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Conservation Article---Northwest Fly Fishing
Magazine Winter 2000
by Jack Mitchell and Jeff Brazda
In June 200, the state of Washington found it necessary to open a "biologically
conservative kill fishery for Chinook salmon on the Yakima river above
Roza dam. This salmon opening allowed the use of treble hooks on certain
lure types, as well as barbed hooks, on a fishery that for the last 10
years has been a single-barbless-hook artificial-fly, or lure fishery
only. The new bulletin that advertised this fishery was printed in a few
of the regional newspapers only days before the actual opening occurred.
One of the local game wardens was informed of this "special salmon
opening" by his wife, who read about it in the paper. The news bulletin
said nothing of the fact that the fishery had current, preexisting regulations
pertaining to the wild trout fishing that has played such a major role
on the river. Salmon angler descended on the Yakima in numbers, oblivious
of existing regulations. We are not opposed to other fishing styles----fishing
with other types of tackle. We are, however opposed to the methodology
used by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in offering a kill
fishery utilizing barbed hooks on a river that has current regulations
that don't allow such terminal gear and haven't for ten years. We are
opposed to opening such a fishery without educating the participants and
informing the local game wardens. We are opposed to fishing for Chinook
salmon in their final spawning grounds, where they will attempt to perpetuate
the species-----especially here in Washington where Columbia river salmon
are listed as an endangered species.
We are opposed to maximum yield. We are opposed to making changes to what
is working. When a resource is rebounding, why change the regulations
to allow the depletion of that very resource and impact a pre-existing
blue-ribbon fishery?
The WDFW's continual practice of "maximum yield" is a major
reason we can't retain quality fishing in our state. In a world where
government is insistent on regulation and strict on guidelines, why do
we fall short on the value of natural resources? Why is a dead fish the
best fish to so many people? Certainly, most of us will not go hungry
if we don't kill our catch.
During this Chinook salmon opening, fly fishers reported numerous encounters
with anglers(obviously new to the Yakima) inquiring as to how many rainbows
they could keep. Others were spotted dangling worms and showing dead rainbows
on the banks. Another "salmon angler" was observed proudly holding
up a stringer of rainbows midriver.
Who is assessing the impact of this Chinook fishery on the Yakima's wild
trout? Large trout fall victim to the same terminal tackle used in salmon
angling. A salmon-size treble hook is often fatal to a 20-inch trout,
the Yakima's pride and joy. Those who love and fish the Yakima extensively----------fly
anglers, guides and fly-shop owners----------are outraged by the apparent
reckless disregard for the Yakima River's blue ribbon catch-and-release
trout fishery.
It was blatant neglect that led to the demise of the native Chinook salmon
in the Yakima River with the building of impassible diversion dams. Blatant
neglect by opening a kill fishery on reintroduced salmon could cause the
demise of the hard-earned trout fishery.
If a Chinook salmon fishery remains on the Yakima river, the rules need
to be changed. Certainly, the use of treble hooks has to stop. Salmon
in a river with wild trout are a link to the past. But for the two species
to co-exist, stringent rules and regulations must be adopted to protect
them both. It has been a long, hard fight to bring quality angling to
the Yakima River. Why not let the same effective rules that apply to the
Yakiam's trout carry over to the newly introduced salmon. The quality
fishery that this could produce would rival anything on the West coast.
In this day and age, the catch and kill mentality has no place on a quality
river such as the Yakima,
To make your opinions known, contact the Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091: (360)902-2700:
www.wa.gov/wdfw/.
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