Northwest Fishing Reports

Was in the triangle bait shop yesterday, and found out the state has revoked all the commercial sandshrimp harvester's licenses. It is now a 100% tribal enterprise and according to the guy at the triangle they are having a hard time keeping the fridge full of shrimp. I've been trying to research this but so far have found nothing. If true, it's just another blow to Washington's sport fishermen.

Welcome to big government, big lobbyists, and monopolies. The big money is capable of supporting big lobbys. They have a lot of clout. Individual fishermen don't organize into groups with money. Therefore, we have little to no power.

Most politicians are lawyers. Would you trust unknown lawyers to manage your life? We had a few great lawyers during our revolution. It has been downhill since.

If the Indians (natives) can generate enough power to help their lot, why not, when the whole system is set up to benefit that approach. Most people would do the same. The problem is the system not the people. If the only way to win is pay a bribe, what choice do you have?

Tight lines? I get mad about this stuff and wonder where the line should be tightest.

Heard that a couple weeks ago when tryin to buy some. Add those to the list of things to never buy again

Doesn't exactly sound like "fishing in common with the people of the territory" does it?

The State is the one to blame on this. Even with the decline in sand/ghost shrimp populations for initially unknown reasons, quotas for harvest were not adjusted and now we are in a state of panic. One can only hope that the tribal harvest is limited enough to allow the shrimp to rebuild their populations. In the mean time, go to the supermarket and purchase some raw shrimp for bait. You'd be surprised how well it works and you may not go back to using sand shrimp at all. Cured with plain salt, it stays on the hook better and lasts much longer in your fridge.

Could you use borax of fire on regular shrimp?

Sure you could try it, but I don't think it will gain you anything. If you are going to be using an egg loop setup, you really don't even need to cure the shrimp, cut a chunk, skewer it with the hook and secure it with the egg loop. If you are going to fish it under a jig, throw it in a container with a generous amount of non-anodized salt and if you want some coloring agent like Bad Azz bait dye, and let it sit in the fridge for a couple of days. As the salt draws the moisture out of the shrimp it will shrink, don't worry, thats a good thing as your bait will toughen up to the consitancy of cooked shrimp, but won't crumble like cooked shrimp can. Cured like this, you can leave your shrimp refrigerated, in the container with the salt, for a near indefinate amount of time.

Sand shrimp will still be available for harvest by individuals, correct? This only affects commercial harvesters? I can go pump my own...don't take that away from me!!!

Thinking about getting my own shrimp gun. We always get our own when I fish on the coast.

Good deal...as long as I can still pump my own I'm good.