COMPETITIVE FISHING OPPORTUNITIES are planned in LaPush and Port Angeles during the first weekend in October.
Out in LaPush, The Last Chance Salmon Derby, an annual event co-sponsored by the Quileute tribe, the City of Forks and the Forks Chamber of Commerce, is set Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3-4.
Tickets for the two-day event are $25 and are available now at the Quileute Marina in LaPush, Swain’s in Port Angeles, Forks Outfitters, Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks and the Forks Chamber of Commerce.
Tickets also will be available during the derby at the Quileute Marina.
The largest chinook will bring home a $500 first prize. The second-place king will earn $250 and the third-biggest $100.
Silvers also will earn prizes, with the angler landing the largest coho winning $500, and $250 and $100 for second and third place.
There also is $100 prize for the largest bottom fish caught.
All ticketholders also are eligible for a prize drawing that will be held on the dock at LaPush within an hour of the close of the derby on Oct. 4.
Coffee, donuts, and camaraderie are available in the Quileute Marina before and during the derby.
The derby was called off last year due to bad weather, only the second time in 13 years, the event was scuttled.
For more information, visit www.forkswa.com/salmonderby or phone 360-374-2531.
Builders’ derby
The third annual North Peninsula Building Association Fishing Derby is planned in Port Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Participants do not need to be an NPBA member to participate.
Cash prizes based on angler participation will be awarded to the three largest fish.
Additional raffle prize drawings are planned for all ticket holders.
Derby headquarters are the Port Angeles Yacht Club, 1305 Marine View Drive.
Fishing is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Anglers can buy tickets at the NPBA office in Sequim at 350 W. Washington St., Suite 3.
The association also will sell tickets outside Swain’s, 602 E. First St. in Port Angeles, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.
For more information, phone Diana Johnson or Eran Kennedy at 360-452-8160.
Boat ramp closed
Boaters planning on using the Fort Worden State Park boat ramp north of Port Townsend will need to seek out an alternative launch site.
The state Department of Parks and Recreation has indefinitely closed it to motorized vehicle launching due to a build-up of sand and driftwood.
This closure is for motorized launching only to prevent cars and trucks from getting stuck in the sand.
Non-motorized launching is still allowed.
Nearby alternative launch sites include Port Townsend Boat Haven Marina or the Herb Beck Marina in Quilcene; Sequim Bay State Park; and Fort Flagler State Park and Mystery Bay State Park on Marrowstone Island.
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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.
