch of river I will be elbowing in with the rest of the mob in  what areas are open. if I accidently stick a buzz bomb in your neck I am sorry.

[fish vacuum]

I would think the section that all the water will be diverted to will change permanently. With that much more flow the whole section will change wiping out all the existing holes and making a deep long channel 

With the river so low this time of  year, even all the water going into one channel is a small fraction of what that channel gets on a regular basis in fall and spring. The NF is at 438cfs right now. It can be 10x that amount and not even be close to flood stage.

[fish vacuum]

BTW, before people get too upset with WDFW, it's an Army COE project.