THROW A DASH of Febreze on those waders.
Salmon are entering North Olympic Peninsula rivers in droves, and they’re not exactly enamored with your funk.
No doubt, the dozens of other anglers wandering the river would appreciate the sentiment as well.
Now that the time of combat angling is upon us, here’s a few other tips I’ll throw your way:
■ Respect my space — We stand shoulder to shoulder when it comes to protecting the rights and dignity of humankind.
That doesn’t mean we should have to rub elbows while tossing a few corkies into one particularly productive portion of the Dungeness River: aka, the Meat Hole.
■ First come, first serve — The early bird gets the worm, and the early angler gets rights to whatever fishing hole he pleases.
Sorry, I was here before you were, and I can bogart this hole as much as I like.
■ Litter, and make me bitter — There was a time when I didn’t give a second thought to throwing trash out the window of my car . . . when I was 12.
Please, pack out your garbage and discarded fishing line. And if you need to visit the little boys’ room for an extended stay, please do so off the premises.
I have to step over enough fallen logs as it is.
■ Do share — I’m not going to say you need to tell me everything, but a little river bank back and forth is part of the fishing covenant.
I remember standing next to one West End angler as he lied through his teeth to a group of unsuspecting strangers inquiring about a Peninsula fishery.
Defensible? Perhaps. But there comes a time when everyone has questions that need to be answered.
Just remember that the next time you draw a not-so-accurate map to a “secret” hole.
Trout time?
Everyone loves a nice leisurely day on the lake.
Believe it or not, that can actually come during the wet and weary winter months.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced it will plant hundreds of jumbo rainbow trout into three Jefferson County lakes (Gibbs, Leland and Teal) by the end of this week.
Gibbs (slated to get 555 jumbos) and Teal (getting 225) each received a smattering of the fish last week, and more are on the way, according to Mark Downen, Fish and Wildlife district fish biologist.
“The lakes that are being stocked are open year-round and provide anglers a great fall and winter trout fishing opportunity,” Downen said.
“Some of the jumbo rainbow trout will continue to grow and be available to anglers next spring as well.”
It should be noted that Gibbs and Teal can only be fished with selective gear, with Gibbs strictly catch and release for trout.
Information on when and where fish are stocked is available at http://tinyurl.com/44cnt52.
Outdoor expo
As I noted in this space two weeks ago, the annual Winterfest fundraiser for the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club is taking on a new look this year.
That begins this Saturday with the Hurricane Ridge Gear Swap and Olympic Peninsula Outdoor Sports Expo at Port Angeles High School, 304 E. Park Ave.
In years past, the Ski Swap had been held the same weekend as Winterfest, but this season the club decided to split the two events up.
The gear swap and outdoor sports expo will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the high school this Saturday, with admission $3 per person or $7 for a family pass.
There will be two showings of a Warren Miller ski and snowboard film that night at 6 and 8 at the high school auditorium. Admission is $10.
Anyone is welcome to drop off equipment and clothing for sale between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. the day of the swap/outdoor expo.
Kitsap Sports will be on hand to offer boot fittings and fittings for season rental packages (skis, snowboards and boots).
The Silverdale-based shop will also take skis and boards for tuning and waxing, with the finished product eventually being picked up and delivered to patrons by Hurricane Ridge Ski Team members.
Winterfest is set for Saturday, Nov. 19, at Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St., in Port Angeles.
For more information, visit hurricaneridge.com.
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Matt Schubert is the outdoors and sports columnist for the Peninsula Daily News. His column regularly appears on Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at matt.schubert@peninsuladailynews.com.
