Although the state has closed the Quillayute River to fishing, some West End anglers will be hitting the water near the mouth of the river today to fish.
The outing is a protest over Quileute tribal net fishing at the stream’s mouth, fishing guide Pat Graham says.
Between 10 and 15 guides, mostly members of the Olympic Peninsula Guides’ Association, are expected to show up at about 3 p.m. to fish near tribal nets, he said.
The state closed the water to non-native fishing due to what it calls low water levels.
But tribal fisheries biologists have said the water level will support salmon runs and have approved of tribal net fishing, allowed under their treaties.
Tribal fishermen can use their nets until 6 p.m. on designated days.