OLYMPIA - The state announced it would open a section of the Methow River to steelhead fishing starting Wednesday, Oct. 21.
     The section runs from the second powerline crossing upstream of Pateros to the first state Highway 153 bridge, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
     Sufficient numbers of wild steelhead have moved upriver from the section, allowing anglers additional opportunity to harvest adipose fin-clipped steelhead with minimal impact to wild fish, department officials said Oct. 15.
     The fishery will reduce the number of excess hatchery-origin steelhead and increase the proportion of natural-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds, the department said.
     Higher proportions of naturally produced spawners are expected to improve genetic integrity and stock recruitment of upper Columbia River steelhead through perpetuation of steelhead stocks with the greatest natural-origin lineage, according to the state.
     The daily limit remains four adipose fin-clipped, hatchery steelhead with a 20-inch minimum size.
     There is a mandatory retention of adipose fin-clipped hatchery steelhead.
     Anglers are required to release all steelhead with an adipose fin. Any steelhead caught with an intact adipose fin may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately, state officials said.
     Selective gear rules apply and no bait is allowed.
     A night closure is in effect.
     Anglers must release any steelhead with one or more round holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin, state officials said.
     Boats with motors are not allowed.