Sunday, June 26, 2011

New WDFW Fishing Regs 2011-2012

The new 2011-2012 regs have been released to the public and I wanted to tell you that you REALLY need to pay a lot of attention to them and ANY waters you may be wanting to fish.

Case in point the Mashel River and Muck Creek are CLOSED - yes, you CANNOT fish them. This is due to a new law they passed last year (maybe the year before and took affect last year). In the May 1, 2011 to April 30, 2012 regs for this season you need to go to page 32, Puget Sound and Strait Rivers - Special Rules. If the MAIN RIVER SYSTEM (such as the Puyallup or Nisqually) is not listed (Puyallup and Nisqually thankfully are), then that river system is CLOSED to fishing period. If the MAIN RIVER SYSTEM is listed (such as Puyallup and Nisqually), then you need to find it's special rules on the following pages (p. 32 - 48). When you look at the special rules for it, such as the Nisqually, if you DO NOT see the tributary listed with the main river system, that tributary is CLOSED. For the Nisqually, on page 43, Muck Creek and Mashel River are NOT listed, therefore they are CLOSED. However, Ohop Creek and Tanawax Creek are listed, therefore they are OPEN. That being said, the exception to the Nisqually is anything above the LaGrande Dam - they are all open.

This is not my interpretation, you can find on the Washington Fly Fishing (WFF) forum the discussion that a few of us had. One of the forum members actually called the WDFW and asked them point blank about the Mashel River. The regs specifically state on p. 31 "The basic rule in these waters is that all rivers, streams, and beaver ponds are closed to fishing unless they are listed in the following tables in the Puget Sound and Strait Rivers section of the pamphlet (see pages 33-48)." Yes, it even includes Beaver Ponds! Why, I do not know...except if they are a pond resulting from damming a river I guess.


Yes, I was really bummed to find this out as I had planned to do a special fishing trip to the Mashel to hike in and fish a spot I used to when I was a kid, but now can't. I do understand why, being involved in the Nisqually River Council - Salmon recovery efforts.

So, please read the regs carefully BEFORE you fish! It isn't worth a fine or loss of fishing for life. If you have questions, or complaints, call the WDFW before you fish to validate the river you wish to fish.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Preventing Ice-up on Guides and Rod

This tip came from today's, June 11, 2011, Sportsmen's Devotional. It is a daily devotion that you can subscribe to and I HIGHLY recommend it. Here's the link to subscribe http://www.sportsmensdevotional.com


Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Several marketed products such Stanley's Ice-Off Paste by Loon or better yet, vaseline petroleum jelly help with preventing ice freezing to fishing guides and line. Vaseline applied frequently doesn't freeze, is non toxic, very inexpensive, and will not harm your line, pole, or reel.


Now I know it is Spring - almost summer - and we are not supposed to be worrying about ice this time of the year - but who knows what is going to come with the weather we have been having!!! Could happen on the OP or the East Side or even the Seattle metro area. Global warming huh??


So now you don't have to fight ice no matter the time of the year. Go fish!


Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Fellowship Night — June 23

Our next gathering is 6/23/11, 7 pm, West Campus. We will continue with Beginner Casting lessons. We have gear for you to use or you can bring what you have and continue to learn with it. If you are wanting to learn fly fishing, this is a no cost way to try it. If you end up not wanting to continue, you are not out anything. Come join us. For more info contact Brad Nickel, 253-569-9032.