Skagit Steelhead CnR 2026

HauntedByWaters

HauntedByWaters

Life of the Party
I didn’t see a thread for this yet so figured I would start one.

I heard some rumors of positive developments but don’t know if there is truth to that. What is the most recent update? Is this fishery unfunded and not happening?

Thank you for any updates!
 
I went to the TU meeting in Mt Vernon last week. The general consensus after talking with legislators was that there was little to no hope of the funding being put back in for the season to start back up after the Jan 31 river closing. And not a lot of hope of the legislature doing anything about it before the next budget cycle so probably not 2027 either.

There was still some talk that maybe some private group would fund it but it didn't sound like there was anything concrete their and it was also presented as a pretty bad option long term.
 
Paige said:
Private funding has been secured, just need escapment estimates and state approval.
Click to expand...

Brian,
What was the total needed for monitoring?
I saw a few different figures.
SF
 
Current word on the street is the fishery will not happen. The government has no procedures for private funding of a fishery and aren’t imaginative. Sorry everyone, better hire a therapist now since they will be busy this spring.
 
I heard from a spey oldtimer (who is not prone to exaggeration) that there was reason for hope. While I'm not getting my own hopes up for anything after Jan 30, at least there are still some folks working to try to make it happen.
 
I heard from a guy in the know that said that the TU lobbyist reported that the 'private funding' idea was dead in the water.

Either way, write (and keep writing) your state congresscritters, they need to make sure that the QS funding is in the permanent WDFW budget, not a line item, which is why it got cut in the first place. Unless hell gets raised it won't happen in the 2026 off year either.
 
For those of you hoping to take advantage of the next 30 days on the Skagit, be aware that some of the boat launches are unusable.

Sedro Woolley Launch:
IMG_20251231_091134035.jpgIMG_20251231_091155337.jpg
The ramp is seriously undermined near the top and presents bottoming out opportunity st the top. It's a shame because WDFW just rebuilt this ramp last summer.
I think that the water level during the flood was 4'-5' above the parking lot judging by the caught debris in this tree.:
IMG_20251231_091520263.jpg

The next spot is the rough launch at the old Lyman Ferry road. The cut through the crest of the bank has filled in again.
IMG_20251231_094815267.jpg

The Hamilton Launch. That narrow opening is only about 2' wide. Somewhere under all that sand is a concrete ramp...at least that is what we're hoping.
IMG_20251231_100509030.jpg

The Birdsview Launch also suffers from sand loading.
IMG_20251231_102549854.jpgIMG_20251231_102628460.jpg

If you are inventive or a 35 year drift boat pro I'm sure you can figure out a way to launch and recover at 3 of them but backing down a trailered sled could be tricky.

I checked on the Baker Launch and it's basically still there but covered in soft mud 9-12" deep and rutted from folks driving in to sight see.
I didn't get a look at Faber's and I heard that guys were able to launch at Rockport but this intel was from bird watchers and not boatmen.
Different agencies are responsible for the upkeep on these but I think sending messages to WDFW to get them fixed so we can at least get our whopping 30 day opportunity they have blessed us with.
 
HauntedByWaters said:
Current word on the street is the fishery will not happen. The government has no procedures for private funding of a fishery and aren’t imaginative. Sorry everyone, better hire a therapist now since they will be busy this spring.
Click to expand...
I only wish we as a user group had the balls to not accept that answer. Sad times.
 
Just sent an email to Mill Creek office asking them if there are any plans to immediately fix these launches since we only have 29 days this season to fish. NOT holding my breath.
 
We are in this current situation because WDFW and the Feds agreed on a management and monitoring plan that is uniquely inefficient and costly to implement. I am not aware of any other state with ESA listed fish (that still allows fishing) that does it this way. California is the best example where limited fishing of ESA listed steelhead and salmon is permitted without the bureaucratic process mandated on the Skagit/Sauk. As I stated during the last WDFW commission meeting, I would like the WDFW provide any evidence that they have a better management model than other states.
 
ChrisC said:
We are in this current situation because WDFW and the Feds agreed on a management and monitoring plan that is uniquely inefficient and costly to implement. I am not aware of any other state with ESA listed fish (that still allows fishing) that does it this way. California is the best example where limited fishing of ESA listed steelhead and salmon is permitted without the bureaucratic process mandated on the Skagit/Sauk. As I stated during the last WDFW commission meeting, I would like the WDFW provide any evidence that they have a better management model than other states.
Click to expand...
It’s a classic case of the state of WA being hyper aware of the little things and missing the point entirely. Our state over thinks everything and delivers unsatisfying and expensive results every time. They don’t focus on the result, they focus on hypothetical liability and shit that we as the users don’t care about. We just want to go fishing, but that isn’t what this is about.
 
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