Northwest Fishing Reports

Anybody fishing the bubble since the opener? Haven't seen any reports yet from there, just from down south. Thanks.

Leave it to the Swede to tell us how he really feels about the token fishery the State and the Tulalip Nation dreamed up for us. For several years I was suckered into trying this fishery with nothing but sunburns to show for it. Given a choice I'd rather hit the local lakes to catch a cooler full of spinyrays with the family.

All too funny, 25 + years ago I fished the “Bubble Hole” before it was even a fishery. I had always figured the fish were just Snohomish system, spring and summer run chinook that happened to stage in the area. There were no crowds, in fact you would rarely even see another boat fishing the area. If the fish were not cooperating I would move SSE a few miles and look for bait in 50-60’ feet of water. Once the bait were located I would fish a white Silver Horde plug 60-80’ behind the release clip with the gear running within 5’ of the bottom. In fishing the Bubble Hole with the area just mentioned as a back-up it was an early show but guaranteed limits and some of the fish were major piggys.

I will post my Bubble report for you all to see today. But you already know what it says. LOL

Well I guess I will stick to the lakes for now. Otherwise maybe on a Friday or Monday morning when the bubble isn't as crowded. Thanks for all the advice.

Last weekend the fish checkers at the everett ramp checked 240 boats with one fish from the bubble. We went out sunday morning for a couple of hours and saw not a single fish caught from the 50 plus boats.

Two poles allowed at the bubble this year! Copied from May weekender report......
"Beginning May 18, the Tulalip Bay Terminal Area will be open Friday through noon Monday each week through Sept. 3. The exception is June 9, when the bubble is closed for the Tulalip Tribes salmon ceremony. Beginning Sept. 8, the bubble will be open only on Saturday and Sunday of each week through Sept. 23.

Pattillo reminds salmon anglers fishing the bubble this year that they will be allowed to use two fishing poles from June 10 through Sept. 23, with the purchase of a two pole endorsement."

Mark, you are correct! You can use two poles in the Tulalip Bubble this year...

As a Sport Fishing Advisor, one of the things we have been contemplating for years is allowing two poles in salt water. As a person who fishes alone a lot, I would loooovvveee to be able to use two poles when the fishing isn't red hot. BUT, the advisors as a group, me included, don't want to lose fishing opportunity, read that days on the water, in trade for two poles.

The largest issue around two poles in salt water is how to model the impacts in the FRAM model that is used by the Department, the Northwest Tribes and the Feds to come up with the impacts of the fishing by all parties. FRAM isn't perfect, but it is a more objective, science based, relatively accurate method. It might not be totally accurate, but like the bathroom scale, it tells you if you are going in the right or wrong direction...

To make changes in the model, you have to get agreement from all parties as to the science you are using to change the model. Without any science to back it up, you could imagine that some groups would think we should double the impacts in an area where two poles was legal, arguing that most folks would use two poles if they could, and if you have two poles out, you will encounter twice as many fish, twice as many shakers, twice as many wild fish, etc... So since we are pretty close to the edge on the model, you can imagine we would only have half the open number of fishing days if two poles were allowed... not good...

SO...

Tulalip is a unique fishery in that it is modelled to only impact the Tulalip hatchery stock of chinook salmon. By agreement of the three parties, it doesn't impact other stocks, including the weaker wild stocks we are working to protect and restore.

Allowing two poles in the Bubble allows the Department to gather some data about two poles in saltwater without "costing" impacts on wild stocks and reducing recreational fishing opportunity. We also get a chance to fish with two poles in an area that has traditionally been pretty stingy at putting out fish. It's a win-win!!! I imagine that the Department will be sampling the area to gather how many people actually use two poles, what people are catching, etc. All in the name of having some data that may someday support, or educate us as to why we shouldn't, open more saltwater areas to two poles in the future.

I had also suggested that they try two poles in Sinclair Inlet, which is also a terminal area fishery supported by a hatchery. I don't know how that is modelled in FRAM, but in the end we decided not to go for it.

Hope that helps folks understand the logic behind what we are doing...

Tom Drews
WDFW Anadromous and Marine Resources Sportfishing Advisory Group Member

I for one, appreciate the detailed response. Thanks!
Since this is "an area that has traditionally been pretty stingy at putting out fish," I only fish this area while soaking crab pots nearby. Often times I wonder what is behind regulation changes, this helps.

I went out for the opener and got one 10 lb. chinook. Of the thirty plus boats I saw out there, I only saw one other guy hook a fish.

Were you running two poles or just one???

rcthepirate- are you in a smaller aluminum boat?? I think I saw you catch that fish. There was just 2 guys in the boat and was the only fish I saw caught that day.

Yup that was me. 14 ft. lund w/ 20 horse tohatsu. TomD- I was running one pole for myself, and one for my buddy. The two-pole endorsement didn't go into effect up there until after june 9th.