New WDFW Salmon Forecast is out - compared to the "good ol' days"

[bfin58]

For you old timers on this Board, I am curious how yesterday's WDFW salmon forecast compares to when you first joined this Board. I am guessing the numbers are way, way down. I am wondering how much lower the forecast is now compared to a decade or so ago:
Here is WDFW forecast: Forecasts released for 2021 as annual salmon season-setting process begins | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

 

[mrfish11]

What pissed me off is when I read the news release from wdfw is they make it sound like they are setting us up for failure, even though there are a few highlights it looks like. The way I read it they seemed to be saying yes the Columbia coho should be a good return but dont plan to be able to fish for them in a lot of spots because we have to protect against the other fish that may be in the same area at that time. Even when theres a somewhat positive outlook, they always find a way to set us up for failure.

 

[bfin58]

I am relatively new to reviewing WDFW releases and forecasts, but you are right. They seem to always sound dour, like Eeyore is their media guy. There appears to be some bright spots in the forecast. Why not at least highlight some of the the good news?

 

[FishPimpII]

I am relatively new to reviewing WDFW releases and forecasts, but you are right. They seem to always sound dour, like Eeyore is their media guy. There appears to be some bright spots in the forecast. Why not at least highlight some of the the good news?

Because the reality is that no matter how good some returns look wdfw negotiates with the tribes about as well as I do with my wife.
So don’t expect this year to be any better than last year besides our “bonus” pinks.

 

[FVSerenity]

Columbia coho should be a good return but dont plan to be able to fish for them in a lot of spots because we have to protect against the other fish that may be in the same area at that time.

Yet they don’t mind the gill netting

 

[bfin58]

Hopefully that Fish Washington lawsuit will help restore some balance back to 50/50.

 

[hawksfan75]

I’m anxiously awaiting the “opportunity” media blitz now that it’s license buying time…

I listened to a lot of the presentation and the biologist tone is much more in line with reality. The numbers may look good compared to 2019 but historically it’s down right depressing.

 

[Tish]

WDFW has the old projections on their site:
2020: Salmon forecasts released as salmon season-setting process gets underway for 2020
2019: Forecast indicates improved coho salmon numbersas managers begin to develop this year's fishing seasons
2018: Low returns expected to restrict Washington's salmon fisheries
2017: Projections indicate state salmon fisheries will again be tempered by low coho runs
2016: Low returns of coho may hamper salmon fisheries
2015: Strong runs of Columbia River chinook, Puget Sound pink and coho salmon projected
2014: Big runs of Columbia River chinook,coho highlight 2014 salmon forecasts
2013: Abundant runs of Columbia River chinook, Puget Sound pink and coho salmon projected
2012: Strong returns of Columbia River chinook salmon, coastal coho projected
2011: Strong runs of Columbia River chinook, Puget Sound coho and pink salmon projected
2010: Strong Columbia River chinook run highlights 2010 salmon forecasts

 

[gloxx]

Early 2010s were a great time. I remember boat limits of 20 lb chinook off swiftsure as soon as you get the ball down. Huge schools of coho finning on the surface in the sound, take the kids out and fish on every 15 minutes. Seahawks winning the superbowl. Good times

 

[tacklejacked]

To my recollection they've missed the mark nearly every year in their "projections"....

What was it 17 or 18 ... projection-no coho coming back...oh shit, the coho came back, sorry guys.....insert emergency tribal season.

 

[Salmon King]

I didn’t see the PS nook numbers?

The PS coho numbers are ho hum. Pink numbers are decent.

Ocean coho numbers look good, but you can see that a few stocks are going to be concerning. That leads to a limiting number of “wild” encounters that will shut it down early.

In the past decade plus of closely monitoring this, it seems that the forecasted numbers rarely translate into hot or cold fishing. They do sometimes lead to closures though.

 

[Siv]

The PS chinook numbers aren’t mentioned but the last paragraph tells me there won’t be much of an opportunity. Salmon King is right on about raw numbers equaling biters , especially with Coho. To answer the first question the overall numbers are down in every way from years past . Lots of factors / reasons that get debated here all the time. No need to rehash.

 

[tacklejacked]

Is this all for not if the FNW lawsuit succeeds in getting a judge to agree to an injunction and suspend all salmon seasons. FNW thinks its a possibility.

 

[Polarbill1999]

Is this all for not if the FNW lawsuit succeeds in getting a judge to agree to an injunction and suspend all salmon seasons. FNW thinks its a possibility.

I was wondering what the PR fallout could be if this does happen. On one hand a lot more people would know about FNW but on the other hand it could cause a huge uproar of people caught off guard/pissed and to be opposed to FNW.