Dear Commissioners -

 

I'm writing to express my frustration as a sports angler.  Despite a run of steelhead into the Upper Columbia River that is greater than any run over the last 22 years, it appears likely the Wenatchee River will not be opening for steelhead fishing this year.  Speaking with WDFW employees in Region 2, it is my understanding that not enough wild (non-fin clipped) fish have migrated up the Wenatchee River for a fishery to take place, even though the numbers of fish passing through Rock Island Dam are greater than last year and the number of fish currently between Rock Island and Rocky Reach Dam are similar to (if not greater than) last year's returns when a limited fishery was allowed.

 

It has been 11 years since the Wenatchee River was closed down due to Endangered Species Act concerns.  WDFW Officials were aware steelhead were threatened for at least five years prior to this.  That is why it is mystifying to me that steelhead fry are (or recently have been) kept in ponds outside the Wenatchee River and not acclimated to the this stream in time for them to become imprinted. As I understand it, while there are plenty of Wenatchee River fish in the Upper Colubmbia - too many are straying from the Wenatchee - due to how they were raised as fry - to allow a fishery to take place.  In other words - poor management of this problem is preventing a successful resolution of this issue.  Biologists will tell you that acclimation ponds are needed in the Wenatchee River - not the Columbia - and have been trying to establish them there.  However, it is also my understanding that a lack of funding - by several different entities - has become a roadblock in this issue.

 

I would ask that as a Commission you tackle this problem with more urgency than you have in the past.  I have personally testified before the commission on this issue as far back as 2003, during which time other issues (fin-clipping hatchery fish - or in that case - not fin-clipping them) was an impediment in applying for permits to open the Wenatchee River for fishing. 

 

Sports anglers have historically been very supportive of standing on the sidelines and pitching in where needed to conserve resources so that they can come back to a sustainable level for fishing to take place.  In this case, the fish have come back in enough numbers, but we still don't get to fish.  It has been over 15 years since Wenatchee River Steelhead numbers became a significant issue.  How much longer do we all have to wait for the WDFW - and other stakeholders - to get this right? 

 

Thank you for reading this and I hope you'll address this issue as a Commission in a constructive manner that will benefit not only frustrated sports anglers, but also the local economies that benefit from these fisheries.

 

Sincerely,