LOW RIVERS JUST won’t do.
The Hoh River, however, is about to start doing.
The state department of Fish and Wildlife will close fishing in the Quillayute River system starting Saturday.
Affected rivers are the Sol Duc, Bogachiel, Calawah, Dickey rivers and all their tributaries, and the Quillayute River from the confluence of the Sol Duc and Bogachiel downstream 475 yards to fluorescent orange paint on the rocks.
These rivers will be closed to all fishing.
The closures are needed to protect wild chinook and coho.
The state said in a news release that low water and higher than normal water temperatures are causing a delay in migration and increasing stress on wild salmon returning to the Quillayute system, making them more vulnerable to fishing pressure.
These problems are expected to persist until stream flows increase.
According to the state, the Quileute tribe also will close its fishery for two weeks, after which it will re-assess the situation on the rivers.
Hoh-pening
Remember when the Hoh River closed to fishing in early June?
Well, that closure is scheduled to expire today, meaning hatchery steelhead fishing can begin again Saturday.
But the fishing won’t be easy.
“It’s going to have the same problem with water flows,” Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim said.
Menkal said he caught a fish this past weekend on the Calawah, taking advantage of temporary rise in water level.
Unfortunately, Menkal said, “They’re dropping right back down.”
Scoring in Sekiu
The chinook harvest is finally heating up in Sekiu (Marine Area 5).
“It’s been kind of slow until yesterday,” Brandon Mason, the new owner of Olson’s Resort (360-963-2311) in Sekiu, said Thursday.
“The kings are starting to roll in now.
“A lot of 20-pound-plus fish coming in, so that was great. We had a lot in the upper teens, too.”
One of these big fish, a 22.9-pounder, was reeled in by the persistent John Bowerman of Joyce.
“He said he waited the whole month to catch that fish,” Mason said.
Wednesday’s success continued Thursday.
“They’re coming up the dock this morning with some nice ones also, so that’s good to see,” Mason said.
With king fishing closing in Neah Bay this weekend, and LaPush’s chinook harvest limited to one per day, Sekiu seems like the place to be this weekend.
And word is traveling fast.
“With all the technology, fishermen can call or text their friends, tell them, ‘Don’t come. It’s doggy,’” Mason said.
“Now they’re calling and telling them to get to Sekiu.
“It’s amazing how fast these fisherman get on the phone with their buddies.”
The chinook season runs through Saturday, Aug. 15, in Sekiu.
Pinks also are being caught in good numbers, and there are some early coho are showing up.
“Some. Not a lot,” he said.
Menkal said there pinks near Sequim, too.
“There’s a lot of activity in Sequim Bay and Dungeness Bay, people are fishing from the beach for pinks,” he said.
Bear hunt
Black bear hunting season begins Saturday throughout the North Olympic Peninsula.
“Hunting windows are about half an hour after first shooting light, and in the evening before your sights are no longer visible,” Ward Norden, a fishing tackle wholesaler and former fishery biologist who lives in Quilcene, said.
“The bears are going to be thirsty like the rest of us this weekend, so berry patches near lakes and streams that have cool shade nearby will be the first place to watch.
“This year the bears, like deer, will be attracted by moist greenery such as people’s gardens.”
Hunters may use any lawful big game modern firearm, archery or muzzleloader equipment. Using hounds and bait is not allowed.
The black bear hunt lasts through Nov. 15.
Leland too warm
The campground at Lake Leland will reopen Saturday for the first time in a few years.
Leland is one of the best fishing lakes on the Peninsula, if not the best, but the warm water is having an impact.
“Lake Leland has been good for perch, but is way too warm for any serious trout fishing, as water approaches 80 degrees top to bottom in all but the deepest parts of the lake fed by cold springs,” Norden said.
“Bass fishing is an early morning or late evening show, but with the current bright moon all night, evenings around sunset are best.
“Catfish will certainly be biting, but I haven’t seen anyone trying for them in the evening, and I haven’t had a chance to get out myself.”
Kids derby
The Clallam Bay-Sekiu Lions Club will hold a free kids salmon derby on the last day of chinook fishing, Saturday, Aug. 15.
The derby is open to kids ages 5-14.
Register at Olson’s Resort and Van Riper’s Resort, beginning at 5:30 a.m.
Weigh-in is at both resorts at noon.
There will be special prizes for first, second and third place, but all kids who participate will receive a prize of some sort.
There also will be hot dogs and refreshments following weigh-in.
Riving fishing class
Menkal is offering his two-part salmon and steelhead class beginning next Tuesday.
He’ll share tips on strategy, setups, equipment and timing. He also will provide maps of some of the top river fishing locations on the Peninsula.
The classes are Tuesday, Aug. 4, and Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The cost is $25. Phoning (360-683-1950) in advance to reserve a spot is recommended.
Brian’s Sporting Goods and More is located at 609 W. Washington St., #21.
Send photos, stories
Have a photograph, a fishing or hunting report, an anecdote about an outdoors experience or a tip on gear or technique?
Send it to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
________
Sports Editor Lee Horton, who is filling in for a vacationing Michael Carman, can be reached at 360-417-3525 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
