Nehalem Bay closed to Fall Chinook retention

Can't say it's a decision I don't agree with, but I absolutely love battling those bruisers.
 
The good news is there's supposed to be a ton of Silvers running around this fall.

I'll probably be out most weekends from September-November. Bsteves and I have talked about a couple of trips. If anyone else is interested, post here and maybe we can get organized.

Went 10 for 11 last year!

I am anxiously awaiting the Coho season, gonna be epic....ten more days!!

September-November

If you're going for "in ocean" silvers you'll be too late.  Think last 2 weeks of July - first 2 weeks of August for prime coho on the Oregon Coast.

Anyone up for a coho derby?

The closure has been extended and now begins June 15th for the rest of the year. Let's hope the silvers are biting this year. I love fishing that river...

That is such a bummer. I have to admit, the chinook were few and far between last year.

That is such a bummer. I have to admit, the chinook were few and far between last year.

And the coho had lockjaw...Maybe this will be the year I spend most of my fishing hours on the ocean.

I'm game. Why is it only Nehalem? I guess I'll be looking at Tillamook with the rest of the PB's

Speaking of Tillamook, has anyone given the upper tidewater a shot? Seems like that might be a nice place for a kayak. Or I guess if you don't mind rolling with the fleet of PB's, I guess Bay City might be nice given it's proximity to the "Ghost Hole". My concern with the area near Bay City though would be the current. I might be up for this.
Anyone have any experiance on 'mook 'nooks they'd like to share?

I'm game. Why is it only Nehalem?

A couple factors.
1) returning numbers for the last few years have steadily decreased.
2) expected returns for this year continue that trend.

As always, OFWC & ODFW manage by crisis and emergency.  This is the wrong way to manage.  Preferred is by sustainability and growth.

We also need to ban fishing with eggs.  Its a sad fact but there are some who only target hens.  On a wild run this makes no sense and furthers the decline.  Other meat baits work just as well, if not better.  Eggs are just a convenience since they come with the fish for free.  Myself, I use raw shrimp meat or salad shrimp quite often with very good success.  Last year the biggest chinook in the boat I fish out of was landed on a BIG sand shrimp by our local district biologist.

Why's this all happening?  To stave off yet another crisis.  If we have a another bad year of returns we face the possibility of having emergency closure set coastwide  (majority of PFMC zone) by NOAA/NMFS.  Remember the coho ban?  Think it was in 92 and we're just now coming out of it?  Expect something similar if things don't turn around quickly.

If everyone released all hens (nate & hatchery) this year we could make a difference.  That's what I'll be doing.

I guess it's time to learn to recognize the differences between hens and bucks. Any suggestions or good resources? I haven't caught enough of any fish to even begin to know which is which without slicing them open.

Jay

I guess it's time to learn to recognize the differences between hens and bucks. Any suggestions or good resources? I haven't caught enough of any fish to even begin to know which is which without slicing them open.

Jay

I can just see someone suggesting you stick your little finger in the hole like ya would on an alligator. 
Wiggle it around till ya find a pair, yup it's a keeper!   

I guess it's time to learn to recognize the differences between hens and bucks. Any suggestions or good resources? I haven't caught enough of any fish to even begin to know which is which without slicing them open.

Jay

I can just see someone suggesting you stick your little finger in the hole like ya would on an alligator.  
Wiggle it around till ya find a pair, yup it's a keeper!  

You first Craig...

I guess it's time to learn to recognize the differences between hens and bucks. Any suggestions or good resources? I haven't caught enough of any fish to even begin to know which is which without slicing them open.

Jay

I can just see someone suggesting you stick your little finger in the hole like ya would on an alligator.  
Wiggle it around till ya find a pair, yup it's a keeper!  

You first Craig...

Jay, you hold the head for me...... 
We're gunna give that fish a two fingered Mexican oil change.