The Count Has Begun!!!

[huntnphool]

Check it out guys, they have started the count. Lets keep our fingers crossed because this fishery is a total blast, assuming you can get your boat in the water

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/sockeye/counts.htm#counts

[cohoho]

Do you stay out on the boat.... Was thinking that myself if they open it...  And just sleep out there for a couple days....  Been told, by others also, it is a zoo to get out on the lake then.  I know we talked before about this fishery, and have my notes in my folder.  I fished for years for Reds, never on a lake, seems weird to me, but then again, it was weird when I first learned exactly how to catch 5- to - 1 on fast water river reds there too...  Best darn eating fish anywhere...  Period......  Since I can't go to the Klutina or the Russian this year, no dip netting on the Copper or Kenai either, the wife says stay out on the boat till the kids and me get our freezer full with what ever limits we can have within Washington....   I like extended kitchen passes and marching order like that!!!!  Wish I knew someone that lived on the lake and could moor the boat for a few days...

[M_ray]

Wish I knew someone that lived on the lake and could moor the boat for a few days...

That's the big problem I know two guys on the lake but everybody is hitting them up and they don't have much room for more than their boat and maybe one or two others 

[billythekidrock]

Lets keep our fingers crossed because this fishery is a total blast,

Never tried it so I never paid attention to what needs to happen for it to open. If I read the link right you need "above the escapement goal of 350,000" for them to open it?

[MIKEXRAY]

Need 350,000 to open fishery and state biologists on another site are estimating under 100,000 just like last year. They said not much of a chance.

[huntnphool]

Need 350,000 to open fishery and state biologists on another site are estimating under 100,000 just like last year. They said not much of a chance.

This is supposed to be the "big return" year. They estimate it like that pretty much every year. 04 was the last "expected" year and in 06 we had a fluke run that ended up being as big as the "expected" run.

I have a couple customers that live on the lake and have been told I could tie up with their yachts. I wonder where the overflow parking is going to be this year in Renton.

[Skyvalhunter]

Did any of you see the piece on 60 minutes last Sunday talking about all the money wasted on the different studies, fish tagging, etc?

[popeshawnpaul]

I'll probably have some openings on my boat.  I'm no expert at it but was able to get 1 or 2 every evening I went out a few years ago.  The fishery can be hit or miss.

[huntnphool]

Its a piece of cake if you have downriggers. My boat landed 134 fish in 06 and we lost several as well. The fish have very soft mouths and you don't want to do the "Boneaddict Hook Set" or you will miss most of them. If they open it up I can meet you there and give you all the schooling you will need to catch your limits.

[cohoho]

When typically do they do/if they open?  And length of season?

[huntnphool]

They typically open it after they reach the escapement goal or as soon as the yrealize the goal will easily be met. The leave it open until they estimate the quota has been met. Of course they have to let the tribes take their half, and fishing after that is generally a lot slower.

[rougheye]

Not lookin to good

[wackmaster]

If they open it I will take my boat over and a couple guys can go in my boat if the want.

[robodad]

Is there a sign up sheet or something ?? 

[popeshawnpaul]

I require fine alcohol for my boat...  1 bottle should gain you admission.  However, with the counts going as is there isn't going to be much hope.

[wackmaster]

Who ever wants to go can go

[snohohunter]

If they open and if anyone has any room - let me know.  I'm in and will help with gas or whatever.

[Houndhunter]

this the only place in WA to catch a sockeye? never fished them yet, besides kokanee if that counts

[cohoho]

Robo, Got a spot for you when  it opens....  I like Shawn's way, a bottle of fine alcohol, although Moosehead will do ok for me......

[robodad]

a bottle of fine alcohol

Hey Cohoho, I appreciate the offer and hopefully things will line up for us to get over there and do a bit of fishing, you will have to elaborate a little bit on the meaning of "fine", I have been out of the drinking loop for several years and there has been some improvements from what I understand and I just don't know what is "fine" anymore. Same for Shawn, what do you prefer ??

Last time I caught them I was in Bristol Bay with the gill net fleet combat fishing back in 95 or so and have never fished them here, I have heard that they bite on just a bare red hook is that true ??

Well it will be fun just to get out with you folks and shoot the breeze a while that's for sure !! 

[cohoho]

It's all about the green bottle of Moosehead Beer, or blue label Labatts....  Heck, even PBR works for the boat....

[huntnphool]

Looking at the numbers its not looking good. I have to hope that due to the late runoff and cooler water temps the run may be late, remember we still have about a month before it normally is announced anyway.

[robodad]

.

[huntnphool]

Well looking at the 2006 season we are about a week behind is all, by the ned of next week we should be able to tell if the fish are just starting in late. Here are the 06 numbers, which started slow and ended up being one of the bigger runs in a long time. If you remember in 06 they predicted a run similar to what they predicted for this year.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/sockeye/counts2006.htm