THEY AREN’T HALIBUT and they aren’t salmon, but they are good for business.
So, it was big news when the ocean waters off Neah Bay and LaPush were to be closed to recreational bottomfishing starting today by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Well, here’s more big news: the recreational bottomfish closure has been delayed until Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3.
That continuous sigh of relief you’re hearing is probably coming from everyone involved in the fishing business in Marine Areas 3 and 4.
Fish biologist Heather Reed said the state did some digging after announcing the closure Tuesday and obtained some new information that allowed them to extend the recently shortened bottomfish season.
The closure was intended to protect yelloweye rockfish, which are federally recognized as overfished, but also ended the fishing year for other rockfish species such as lingcod, Pacific cod and all other bottomfish.
In a phone call Thursday, Reed said the biggest contributing factors to delaying the closure were research projects that either didn’t occur or use as much yelloweye as expected, and June catch numbers being lower than anticipated.
It is actually illegal to retain yelloweye, but Reed said in a press release that anglers occasionally intercept yelloweye while going after other bottomfish, and that an early closure would help prevent yelloweye quotas established under a federal stock-building plan from being exceeded.
The bottomfish season will still end early, but the extension gives anglers five more weeks to have the overall ocean fishing experience the coast offers.
Salmon is currently the main reason anglers go to LaPush and Neah Bay, but getting bottomfish is also part of the pull.
“It’s super fishery,” Gary Grahn, owner of Olympic Anglers Guide Services (360-640-4819) in Forks, said. “A lot of people come out here just to fish.
“Bottomfish are a big bonus.”
Grahn, who also owns Riverview RV Park and Storage (360-374-3398) and sells fishing tackle, was certain he would see a drop in business, and he was irked that the state’s initial announcement came only two days before the scheduled closure.
“I’m doing much better now,” Grahn said after he learned about the extension.
Joey Lawrence, who has owned Big Salmon Resort (360-645-2374) in Neah Bay for 12 years and called the closure “most terrible news we’ve heard since I’ve owned this place,” expressed similar relief.
Before the extension, Randy Lato of All-Ways Fishing (360-374-2052) in LaPush was worried some customers would cancel the fishing trips they had scheduled with him.
He, too, was happy the bottomfish season will stay open longer, but found a way to look on the not-so-bright side.
“That’s great, even though I hate cleaning the damn things,” he said.
20-fathom rule
In 2010, the state imposed a 20-fathom restriction for fishing bottomfish that remains in effect.
The rule prohibited bottomfishing in water deeper than 20 fathoms, or 120 feet.
This regulation’s intent is to reduce the catch of rockfish from deeper water, because rockfish caught and released from deeper water suffer high rates of mortality.
Elwha hatchery comments
The public comment period for the state’s proposed plan for the Elwha River chinook hatchery program is Sunday, Aug. 5.
Since the comment period officially opened July 5, the state has only received about 10 comments.
Submit comments and questions to Jon Anderson by email at jon.anderson@dfw.wa.gov or mail to Jon Anderson, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501.
Courtesy of Anderson, here is a sampling of the comments received:
■ One recommended the hatchery program be shut down when the original gene pool salmon are sustainable from generation to generation.
It just so happens that this is the state’s intent for its program.
■ Three comments received said there should be no hatcheries on the Elwha.
■ Two addressed harvest objectives.
■ One asked if the state planned to move hatchery carcasses to the upper watershed.
■ One asked about the standards used to evaluate impacts on naturally-spawning fish.
The comments will be posted on the state’s website after the public period ends.
For more on the Elwha hatchery program, visit http://tinyurl.com/elwhahatchery.
Fly fishing class
Waters West will hold a Fly Fishing 101 class Saturday, Aug. 11.
This beginning class will teach anglers the basics of fly casting and fishing.
The class runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Pooh’s Pond.
The cost is $25, which includes the fee for the pond.
Waters West will provide all the necessary equipment.
For more information, visit http://waterswest.com/classes-clinics or call 360-417-0937.
Send photos, stories
Have a photograph, a fishing or hunting report, an anecdote about an outdoors experience or a tip on gear or technique?
Send it to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
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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 lee.horton@peninsuladailynews.com.
