THAT UNFAMILIAR ORANGE orb you see in the sky?
I’ve been told that’s what men from earlier times once called the “sun.”
Some say that if you look at it for extended periods of time, it will actually damage your eyes.
Since I can’t remember the last time I actually had the opportunity, I’ve been unable to confirm this.
Still, I’d choose to err on the side of caution.
One other rumor regarding this supposed sun: if it stays out long enough, and brings with it this sensation called “warmth,” lake fishing tends to perk up around these parts.
Could it be that the North Olympic Peninsula is on the verge of experiencing such an unheard of phenomenon? Perhaps.
After all, we are looking at a potential heat wave of consecutive 50-degree days.
Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim has decided to take a wait-and-see approach.
“It all depends on how warm it gets,” Menkal said.
“We need a week or two of warm temperatures to get the lakes to warm up. It’s just going to take a while because it’s been so cold.”
Indeed, Mother Nature has been a little clingy in regards to winter this year.
Maybe she has a thing for Jack Frost? Maybe she’s just one cold mama.
Whatever the case, lake anglers are getting a late jump on things across the Peninsula this spring.
There are also several lakes scheduled to receive trout plants in the coming weeks, all in preparation for the upcoming lowland lakes opener.
Among those that have already been infused with a few hundred hatchery rainbows are Leland and Teal lakes in Jefferson County, both of which are open year-round.
Menkal said he hadn’t heard much noise coming out of Leland, but there has been a few success stories at Teal.
“If you’re a fly fisherman, go to Teal,” he said. “That’s where all the action seems to be right now.”
As for the spin reel set, “If you’re going out to the lakes right now, you’d probably be better off trolling gear toward the bottom . . . using salmon eggs, worms or power bait right off the bottom.”
Sutherland, Wentworth and Beaver lakes also are open out in Clallam County.
Neither has produced much buzz, but that may change soon enough with all this sunshine.
Several other lakes across the Peninsula will open to fishing next Saturday, April 30.
Look for a more detailed season preview in next Thursday’s outdoors column.
Salty outlook
Live in the present my dear Peninsulites.
Rather than focus on the upcoming halibut season, which doesn’t begin until May 5 in parts of the Peninsula, head to the coast and get in on what has been a notably good lingcod fishery.
“There was a lot of fish around [during last weekend’s lingcod opener in Area 4],” Joey Lawrence of Big Salmon Resort (360-645-2374) in Neah Bay said.
“Most of the guys that came out did really well in the [Strait of Juan de Fuca] . . . between Seal Rock and Sail Rock and Slant Rock. Just about everyone who went out limited.
“One of the charter boats, he limited daily, and he was fishing on the outside of the Straits with the bigger limit.”
Most of the lingcod that were brought to the docks were just above the minimum size, according to Lawrence, ranging from 24 to 28 inches.
A series of minus tides made things a bit difficult this week, but conditions are expected to improve in time for Saturday.
“It should be another good weekend of fishing,” Lawrence said.
Halibut season is set to begin May 5 in Area 6 (eastern Strait) and 9 (Admiralty Inlet).
Both areas will open Thursdays through Saturdays during the month of May, with the lone exception coming Memorial Day weekend when fishing will be open Thursday through Sunday.
Areas 3 and 4 will open May 12, two days per week on Thursdays and Saturdays through May 21.
Area 5 (Sekiu) is set to open May 26 through June 18 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Springers sprung?
An angler might be inclined to start going after spring chinook this time of year.
It’s late April, the steelhead run is at its tail end, and the idea of a sprightly springer starts to sound awfully good.
Unfortunately, that angler is probably jumping the gun just a little bit, according to Bob Gooding of Olympic Sporting Goods (360-374-6330) in Forks
“You’ll run into them, but it’s not like there’s a crowd of them in there,” Gooding said.
“There’s enough around to make it interesting, but to target them . . you’re fishing a pretty skinny barrel.”
Yes, as late as we are into spring, anglers are still better off going after steelhead.
It wouldn’t be a complete waste of time, either.
The Sol Duc and Bogachiel are still spitting out a few here and there, and the Calawah might have a few swimming around as well.
Although, given the recent spat of sunshine, the latter might be a little skinny for some tastes.
Also . . .
■ Swain’s General Store will be holding a free halibut fishing seminar next Friday, April 29, at its Port Angeles shop.
The seminar will run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with the focus on halibut feeding habits and how anglers can take advantage of them.
■ Washington Trails Association will gather an all-day volunteer work party at Peabody Creek Trail on Tuesday.
Volunteers must pre-register 48 hours in advance. To do so, contact Washington Trails at 206-625-1367 or visit www.wta.org.
■ Admiralty Audubon’s David Beatty will lead a field trip through the woods of Fort Worden State Park this Saturday at 9 a.m.
Hikers will be out and back in 2½ hours, enough time to meet at the Commons parking lot and take a loop road to the bluffs in search of woodland brush and conifer bird species.
To participate in the trip, contact Beatty at djb38@olypen.com.
■ Olympic National Park is looking for volunteers to help monitor the status of Olympic marmots within park boundaries.
Groups will visit designated survey areas to gather information about population abundance and distribution.
Volunteers must be capable of hiking to and camping in remote areas, be comfortable navigating off trail and be able to work on steep slopes.
Application deadline is May 1. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/48pw4jx.
■ Waters West Fly Fishing Outfitters will host an introductory fly tying class at its Port Angeles shop at 140 W. Front St. next month.
The four-session class will meet on successive Tuesday nights starting May 3 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with the focus on trout nymphs, streamers and dry flies.
All tools and materials can be provided. To sign up, call 360-417-0937 or email info@waterswest.com.
■ Dungeness River Audubon Center will host a six-week beginning birding class starting May 3.
Taught by River Center volunteer and newspaper columnist Dave Jackson, the class will meet six straight Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the River Center, 2151 Hendrickson Road.
The cost is $40 for River Center partners and $60 for non-members.
To register, contact the River Center at 360-681-4076.
■ The Klahhane Club is taking on new members for its year-round hiking group on the Peninsula.
Hikers must do four “get acquainted” hikes, meet a sponsor for the membership application and complete six “qualifying” hikes within six months of applying.
Dues are $12 annually — $9 if you receive the newsletter via computer — with a one-time initiation fee of $13.
For more information, visit klahhaneclub.org.
■ Spot shrimp season begins May 7 throughout the Peninsula.
Hood Canal will open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 7, 11, 14 and 25, while Discovery Bay will open May 7, 11 and 14 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5, and 6 open daily beginning May 7 at 7 a.m.
There will also be openers in Area 9 on May 7 and May 11 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Send photos, stories
Want your event listed in the outdoors column?
Have a fishing or hunting report, an anecdote about an outdoors experience or a tip on gear or technique, why not share it with our readers?
Send it to me, Matt Schubert, Sports Department, Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362; phone, 360-417-3526; fax, 360-417-3521; email matt.schubert @peninsuladailynews.com.
