HOOK AND FUR By Bob Brown State fishery managers are seeking public comments on proposed sport fishing rules for the freshwater areas of Puget Sound and the Washington coast. As part of that effort, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled four meetings (posted on the department's website) to discuss rules proposed for the 2016 season with the public. All but one of the proposals is specific to the rivers and lakes of Puget Sound and coastal regions. The exception is a proposal for the lower Columbia that was held over from last year in order to coordinate with Oregon fishery managers. More than 300 proposals have been submitted by then department staff and the public, 50 of which are being recommended for additional review by fishery managers. The department website contains those proposals as well as those not recommended for further review. Not all anglers are happy with current fishing seasons, and a number are asking for more late-fall fishing opportunities by opening additional lakes to year-round fishing. Eleven lakes have been submitted for expanded seasons by the public and WDFW. Those lakes are Bay and Tanawax in Pierce County, Deep, McIntosh, Pattison, Summit and Ward in Thurston County, Anderson in Jefferson County, Chehalis River Potholes in Grays Harbor County, Silver in Whatcom County, and Vogler in Skagit County. Over the next few months, WDFW will be collecting public input and ideas for changes in the 2016-2017 fishing rules. So what's the bottom line? Angler proposals and ideas are important and make a difference. If individual anglers want changes to fishing regulations, limits and seasons, they have to get involved and not leave it up to the other guy. That's the bottom line. Comments will be accepted through Nov. 4. The Fish and Wildlife Commission, which sets policy for the WDFW, is scheduled to vote on the proposals during a December meeting. A hard copy of the proposed rules can be had by calling 360-902-2200.
Other fishing news
Because of poor angler sportsmanship and lack of respect for the environment, there could be additional closures on the Puyallup River. Steve Thiesfeld, regional fish program manager for WDFW, said too many anglers are fishing on days and in sections of the river closed to fishing and are ignoring fishing regulations. The closures are intended to allow tribal fishermen to fish unimpeded and minimize the number of wild chinook being hooked. Also, littering is becoming a real problem. Anywhere on the river, a garbage bag can be easily filled at any time. People living along the river and anyone else shouldn't have to clean up after fishermen. It's called respect for the environment. Thiesfeld said the department's main concern is people fishing when the river is closed. Part of the problem could be the influx of inexperienced anglers drawn to the river because of the return of more than 800,000 pinks and 40,000 coho, and that they are not familiar with the rules. They see other people fishing and join the crowd. The department has initiated closures on the river for several years, and compliance has been worsening instead of improving. The message to anglers is get with the program, stop what you are doing when you know it is wrong and correct your behavior. If improvement is not seen soon, officials will be forced to take action to correct the situation. We want people to catch fish, enjoy the resource, but it must be done respectfully.
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