Sauk/Skagit open for CnR 2/1

WDFW's news release out for the opening of the Sauk/Skagit CnR steelhead fishery.

Forecast was 7,019 with the season to run 2/1 to 4/15 7 days a week.

Curt
Sweet! Thanks for sharing!
 
The Skagit steelhead river management plan allows for a variable impact depending on the forecasted run size:

For forecasts less than 4,000 no directed spring season with a 4% allowable incidental impact.
For forecasts between 4,001 and 6,000 a directed spring season with up to a 10% allowed. The last couple years the forecasts fell in this range and the state opted for 5 days a week season.
For forecasts between 6,001 and 8,000 a directed spring season with up to a 20% allowed. With this year's forecast in this range (7,019) WDFW opted for a 7 day a week season.

Tight lines
Curt
 

If you want to complete the graph above, the estimated wild steelhead return to the Skagit River Basin in 2024 was 7,307 fish.- from https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/steelhead-fishery-open-feb-1-skagit-and-sauk-rivers

I don't know what 2023 was. I find the 10 year dip to be interesesting. Seems like a drop every 10 years or so, except it skipped the 80's. 1979, 1991, 2009, 2020. I don't know if it is random or possibly connected to anything. Hopefully we are looking at 5-6 good return years?
 
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Registering the coordinates of my rock.. on the river.. the FlyBill beat! LOL!
 
Nice (dated) pic Creatch'r! :) Yeah, if you want to fish the Sauk don't expect your rock to be reserved. BYOR! I'm hoping to get some days on the big river this year, will try to zig when all the guide boats zag. See y'all out there!
 
There will be about 300 boats launching at the Darrington lumber yards Feb 1st.
 
Already on my rock...
 
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