BIG, UGLY NEWS about halibut is usually a good thing.
But in this case, the news is big and ugly and not delicious.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced the 2013 halibut seasons, and the Puget Sound and most of the Strait of Juan de Fuca will both be open five fewer days than last year.
Perhaps more important, three of those missing days are an entire weekend.
Eric Elliott of Fish N Hole (360-385-7031) in Port Townsend said this is bad for business, for his shop and the town.
Anglers fill up the boat ramps and book hotel rooms.
They’ll also do things like eat at Waterfront Pizza — which I can’t recommend enough — or at one of the Port Townsend’s many soda fountains.
“We’re just coming out of our slow season,” Elliott said.
“Halibut kicks us into our busy season. It brings a lot of money into the town.”
In Marine Area 5 (Sekiu) the halibut season will be nine days shorter to compensate for exceeding last year’s quota.
The quotas in these areas will be the same as last year, but the state is thinking that less days will prevent them from being surpassed.
The northern coast areas, Neah Bay and LaPush, will see similar seasons to 2012.
Here are the 2013 halibut season details for the marine areas of the North Olympic Peninsula:
■ Marine Areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay): Open Thursdays and Saturdays from May 9 to May 18.
If enough quota remains, the fishery will re-open May 30 and possibly June 1.
If the quota still hasn’t been reached, additional fishing days may be announced.
The combined quota for these two areas is 108,030 pounds.
■ Marine Area 5 (Sekiu): Open Thursday through Sunday, May 23-26, for Memorial Day weekend.
Also open Thursday, May 30, through Sunday, June 1, and for a final day on Saturday, June 8.
After Memorial Day last year, Marine Area 5 was open Thursdays through Saturdays until June 23.
■ Marine Areas 6 (Port Angeles and Sequim) and 9 (Admiralty Inlet): Open Thursday through Saturday on May 2-4 and May 16-18.
Normally, the fishery would also be open the weekend in between, but not this year.
These areas will be open from Thursday through Sunday for Memorial Day weekend. In 2012, the fishery was also open on Memorial Day.
The season will conclude with two days of fishing Thursday and Friday, May 30-31.
As is the norm, Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) will not open to halibut fishing in an effort to protect threatened and endangered rockfish species.
In all marine areas, the daily harvest limit is one halibut, with no size minimum.
Local halibut charters are available through Venture Charters, 360-895-5424 and www.venturecharterboats.com. There are two boats available.
Fly fishers meeting
The monthly meeting of the Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishers will feature a presentation by club member Dr. Pete Schroeder titled “Fishing on the Fly for Microbes.”
Schroeder is employed by the National Marine Mammal Foundation as a veterinarian for the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, and is a Scientific Advisor for the East Jefferson County Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
He has 47 years experience with marine mammals, including research and veterinary care.
Schroeder also likes to fish, and therefore will include some fishing pictures in his presentation.
The meeting, which takes place Monday, begins at 7 p.m. at the Campfire USA Clubhouse at 619 E. 4th St. in Port Angeles.
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Outdoors columnist Lee Horton appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
