Preliminary inner-marine salmon fishery proposals revealed but the marathon season-setting process is a long way from the finish line; ocean fisheries likely to see improvements

March 17, 2022

Contributed by Mark Yuasa, WDFW The next stage of setting salmon fishing seasons began this week as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) unveiled the initial possibilities for the 2022-2023 inner-marine areas along with three ocean fishery alternatives. While this is just the first lap around this marathon process, WDFW fishery managers unveiled […]

Here’s some positive news to spice up your holiday! Early Columbia River salmon forecasts show signs of improvement in 2022, plus a pilot run of smelt already seen in the Cowlitz River

December 24, 2021

By Mark Yuasa Early Columbia River salmon forecasts came to light recently, and it appears were finally out of the woods and in for more happier times heading into the New Year. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) unveiled their “crystal ball” of 2022 Columbia River salmon forecasts, which disclosed a positive outlook […]

Three ocean summer sport salmon fishing options set today reflect much improved catch quotas over 2020 with final approval happening by mid-April

March 11, 2021

By Mark Yuasa State, tribal and federal fishery managers developed three ocean sport salmon alternatives during the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meetings that ended today (Thursday, March 11), and will likely lead to decent summer fishing although getting to the finish line could involve some “give and take” due to some poor coastal coho […]

WDFW managers predict a whopping 2.9-million-plus Puget Sound pink salmon return that’ll have anglers blushing this summer, while other salmon forecasts are a mix of good, bad and downright ugly

February 26, 2021

By Mark Yuasa It’s time to buckle up for a possible big salmon season in some areas! State fishery managers are unveiling the 2021 forecasts at a public meeting today (Feb. 26), and while there are big hurdles to overcome in establishing Puget Sound chinook seasons, it appears a boatload of pinks will arrive in […]

Some Columbia River preliminary 2021 salmon forecasts could be a bit of positive news anglers need during these turbulent times

December 21, 2020

By Mark Yuasa Are you getting tired of all the bad news? I’m totally worn out from the pandemic, joblessness, economic crisis, presidential election turmoil, fake news, protests, what’s really left or right and the statewide fishing ban this past spring. Despite all the commotion, I’m feeling good about surviving the madness that 2020 threw […]

Statewide fishing ban tied to the governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order could be lifted by early May and allow for some sport fisheries to reopen before long

April 24, 2020

When life was normal thousands of anglers would be making plans to hit hundreds of lakes this weekend for one of the biggest fishing events of the spring, better known as “opening day” of the statewide trout season. However, due to the COVID-19 “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order all fishing is closed until May 4 […]