Pipers Creek is one of those little urban Puget Sound streams that have
become a focal point for neighborhood restoration efforts and as such a
symbol for urban environmental decay and recovery. A very prominent
part of this restoration effort has been the reintroduction of chum salmon
into the stream system. This is currently sustained by the annual
release of several thousand chum fry each spring; an effort that will very
likely need to be continued since it appears that natural reproduction
levels in the creeks (Pipers Creek is joined by Venema creek from the
north near the park entrance) are very low. Returns have been hugely
variable, from a high of several hundred a few years ago to just a few
dozen (or less) the last couple of years. In addition to the chum, there
are very small (miniscule) runs of coho and searun cutthroat trout that
are managing somehow to naturally reproduce in the silt-laden
watershed. Park naturalists that I've spoken to estimate their numbers
at around "a dozen or two". There have also been reports of an
occassional steelhead or two and even some pink salmon entering the
creek.
The streams are closed to all fishing (previously Pipers Creek was open
to juvenile fishing only) but the beach areas are currently open. There
has been a keen interest among the park supporters over the last few
years to close the entire park - including the public beaches and the
nearby off-shore area - to all types of fishing, based on the assumption
that fishing is detrimental to the restoration efforts. So far this effort has
not succeeded, partly I suspect due to jurisdictional issues (the state
regulates fisheries) as well as concerns about setting precedents and
the lack of a scientific basis for the restrictions. Interestingly, at the
same time, several of the Seattle Parks and Recreation staff have
expressed interest in developing public awareness of the fishing
opportunities at Seattle area beach fronted parks and seemed relatively
unconcerned about the potential for adverse impacts from increased
beach front fishing.
Most of my fishing at Carkeek Park has been for the winter resident
coho. These usually show up in late December or early January and
may hang around until April or May. A few years ago this was fabulous
(30-40 fish days were not uncommon) though the last couple of years
have been flat out dismal. I also catch the odd fall coho there (both the
returning Puget Sound resident fish and occassionally the larger ocean
fish) and at certain times of the year, some pretty nice sea-runs, but
this can be hit-or-miss (like most places in Puget Sound). Mainly I fish
there because it's close by and I find it interesting. If nothing else it
provides a convenient excuse to get out and get some contemplative
exercise and much needed casting practice.
I would recommend that anyone fishing Carkeek Park treat it with
respect, keeping in mind both the fragility of the ecosystem as well as
the fragility of the politics that allow you to be there. I think that boldly
targeting the chum run would be foolhardy, as well as probably futile
(even in a good year there are rarely enough milling fish about to make
the odds of a hookup very high). It's also very likely to enrage the large
numbers of park visitors and volunteers who are there to enjoy the return
of the fish to their natal stream. If the runs are strong, I suspect a
properly timed and discreet mid-week foray could be rewarding, as well
as enjoyable, but I would strongly discourage anyone from killing any
fish, unless you're willing to face a lot of long and angry faces on your
way back to the car!
-Wes
Date forwarded: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 08:08:26 -0700
From: "Patrick Petersen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Carkeek Park
Date sent: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 08:14:15 -0700
Forwarded by: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Send reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Wes,
>
> Have you fished Carkeek park for chums before? I understand there is a run
> on pipers creek but I don't have any idea about the size of it. I live right
> across the street from the trail head and plan on fishing for them this year
> if its permitted. Is there a run of Coho for this creek as well?
>
> Curiously,
>
> Patrick
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Wes Neuenschwander <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Monday, September 11, 2000 7:25 AM
> Subject: Carkeek Park
>
>
> > Fished Carkeek Park briefly yesterday (Sunday), around the turn of the
> > PM high tide. Began at the small cove north of the overpass, working a
> > small green/white streamer on a floating line, encouraged by the
> > occassional small jumping baitfish 30' off the beach. Not enough tide to
> > stir the waters in the cove, so I moved up to the cobbly point at the
> > mouth of Pipers Creek to catch the flowing ebb, just as a nice coho
> > cleared the water about 120' feet out. Forded a small gulley onto the
> > last gravel ridge, allowing me to just reach the area of the rise, where
> > now a small rip was forming, but no luck. Finally, fishing downtide to
> > the tail of the ridge, a nice tug and a couple of minutes later a fat 16"
> > cutthroat to hand. Switched to a green Popper and fished back up the
> > ridge and finally back down along the cove, without any further action.
> >
> > Watching from the overpass on the way back to the car, I spotted a
> > couple of coho-sized rises well off shore from the north cove, along with
> > the odd jumping herring. Curiously, no sign of birds or seals the entire
> > time.
> >
> > -Wes
> >
> > Wes Neuenschwander
> > Seattle, WA
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
>
Wes Neuenschwander
Seattle, WA
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
