Buoy 10 Season Set- It’s time to get excited
A few minutes ago the WDFW kicked out the results from this year’s PFMC meeting that sets seasons for Salmon all up and down the West Coast. It’s already been forecast that the Columbia River will see a ton of Salmon back this year, but with impacts the way they are these days, you’re never quite sure how big of a piece of the pie we’re going to get until it’s finalized.
The Buoy 10 salmon fishery will be open from Aug. 1 through Dec. 31. The fishery will be open for Chinook and hatchery coho Aug. 1 through Sept. 7 (Labor Day) with a daily limit of two salmon, only one of which can be Chinook.
From Sept. 8 through Sept. 30, anglers will have a daily limit of two hatchery coho, but must release Chinook. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, the fishery will be open for Chinook and hatchery coho, with a daily limit of two adult salmon. During the season, fishery managers will assess the catch and may make changes to Chinook retention, but the season is being set with the idea that we’ll make it to the 7th.
For the second-straight year, during fall fisheries, anglers fishing from the same boat may continue fishing for salmon until all anglers have reached their daily limits. This is obviously a big bonus, especially if you have the hot rod!
The mainstem Columbia River from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to Lewis River will be open for hatchery coho Aug. 1 through Dec. 31. Anglers will be allowed to retain one adult Chinook as part of their two-adult daily limit from Aug. 1 through Sept. 14. From Sept. 8 through Sept. 14, adult Chinook retention is restricted to hatchery Chinook only. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, anglers can retain two adult Chinook daily.
All this to say that the Buoy 10 and Tongue Point area will provide us the opportunity to retain Wild Chinook through Labor Day. Needless to say this is a big deal for fishermen as it allows for meaningful opportunity and also promotes a humane fishery. The Buoy 10 area, in my opinion, is an awful area for mark selective. Warm water temperatures are hell on mortality and the season that’s being provided will minimize waste of these incredible fish.
I’ve got a handful of days left for Astoria/Buoy 10 Fall Salmon Fishing. If you’d like to get on the books, send me an email and I’ll be happy to get you taken care of.