EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated because the Marine Area 9 chinook fishery is not open this month. Only chum can be retained in Area 9. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife postponed the Area 9 chinook season in late October.
THERE’S NOT MUCH fishing to be done on the North Olympic Peninsula.
If you live in the eastern portion of the North Olympic Peninsula, you have options.
But everywhere else, the salt water is in between seasons and the rivers have too much water.
“To be honest, the rivers are so blown out, it’s hard to fish anywhere,” Eric Brenner of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim said Thursday.
The rivers are falling, however, so there is hope on the horizon.
“We’re probably a few days out, I’d assume,” Bob Aunspach of Swain’s General Store (360-452-2357) in Port Angeles said.
“Depending on what the weather does. The rivers are falling, but I’d say we’re still a couple, three days away.”
Aunspach said that the rivers might even be in fishing condition by Sunday, but, he added, “If we don’t add to it some torrential downpour.”
Otherwise, anglers have to prep for the blackmouth season, which opens in Marine Area 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca) on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Inlet and canal
Saltwater salmon fisheries remain open in Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) and Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal).
“Salmon fishing is still open in Hood Canal, but muddy fresh water from all the flooded rivers will push the chinook deep and make fishing difficult for at least a week,” Ward Norden, owner of Snapper Tackle Company and a former fishery biologist who lives in Quilcene, said.
“On the other hand, chum are still being hooked in good numbers by beach casters in front of the Hoodsport hatchery.”
Anglers can catch four salmon per day in Marine Area 12, but only two of those can be hatchery chinook — wild chinook must be released — and those must be at least 22 inches long.
In the Hoodsport Hatchery Zone, which is Waters within a 2,000-foot arc seaward of the yellow marker buoys at the mouth of Finch Creek, the hatchery chinook must beat at least 24 inches long.
If you’re fishing at the hatchery, be mindful of the private property on both sides. Consult the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for more specific details about the hatchery zone.
The Area 9 hatchery chinook fishery is not open this month, as indicated in the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s rule book. The state postponed the chinook season in late October due to the prevalence of juvenile chinook in Area 9. Only chum may be retained in Marine Area 9.
Trout in Leland
Lake fishing on Lake Leland also is an option. Not a great option, but an option nonetheless.
A lot of the 2,000 rainbow trout put into the lake in late September by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife are still hanging around.
“There are still quite a few trout in Lake Leland, even though it has been two months since the last plant,” Norden said.
“Fishing is much slower now as the lake gets colder. Mornings with heavy frost have not helped.”
White stuff
Snow is a divisive subject this time of year. Some want nothing more than a white Christmas, others would prefer palm trees and sunshine.
The Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club just wants some time on the slopes. The club is getting ready for the ski and snowboard season. All that’s needed is more snow.
The annual fundraiser for winter sports education at Hurricane Ridge, Winterfest, is this Saturday at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles.
Tickets are still available at Swain’s, Necessities & Temptations and Brown’s Outdoor, all in Port Angeles, and at Brian’s Sporting Goods in Sequim.
Tickets are $45 in advance. They also can be purchased at the door for $50.
Turkey trot
The fourth annual 5K Turkey Trot and Kids Dash is this Saturday at the Port Townsend boatyard trailhead of the Larry Scott Trail at 9 a.m.
The cost is $35 for the 5-kilometer run or walk and $10 for the kids dash.
Proceeds support Jumping Mouse Children’s Center and the Peninsula Trails Coalition.
For more information, contact Jenny Manza at 360-379-5109 or at jenny@jumpingmouse.org.
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Sports Editor Lee Horton, who is filling in for outdoors columnist Michael Carman, can be reached at 360-417-3525 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
