Voluntary Trip Report program
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is working to increase angler participation in our Voluntary Trip Report (VTR) program in all
wdfw.wa.gov
MA9 Salmon Season: 3 Days in July?
- Thread starter DimeBrite
- Start date
wdfw.wa.gov
Thanks for the link. Unfortunately this volunteer reporting form appears specific to boat angling. There isn't a place to indicate that the reported data is specific to beach anglers.Voluntary Trip Report program
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is working to increase angler participation in our Voluntary Trip Report (VTR) program in all
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I have 4 years of detailed data I’d be happy to share. For instance last year, 212 hours fished with a fly rod. 150+ from the beach, the rest from a boat. 95% in MA 9. 2 kings landed. Pretty typical beach season for me. 0-2 per year with 150-200+ hours a season fished. The majority from the beach. Beach fishing seems minimally impactful to kings. Though it seems to happen a little more frequently, herring guys are not touching very many either. Even in beaches where you’re more likely to encounter them.
Maybe another angle to take is the catering to more wealthy anglers that can afford guide trips and own boats to target the few remaining kings, to the detriment of shore bound coho fishers. Not a good look for the state politically. Though money talks and well, we know the rest.
Maybe another angle to take is the catering to more wealthy anglers that can afford guide trips and own boats to target the few remaining kings, to the detriment of shore bound coho fishers. Not a good look for the state politically. Though money talks and well, we know the rest.
Thanks for the contact information. I will reach out to WDFW to inquire about obtaining past and possible future shore based Puget Sound salmon catch data.
There are sometimes fish checkers at PNP, marrowstone, and Wilson parking lots. Maybe a couple times per year. Official MA9 beach fishing data does exist, and I am sure WDFW has lots of clarity about how few mature kings are encountered from the beach each year. Bet it's less than some of the piers for sure.
I also note that I have repeatedly raised the possibility of longer "beach only fishing" seasons in July (as well as october fishing) during NOF public comment meetings, and while WDFW seems to say "we will model and consider that", i have never seen any movement toward beach only fishing other than that short sept. period of 2017ish When MA9 went beach only for a couple weeks.
I also note that I have repeatedly raised the possibility of longer "beach only fishing" seasons in July (as well as october fishing) during NOF public comment meetings, and while WDFW seems to say "we will model and consider that", i have never seen any movement toward beach only fishing other than that short sept. period of 2017ish When MA9 went beach only for a couple weeks.
On the beaches that I frequent hooking into an adult, migratory king is rare. You do see small schools here and there beginning with the S-river bound summer runs in June, but most years I haven’t seen them until the first week of August (since the peak of the fall run is generally right around then).
Hooking into a migratory king is honestly a once every ten year event for someone like me who fishes the beach for about 20 out of the 60-70 days of the season. Last time I got one was in 2012 and haven’t seen one caught in about 3 or 4 years.
Hooking into a migratory king is honestly a once every ten year event for someone like me who fishes the beach for about 20 out of the 60-70 days of the season. Last time I got one was in 2012 and haven’t seen one caught in about 3 or 4 years.
I must be the exception, because I am catching big, big kings from the beach on most of my outings. I keep forgetting to take pictures, though.
On a serious note, from my very biased standpoint, expanding the MA9 beach fishing season seems like a no-brainer, and I’m excited to see the discussion on finding data to back that assertion up. Beach fishing is accessible to nearly all income brackets, has a demonstrably positive effect on at least one little beach town’s small businesses, minimally impacts chinook almost by definition, and concentrates angler pressure on a few specific spots while leaving the rest of the shoreline (and everything beyond a couple hundred feet out) free to breathe. Arbitrarily reducing opportunity in the most democratic sphere of saltwater salmon fishing based on a rule set modeled around the impacts of the aristocratic boating class feels a little too on the nose in our current political economic climate (ignore that last bit of hyperbole, all you nice people who take me out on your boats).
On a serious note, from my very biased standpoint, expanding the MA9 beach fishing season seems like a no-brainer, and I’m excited to see the discussion on finding data to back that assertion up. Beach fishing is accessible to nearly all income brackets, has a demonstrably positive effect on at least one little beach town’s small businesses, minimally impacts chinook almost by definition, and concentrates angler pressure on a few specific spots while leaving the rest of the shoreline (and everything beyond a couple hundred feet out) free to breathe. Arbitrarily reducing opportunity in the most democratic sphere of saltwater salmon fishing based on a rule set modeled around the impacts of the aristocratic boating class feels a little too on the nose in our current political economic climate (ignore that last bit of hyperbole, all you nice people who take me out on your boats).
I think beach-only, no boats happened in MA11 in 2023 during the pink run too, right? If I remember right that was also to limit chinook impacts. I wonder what went into that decision.
I figured 5 to 7 days the tides suk. Crabbing tomorrow Yaya
I'm not a Washingtonian but have you guys thought about organizing into a beach angler's advocacy group to speak together in one voice? After I retired, I spent a couple of years as a volunteer lobbyist for Humboldt Area Saltwater Anglers (HASA) headquartered out of Eureka, California. We met with state officials, tribal representatives, attended PFMC meetings and provided representation for our group. California's ocean salmon stocks get divvied up between Cape Falcon and Monterey Bay. Some years it can be quite a fight for the scraps. Before HASA organized, much of California's share of the quota went the SF Bay Area thanks to their advocacy group (Coastside Fishing Club). I'm no longer involved with HASA but I do know that CA DFW still regularly seeks their input on various ocean recreational fisheries issues. HASA is a non profit and has an annual dinner to raise money to cover travel expenses for their representatives.
That said, I'm not sure how Washington would respond/interact with such a group.
That said, I'm not sure how Washington would respond/interact with such a group.
Good idea Bob.
I wonder how or if a boatless beach angler might be accepted on the PS Sport Fishing Advisory Group?
If I recall correctly, applications or nominees should take place again this fall. I’ll be retired and will have a lot more time, so I plan to apply.
SF
Brian - I did a little reading up on the PS Sport Fishery Advisory Group and you guys definitely need representation. Beach anglers seem to be a growing demographic that deserve a place in this group. It would be a good way for you to kick off your retirement plus how can WDFW refuse an application from the Founding Member of the 2025 Pink Opposition Party?
speedbird
Life of the Party
Idea for a nice plot twist: WDFW decide to use remaining quota to open MA9 for coho and maybe chum through November, and we get to realize @Stonedfish ’s Halloween coho dreams!
A lot of folks expect one day in August during the Elliot Bay opener though. I could be happy with that as I imagine crowds will have moved on and it would be a good chance to bust out the jigs at slack tide. A third option would be opening on select days during Spring Blackmouth, to relieve pressure from area 10, which I could also support as it’s probably a rare chance at picking up a Skagit Spring in the salt.
A lot of folks expect one day in August during the Elliot Bay opener though. I could be happy with that as I imagine crowds will have moved on and it would be a good chance to bust out the jigs at slack tide. A third option would be opening on select days during Spring Blackmouth, to relieve pressure from area 10, which I could also support as it’s probably a rare chance at picking up a Skagit Spring in the salt.
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SF-
I agree! Both WDFW commission's NOG policy (C-3608) and the background info on the PS Sport Fishery Advisory Group stress diversity in opportunities. If you decide to go down the path of attempting to join advisory group stressing the ability to represent an underrepresented group may be the path to travel.
If you or others are interested in the workings of that or other advisory groups (I have served on several) the public is invited to attain their meetings. In today's world of virtual meetings, you just need to advise WDFW of your interest and supply your contact info. You would be invited to observe their discussions. Typically, you would be confined to just watch though often there are chances to make comments or ask questions at the end of their meetings.
Good luck!
Curt