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News
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Baker Lake Sockeye Opener & Egg Transfer Program
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The ever popular Sockeye fishery on Baker Lake is in the news lately with some anglers frustrated about the later season opening date. This year, fishery managers have delayed the opening of the Baker Lake Sockeye fishery from July 6th to July 8th.
There is also an ongoing discussion regarding the transfer of Sockeye eggs from Baker Lake to a new hatchery being run by Tacoma Power and the Skokomish Tribe on Hood Canal. It is critical that recreational fishing opportunity is not unnecessarily reduced, and that the burden of additional broodstock needs are shared equally between co-managers.
The transferred eggs are headed to the Skokomish River system in order to re-establish a Sockeye run in the watershed. We are encouraging fisheries managers to ensure this new Sockeye run is accessible to the recreational community, most notably in Lake Cushman which has the potential to become a vibrant recreational fishery similar to Baker Lake. This would create a much needed new fishery in the region. Without a freshwater fishery, many are questioning if these Sockeye will be accessible, in any meaningful way, to the non-tribal fishing public.
If you are interested in getting more information on this issue, WDFW and Tacoma Power are hosting a public meeting at 6 PM on Thursday, June 29 at Sedro-Woolley High School (1235 3rd St). |
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Fish & Wildlife Budget Discussions
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Currently in a second special session, the House and Senate continue to negotiate on a 2017-2019 Operating Budget that is responsive to important state programs and services with a limited amount of General Fund revenue. WDFW has experienced significant reductions in General Fund dollars over the past several biennia, illustrated by a reduction of over $33 million in general funds from the 2007-09 biennium to the current 2015-17 biennium. As a result, the Department has become more reliant than ever on the Wildlife Account, which is primarily comprised of revenue generated from recreational fishing and hunting licenses.
CCA spearheaded a coalition letter to Legislators requesting additional General Funds for WDFW. We are working toward a 2017-2019 Operating Budget that provides enough General Funds to address projected WDFW shortfalls and fully cover the cost of agency programs and services that benefit all user groups and the public at large. CCA remains committed to ensuring that recreational license revenue will fund activities that benefit recreational anglers and that WDFW management decisions recognize the growing importance of recreational license revenue and prioritize the conservation of our resources. Stay tuned for updates, as the Operating Budget negotiations could go beyond the current June 30th deadline. |
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Columbia River Gillnet Monitoring Takes Center Stage
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While 2017 marks the first year that gillnets were not used in the lower mainstem Columbia River during the spring and summer seasons, a proposed Fall "Zones 4-5"gillnet fishery means that comprehensive monitoring efforts are more important than ever. CCA recently sent a letter to WDFW Director Jim Unsworth reaffirming the need for a comprehensive and transparent monitoring program for this year's proposed fall gillnet fishery.
The gillnet industry remains adamantly opposed to a robust monitoring program, which was mandated by the Washington Commission and is needed to protect non-target and ESA-listed species in the Columbia River. Our current focus is on comprehensive monitoring of the proposed Fall fishery, along with longer term efforts to fully implement the original reform plan by permanently removing non-selective gillnets from the lower mainstem. This battle will likely continue as the gillnet lobby fights to keep their non-selective fishing methods hidden from the public eye. |
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Sign Up for a CCA Derby
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If you haven't done so already, sign up for a CCA fishing derby this Summer. Derbies are a great way to get out on the water and win prizes, while growing membership and spreading awareness about CCA. This July, we will be hosting the Pete Flohr Memorial Salmon Derby (Wenatchee), the Summer Steelhead Challenge (Kalama), and the Baker Lake Sockeye Shootout.
The 6th Annual Pete Flohr Memorial Salmon Derby (formerly known as the Wenatchee Salmon Derby) is set for July 14-15 with thousands of dollars in prizes. Known as a premier fishing derby in the Pacific Northwest, the CCA North Central Washington chapter does an incredible job organizing and hosting this event.
The 5th Annual Summer Steelhead Challenge is scheduled for July 21-23 with a new Longview weigh-in station, in addition to our Kalama weigh-in location. Excellent prizes, exciting angling, and prime tides await the derby participants. The past few years have seen many prize-winning fish come out of the local tributaries, so don't limit yourself to fishing on the mainstem Columbia!
Rounding out our July derby calendar is the 2nd Annual Baker Lake Sockeye Shootout, scheduled for July 28-30 and hosted by the CCA North Sound chapter. Hard fighting and prime eating sockeye salmon are the main draw, though the derby BBQ and a great lineup of derby prizes help make this a must fish derby. |
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Member Spotlight: Mike & Jill Roth
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Mike and Jill Roth, dynamic board members of the CCA North Central Washington chapter, have helped oversee some of the strongest chapter growth in CCA Washington with their leadership as NCW co-banquet chairs over the past few years. Born and raised in Wenatchee, the Roth's have been CCA members for over 9 years, and they are passionate about fishing and conservation.
The Roth's offer guided fishing trips through their business, Team Takedown Guide Service, where they are known for getting clients into big fish. When they aren't on the water, Mike works as an IT Technician and Jill works at Sportsman's Warehouse. They have been married for 14 years and have two kids who enjoy fishing as well. While sitting down with Mike and Jill, we asked them a few questions about fishing and why they got involved in CCA.
Where do you like to fish? Mike and Jill love fishing on the Upper Columbia for salmon, but when the salmon aren't running they turn their efforts to Lake Chelan, Wenatchee, Roosevelt, Banks and Moses Lake for kokanee, trout, bass and walleye.
What's your biggest ever salmon and where did you catch it? The biggest fish Mike pulled in was a whopping 39 pound Chinook on the Upper Columbia! Jill's current best is a 35 pound Columbia River Chinook.
What inspired you to get involved with CCA? Mike and Jill wanted to get involved in CCA because they love catching big fish and according to them, "size does matter!" They are passionate about their regional fishery and want to continue to grow their banquet, and shine a bigger spotlight on fisheries management in their area. The Roth's would love to see more fish return to the Upper Columbia and will continue to work toward this end with CCA's proven grassroots methods. |
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2017 SUMMER DERBIES & FALL BANQUETS
July 14-15 • Pete Flohr Memorial Salmon Derby (Wenatchee)
July 21-23 • CCA Steelhead Challenge (Kalama & Longview)
July 28-30 • Baker Lake Sockeye Shootout (Baker Lake)
August 26-27 • Willapa Bay Salmon Derby (Tokeland)
September 15 • Pierce County Banquet (Puyallup)
September 22 • Lower Columbia Banquet (Kelso)
September 29 • Yakima Valley Banquet (Selah)
October 12 • Capitol City Banquet (Olympia)
October 20 • Sno-King Banquet (Woodinville)
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