Anti-snagging rule rescinded

WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov

April 22, 2010

Anti-snagging rule rescinded, season extended for
Ringold area bank spring chinook fishery

Action: Rescind anti-snagging rule; extend season.

Effective date: May 1, through June 30, 2010.

Species affected: Chinook salmon.

Location: Waters of the Columbia River adjacent to Ringold Springs Rearing Facility (RSRF) in Franklin Co. from the WDFW markers ? mile downstream of the Ringold irrigation wasteway outlet to the markers ? mile upstream of Ringold Springs Creek (hatchery outlet). Only the hatchery side of the river is open - bank fishing only; Ringold Springs Creek (hatchery outlet) is closed .

Reason for action: Fishery managers predict a harvestable return of hatchery spring chinook to the RSRF this year. One "anti-snagging rule" is being removed for this bank fishery to allow anglers to use up to two, single-point hooks (barbed or barbless). Treble hooks are not permitted.

Other information: Daily limit: Two hatchery salmon, 12-inch minimum size. Only chinook with a clipped adipose fin and having a healed scar at the location of the fin may be retained. Night closure in effect . All wild chinook (with an intact adipose fin) must be released immediately and may not be removed from the water. The new Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement is required to participate in this fishery .

Information contacts: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima)

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.

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Bad, Bad, BAD....HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?

I'll make one guess. By giving the snaggers a break on this rule in this location it concentrates them in one place to make it easier to make sure they are returning wild fish. If this is the upstream limit of the migration it also cleans up a lot of dead fish that might otherwise clog up a small stream at the hatchery outlet. I don't know what the rest of the anti-snagging rules in Washington are but I think one of the most effective would be to set a maximum poud test on lines. You can watch the guys put a rod over their shoulders and just drag a salmon onto the bank here.

Quote:

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Only chinook with a clipped adipose fin and having a healed scar at the location of the fin may be retained. All wild chinook (with an intact adipose fin) must be released immediately and may not be removed from the water

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So in other words after someone has snagged a wild salmon and ripped a chunk of flesh out of him then they want people to release it as if the wound will have no affect on the fish?........unbelievable. Talk about a giant step backwards!

Hmmmm,

I'm reading this part :
"One "anti-snagging rule" is being removed for this bank fishery to allow anglers to use up to two, single-point hooks (barbed or barbless). Treble hooks are not permitted."

This, to me, sounds like what's changed is that you are allowed to use two hooks. The banning of two hooks may be classified as one of the "anti-snagging rules". But, it doesn't sound like they are allowing the act of snagging, just allowing people to fish for salmon with two hooks (stingers, or two flies, perhaps?), but they don't appear to be allowing foul hooking, or flossing, etc.

- Jeff

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JeffHamm

Hmmmm,

This, to me, sounds like what's changed is that you are allowed to use two hooks. The banning of two hooks may be classified as one of the "anti-snagging rules". But, it doesn't sound like they are allowing the act of snagging, just allowing people to fish for salmon with two hooks (stingers, or two flies, perhaps?), but they don't appear to be allowing foul hooking, or flossing, etc.

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That's the way I read it, too. The original rule was probably something like "only a single hook point may be used per rod" and was changed to allow the possibility of adding a single dropper. In no way does it imply that snagging is now permitted.

Guess I chime in here, I have fished the Ringo Springs, it a tuff place you have to wade up to the wast tp fish. Most fish are taken in two places, one place is the out let for the wast water, the other is at the out let for Ringo Spring hatchory creek only. This is the last free flowing part of the Columbia river and of the many hour in my past I have fished this area I saw few if any snagging accuring due to the phisical lay of the river and how the change in flow happens. I have seen the level, due to release of water at the upstream dam, change by more then 3 feet in an hour. Once there was a place to park in an hour your running to move your car before it is flooded.
Ghost