Editors Note: The state Department of Fish and Wildlife extended the public comment period on proposed rule changes developed by the North Coast Steelhead Advisors Group to Thursday, Nov. 12.
JUST UNDER TWO weeks remain for the public to provide input on a series of proposed rule changes developed by the North Coast Steelhead Advisors Group.
Anglers have until Nov. 12 to comment on the rule changes online.
The changes are listed at tinyurl.com/PDN-rulechanges, and the public can click through to offer comment on each proposed change.
The group offered the proposals after a process of debate and compromise, not after coming to a consensus opinion.
They all seek to limit the handling, stress, impairment and mortality of the wild steelhead population.
Some of these proposed changes seem acceptable, such as requiring the release of endangered wild steelhead and rainbow trout in the Quillayute River system (Quillayute, Sol Duc, Bogachiel, Calawah and Dickey rivers), the Hoh River, the South Fork Hoh River and the Clearwater River.
Most anglers I know at least, already follow this unwritten rule during steelhead season.
They understand the perilous status of wild steelhead and are fine with a steelhead photo rather than a steelhead trophy.
Another rule would require barbless hooks at all times in all North Coast rivers, with only one hook with up to three points.
In a separate change, the use of bait in North Coast steelhead fisheries would be scaled back to times and river segments where anglers can expect to encounter returning steelhead.
The most controversial proposal seeks to prohibit fishing from floating devices on the Hoh River above Morgan’s Crossing.
The advisors’ group wrestled with this recommendation because it allocates space on the river and fishing opportunity away from boaters and gives it to bank anglers.
The last rule would prohibit fishing from floating devices equipped with internal combustion motors on all North Coast rivers.
This rule would maintain a status quo, since internal combustion engines are really only used on the lower portion of the Hoh River near Olympic National Park where anglers can use their engines to access the river below the lowest take-out spot at the Barlow Bar.
The public will also have the opportunity to provide testimony on the proposed rule changes during the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission’s meeting in Olympia on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14.
The location and time of the meeting is not yet available.
Check the commission’s website at tinyurl.com/PDN-CommissionMeeting for details and an agenda.
Coho survey training
The North Olympic Salmon Coalition will hold a coho survey training program at the Department of Fish and Wildlife offices, 375 Hudson St. in Port Townsend, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday.
The workshop is free to those interested in learning more about coho.
The coalition provides gear before heading to Chimacum Creek to collect data on spawning salmon.
For more information, phone Emily Bishop at 360-379-8051, email outreach@nosc.org or visit www.tinyurl.com/ph8ue74.
Pool discount night
Mountain View Pool in Port Townsend will host a discounted Open Swim Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.
A second discounted open swim is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the pool at 1919 Blaine St.
Everyone can swim for $2.
Noodles, rings and other floating toys will be available. There will be no lap lanes.
Children younger than 8 must be accompanied by guardians.
For information, call 360-385-7665 or email ascalf@cityofpt.us.
Seal in the sky
Most anglers have a story about seals, the fish-stealing criminals of the sea.
One orca whale turned in his best Jon Ryan/Steven Hauschka impersonation, punting a seal high into the air recently near Victoria.
Check the video out at tinyurl.com/PDN-OrcaPunt.
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Outdoors columnist Michael Carman appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
