The clear and sunny days that I talk about that we can have here in the region were the rule rather than the exception last week, but I didn’t get to take advantage of them. It was darn chilly, but I had other reasons that kept me off the water for the better part of last week.

I was on the computer in Zoom meetings for a good amount of time this past week. Three of the days were consumed by my last official scheduled meetings with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as a Commissioner. I served as one of three representatives for Eastern Washington and my term was for six years. It was a real privilege to serve the public on issues relating to the management of our fish and game and other natural resources in the state.

I thought it was ironic that prior to my appointment, we had record returns of every species of salmon to the Columbia River. We have had some very challenging times since the year of the “Blob” in 2015, the huge warm water event in the Pacific Ocean, managing the diminishing returns of salmon and steelhead. Much of my time was dedicated to fish issues, and I served as one of four members on the Fish Committee. I spent a great deal of time on the Columbia River Policy process, at the North of Falcon meetings with our tribal co-managers and the Willapa Bay Policy.

I traveled to the week-long North of Falcon Meetings in California twice. I met with our counter parts in Oregon in Vancouver, Washington and Salem, Oregon many times. The special meetings that involved the members of the Fish Committee and me as one of the three Commissioners that met with Oregon on the Columbia River Policy required an unusual amount of travel and meeting time.

At our last meeting Bob Kehoe, a fellow Commissioner and Fish Committee member pointed out that I was instrumental in the change in how the Columbia River is managed. I demanded that any decisions that impact Columbia River fisheries include the concerns of the upper Columbia. Without this effort it is highly likely that we would not have had our summer run fisheries above Priest Rapids Dam in recent years. The work isn’t done, but significant progress has been made.

The WDFW is always being criticized. It’s an easy target. There are a lot of opinions that are voiced in opposition to the management strategies they employ with our fish and wildlife. I can assure you that we as Commissioners pay close attention to what the public has to say on these issues. I can also assure you that the department makes every effort to use sound management practices and the best available science when it makes decisions.

The depth and breadth of the species the department is responsible for is astounding, and it was a real eye opener to learn what the people who work for the agency must deal with to assure that they can preserve these creatures for the future generations. The quality of the fish and wildlife scientist and managers in Olympia, and at the regional offices and department facilities statewide is very impressive. In many cases they are recognized as being the best in the nation or the world. They are dedicated and take pride in the work they do. In most all cases it is a labor of love and respect for the fish and wildlife they study and manage.

I will miss the relationships that I have formed with fellow Commissioners and the staff of the department. It was a tough job, but one I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to try to make a positive difference in the region that I served.

When I last talked to Dave Marchaud, who is a fish checker for the Colville Tribe on Rufus Woods, he mentioned that there had been a recent plant of triploids into the big reservoir. So, I called Jill Phillips, the hatchery manager, who manages the plants of trout in Rufus Woods and other Colville Tribal waters. She confirmed that they released 17,000 fish in late October. They were smaller fish, intended for the lakes, but with the growth rate these are known for they will get bigger fast. Jill mentioned a fish caught above Chief Joseph Dam that was part of a release of fish that averaged 1.7 pounds weighed 8 pounds when the tag was turned in a year later. Amazing. Many of the fish being caught at the net pens and all the way down to Chief Joseph Dam are from a plant of 25,000 made earlier this year that was comprised of many fish weighing 4.5 pounds. She also mentioned that they will be releasing approximately 10,000 fish next April that will average 1 ½ to 2 ½ pounds and there will be small releases of fish in the 6- to 8-pound class at times, too. Thank you Colville Tribe! This week’s photo is of a triploid taken several years ago, and fishing is still great on Rufus Woods.

I often mention that we have lots of sunny days in the region during the winter, which allows us to get out on the water even when it is chilly. We had quite a few this week. Wouldn’t you know it, between household plumbing issues and meetings I couldn’t take advantage of them. If you are like me I have a long list of destinations on my NOAH weather app, and I check them daily. Mostly I am looking for wind. I can take rain and snow, but wind will drive me off the water any time of year. I got a question from one of my Facebook followers that I thought I would share. He had found one of the Fishing Guides that I wrote for Okanogan County Tourism. He wanted to know if I had done any others. The answer is yes. I have also written Fishing Guides for Grant County Tourism and the Chelan/Douglas County Chamber of Commerce. In these pocket-sized booklets I describe my top 25 or more lakes and rivers that I like to fish in these areas. You can contact the tourism folks and the Chamber, and they will be happy to send you a free copy.

I hope to have more time in the coming year doing what I love, and that is fishing and reporting on the many terrific lakes and streams in our region. Keep on watching my website and Facebook Page and tuning in to my broadcast reports. There will be great things coming!