This summer seems to be winding down. It's been a great summer to return to the Pacific Northwest after a long absence. Coming from the brown desert to the lush green of the Olympic Peninsula has been fantastic. Getting back to coastal fishing has been a blast. It seems like I've fished far less but every trip has been savored. I almost forgot about the diversity available here. From ocean salmon fishing, rainforest steelhead, sea-run cutthroat and resident rainbows it has been a summer to remember. It's been great to run into a few native fish, especially the native summer runs. I missed that connection to the past while chasing browns in the Rockies. I know soon the rivers will be filled with runoff, salmon and then the beginning of the winter steelhead run.
Not only has this summer been good to me in the fishing department, but growing a garden has only added to the connection I feel to this place. We've been enjoying fresh food for a couple months now, but one can also sense the change of seasons in the garden, although it feels like a quicker end. We'll soon be planting overwintering crops and flower bulbs awaiting the first warmth of spring to give us a colorful reminder of another summer to come.
A couple days coming up to fish and the question is one that confuses all fall fishermen in the northwest. What the hell do I fish for? I think it may be an all of the above trip.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
MPA's - Are we on the wrong side?
There's been some discussions and public meetings concerning marine protected areas in area 4B, which is inside the Strait of Juan de Fuca at Neah Bay. I testified against setting up these protected areas but I am having some reservations about my position relative to other conservation issues.
The arguments against MPA's sound very much like the past arguments from extractive industries protesting setting up National Parks, Wilderness areas, and basically any other form of environmental protections. As I sat at the meeting last week I was struck with how much I disagreed with most of the opponents in their reasons for not allowing MPA's and their many off-topic rants on fishery issues
I am a big fan of National Parks. I live right next to Olympic National Park and enjoy and am grateful for the land that was set aside many years ago. I've had some amazing backcountry fishing trips this year that would not have been possible without the foresight of those who fought to set aside this land. Preserved lands protect not only fish and wildlife, but clean water and an escape to natural sanctuaries for all citizens and visitors. The same goes for wilderness areas and areas protected from our human instincts, which seem to be driven by a fervor to destroy nature and its diversity. We are lucky that in most protected lands we still have the opportunity to fish. Maybe that is the difference between land and water conservation. MPA's close waters to fishing, which might be selfishly leading to my opposition. I'd like to think I'm not that selfish, but in retrospect I might have to admit that I'm no better than the opposition to preserving land when it comes to basing my opinions on my own desire to do what I wish with the area.
How does one reconcile their own feelings towards one form of protection versus another?
Can you be for protecting forests, mountains, and streams but not for protecting underwater habitat?
In the future, will citizens be wondering how we could have been so short-sighted to not protect ocean habitat when we had the chance? Are sportfishermen now on the wrong side of history on the issue of MPA's? Should we be working with the proponents of MPA's to get them in the proper areas?
I haven't figured out my final stand on the issue, but I know it's not as simple as I thought it was initially. Looking in the mirror and seeing hypocrisy staring back is never positive.
The arguments against MPA's sound very much like the past arguments from extractive industries protesting setting up National Parks, Wilderness areas, and basically any other form of environmental protections. As I sat at the meeting last week I was struck with how much I disagreed with most of the opponents in their reasons for not allowing MPA's and their many off-topic rants on fishery issues
I am a big fan of National Parks. I live right next to Olympic National Park and enjoy and am grateful for the land that was set aside many years ago. I've had some amazing backcountry fishing trips this year that would not have been possible without the foresight of those who fought to set aside this land. Preserved lands protect not only fish and wildlife, but clean water and an escape to natural sanctuaries for all citizens and visitors. The same goes for wilderness areas and areas protected from our human instincts, which seem to be driven by a fervor to destroy nature and its diversity. We are lucky that in most protected lands we still have the opportunity to fish. Maybe that is the difference between land and water conservation. MPA's close waters to fishing, which might be selfishly leading to my opposition. I'd like to think I'm not that selfish, but in retrospect I might have to admit that I'm no better than the opposition to preserving land when it comes to basing my opinions on my own desire to do what I wish with the area.
How does one reconcile their own feelings towards one form of protection versus another?
Can you be for protecting forests, mountains, and streams but not for protecting underwater habitat?
In the future, will citizens be wondering how we could have been so short-sighted to not protect ocean habitat when we had the chance? Are sportfishermen now on the wrong side of history on the issue of MPA's? Should we be working with the proponents of MPA's to get them in the proper areas?
I haven't figured out my final stand on the issue, but I know it's not as simple as I thought it was initially. Looking in the mirror and seeing hypocrisy staring back is never positive.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Nero Fiddles while Rome Burns
When you think it cannot get any sillier, a guide blog talks about how "the big runs have returned to nearly all the rivers."
Am I confused, where has wild fish recovery occurred? This guide fishes on rivers that not only have missed escapement in the past couple years, but one that is chronically under-escaped. What possible reason could there be to lie about the numbers of fish in the rivers? Is it ego, drumming up business, or just a total lack of awareness of the biology of steelhead and these rivers?
I guess if you're not aware and think everything is a-okay then getting involved and fighting for the fish isn't necessary... and fishing for big numbers is just the right thing to do. Why show restraint when the runs are HUGE!!!!!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Shocking
The wife and I decided to check out the coastal cleanup happening today along the Washington Coast. Their site is Coast Savers.
I've spent some time hiking the coastal beaches in the past and must have had blinders on. I cannot believe the amount of garbage we were able to pick up in a short time. Tons of rope, plastic bottles, fishing floats, tires, tuna cans, and miscellaneous junk all along our beaches. I wish I could say this was an urban beach where the garbage came from local residents or industry, but this was a beach along between the Hoh and Queets Rivers in Olympic National Park. Shocking that there's so much garbage on the beaches, but just as shocking is where it's coming from... our oceans and our consumption of plastic crap. We've been working on reducing our plastic consumption before this cleanup and will work even harder now.
I'm ashamed at my past obliviousness towards the garbage on the beach. Look forward to next year's cleanup along with carrying my own bag to pick up items whenever I get back out there.
I've spent some time hiking the coastal beaches in the past and must have had blinders on. I cannot believe the amount of garbage we were able to pick up in a short time. Tons of rope, plastic bottles, fishing floats, tires, tuna cans, and miscellaneous junk all along our beaches. I wish I could say this was an urban beach where the garbage came from local residents or industry, but this was a beach along between the Hoh and Queets Rivers in Olympic National Park. Shocking that there's so much garbage on the beaches, but just as shocking is where it's coming from... our oceans and our consumption of plastic crap. We've been working on reducing our plastic consumption before this cleanup and will work even harder now.
I'm ashamed at my past obliviousness towards the garbage on the beach. Look forward to next year's cleanup along with carrying my own bag to pick up items whenever I get back out there.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Tax Day Zombies
Plenty of brain dead zombies on tax day. While one could go on and on regarding the tea partiers, I'll leave the low hanging fruit alone.
Tax day is a rough day. Not only is it a frenzied rush to get taxes mailed to the IRS (for those who wait) it marks the end of the season on the bigger coastal rivers. Was able to connect with an old friend for a drift on closing day. Late start, relaxed day. Lots of boat fishing and a bit of swinging through some of the choicest runs... and plenty of gear fishing too. Been a while since I've fished gear and it was pretty enjoyable. I forgot how nice the banter is since most of my fishing this winter has been solo and away from the crowds.
Back to zombies... We drifted below the hatchery trib and all of a sudden the water was seemingly boiling with smolts. At first I figured it was the large hatch of mayflies, but we soon realized the hatchery had just released their steelhead smolts. Tons of bumps on the plug rod for the rest of the float... reminded me of the shakers fishing downriggers in the salt.
Nice to see all the seasons on the river this past season. From frigid cold in December to warmer February to the last day of the season. Always nice to see fry in the shallows, a short but heavy mayfly hatch, and even a decent sized stonefly. Spring is here.... soon summer-runs and saltwater salmon.
Tax day is a rough day. Not only is it a frenzied rush to get taxes mailed to the IRS (for those who wait) it marks the end of the season on the bigger coastal rivers. Was able to connect with an old friend for a drift on closing day. Late start, relaxed day. Lots of boat fishing and a bit of swinging through some of the choicest runs... and plenty of gear fishing too. Been a while since I've fished gear and it was pretty enjoyable. I forgot how nice the banter is since most of my fishing this winter has been solo and away from the crowds.
Back to zombies... We drifted below the hatchery trib and all of a sudden the water was seemingly boiling with smolts. At first I figured it was the large hatch of mayflies, but we soon realized the hatchery had just released their steelhead smolts. Tons of bumps on the plug rod for the rest of the float... reminded me of the shakers fishing downriggers in the salt.
Nice to see all the seasons on the river this past season. From frigid cold in December to warmer February to the last day of the season. Always nice to see fry in the shallows, a short but heavy mayfly hatch, and even a decent sized stonefly. Spring is here.... soon summer-runs and saltwater salmon.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Hoh's Got IHN
Bad news when it comes to fish disease on the Olympic Peninsula. Earlier this winter IHN was found on the Bogachiel and Sol Duc rivers.
Now IHN has been found in wild stocks on the Hoh River. This was reported by the scientists at the Steelhead Summit put on by the Steelhead Summit Alliance, Wild Steelhead Coalition and Wild Fish Conservancy. The IHN was found in wild Hoh stocks of steelhead. The testing isn't complete yet, so they cannot state that the IHN is the same type found in the Bogachiel and Sol Duc.
The IHN found on the Peninsula earlier this winter does have a source. The strain originated in the Columbia River, and is the same strain that has caused outbreaks in Clearwater, Idaho hatchery steelhead.
There was great discussions on the issue and I know I gained a ton of new information from the presentations and discussions. Kudos to the Wild Steelhead Coalition and the Wild Fish Conservancy. Two great organizations doing good work for native fish in the Pacific Northwest.
As far as IHN, my opinion is that the managers are way too lax about outbreaks in certain geographic areas, such as Idaho and the Columbia River. In my opinion, they need to react the same way in the Columbia system as they just did on the Olympic Peninsula, which is to destroy all eggs, juveniles, and adults.
Now IHN has been found in wild stocks on the Hoh River. This was reported by the scientists at the Steelhead Summit put on by the Steelhead Summit Alliance, Wild Steelhead Coalition and Wild Fish Conservancy. The IHN was found in wild Hoh stocks of steelhead. The testing isn't complete yet, so they cannot state that the IHN is the same type found in the Bogachiel and Sol Duc.
The IHN found on the Peninsula earlier this winter does have a source. The strain originated in the Columbia River, and is the same strain that has caused outbreaks in Clearwater, Idaho hatchery steelhead.
There was great discussions on the issue and I know I gained a ton of new information from the presentations and discussions. Kudos to the Wild Steelhead Coalition and the Wild Fish Conservancy. Two great organizations doing good work for native fish in the Pacific Northwest.
As far as IHN, my opinion is that the managers are way too lax about outbreaks in certain geographic areas, such as Idaho and the Columbia River. In my opinion, they need to react the same way in the Columbia system as they just did on the Olympic Peninsula, which is to destroy all eggs, juveniles, and adults.
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