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From: "Jateff, Robert J (DFW)" <Robert.Jateff@dfw.wa.gov>
To: mike dickson <streamsideflyshop@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 6:16:33 PM
Subject: RE: methow trout fishery
Mike,
The steelhead "take" is nothing more than encounters. In other
words, if the anglers on the Methow are catching and releasing steelhead,
we have to make an estimate of how many steelhead that might be based
on angler interviews and angler effort hours. Twenty fish could easily
be encountered over a weekend in September, so that is why I am encouraging
anglers to use trout gear as opposed to what we have been seeing in recent
years (8 weight spey rods swinging large streamer patterns). Our permit
to allow the trout fishery in the Methow is based largely on reducing
impacts to steelhead adults and if we continue to go over our limit (like
last year), I fear that we may lose the fishery completely during the
month of September. Hope this helped to answer your question.
Bob
Bob Jateff
WDFW District Six Fish Biologist
20268 Hwy 20
Twisp, Wa 98856
(509) 997-0316
From: mike dickson [mailto:streamsideflyshop@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thu 8/6/2009 6:16 PM
To: Jateff, Robert J (DFW)
Subject: Re: methow trout fishery
Sounds good to me. I am fine with targeting trout. It will be a while
before I could hit the steelhead season anyway but I have a few Q's. I
did hook what I think was one last year on a #8 stimulator while trout
fishing in that time frame, never landed (broke my leader). But if I did
and released it, does that count for the "take limit"? If it
doesn't count and you are releasing any steelhead then why couldn't you
target them? Also if the 20 fish hasn't been taken yet then technically
couldn't you target them until the 20 is Taken?
Just confused with the transition from trout to steelhead season at that
time of year on the methow.
Thanks,
Mike D
From: "Jateff, Robert J (DFW)" <Robert.Jateff@dfw.wa.gov>
To: dickson fly fishing <streamsideflyshop@yahoo.com>;
Sent: Thursday, August 6, 2009 4:07:34 PM
Subject: methow trout fishery
Methow River Guides,
Wanted to let you guys know that we are going to be making a concerted
effort to monitor the trout fishery much closer this year from about the
middle of August through September. We will float the river on occassion
to help us in our data collection. The early closure last year, due to
exceeding our steelhead take limit, was not good for anybody as it came
with very little notice. I am committed to not having that happen again
this year.
However, our steelhead take limit during the trout fishery is only 20
fish and they can be either clipped or non-clipped. My appeal to you is
to let your clients know that the target species for this fishery is resident
rainbow and cutthroat, not steelhead. I realize that there are times when
steelhead will be caught incidentally and this can not be helped, but
possibly a change in gear, technique, and/or location might lessen that
possibility.
I do not anticipate the steelhead take limit increasing, so it will be
up to me to get the word out to the anglers and would appreciate any help
that you can give me. Thanks.
Bob
Bob Jateff
WDFW District Six Fish Biologist
20268 Hwy 20
Twisp, Wa 98856
(509) 997-0316
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