THE YEAR 2015 has apparently used up its quota of wet weather, because it’s coming to a dry conclusion.
And that is great news for anglers.
Steelhead have been in the rivers of the North Olympic Peninsula, but the rivers haven’t been fishable.
That is changing.
“The rivers are going to start dropping,” Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim said.
“It should be a good time to get out there and do some steelheading.”
Menkal said anglers should encounter the end of the winter hatchery run this weekend, and maybe even some early wild steelhead.
If you’re itching to test your fishing skills against a steelhead, then scratch that itch this weekend, because there’s no telling how long this stretch of nice weather will last.
“Take advantage of this break right now,” Menkal said.
“The weather’s been so floody all the time. Now’s your window to get out there.
“It’s important to be Johnny-on-the-spot. You can’t count on the weather.”
Crab concludes today
The winter crab harvest ends today at 5 p.m. throughout Clallam County.
If you’re reading this while eating your breakfast, it might not be too late.
“Get them out in early in the day, and see what you can get,” Menkal said.
Those in Jefferson County still have some time to pull up some crab, thanks to an extension of the sport season in Hood Canal (Marine Area 12) and part of Admiralty Inlet (Marine Area 9) due to an abundance of crab, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced last week.
The season in those areas will remain open through Feb. 28.
The portion of Admiralty Inlet that will remain open is north of the Hood Canal Bridge to the Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point line. The rest of Area 9 closes today.
Whether you harvested crab this year or not, if you purchased a crab endorsement, you’re required to submit a catch report to the state by Feb. 1.
“Catch data submitted by crabbers plays an important role in managing the Puget Sound crab fishery,” Rich Childers, state shellfish policy lead, said in a news release.
“We need to hear from everyone who was issued a winter catch card — including from those who didn’t catch any crab.”
Catch record cards can be submitted by mail or through the state’s licensing website. The mailing address is WDFW CRC Unit, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.
The online reporting system is available Friday through Feb. 1 at www.tinyurl.com/PDN-CrabCatch.
Crabbers will not be required to record crab on catch cards for January and February for Hood Canal or the open section of Marine Area 9.
They must, however, have a current shellfish license in their possession. The state will conduct field-based surveys to estimate the recreational catch in Hood Canal and Admiralty Inlet for January and February.
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Sports Editor Lee Horton, who is filling in for outdoors columnist Michael Carman, who is off this week. He can be reached at 360-417-3525 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
