BLACKMOUTH ANGLERS ARE the hardy sort, willing to wait out storms and squalls for small windows of fishing opportunities during the cold months of winter and early spring.
So Monday’s shuttering of Marine Area 6 (East Juan de Fuca Strait) for hatchery chinook is a burden and a bother, but not a complete end for Port Angeles and Sequim anglers.
The closure, another in a line of in-season shutdowns handed down by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, kept Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) open.
And Marine Area 5 (Sekiu) opened last Tuesday for blackmouth with a two-fish limit for hatchery chinook.
Glenn Teeter of Van Riper’s Resort (360-963-2334) in Sekiu has been sending early arriving anglers out to fish the caves just west of Sekiu Point.
“Just right off outside the caves out here,” Teeter said.
“That seems to be a pretty popular spot. Most guys are mooching with cut-plug herring.”
Water conditions haven’t been great due to the recent rainstorm that Teeter said dumped more than an inch of rain.
“With the water conditions being so murky and muddy it’s going to be a couple of days before it’s back to normal,” Teeter said.
He’s optimistic that anglers from Marine Area 6 will head his way starting Monday.
“I would think the folks that want to continue fishing that are from the Port Angeles and Sequim area would make the drive,” Teeter said.
“I would think so and I would hope so.
“Once people start catching fish, once that word gets out, I think they’ll come.”
Teeter said Van Riper’s also has a couple of rooms remaining for the halibut opener on Saturday, May 7.
Forks steelhead meeting
The city of Forks will host a community discussion on the importance of steelhead to the West End on Thursday, March 10.
The meeting will be held at the Rainforest Arts Center, 35 N. Forks Ave.
Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the event starts at 3 p.m.
Anglers, guides, business owners and interested citizens all are invited to discuss the importance of wild and hatchery steelhead to the community.
Comments will be provided by the city of Forks, Quileute Natural Resources, Hoh Natural Resources and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Attendees will then discuss the role steelhead play in the region and work in small groups to understand the current status of steelhead and how to address gaps in information.
For more information, phone Forks city attorney/planner Rod Fleck at 360-374-5412.
More beaches open
A pair of short razor clam digs are set to begin Friday at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches.
Additionally, Long Beach remains open to clam digging on afternoon or evening tides through March 10.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife approved a Friday and Saturday opening at Copalis, and a Friday through Sunday dig at Mocrocks on evening tides after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.
Digging is not allowed on any beach before noon.
The upcoming dig at is scheduled on the following dates, beaches and low tides:
■ Friday: 4:33 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Copalis, Long Beach and Mocrocks.
■ Saturday: 5:17 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Copalis, Long Beach and Mocrocks.
■ Sunday: 5:56 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Mocrocks, Long Beach.
The best digging typically occurs one to two hours before low tide.
Under state law, 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 2015-16 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach.
For low tides at Long Beach through March 10, visit tinyurl.com/PDN-LBTides16.
Hunter education
Hunter education classes are set to begin in Forks and Port Townsend on Monday, March 7.
Washington law requires all first-time hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972, to successfully complete a hunter education class in order to purchase a hunting license.
Students receive instruction in firearms safety, wildlife conservation and sportsmanship. The course is taught by volunteer instructors who have been certified by Fish and Wildlife to conduct student courses.
All firearms and ammunition will be supplied at both courses. Attendees do not need to bring their own weapons.
The Forks course will be held at the West End Sportsmen’s Club from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 7, 9, 14 and 16.
The final test is at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 19.
Students must attend all classes for the opportunity to receive a hunter education student certificate.
Parents and guardians are required to attend the first course for any student 10 or older, and are encouraged to attend all courses.
A parent or guardian must accompany any student younger than 10 at all classes.
A field test for online hunter education students is planned at the West End Sportsmen’s Club at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26.
To register for the Forks class visit, www.register-ed.com/events/view/75265 or phone Randy Mesenbrink at 360-374-5718.
The Port Townsend course will meet at the Jefferson County Sportsman’s Association, 112 Gun Club Road, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, March 7, and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 8-11.
The final test is 10 a.m. Sunday, March 13.
For this course, students younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Outdoors columnist Michael Carman appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 57050 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
