More Halibut For Those North Of The Border

[Mako 22]

Our joke continues here in WA State: Seasons just keep getting shorter and shorter.

3 days for halibut season in 2017!

May 4 Thursday

May 6 Saturday

May 11 Thursday

Throw in a Gale or two and our season will be 1 day at best!

As the halibut swim around a lot you should have more on your side as the year passes.

 

[scott craven]

Wow, that is tragic.
and only 1 day on the weekend ??

 

[Derby]

Just wondering how they can set your days without even knowing what the Washington tac will be...the IPHC meeting aren't until Jan?

 

[ziggy]

Our joke continues here in WA State: Seasons just keep getting shorter and shorter.

3 days for halibut season in 2017!

May 4 Thursday

May 6 Saturday

May 11 Thursday

Throw in a Gale or two and our season will be 1 day at best!

As the halibut swim around a lot you should have more on your side as the year passes.

Well maybe if the guys in Alaska haven't taken them all. Seems you would have a good case to go to your government and point out how huge Alaska's quota share is, not to mention their bycatch. Didn't they recently have 2 million pounds of bycatch alone? Twice the total rec fishery quota north of the border!
That being said I feel for you as a fellow boned rec fisher

 

[SpringVelocity]

Our joke continues here in WA State: Seasons just keep getting shorter and shorter.

3 days for halibut season in 2017!

May 4 Thursday

May 6 Saturday

May 11 Thursday

Throw in a Gale or two and our season will be 1 day at best!

As the halibut swim around a lot you should have more on your side as the year passes.

terrible.

 

[trophywife]

gross, what is your govt doing? even a fraction of the tac off of alaska would benefit ! and 2 mill lbs of bycatch.. ridiculous numbers!!. something tells me more is going on behind the scenes politically/financially than any of you know...

 

[ericl]

I am guessing the 3 day season is for the Neah Bay area; other areas in the state will be open a bit more, but nothing close to the BC season. I think WA state has 10 times the population.
As for the 3 day season, there is a quota & if the quota is not met other openings will happen.

 

[bigdogeh]

Is there a slot size with that 3 day season?

 

[Mako 22]

No slot limit, this is one of the problems. We have been trying for years to have a slot limit.

3 days is for all of the Straits, including Port Angeles, where I live.

My gripe is the crowding in of everybody into such a short season. Impossible to launch your boat at the ramps on halibut days. And as all of you know the crowding on the halibut grounds is worse than Disneyland in such a short season.

The crowding is not just the locals. Hoards of people pull boats over from the Seattle/Tacoma area and even further distances.

It is just a zoo. The shorter the season the more folks arrive. Throw in a weather day and we have a lot of poor judgement type folks going out in the Straits when the weather is really too bad for small boats. We have had fishermen die on the Straits, two were my friends.

I am retired and like to fish. I have a nice 22 foot boat that is excellent for our area. The poor management of fishing by our officials really makes me angry, especially when the tribes on our side long line halibut.

 

[bigdogeh]

Sorry to hear that Mako 22. I agree that it seems like a gong show the way your government has handled the halibut issues. having 10 times the population doesn't seem like a good excuse for only a 3 day opening.
imo the sporties should always take priority over the commercials. I think the majority feel that way also. but until the sporties get seriously organized with a united voice I don't think it's going to happen sadly. as usual the little guy gets the crumbs... while special interests with paid lobbyists reap the rewards. not fair, but what is in this day and age. what seems to make sense to you and me gets overlooked or ignored by those at the top making decisions. to them it's all about making a quick buck. and that often comes in little brown envelopes I suspect.

 

[Mako 22]

Spot on bigdogeh.

However, when the weather is really nice and the wind is laying down I will pay a visit to your side of the Border Bank. Already have the Canadian License, passport and all the other requirements.

Besides, I sometimes fish our side of Border (Coyote we call it) so what is a couple more miles running to the north: A normal fishing trip!

 

[saanauk]

I have pretty much given up fishing in Washington for salmon and halibut. Besides Blackmouth I now focus all my time in Canada and Alaska. Worth it to give up a few days of fishing locally to save money and fish out of state. When I can fish for lings, salmon, and halibut all in the same trip it worth every penny. Plus everything is at a 30% discount with the exchange rate.

 

[ericl]

I did the same back in the 80's. Back then there was a REAL difference in the size of the Salmon; not so much anymore though.