Occupy Skagit

                Northwest Washington has many rivers whose names are synonymous with steelhead. Rivers like the Skykomish, the Stilly, Deer creek, and the Snoqualmie are just a couple of rivers where for years crowds of people have flocked to in chase of a fish that can take years to catch. However, the most notable steelhead rivers in Washington would have to be the Skagit and its tributary the Sauk. The river is famous for its monstrous natives and the fishing styles developed there to catch them.

Winter on the Skagit near mouth of the Cascade

 

               Late February, March and into April, is a time when these infamous fish can be found returning to the system. In years past, there has been a catch and release season on the Skagit where fisherman could experience these fish. As of late, this season has been taken away with concerns that this C&R season was causing harm to native runs. Occupy Skagit is a movement of fisherman to revive this C&R season and to show the statistics of how a well managed C&R season would have little to no effect on this return and in some ways may help the river.

Summertime on the Skagit

 

                C&R fly fisherman are the Ninja Turtles of fishing world, and poachers, litterers, and those causing harm to the fish and their habitats are the evil Foot Clan. These fishermen are the silent protectors and the ones helping watch out for our rivers. There is data showing that in many ways the escapement goals provided for the Skagit river system may be skewed, and that the mortality rates of a C&R season would have no affect on the run. These are all things that will be covered by big wig officials, but the hope is that we will be able to enjoy these fish again soon. Occupy Skagit will be taking place in Rockport at the Steelhead park on April 6^th at 9:00 a.m. For more information see Occupy Skagit’s Facebook page. Here is an excerpt from the Occupy Skagit Facebook page:

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.