The WDFW announced yesterday that weighted flies will be prohibited on the
N. Fk of the Stillaguamish from Aug. 20 through Oct. 15. The action was
taken because anglers have been deliberately targeting wild spawning chinook
who are schooled up in a few deeper holes in the low, warm waters that have
prevailed this summer. Sad to relate, most of these fish have been
foul-hooked and the purpose of the ban is to prevent any additional stress
to them. This rule change has been put in place to protect the spawning
chinook while still allowing the angler to fish for steelhead and sea-run
cutthroat. If the harassment of chinook doesn't stop, it is still possible
that the North Fork may be closed to all fishing.
