IT’S IMPORTANT TO always have something to look forward to.
The reality of having no more Seahawks games to enjoy, or more accurately, worry about for a week, then agonizingly fret over for the 3½-hour duration of the contest, has sunk in.
I’d imagine West End rivers will feel the effect caused by playoff elimination starting this Sunday.
With no Seahawks game to watch anglers may search for steelhead in an effort to forget about another disappointing end to the football season.
At least it wasn’t the Super Bowl this time around.
A chance to learn some tips in advance of next fall’s steelhead rule changes comes tonight in Sequim.
Forks’ Bob Kratzer, owner of Anglers Guide Service and Alaska Kingfishers, will speak at the meeting of the North Olympic Peninsula Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers.
The meeting will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., with viewing of raffle items and visiting at 6:30 p.m. and Kratzer’s talk at 7 p.m.
Kratzer will discuss catching steelhead with alternative baits.
Restrictions on the use of bait will hit the West End later this year.
Kratzer said not everyone has access to lots of eggs for curing, so he will share alternatives and take-home recipes.
Kratzer guides on the West End rivers in the fall, Alaska in the early summer and southwest Washington rivers in the late summer and fall.
He’s also a member of the North Coast Steelhead Advisory Group and will be able to answer questions on the process that led to the new rules.
Refreshments, a raffle and a $50 membership drawing also are planned.
For information, visit www.psanopc.org or www.facebook.com/psanopc.
Razor clam dig
A week’s worth of razor clam digs begin today at Long Beach, coupled with a one-day dig at Copalis Beach on Friday.
The department is limiting razor clam digging at Copalis to help ensure the beach will have openings throughout the spring, said Dan Ayres, the coastal shellfish manager for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“Over the last few openings, we had a concentrated effort at Copalis Beach, where we’ve harvested one-third of our annual quota already,” Ayres said.
The digs are set for the following dates and low tides:
■ Today: 4:49 p.m., -0.4 feet, Long Beach.
■ Friday: 5:35 p.m., -0.7 feet, Long Beach and Copalis.
■ Saturday: 6:16 p.m., -0.8 feet, Long Beach.
■ Sunday: 6:54 p.m., -0.7 feet, Long Beach.
■ Monday: 7:31 p.m., -0.4 feet, Long Beach.
■ Tuesday: 8:05 p.m., 0.0 feet, Long Beach.
■ Wednesday: 8:39 p.m., 0.5 feet, Long Beach.
The best digging typically occurs one to two hours before low tide.
Under state law, diggers can take 15 razor clams per day and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2015-16 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach.
Boat safety course
An intensive boat safety course will be offered soon by Point Wilson Sail & Power Squadron.
The group will present a nine-hour boating seamanship and safety course on three Thursday nights in February at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, 42 Water St., Lower Port Hadlock.
The course takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Feb. 11, 18 and 25.
This is an approved course for qualifying for the Washington state boater’s education card, which is mandatory for boaters born after Jan. 1, 1955 who operate a 15-horsepower engine or more on a power or sailing vessel.
Course topics range from safety issues for sail and power boats, navigational rules and seamanship, and an introduction to piloting.
Passing a short written test given at the end of the class is required.
To register, or for more information, phone Linda Newland at 360-437-9350.
Cost is $45, and family member discounts are available.
The U.S. Power Squadron is a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching boaters to safely navigate and operate their vessels.
Derby tickets on sale
The Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby will be held Feb. 19-21, the weekend following President’s Day weekend, for the second straight year.
The derby, which features 500 square miles of fishing territory, five weigh stations and a $10,000 first prize, is part of the Northwest Marine Trade Association’s Northwest Salmon Derby Series.
Tickets are $40 for one day or all three days when purchased at various North Olympic Peninsula outdoors stores, including Swain’s General Store in Port Angeles, Brian’s Sporting Goods in Sequim and Four Corners Store and the Fishin’ Hole in Port Townsend
See the complete list of locations selling tickets at www.gardinersalmonderby.org.
Tickets also can be purchased online for $42.50 through that same website.
All ticket sales end Wednesday, Feb. 17. No tickets will be sold at weigh stations during the derby.
Thanks to donations, there also are tickets available at no cost for Wounded Warriors. See the website for more information.
The event spans much of the north Olympic Peninsula, with weigh stations at Freshwater Bay, Ediz Hook in Port Angeles, John Wayne Marina in Sequim, Gardiner Beach and Port Townsend Boat Haven.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Gardiner Boat Ramp on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 3 p.m., which is an hour later than in previous years.
The ceremony also will include a cash prize raffle and a free barbecue, which will start at noon.
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Outdoors columnist Michael Carman appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
