The far edge of Marine Area 6 may have been one of the better spots for last week’s halibut fishing opener.
“Rumor has it McCurdy Point near Port Townsend was red hot for halibut last week before the winds kicked up,” Quilcene tackle maker Ward Norden said. “Several boat limits came in. Part of the rumor is that someone caught a 6-footer, approximately 200 pounds, there as well. The fish checkers showed a 25 percent success rate in many places. That is good fishing.”
If any readers know more about that potential barn door, my contact info follows at the end of the column.
McCurdy Point is on the western side of the Quimper Peninsula, on the west side of Point Wilson if launching out of Port Townsend. It also is directly east of the usually productive halibut fishing areas near Protection Island.
And it’s next to Glass Beach, which was one of the first city dumps in Port Townsend, so maybe there’s something to fishing near garbage dumps — Neah Bay’s Garbage Dump is a well-traveled location close to shore for ocean-going halibut anglers.
Find an old dump site, keep bumping bottom and find a flatfish.
Lakes planted
Lake Leland received its customary spring trout plant Monday, a total of 7,000 smaller rainbow trout from the Eels Spring Hatchery.
Norden saw plenty of dimples at the surface of the lake when he visited Wednesday.
Earlier this month, Jefferson County’s Silent Lake received just less than 600 rainbows, and Tarboo Lake had about 1,100 rainbows planted.
For youth anglers 14 and younger, trout plants have continued through the month at Sequim’s Carrie Blake Park.
Special hunt permits
Hunters can submit special hunt applications hrough May 26 for 2021 deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep and fall turkey seasons.
The state Fish and Wildlife Department will conduct a random drawing from this year’s applicants to select 2021 permit winners in June. Hunters with a special permit gain the opportunity to hunt at special times or places authorized by a general hunting license.
To apply for a deer or elk special permit, hunters must first buy a hunting license before applying with their preferred hunt choices. Applicants for mountain goat, moose and bighorn sheep do not need to buy a license before they apply.
For instructions on applying and for more information, head to page 16 of the 2021 Big Game Hunting Pamphlet available at www.eregulations.com/washington/hunting or at license dealers.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or mcarman@peninsuladaily news.com.
