Rain

OK, so staying away from politics, Climate Change, and over population, what do we do about this unfortunate dilemma that puts a lot of pressure on our fishing environment. About the only thing I can see is to continue to live with an ever-declining fishery. So, how about a letter writing campaign to initiate "Hoot Owl" closures on all waters managed for trout to save what little fishing is left? I guess my point is, years of complaining, educating, informing, etc. have fallen on deaf ears and we need to try to save what is left. I would love to hear other ideas!
 
Flymph said:
OK, so staying away from politics, Climate Change, and over population, what do we do about this unfortunate dilemma that puts a lot of pressure on our fishing environment. About the only thing I can see is to continue to live with an ever-declining fishery. So, how about a letter writing campaign to initiate "Hoot Owl" closures on all waters managed for trout to save what little fishing is left? I guess my point is, years of complaining, educating, informing, etc. have fallen on deaf ears and we need to try to save what is left. I would love to hear other ideas!
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I don't think that adjusting the sport fishing regulations is the way save the fish from the effects of drought and/or climate change. I do think we need to do a better job of managing our forests and being much more conservative with our collective regional choices regarding consumptive water uses.

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ugh

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Flymph said:
OK, so staying away from politics, Climate Change, and over population, what do we do about this unfortunate dilemma that puts a lot of pressure on our fishing environment. About the only thing I can see is to continue to live with an ever-declining fishery. So, how about a letter writing campaign to initiate "Hoot Owl" closures on all waters managed for trout to save what little fishing is left? I guess my point is, years of complaining, educating, informing, etc. have fallen on deaf ears and we need to try to save what is left. I would love to hear other ideas!
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A caveat with that approach…is the hoot owl will be put in place earlier and earlier each year going forward. Think of forest restrictions… the DFPA in Roseburg, OR. as an example. They enact their restrictions earlier and earlier each year. They just did one. 😉
 
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Relax. We are in June and nearing the solstice. Longer days, warmer temps, less rainfall. It's "normal". You have 4 months to enjoy it.
 
I think it starts with restricting water use, especially during drought years. One thing that needs to go away is the suburban obsession of having a lush green lawn. That accounts for a lot of wasted water during the summer months.
 
DimeBrite said:
Relax. We are in June and nearing the solstice. Longer days, warmer temps, less rainfall. It's "normal". You have 4 months to enjoy it.
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I am relaxed, thanks, hope you are too. Being aware of something and having a reasonable concern doesn't equal freaking out. The thing is, a bunch of PNW rivers are way below median, or I guess one could say they are running much lower than "normal," at a time of year where, as you point out, the likelihood of significant precipitation to support streamflows and keep things green is going down. It used to be that June was consistently a higher flow melt-off month. That was normal. Now it's more common to see what we see today. That has implications for water quality and fisheries later this summer. It sure is pleasant out now and I am enjoying it. Maybe the warm and low Puget Sound rivers that I expect we'll see later this summer will help keep a healthy return of coho out in the salt where you like to get after them for a good long time. Maybe WDFW will even let people fish for them. Maybe a horde of slimers and the slimey people who fish for them will mess it all up. Who knows.
 
Matt B said:
I don't think that adjusting the sport fishing regulations is the way save the fish from the effects of drought and/or climate change. I do think we need to do a better job of managing our forests and being much more conservative with our collective regional choices regarding consumptive water uses.

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Couldn't agree more. But, haven't we been trying that for a long time without results?
 
FinLuver said:
A caveat with that approach…is the hoot owl will be put in place earlier and earlier each year going forward. Think of forest restrictions… the DFPA in Roseburg, OR. as an example. They enact their restrictions earlier and earlier each year. They just did one. 😉
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I applaud them!(y)
 
Being back east again I run into people who think of WA as "that place that gets rain all the time" .
Uh, no, that's Tsongas Nat Forest in Alaska. (And even it is drying out...)

"Oh OK, so you do have a time when it doesn't rain ? " Yeah, less rain starting about the end of Jun. But we do get storms year round just like here in Penna.

Yesterday I got hit with " Oh that must be when your state dries out and everything catches fire like California."

UGH!! Who is feeding these people this garbage?
 
Flymph said:
Couldn't agree more. But, haven't we been trying that for a long time without results?
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I’d say that no we have not, not in a meaningful way in most places and that in Washington our water resources policy needs major updating, but it’s real real hard to get that done.
 
Stonedfish said:
ecology.wa.gov

Drought expanded to 19 more watersheds

The Washington Department of Ecology is expanding the drought emergency declared in April to include areas in the North and Central Cascade Mountains and parts of the Puget Sound area.
ecology.wa.gov ecology.wa.gov
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“Hardship
“Undue hardship” to water users or the environment is the second requirement for an emergency drought declaration. In the expanded drought area, officials expect low water levels to impact both agriculture and fish.

Even in the wetter west side of the state, these increasingly common warm winters and springs lead to significant impacts to our water availability.

Drought conditions will have an impact on our state’s $14 billion agricultural industry.

“Expanding the drought declaration is a necessary step to help preserve the crops already in production and ensure our farmers have the support they need during this critical time,” said Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison. “While the challenges are real and immediate, this is also an opportunity to strengthen our approach to water supply management and build greater resilience for the future of Washington agriculture."”


…will impact Ag and fish. No mention of the fisheries economics. Guess which sector will bear the lion’s share of early, often and ongoing impacts?
 
So far I see a mix for streams I fish often and watch closely in W WA. A year ago they had flows up to double the median. Today two are at or somewhat higher than median, and a couple are somewhat to much lower.🤞
 
Pretty warm lately, sort of summertime, but too early.
 
My lawn is starting to brown out already. At least a month early, based on past experience. And no, I will not water my lawn.

The good news is my lawn mowing days are almost over until this fall...
The bad news, we get to start watering the plants and that is a couple of hours a day just to keep up...
 
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