Catch and Release is not a Crime

In Washington by Nick Chambers

Occupy Skagit April 30, 2016 Howard Miller Steelhead Park Rockport, WA   Drift boats full of steelhead anglers plying emerald green waters are a common fixture of Northwest Rivers in late winter and spring.   However this is no longer the case in Puget Sound where spring steelhead seasons have been closed for nearly a decade.The Skagit River was arguably …

Proposed Mine Threatens Methow Headwaters

In Washington by Nick Chambers

The Methow River is one of Washington’s most iconic rivers for steelhead fishing and other outdoor pursuits, and it continues to be a Pacific Northwest mecca for anglers, hunters, recreationists, and conservationists alike. But proposed large-scale copper mining on Flagg Mountain, within the headwaters of the Methow River, directly threatens this investment and poses a serious threat to these fish …

Washington’s most recent Wild Steelhead Gene Bank

In Newsletter: The Wild Steelheader, Washington by Nick Chambers

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced their most recent Wild Steelhead Gene Bank designation which will be situated on the Grays and Chinook Rivers in the Lower Columbia. It is the final of four gene banks planned for the region.   “Gene banks are an important tool for the recovery of wild fish in the state of Washington. …

New Steelhead Science and Potential Management Changes

In Science Friday, Steelhead Files, Washington by steelheaders

Surviving Puget Sound: One of the best parts of my job is sharing scientific research with anglers, who seem to have an almost insatiable appetite for understanding steelhead. Sharing information is important not only to help anglers understand steelhead, but also because more informed anglers make better advocates. Wild steelhead will need as many advocates as possible if we are …

Comment on Lower Columbia Wild Steelhead Gene Bank

In Washington by Nick Chambers

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking comment on its most recent round of Wild Steelhead Gene Bank designations. Wild Steelhead Gene Banks are mandated by WDFW in their 2008 Statewide Steelhead Management Plan.  Submit your comments at TeamVancouver@dfw.wa.gov by this Friday, February 5th. Per the Department, stocks selected as Gene Banks must be sufficiently abundant and …

Are there any wild steelhead left? Yes, there is no doubt. But it is up to us to ensure their future and the fisheries they provide.

In California, Idaho, Oregon, Science Friday, Steelhead Files, Washington by Nick Chambers

A topic that is commonly raised in the steelhead conservation world is whether there are any “pure” wild steelhead left.   Before I answer, I want to take a step back first. There are two types of hatcheries. We have integrated hatcheries, where fish used for broodstock are taken from the same population in which they are planted. These are …

The case for a portfolio of wild-only and hatchery steelhead rivers in Puget Sound

In Washington by Nick Chambers

What does “fishing opportunity” mean to steelhead anglers? The answer depends on who you ask. For some, opportunity must include the ability to harvest steelhead. But for the majority of anglers, based on our extensive poll of roughly 650 active steelhead anglers, opportunity is defined as being on the water with the chance to catch and release a steelhead.   …

Steelhead Angler Science

In Oregon, Steelhead Files, Washington by steelheaders

  Sportsmen have a long history of taking it upon themselves to conserve and protect fish and game species. Their conservation programs have greatly contributed to available habitat and enhanced protections of the same. In addition to the critical habitat work that is being done, many people are taking it upon themselves to contribute to scientific research under the guidance …

Fishing shouldn’t suck

In Washington by Shauna Sherard

By Gregg Bafundo and Crystal Elliot The bomb-like crater in the side of the creek was the give-away. Suction dredgers. A bucket was overturned on a log, “No dredging this hole,” indicating the pending return of a gold miner. Walking up Scotty Creek with Nils Cowan, a reporter looking into the world of suction dredging, we saw the change – …