Occupy Skagit

Over the years catch and release has been growning as an anglers responsibility and the sportsfishing industry is encouraging this as a means of sustaining future populations of fish. In a state that allows threatened steelhead to be killed on rivers such as the Hoh, I find it hard to believe that they would close a low impact sportsfishery of catch and release in the Puget Sound. This isn't the really issue. 

I find it hard to believe that NOAA's current status of steelhead in (Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula, Southwest Washington, and Upper Willamette River) are not presently in significant danger of becoming extinct or endangered, although some individual stocks within these ESUs may be at risk. 

Here is an opportunity to voice our concern for a dying fishery on one of the best rivers in Washington.

What is Occupy Skagit?

• A gathering on the Skagit River, April 6th in support of restoring the C&R season. The activity will involve 'fishing' without hooks in as many visible places as possible on the Skagit and Sauk; from the bridge at Concrete upstream to Bacon Creek on the Skagit, and upstream on the Sauk to the bridge at Darrington.
•This is a 'Wade In' Our purpose is not to disrupt traffic, be violent, disrespectful, trespass, harass, or engage in illegal activity of any kind...you know, just like when you go fishing.
•This is a parallel action to mesh with attendance at the WDFW Comissioners Meeting the following week in Olympia.

Why is Occupy Skagit?
•At the time of the ESA listing of Puget Sound wild steelhead, it was generally acknowledged by NMFS that the most robust large basin population in the region was in the Skagit; in fact on its own it probably would not have been listed. After reviewing the evidence, it is our belief that a well managed, catch-and-release (C&R) season on the Skagit would not be inconsistent with the recovery of its wild winter steelhead.
•This will require a petition from WDFW to NMFS for a permit that establishes basin specific allowable impacts (as is currently being done with Puget Sound Chinook).

Who is Occupy Skagit?
•You are. If two people do it, no one will notice. If two hundred people do it, we hope to garner some attention. Sometimes you have to dump a little tea in the harbor to get noticed.

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Occupy Skagit 4/06/13

Catch and Release

Here are a few great quotes from anglers that submitted entries for the release fish contest, on the flyfishergirl forum. Catching and Releasing wild fish is vital for future returns. Enjoy the read.

"Catch and release fishing is the future of our fishing. Not only that but quick catch and release."

"Not forgetting to wet my hands before picking the fish up."

"Having a routine like this for me, offers every fish I catch a greater chance of a quicker recovery time which in hindsight is probably the most important factor every fisherman should uphold."

"Gentle cradle the upper body with one hand just behind the pectoral fin and with the other hand, hold the fish behind the anal fin."

"Wild kelts should be handled with the utmost care."

"Often times using too light of tippet will result in over exhausting fish that even if C&R is practiced the fish will not survive."

"Fishing in extremely hot weather conditions is also harmful to fish (the same can be said for cold weather too)"

I agree, "C&R and proper handling of the fish" is mental training and a philosophy. There is always something to improve based on our knowledge

"I wonder how many catch and release core fisherman will sacrifice one non-native species to save a another?"

"When I teach, explain, or promote my love for fishing, the main topic I advocate is how fish should be cherished, treated with the utmost respect, and both caught and returned as safely and effectively as possible."

“Every fish is a great fish” and I can not emphasize enough how important that saying is for me.

"when looking in my fly box, I consider what I am fishing for. Using the correct hook size is an important factor and even more so is ensuring all my hooks are barbless."

"I try to minimize the amount of time it spends on the end of my line."

"Every piece of water has its trophy and ever river will have its day. Be it a 10lb Brown or a 12" Cutthroat."