2012-11-30

so you may need to stop for fish!!!!

2012-11-29

2012-11-28

2012-11-25

2012-11-23

2012-11-21

2012-11-20

2012-11-19

One very wet day!!!!!!!

2012-11-15

2012-11-14

West Side Fly Fishing Lakes Need Your Help;

In the spring of this year the WDFW asked for rule change proposals to improve the fishing in the state. The conservation committee wanted to see Lake 16 changed from a "put & take" to a selective fishery. We put in one proposal, DFW616241, and Mike Traux put in a second, DFW809852. The WDFW rejected these proposals and said that Lake 16 should remain an "opening day lake". We need the EFFC members to write or e-mail the WDFW and the Game Commission in rebuttal to the WDFW position. Below are links to the Commission and the WDFW proposal site. The WDFW site allows for input for these proposals, all you need to do is enter your comments. A copy of my input to the Game commission is included so you can use it as a template. Please take the time to respond to the WDFW position, We need more good quality lakes. Links: commission@dfw.wa.gov http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals/comments/original.php?id=DFW616241 http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals/comments/original.php?id=DFW809852 Template: "This e-mail is concerning the Sportsfishing rule changes for 2013 -2014 as submitted by myself, Ronald Pera and Michael Truax concerning Lake Sixteen in Skagit county. The WDFW requested input for changes in the rules for enhanced fishing. The suggestions in items DFW616241 and DFW809852 proposed making Lake Sixteen a selective gear rules lake. The WDFW response was that the old rules should stay in effect, i.e. allow this lake to be an "opening day" lake. This is not needed , most lakes in this area are opening day lakes and very few have selective gear rules. This lake is capable of growing large fish and should be managed as a catch and release fishery. We are losing a flyfishing only lake, Ebey Lake, under the proposed rule changes. The change in the rules for Lake Sixteen would provide some compensation for the loss of Ebey Lake. The flyfishing clubs in the area want this change and most would help maintain Sixteen as a quality fishing opportunity lake."

2012-11-09

2012-11-08

Updated Wallace River hatchery genetic management plan available for review

November 7, 2012 Contact: Heather Bartlett, 360-902-2662 Updated Wallace River hatchery genetic management plan available for review OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will accept public comments through Dec. 7 on an updated draft management plan that will be used by the agency to guide hatchery operations on the Wallace River. The draft plan, known as a Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP), describes the operation of the hatchery program for summer chinook salmon in the Snohomish River Basin and the potential effects of the program on wild fish species - including salmon and steelhead - that are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The draft plan is available for review on WDFW's website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/hatcheries/hgmp/ ) or at the department's office in Olympia. To schedule an appointment to review the plan in person, call (360) 902-2782. Comments on the draft HGMP can be submitted by U.S. mail to Hatcheries at 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA, 98501, or by email at HGMP-PScomments@dfw.wa.gov . WDFW has updated the draft HGMP to better reflect current efforts to protect and restore wild salmon in the Snohomish River Basin, said Heather Bartlett, hatchery division manager for the department. Public comments, WDFW's response and any resulting modifications to the draft HGMP will be posted on the department's website. The finalized HGMP will be forwarded to NOAA Fisheries, the federal agency responsible for implementing the ESA. NOAA Fisheries is currently working to produce a final environmental impact statement on the effect of hatchery programs on protected salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River and Puget Sound. In the coming weeks, WDFW will be seeking public comment on updated and revised draft HGMPs for other hatchery programs in Puget Sound. Those draft plans also will be posted on WDFW's website.

2012-11-06

2012-11-04

2012-11-03