EDITOR ’ S LETTER
Summer Is Almost Here and So Are the Fish
Looking at the calendar we can see summer is right around the corner . I don ’ t know about you , but I am ready for warm evenings out trolling Puget Sound for salmon or rowing my drift boat down a river searching for summer steelhead . The North of Falcon season setting process is over and it really didn ’ t surprise us much with the fisheries managers plans . Though one thing that stood out to me was the agreement coming off without too much drama . In recent years the tribes held out until the last minute . Using a stall tactic — almost bully like — to get their way . No “ co-management ” should ever be conducted like this as lawsuits continued to be filed against their strategies and apparent open meetings violations by WDFW . Hopefully this year ’ s North of Falcon has set the tone for upcoming years and that our fisheries should never become political pawns .
This year we will see some seasons being cut , especially in the San Juan Islands , but then some additional opportunities thanks to a robust coho prediction and of course pink salmon . Some anglers turn their noses up at pinks but personally I get a bit excited during the odd year returning fish flooding into our waterways . They ’ re fairly easy to catch and make for a great excuse to introduce new anglers to the sport .
Before anyone scoffs at the pinks , we need to take a hard look at why they are one of the few increasing runs that have no hatchery augmentation . Chum salmon , which are also low river spawners like pinks , are dwindling whereas pinks are coming back . The warm water “ blob ” has been our excuse for years for dwindling runs , but it is more than just that . Personally , I hope it is a sign that we really are making the turn from reduced runs to more fish . It is a possibility that the chums are faltering due to pollution as more and more people move into the Puget Sound region where these fish can normally be found in every small stream , creek and river .
There has been a lot of other news as well which is covered in the newsroom section . Turns out the Wild Fish Conservatory has filed jason brooks photo yet another lawsuit but this time they are taking on the powerhouse of Southeast Alaska salmon fishing . The Washington based “ conservation ” group ( and I use that term loosely ) decided that federal waters off of the coast of Alaska were being overfished and so they do what they do best , which is file litigation . No one will argue that the commercial fishing industry has a tendency to overharvest our stocks , but it will be interesting to see the fallout from this lawsuit . By suing the state of Alaska and the National Marine Fisheries Service , along with the Alaska Trollers Association , the WFC has taken a swat at the hornet ’ s nest . This might help set the stage for future litigation and how frivolous lawsuits affect our fisheries . Something to pay attention to , for sure .
Early summer also means other opportunities such as prawn season getting underway . In this issue be sure to check out the Tips & Tailouts section where you will find a recipe for the best shrimp bait you could ever make . Speaking of recipe ’ s the one on Shake-n-Bake salmon is sure to be a hit for those looking for a quick and tasty fish recipe . The gear section has some ideas for anglers looking to see what is new on the market or at least “ new to them ” with ideas on products and gear that will help you while out on the water .
Here is to a great summer of fishing . Hopefully you will get the opportunity to head out onto the water , troll some spoons or float a river and swing some flies . Summer is almost here and so are the fish .
JASON BROOKS
Editor