Dwindling Returns

[sickbayer]

I'm sure most of you have kept up with the topic on another thread about the winter steelhead, not to mention the impending doom of no steelhead being left in our rivers. So I am wondering if the turn around on boat prices I am seeing is also being caused by the lack of opportunities in our rivers, and by our rivers I mean local ones. Not the three hour drive to BC or the Big C.

As some of you know I've been looking for a boat for almost a year now and I've be really put off on the prices I've seen on any aluminum boat with an out board and that is ones you see as there seems to be far less of them for sale then a few years ago. I also see a ton of jet boats for really good price especially the inboard engine kind for sale too almost like a flip side to a few years ago.

I am wondering how many people going to give up the drift boats or free drifters/sleds because of the lack of opportunities?

I decided a year ago lakes and salt is where it is to be had that is why I sold my jet boat and I am still in the market for a used boat but if I cant find what I want used I will probably end up buying a new boat as these used ones are way over priced.

[MarkFromSea]

Get a 22+ footer with a 100+ gal tank and go tuna fishing! It's an effing HOOT!

Just from what I saw, remember, I wasn't following prices closely, last Nov I saw some incredible deals on salt boats.

I read somewhere recently a new motor today is the cost of a boat, motor and trailer of 15 years ago. This increase in new affects the price of used.... what's the cost of a honda 90 today? My boat setup was about 20k 18ish years ago.

I'm pretty excited about this years salty salmon opportunities..... I'm not alone! I think you have a point in what you wrote.

[chongo469]

I guess I am confused?.... I fish the SKY, Snohomish, Skagit, Stilly .... From June 1st till Febuary, I am fishing the rivers around here, plus a few others... When those are closed, i can always go to Cowlitz, or others.... I think I get way more opportunity fishing rivers then i do salt.. This is just my opinion, and I do like fishing salt also.....

[MarkFromSea]

I guess I am confused?.... I fish the SKY, Snohomish, Skagit, Stilly .... From June 1st till Febuary, I am fishing the rivers around here, plus a few others... When those are closed, i can always go to Cowlitz, or others.... I think I get way more opportunity fishing rivers then i do salt.. This is just my opinion, and I do like fishing salt also.....

This just happened: http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/apr0114c/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If WFC succeeds, WDFW won't be allowed to release 900,000 juvenile steelhead into Puget Sound rivers this year. These juveniles represent your 2016-17 steelhead you would have caught in the rivers. Last rumor I heard is that it might be ironed out next week, but details are sketchy so cross your fingers.

[chongo469]

Thank you Mark..... I guess i have been living in a bubble lately..... I had no clue..... All I can say is WOW, and hope good things happen with the decision...

[MarkFromSea]

Thank you Mark..... I guess i have been living in a bubble lately..... I had no clue..... All I can say is WOW, and hope good things happen with the decision...

You're welcome. I had very little of this info previously as well. If you find that WFC website, it looks as though they have been a thorn in the side of WDFW for years. ie. Icicle creek hatchery... Sure they've done some habitat restoration but it looks like they have also done damage to the numbers of released hatchery fish, salmon and steelhead statewide. I have to read a little more about their involvement with the recent Columbia River tributary "closures" to hatchery salmon. An outfit like this is bent on stopping production of ALL hatchery fish.

[sickbayer]

Get a 22+ footer with a 100+ gal tank and go tuna fishing! It's an effing HOOT!

Just from what I saw, remember, I wasn't following prices closely, last Nov I saw some incredible deals on salt boats.

I read somewhere recently a new motor today is the cost of a boat, motor and trailer of 15 years ago. This increase in new affects the price of used.... what's the cost of a honda 90 today? My boat setup was about 20k 18ish years ago.

I'm pretty excited about this years salty salmon opportunities..... I'm not alone! I think you have a point in what you wrote.

I've been looking for a 22' with at least 70 gallon tank. Your right on motor cost, buddy of mine had his trophy for 15 years of so paid 18k for it. Repowered a couple years ago to the tune of 10k plus controls. A new Yamaha 200 costs 16k.

[sickbayer]

I was looking to see how many people really thought about selling their boat with such low returns going with a guide seems a cheaper alternative?

[The Quadfather]

I was looking to see how many people really thought about selling their boat with such low returns going with a guide seems a cheaper alternative?

Hate to see you just be a weekend warrior and fish with a guide when you want to scratch your salmanoid itch...
No disrespect to guides. I have one I cherish. But often times fishing with a guide feels like wearing a rain coat, and I don't mean in the outdoors.
A guy like yourself who enjoys fishing at the level you do, Sickbayer, needs his own boat.
I hope you find something soon.

[chongo469]

Dont get me wrong, I love fishing with Guides, but I also sometimes like to go just to relax by myself and not be on a schedule...

[sickbayer]

I was looking to see how many people really thought about selling their boat with such low returns going with a guide seems a cheaper alternative?

Hate to see you just be a weekend warrior and fish with a guide when you want to scratch your salmanoid itch...
No disrespect to guides. I have one I cherish. But often times fishing with a guide feels like wearing a rain coat, and I don't mean in the outdoors.
A guy like yourself who enjoys fishing at the level you do, Sickbayer, needs his own boat.
I hope you find something soon.

aw thanks quad! I do want to buy one and will keep my eyes peeled. I do have a new baby one he way so I might not even be a weekend warrior this year lol.

I've gone with guides before but each time I have I haven't actually caught anything with them, sometimes it simply is that way. I've a couple of good friends on here who have boats and actually do really well, so I won't be shore bound.

[Idstud]

I feel your pain I have been looking for a few years now but that is why Im still in my 1960s Sana Ann Classic flat bottom 16 ft I bought when I was 15 for 75$. Honda 8 hp and I fly at 5-7 mph. Good luck on finding a boat my Manager decided to buy a new one last year after looking for used for a year. When a good deal came along it was gone fast.

[Gringo Pescador]

Just bought my new-to-me sled last July after a couple years of figuring out what I wanted and what I wanted it for (and saving $$). Since I could hold a fishing rod I've loved the rivers bank or boat and been having a blast learning all I can. So far I have no regrets whatsoever... So far... The hatchery steelhead debacle will definatly put a damper on the grand plan but in the end I will still fish salmon in the river and just plain explore what's around that next bend. And, on fair weather days you will find me playing around in the Sound. For me, skinny water is an adventure but big waves in big water freak me out a little bit

[sickbayer]

Your boat will handle the Puget sound no prob gringo. The cow is gonna get pretty packed soon.

[Gringo Pescador]

Your boat will handle the Puget sound no prob gringo. The cow is gonna get pretty packed soon.

Yeah, it will handle as much as I am comfortable with and I know my comfort level will expand as my confidence grows.

I was on the Cow the 28th & 30th (Friday and Sunday). What a difference between a weekday and weekend!! Down towards Mission Bar it was pretty quiet but it is amazing to me that anyone catches anything on the weekends with all of the boat noise and lines in the water around Blue Creek!!