HOOK AND FUR By Bob Brown
It is a know fact Washington 's fishing regulation booklet is not user- friendly. To laymen, its regulations can be confusing and in some cases contradictory. Many knowledgeable anglers also find the contents complex, and it is not uncommon to hear some angler expressing the need for an attorney to decipher the regulations. Last September, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced its 2016 fishing regulations. Not only that, the 2016 regulation booklet (pamphlet) will be available in early December, a full eight months before the Washington Department of Fish and Wildllife (WDFW) has its 2016 fishing regulation pamphlet available, now scheduled for July 1. James A. Goeg, publishing editor of Reel News, is wondering how Oregon did that. Probably, more than just a few Washington anglers will be wondering the same thing. Contrary to what some anglers may be thinking, WDFW fish managers are fully aware of what Oregon is doing, and presently are in the early stages of refining the state's fishing regulations, according to Craig Burley, of the department's fish management division. Burley also said sportsmen's input would be welcome. The publishing editor of Reel News said revamping the Washington fishing regulations is not going to be easy when you consider court-appointed tribal fishing rights, the greed of harvest from the commercials, and the economic impact from sport and recreational fisheries. Many state residents are not aware the WDFW is responsible for managing recreational activity on 10,000 rivers and 7,938 lakes. No easy task. And refining the state's fishing regulation booklet is not going to be easy, either. Additional information on the state's effort to simplify its fishing rules booklet can be had by calling Burley at 360-902- 2784.
Other fishing news
" The Nisqually Natural Resources staff has reported that although it is still early, the 2015 chinook run size looks almost identical to last year GÇô very low compared to all other years since Clear Creek Hatchery returns started in the mid-1990s. It is uncertain why this change is occurring (although it is suspected ocean conditions are a factor), but regardless of the cause, it has resulted in a lowered catch for the tribe's fishermen. Gill net fishing for coho began Oct. 11. " There has been little change in fishing on the Cowlitz River, with flows continuing to be in the 3,000 feet per second range (CFS). Fall chinook have been the prominent catch along with some coho, summer-run steelhead, and sea-run cutthroat. Over half of the chinook caught have been wild and had to be released. Fall chinook are being caught throughout the river, while steelhead and sea-run cutthroat are being taken near the hatchery. Coho catches have been spotty. During Sept. 28-Oct. 4, Tacoma Power recovered 98 summer-run steelhead, two spring chinook, one jack, 727 chinook adults, 91 jacks, 196 coho, 249 jacks and 10 cutthroat trout. Flows were 3,570 CFS on Oct. 5.
Fire updates
" WDFW has lifted fire restrictions on most department-managed land east of the Cascades because of cooler temperatures, but campers and anyone else heading outdoors this fall need to be extremely cautious while participating in any activity that could spark a fire, said Clay Sprague, WDFW land manger. However, Sprague noted some local restrictions will remain in place, including a campfire ban through Oct. 15 at all department wildlife areas in Benton, Franklin, Yakima and Kittitas counties. Similarly, a campfire ban is in place at the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area in Grant and Adams counties through Oct. 31. The department also eased the complete ban on target shooting in the Wenas Wildlife Area in Yakima and Kittitas counties. The department is allowing target shooting from sunrise to 10 a.m. only.
Bob Brown lives in Roy and is a freelance outdoorrs writer. He can be contacted at robertb1285@centurylink.net
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