Columbia River Springer Extension???!

[Nelly]

More than possible, according to the WDFW, its probably going to happen!
The Columbia River Compact meeting is tomorrow and the sport fleet has something in the neighborhood of 40% of the 7750 fish harvest guideline remaining.

I'm hoping for an opener on Saturday April 16th when we have a shot at not only bigger numbers of fish but less water and more visibility to work with!

What do you guys think? Fish now in the mud or wait ten days?

[Ray G]

I will gas the boat and have the bait in cure on Friday the 15th.
I hope your not BS'n me with this kind of post.

[Nelly]

I would never joke about springer fishing !
This info came from a WDFW Official at the North of Falcon meeting that I am attending today in Lynnwood.
While there is a possibility that the Compact might elect to immediately open the Columbia, I'm hoping (and suggesting by the way) that it would be better if we waited a week for more fish and less water!

[Reel Deal]

I will be waiting to hear the news, sounds like we should find out tomorrow.

Ryan

[Salmonhawk]

Well, does anyone have the answer yet?

[Smalma]

Rob -
The compact meeting is at 3:00 PM this afternoon - don't expct a decision until late this afternoon - 4 ish?

Hearing that there is quite a bit of the orginal sport lower river quota left. Guess the question is whether that low catch is due to a poorer than expected run, a late run, or poor fishing conditions.

The later the decision is delayed the better the picture of run strength and timing would be. However the later in the month the higher the catch rates will be and with that the increased likelyhood of over shooting the quota. I expect a push for any extension to be this weekend (Friday thur Sunday?). However given the river conditions (levels at Bonneville currently are nearly 8 feet higher than they were a week ago and visibility is 1/2 of what it was on the weekend) not sure how effective the fishing will be until or if the conditions improve.

Will be an intersting call.

Tight lines
Curt

[Salmonhawk]

Thanks for the heads up Curt. I am just getting back from Florida and was checked out during my little vacation.

[Smalma]

Rob -
The fact sheet for the compact meeting today -

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/OSCRP/C ... 406wf6.pdf

Tight lines
Curt

[Nelly]

Thanks Curt!
Here's a cut and paste from the Compact report:

A third option would be to open the fishery for two Friday through Sunday periods (April 8-10 and April 15-17). Catch expectations of upriver Chinook would be about 1,000 fish total for the first opener, and could increase to 1,000 fish per day on the second opener (assuming river conditions improve). This scenario would give anglers a set season for the next few weeks, and would allow staff to review catch after the first opener and make season modifications if necessary.

Staff has also received public comment suggesting to post-pone a decision until next week which may allow for a better assessment of river condition trends. This option would likely result in fewer open fishing days and greater uncertainty in catch projections as the potential for large daily catches increases.
Future Meetings

No additional Compact/Joint State hearings are currently scheduled.

The Joint Staff will monitor the fishery daily and recommend additional hearings as needed.

I like those Friday through Sunday extensions! Let's hope that's what they go with!

[Smalma]

Looks like it is a done deal.

The lower river (same sections and limits) will re-open this Friday (the 8th) and remain open through the following Friday (the 15th). Will be an update meeting on Thursday (14th) at 2 pm to evaluate where the fishery is at and whether to consider further extensions.

Should be emergency regs out to confirm.

Tight lines
Curt