That First Cast...
- bobsearle
- Jul 27, 2022
- 1 min read
Well this is turning into a labor of love... partly out of necessity but mostly out of love... I invite each and everyone of you to add your own voice to this endeavor... should you have a fishing related question, an opinion, or a just cause... please feel free to voice it here... leave your religion, your politics and whatever it is you are selling at the door. Other than that I want to hear from you... let me get it rolling here... How many of you believe our Salmon and Steelhead populations are at a tipping point given the current Pinnipeds population... estimated to be north of 300,000 on the west coast... I for one, I'm having a tough time wrapping my head around how much seafood it takes to feel an animal of that size a day. Personally we, the public have allowed the heard to grow disproportionally out of control... come on! these numbers never existed 100-150 years ago... the coastal tribes would have simply made a dinner and a coat out of them... period... What are your thoughts???
On a different note I am headed off to Newfoundland the end of August to fish the Humber River and the Gander River for Atlantic Salmon with my fishing buddy John Pogue... anyone with knowledge of these two rivers, John and I would love to hear from you...
Until then please look over the site and I welcome any and all constructive criticism...
Best Fishes!
Bob Searle
Hi Again Bob,
I agree on all of your points - avian predators have increased substantially - especially in areas where there are hatcheries releases. Oregon has allowed programs to haze cormorants - I am not certain the program is still going: https://olyopen.com/2022/08/10/bombshell-court-victory-chinook-harvest-harms-southern-resident-killer-whales-and-wild-chinook-recovery/ There were large colonies of Caspian terns on human made islands in the Columbia River. Many were captured and an attempt was made to relocate them. I'm not certain how effective this program has been:
https://www.nwcouncil.org/news/nesting-area-relocated-caspian-terns-feast-fewer-fish-columbia-river-estuary/
Here's some possible good news for those of us that chase chinook along the Oregon coast north of Winchester Bay: https://olyopen.com/2022/08/10/bombshell-court-victory-chinook-harvest-harms-southern-resident-killer-whales-and-wild-chinook-recovery/
Regarding the cost of returning adult salmon, I finished my career with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife working…
Hi Bob and thanks for taking that first cast! I wholeheartedly agree about the Pinniped population and its impacts on salmonids along the West Coast. Populations seem to be exploding and while the two main predator (transient killer whales and great white sharks) populations have increased as well, it's still not enough. I was surprised that NOAA Fisheries authorized the removal of sea lions in the Columbia Basin. I just didn't think it would survive legal challenges from US Humane Society et al. Fortunately it quietly continues. Unfortunately, it hasn't been expanded.
Anglers have taken matters in their own hands when dealing with the seal/sea lion problems. Paintball guns, seal bombs, blank pistols - all can be effective but onl…
Looks good Bob! Looking forward to stories of fishing for Atlantic Salmon!