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Thread: Occupy Skagit 2014

  1. #1
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    Default Occupy Skagit 2014

    Occupy Skagit 2014

    Last April we gathered at Howard Miller Steelhead park in Rockport to show support for changing the management paradigm for wild Skagit Steelhead. Currently, all of Puget Sound Steelhead are considered by the ESA as one Distinct Population Segment (DPS) and as such are listed by them as threatened to become an endangered species.

    The decision can be read here:
    http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2007...df/E7-9089.pdf

    The decision covers all of Puget Sound from the Elwah to the Canadian border, every piece of fresh water between these two points that dumps into the sound is affected by this listing. The health of each individual run is not considered on its own merit, but instead the entire area's steelhead are tainted with the aura of ?nearing extinction?. While this may be true of many streams affected by the listing it is not true for all of them ? the Skagit in particular continues to return healthy escapement numbers. These numbers can be seen to be fluctuating up and down in what many consider to be it's carrying capacity zone.

    Scientists can argue over the numbers, their validity and what they mean but here they are in ten year increments:
    1978 ? 5,757 (the first year that I can find for WDFW escapement numbers)
    1983 - 7,732
    1993 - 6,900
    2003 - 6,818
    2013 ? 8,800

    The goal of Occupy Skagit is to restore the Catch and Release Steelhead season on the Skagit that used to run for Feb 1 ? April 30.

    In order for this season to be granted by NOAA and NMFS a basin specific Steelhead Management Plan agreed upon by all parties, WDFW and Tribes, needs to be submitted and approved.

    Is it possible?
    Yes!
    It was done for Chinook (almost instantaneously I might add) and it can certainly be done for Steelhead.

    The event last April garnered the notice that it was intended to. Believe it or not, we were actually recognized and discussed in the halls of bureaucracy. The wheel is starting to turn, but it has yet to gather it's own momentum. It needs another push!

    There are two events scheduled with the meeting in Olympia being the single most important thing you could attend. Rockport is fun, but the real deal is in Olympia.

    Occupy Skagit - March 29th
    Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport

    Occupy Skagit Commissioners Meeting - April 12th 8:30 am
    Natural Resources Building
    1111 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA - First Floor, Room 172
    "The reason you have a good vision is you're standing on the shoulders of giants." ~ Andy Batcho

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Default A little more specific info..

    OCCUPYSKAGIT
    March29th 2014
    Where?
    Howard Miller Steelhead Park, Rockport, WA
    Times?
    Meet & Greet - 9am
    'Wade In' Between 10:00 to 11:00
    Why?
    After reviewing the evidence, it is our belief that a well managed, catch and-
    release season on the Skagit/Sauk Rivers would not be inconsistent with
    the recovery of its wild winter steelhead. In the past fishing was conducted
    under the Selective Gear Rules, found on page 11 of the 2013-2014 WDFW
    Fishing Regulations Phamplet and it is hoped that these regulations will be
    in effect again.
    Occupy Skagit is a celebration to show your support for the restoration of
    the spring C&R season on the Skagit. During the 'Wade In' period some of us
    will cast hook-less lures to mimic fishing in remembrance of foregone
    opportunities.
    Find us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/OccupySkagit
    Please join us and show your support and desire to revive your catch and-
    release season on the Skagit.

    Catch and Release Is Not A Crime
    Last edited by Kerry Stratton; 02-24-2014 at 10:45 PM.
    "The reason you have a good vision is you're standing on the shoulders of giants." ~ Andy Batcho

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 1999
    Location
    Sedro Woolley, Washington, USA
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    Default

    One week away. Please join us if you can.

    Some talk of a mini two hander clave and some tenkara guys will be demonstrating the technique.

    Main focus will still remain the reinstatement of the C&R spring steelhead season on the Skagit River.
    "The reason you have a good vision is you're standing on the shoulders of giants." ~ Andy Batcho

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