YES, ANGLERS, THERE will be a Port Angeles Salmon Club-sponsored halibut derby over Memorial Day weekend this year.
Tickets for that $20,000 extravaganza are $40 and will go on sale Monday, March 16, at Swain’s General Store and Jerry’s Bait & Tackle in Port Angeles, and Brian’s Sporting Goods and More in Sequim.
I’ll have the complete rundown before ticket sales begin for this, the 15th annual halibut derby, in an upcoming outdoors column.
Salmon Club member Scooter Chapman did mention that this could be the derby’s final year.
His opinion is based on how the International Pacific Halibut Commission divvies up the halibut allotment and how the state Department of Fish and Wildlife uses that dispersal to set the halibut season next year.
There has been talk of moving to a general season structure and bag limit for halibut starting next year.
Geoduck derby set
I firmly believe the best thing about Brinnon is the Geoduck Restaurant and Lounge, aka the Geoduck Tavern.
Situated above mud flats leading to Hood Canal, the Geoduck is a funky roadhouse where you can sit and enjoy a hamburger french dip and an adult beverage while taking in some of the area’s wildlife.
The above statement applies equally to man or beast.
If you are ever on a trip to or from Olympia or other points south, the Geoduck is a wonderful place for a pit stop.
Next Saturday and Sunday, the Geoduck will host its annual salmon derby, A Hood Canal-centered fishing experience.
Entry fee is $15, payable at the Geoduck at 307103 U.S. Highway 101 or by phone at 360-796-4430.
Anglers can fish the Hood Canal south of the Hood Canal Bridge, and must have their catch weighed and registered at the Geoduck by 4 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday.
The biggest salmon will net a $400 first prize, second place gets $300 and the third-place fish will bring home $200.
Saturday’s biggest salmon will earn a $100 bonus prize.
As long as wind and waves aren’t an issue, the Geoduck Derby offers options for small-boat anglers.
“The Murray [aka Geoduck] Derby is the last that I know of the old-style derbies where an angler in a rowboat or kayak can do well,” said Ward Norden, a fishing tackle wholesaler and former fishery biologist who lives in Quilcene.
“Although, I would at least recommend an electric trolling motor in the rowboat like I used to.”
An awards ceremony begins back at the Geoduck at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Anglers must be present at the ceremony to win, so no cutting out early.
Prizes donated by area merchants will be given away at the ceremony.
Razor clam digs
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife approved an eight-day clam dig starting Monday
Upcoming digs are scheduled on the following dates, beaches and low tides:
■ Monday: 4:49 p.m., 0.5 feet — Long Beach and Twin Harbors.
■ Tuesday: 5:26 p.m., 0.4 feet — Long Beach and Twin Harbors.
■ Wednesday: 5:59 p.m., 0.4 feet — Long Beach and Twin Harbors.
■ Thursday: 6:30 p.m., 0.5 feet — Long Beach and Twin Harbors.
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 2014-15 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach.
Licenses can be purchased from fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.
A nine-day dig beginning March 16 has been tentatively approved.
This includes a seasonal switch to morning tides starting March 21.
Salmon setting
Anglers, commercial fishers and others interested in the state salmon fisheries can get a public preview of this year’s salmon returns and a glance at potential fishing seasons during a public meeting Tuesday in Olympia.
Fish and Wildlife will present initial forecasts compiled by state and tribal biologists of 2015 salmon returns.
The meeting is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street S.E., in Olympia.
Attendees can speak with fishery managers about the preseason forecasts and participate in work sessions focusing on conservation issues and possible salmon fisheries.
There are other public meetings that focus on regional salmon issues planned through early April.
These meetings are known as the North of Falcon process and include representatives from federal, state and tribal governments and recreational and commercial fishing industries
For more on the process, visit tinyurl.com/PDN-NorthofFalcon.
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.
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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.
