Blue Creek Klamath River Presented to the California Fish and Game Commission by Mike Coopman on behalf of Klamath River Guides and Sport Fishermen February 11, 2016

Current Closure 500 feet above the mouth of Blue Creek to one half mile below Current closure area

Guides Support the Letter from Del Norte County Board of Supervisors Priority for guides and sport fishermen is protecting salmon and steelhead Current closure based more on ‘Let’s close it and see what happens’ rather than science and data California Department of Fish and Wildlife did not support closure Thermal refugia at Blue Creek is unique such that studies conducted outside Klamath River Basin not relevant Drought identified as partial reason for closure; local fisherman could have supported short-term, adaptive closure Current closure does not allow for scientific study OR economic recovery; absence of either or both does nothing for health of fishery or strength of local businesses and economy

Sport fishing community still divided on approach to re-opening area One group wants regulations to revert to 2014 season (no closure) Other group wants a reduced closure from 500’ above to 500’ below Blue Creek fishery huge part of our business and long-term success depends on health of our fisheries Sport fishery in Blue Creek area has existed for over a century; both anecdotal and population data for Klamath/Trinity summer steelhead does not suggest that this run of fish is in decline Without proof of impact, why close this fishery? Sport Fisherman Divided - Potential Solutions

500 feet below Possible Solution feet above the mouth of Blue Creek to 500 feet below 500 feet above

Possible Solution 2 No closure; return to 2014 regulations Open to sport fishing

Impacts of Blue Creek Closure Meet our guides Business down almost 25% in June and July 2015 No paid vacation, holidays or days off; had to seek outside work to make a living and feed the families If closure remains, will make even more difficult to encourage customers to come back Want to focus on finding a balance between economic impact and fish and wildlife health, rather than perceived wrong-doings Commission’s job not an easy one; ask that you find that balance for all user groups until science and facts can better inform appropriate path