HATCHERY COHO, MANY still bright silver, continue to be landed by anglers fishing the Dungeness River.
“I’ve got guys coming in that are getting fish and they are still pretty bright, pretty decent,” Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim said.
“The first two weeks of the Dungeness fishery the color is really good. Around the first of November, they start getting a little dark on top and then it starts slowing down from there.”
Forgive those coho if they don’t bite your spinner or plug, they’ve got serious business to attend to.
Menkal said the heavy rains of recent years haven’t just altered the course of the river, they’ve changed how he fishes the Dungeness.
“I fished the one little hole there at Dungeness River Park,” Menkal said.
“That same stretch used to have three or four holes, and now its almost like solid rapids.”
For the best, but also the most crowded, shot at a silver, head up near the Dungeness Hatchery.
“The hatchery hole is a good, productive spot, but it’s busy,” Menkal said.
So if combat fishing is not your style and you prefer a little isolation, avoid that stretch.
Blackmouth limit
Here’s a new one for me: the state Department of Fish and Wildlife has reduced a bag limit before a season has even opened.
Fish and Wildlife reduced the hatchery chinook limit from two fish to one in Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) for the upcoming fall and winter blackmouth fishery. Two salmon may be kept, but all coho and wild kings must be released.
The department said it is modifying these fisheries to try to stay within the agreed to number of encounters, increasing the likelihood of providing season-long fisheries. The state said it consulted with its Puget Sound sportfishing advisors in making this change.
Marine Area 9 will open Tuesday for a month-long hatchery chinook, chum and sockeye season. That fishery will close Nov. 30 and then reopen under the same guidelines from Jan. 16 through April 30.
Fish and Wildlife will continue to monitor and evaluate these marine area fisheries.
No razor digs
Elevated marine toxin levels have canceled a razor clam dig scheduled to start today at Twin Harbors.
State shellfish managers already scratched a dig at Long Beach – that was also scheduled to start today – due to elevated levels of domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae. The toxin can be harmful or even fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities.
Fish and Wildlife has tentatively scheduled the next opening to start on Nov. 12 with potential digging opportunities on four ocean beaches.
Final approval will depend on the results of toxin tests that will occur about a week before the dig is scheduled to begin.
Weather and Forecasting Clinic
Ray Mahalic, of the North Olympic Sail and Power Squadron, will present “Basic Weather and Forecasting” at Sunland Golf and Country Club, 135 Fairway Drive in Sequim, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 5.
The clinic is free and open to the public.
Mahalic will help attendees understand how to forecast and prepare for weather, whether you’re in a kayak, trawler, sailboat, or schooner.
For more information on this clinic or other classes offered by the North Olympic Sail and Power squadron, phone Mike Witkin at 360-457-1082, or visit www.northolympicboaters.com.
Recreational fish committee
Fish and Wildlife is seeking members to serve on a committee that oversees the Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries Enhancement program.
People interested in serving on the 10-member Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries Enhancement Oversight Committee have through Nov. 11 to apply.
Key responsibilities of the program are to restore and enhance recreational fisheries in Puget Sound, ensure the productivity of sustainable populations of salmon and marine bottomfish, and promote recreational fishing opportunities.
For more information, visit tinyurl.com/PDN-Committee, or phone Ryan Lothrop at 360-902-2808 or Laurie Peterson at 360-902-2790.
River fishing class
Menkal will offer another two-part Introduction to Salmon and Steelhead River Fishing course at his store, 609 W. Washington St., No. 21 in Sequim, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday with part two following at the same time Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Menkal knows a ton of tips, tricks and locations and offers the course for $35 per person.
To reserve a space, phone 360-683-1950.
