Northwest Fishing Reports

My dad went down to Sammamish the other day, and he saw a load of Native Indian fishermen's trucks. They have set up a labryinth of nets near the mouth of Issaquah Creek that are impossible for any normal salmon to pass through. There is no way any additional fish are going to get into the creek to spawn. To top it all off, they are going to grind them into dog food. They aren't even human quality by they time they drag up the nets, but they see dollar signs. And they say we're the ones who destroy every natural resource in sight. Thoughts?

Ipod -
While I'm not a fan of gill nets I think this one is not of much concern.

WDFW's web site hatchery escapement report shows that as off 9/20 the Issaquah hatchery has "shipped" (send for dog food?) over 5,400 Chinook. In other words lots of fish have gotten up the Creek and looks like the State will have no problem getting their needed brood stock.

We recreational fishers have had lots of opportunity at those fish in the salt all summer and there has been some decent fishing in the lake over the last month. How can we object to the tribal folks getting a shot at those fish; especially when it is in a terminal area and there appears to be lots of "surplus" fish.

How are you making the case that this fishery is destoryiing the natural resource?

Tight lines
Curt

The Issy Creek Hatchery I think wants to have a return of 10000 fish I'f I'm correct. They have doubled that goal and simply can't take any more fish back into the hatchery because of the lack of room. So they are allowing the tribes to go after some of the fish and try to let some of the Chinook spawn naturally in the creek.

But rec fishermen don't sell the fish for dog food! The fish may be a little far along the line, but we eat them. I just can't see how there can be too many salmon. I think we should wait a couple years until you know the run is well and you have some confidence. Like, you shouldn't fish for and keep every fish you can if you know the species is easily exploited. This is sort of like native trout, without stockers in the midst. Even if the population is rebounding, doesn't mean you can immediately put extreme strain on it. I get your point about surplus fish, but I'd rather have too many fish spawning and try to squeeze every fishes' redd into the creek than have dog food. They can sell fireworks lol. But I do see your point, I guess I should do my homework before I rant. I went on too long again...sorry.

The gill nets in there should be more restricted to allow better passage of fish, no matter if the state has enough fish to spawn or not. The state only wants so many fish back to the hatchery to create enough of a run to keep the public happy. Well, I can tell you I am not happy. The Samammish River/slough used to be (as late as the 80's) an awsome fishery. Well that is no more. Not only because of the possiblity of poachers and the endless weeds in the river, but more-so because of the state not allowing more fish to productivly be spawned and spawn naturally in Issaquah Creek. I personally think they need to establish a more productive run before they let the nets in.

Mallard: Not to argue, but I heard that the creek is already choked full of fish trying to spawn naturally, and anymore would just overcrowd it???? That's what I've heard but I might be wrong.

I've seen what they call packed with fish, it's not nearly as many as they could let in the creek. there will be a fair amount in the creek, but not enough to, "walk accross there backs," like it should be.

Sam Kafelafish wrote:Mallard: Not to argue, but I heard that the creek is already choked full of fish trying to spawn naturally, and anymore would just overcrowd it???? That's what I've heard but I might be wrong.

Don't worry, I know that you are not trying to argue Sam. All that I am saying is that I feel the state should get the run up enough for "fishable" numbers in the slough again and then worry about feeding the dogs. The only way to accomplish this is to allow more fish to spawn. If the creek is choked with fish, well than good, still keep the nets from blocking it. The more fish that spawn successfully means that there will be more fish to have an even better season next time around, maybe even in the slough itself.

Exactly my point. Thank you mallard.

What about habitat? Those fish will turn into nutrients for the smolt and keep the system alive.

i went to the hatchery yesterday, and the creek below the little dam thing was full of fish, mainly kings, and it looked like the ladder was also full of fish. They had the dam up to high for most of the salmon to leap, i think they should lower the dam and let the rest of the Salmon get over it to spawn naturally.

there were also some small hydroplanes racing at the state park, near the mouth of the creek. that shouldnt be happining during salmon spawning season.

iPodrodder wrote:But rec fishermen don't sell the fish for dog food! The fish may be a little far along the line, but we eat them. I just can't see how there can be too many salmon. I think we should wait a couple years until you know the run is well and you have some confidence. Like, you shouldn't fish for and keep every fish you can if you know the species is easily exploited. This is sort of like native trout, without stockers in the midst. Even if the population is rebounding, doesn't mean you can immediately put extreme strain on it. I get your point about surplus fish, but I'd rather have too many fish spawning and try to squeeze every fishes' redd into the creek than have dog food. They can sell fireworks lol. But I do see your point, I guess I should do my homework before I rant. I went on too long again...sorry.

The natural run up this creek was wiped out by mining and as of now can't support as many as a thousand Chinook. These are all hatchery fish. Probably over 95% are not native.

iPodrodder wrote:My dad went down to Sammamish the other day, and he saw a load of Native Indian fishermen's trucks. They have set up a labryinth of nets near the mouth of Issaquah Creek that are impossible for any normal salmon to pass through. There is no way any additional fish are going to get into the creek to spawn. To top it all off, they are going to grind them into dog food. They aren't even human quality by they time they drag up the nets, but they see dollar signs. And they say we're the ones who destroy every natural resource in sight. Thoughts?

If you go to the Issaquah hatchery and read the plaque stating who finances the hatchery, you'll find that a majority contributor are several of the coastal tribes. They have an agreement with the state as to open seasons and access to this fishery. Its not about the state letting them. Its about who paid for the hatchery and making sure that plenty of fish return to the hatchery and for a harvest resulting in a return on the contributors investment.
In other words if the tribes didn't contribute funds to this fishery and hatchery, there would be no fishery for us recreational fisherman on Lake Sammamish so I'm thankfull this is a valued tradition they choose to fund and share with us.

I see no pleasure in a gill net. I find it far more thrilling to have a 30 - 50# salmon tugging on my line and fighting to bring him in sometimes only to lose the battle. What the tribes do is work, not recreation - they can have it.

iPodrodder wrote:My dad went down to Sammamish the other day, and he saw a load of Native Indian fishermen's trucks. They have set up a labryinth of nets near the mouth of Issaquah Creek that are impossible for any normal salmon to pass through. There is no way any additional fish are going to get into the creek to spawn. To top it all off, they are going to grind them into dog food. They aren't even human quality by they time they drag up the nets, but they see dollar signs. And they say we're the ones who destroy every natural resource in sight. Thoughts?

I tried to catch some of the kings on SEVERAL visits. My friend had ONE on for awhile. That's it!!
Tried trolling with many options, many reports from boats saying they lost several. Finally resorted to sockeye bare hook technique. That didn't work for me either. This rates right up there as some of the most frustrating fishing ever with all the rollers and jumpers everwhere! I have no quarrel with the native americans getting a share, but I wish these kings were a little easier tio catch with line and hook.

lxmas

By the time they get this far up their run, all the way to Sammamish, they are pretty much Lock jaw. They have already gone through the Puget Sound, through the locks, through the Ship Canal, up Lake Washington to the mouth of the slough, all the way through the slough, and then all the way down Lake Sammamish. Sometimes you can get fish left and right, other times you can't get a bite fishing all season...