Run-size forecasts for winter-run coastal steelhead rivers and streams were introduced by state fisheries managers and anglers were asked to provide comment on initial fishing proposals during a Tuesday Zoom meeting with anglers and other interested parties.
This meeting, along with an earlier July session, is part of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s efforts at improving outreach this season compared to a late announcement of radical changes, including a ban on fishing from boats and the use of baits or barbed hooks, offered just before the winter hatchery steelhead season last November.
Those moves upended the apple cart for the West End’s sport fishing-driven winter economy, with guides losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in bookings on top of pandemic-related losses.
Fish and Wildlife estimates place preliminary steelhead numbers at 26,336 wild steelhead running this winter and spring.
And just like last November, Forks-area river systems are in much better overall shape than their southern counterparts.
The estimates show 8,405 fish returning to the Quillayute system, 42 percent above its escapement goal, and 3,141 to the Hoh, 31 percent above escapement.
Problem rivers remain the Chehalis (5,681 fish), which is estimated at 34 percent below; Willapa Bay rivers (3,203, or 18 percent below); the Queets/Clearwater (3,203, or 24 percent below); Humptulips (1,343 or 16 percent below) and the Upper Quinault (1,128, or 30 percent below).
That provides allowable mortalities of 1,253 fish on the Quileute, 371 on the Hoh, 344 on Willapa, 160 on the Queets/Clearwater, 141 on the Chehalis, 67 on the Humptulips and 56 on the Upper Quinault. These numbers are based off the preseason forecast and adding in 50 percent tribal shares and a 10 percent impact from sportfishing impacts on streams not reaching escapement goals.
If the 2020-21 regulations remain, closures could shut down the Chehalis, Humptulips, Upper Quinault and Queets/Clearwater rivers, according to Fish and Wildlife.
Many anglers who spoke during the meeting discussed bringing back some sort of boat fishing opportunity, which Fish and Wildlife estimated cut down on landings and increased the time needed to catch a steelhead last season.
The potential exists for opening certain areas at specific times to allow for the participation of disabled anglers of all ages.
Brian McLachlan discussed the challenges faced by his 70-year-old brother in getting in and out of a drift boat and climbing over slippery river rock during a fishing outing.
McLachlan reminded Fish and Wildlife of its statutory mandate to provide opportunity while meeting conservation goals.
And he offered a plan that would allow boat fishing from the Bogachiel Hatchery’s confluence with the Calawah downstream to the Wilson access, prime territory for early hatchery steelhead.
Angler Larry Gilliard offered another plan to allow boat fishing with bait, but leave barbed hook bans intact along the Quillayute and Hoh, the two rivers expected to meet their escapement goals.
Coastal fisheries manager James Losee said that may be a possibility, but he warned of a poor fishing experience due to overcrowding. And the Quileute Tribe would likely present concerns to prevent overlapping sport fishing/tribal netting dates.
A second steelhead online town hall is planned in November, date and time to be determined.
Anglers are encouraged to share steelhead proposals with the state at tinyurl.com/PDN-Coastal2122.
Razor clam digs
The following digs were approved, along with the low tides and beaches:
• Wednesday, 6:16 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Thursday: 7:01 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Friday, Nov. 5: 7:46 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Saturday, Nov. 6: 8:33 p.m.; -1.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Sunday, Nov. 7: 8:23 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Monday, Nov. 8: 9:16 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Tuesday, Nov. 9: 10:13 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Wednesday, Nov. 10: 11:16 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
Park pond stocked
The Carrie Blake Park Pond in Sequim has been stocked with catchable trout for youth fishing activities.
Kids 14 and younger can fish for free and retain two trout per day at the pond.
The North Olympic Peninsula Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers, in conjunction with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Hurd Creek Fish Hatchery, stocked the pond with about 300 fish last week.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
