HALIBUT AND CHINOOK limits are possible for anglers fishing in the waters of marine areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay) on Saturday.
Yes, to use a favorite line of Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More, double whammy potential exists as the saltwater salmon season gets underway in earnest off the coast and the halibut season comes to a close.
Halibut also is open in marine areas 5-10 for those interested in their final flatfish of 2018.
La Push and Neah Bay will be open daily for salmon beginning Saturday and the season will run until the catch quota is eaten up or Sept. 3, whichever comes first.
Anglers should take note of the drastic reduction in chinook catch quota. My bet is the chinook quota is exhausted well in advance of Labor Day.
Fewer chinook salmon are expected to make their way through Washington’s ocean waters this year as compared to 2017, said Wendy Beeghley, a fishery manager with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
Beeghley said the agency anticipates a return of coho fairly similar to last year’s return.
The recreational chinook catch quota this year is 27,500 fish, which is 17,500 fewer fish than 2017’s quota of 45,000. Meanwhile, the coho quota is 42,000 fish, the same as in 2017.
In Marine Area 4, anglers will be allowed to retain two salmon, only one of which can be a chinook.
Anglers fishing in Marine Area 3 will have a two-salmon daily limit. In all marine areas, anglers must release wild coho.
Canal shrimping
Hood Canal shrimpers will get one more shot at a limit of all shrimp species Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sufficient recreational spot shrimp quota remains for one last window of shrimping.
Marine Area 6, excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District, remains open to spot, coonstripe and pink shrimp.
Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) is closed to spot shrimp, but remains open for coonstripe and pink shrimp.
Salmon seminar Thursday
Expert area angler Rick Wray will present a chinook fishing seminar in Sequim at Brian’s Sporting Goods and More, 609 W. Washington St., No. 21, next to J.C. Penney, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
The cost of the seminar is $20.
Attendees will learn tips and techniques intended to boost their catch when salmon season opens July 1 in Marine Area 5 (Sekiu), July 3 in Marine Area 6 and July 16 in Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet).
“Rick will cover how to mooch, jig and troll for chinooks,” Menkal said. “He will tell you where and when to go, how to rig up and what tides to go fishing.
“He’ll bring his boat into the lot and show off some techniques as well. Rick is one of those rare guys not worried about sharing his knowledge. Most fishermen of his caliber they keep that to themselves.”
Menkal stressed that the same techniques used for catching kings also apply to coho which will open up later this summer.
RSVP’s are requested, phone Brian’s at 360-683-1950 to let them know you plan to go.
Streamkeepers training
Streamkeepers, Clallam County’s volunteer stream monitoring program, is seeking new volunteers to help collect stream health data, perform data entry and analysis and conduct education and outreach.
New volunteers join existing stream teams and perform stream monitoring and other stewardship activities, on streams throughout the county — or provide other kinds of program support, both outdoors and indoors.
Streamkeepers’ annual training will take place in July and consist of a couple of evening sessions and a field day, scheduled around the availability of trainees.
Volunteers will learn how watersheds provide services to fish, wildlife, and people; what threatens our watersheds; and why and how we monitor them. No previous experience or special equipment is required.
If you’d like to participate, call 360-417-2281 or email streamkeepers@co.clallam.wa.us. For more information, visit www.clallam.net/SK.
Dig for Dinner
The public can learn about harvesting oysters and several clam species during a Digging for Dinner-Dosewallips event at Dosewallips State Park in Brinnon on Friday, July 27.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and is offered by the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife with sponsorship from the Washington State University Jefferson County Extension and the state Parks Department.
Fish and wildlife staffers will discuss harvesting and shucking oysters, different types of clams, how to harvest safely and sustainably, how to prepare and cook shellfish and basic rules and regulations.
After learning how to do dig for dinner, attendees will have the chance to do just that on the park’s tidelands.
Attendees over the age of 14 will need a shellfish license, boots and digging tools.
The event is free, but a $10 donation will help support future marine education programs.
Registration is required and can be made at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3501318.
