DEAR OLD DAD deserves the best from his progeny on Father’s Day.
Hamburgers, steak, fried chicken? All worthy table fare competitors for the dad’s day repast, but North Olympic Peninsula residents can produce far better results.
Dungeness crab and spot, coonstripe and pink shrimp fisheries are all open in certain marine areas of the Peninsula this weekend, and I imagine a dinner table piled high with crab and shrimp would be met with a hearty smile by Pops.
Lingcod, a worthy and ultimately delicious adversary, closed inside the Strait of Juan de Fuca and in Puget Sound this week, but remains open through mid-October off La Push and Neah Bay.
Sockeye salmon are being caught in West End rivers, and trout of the rainbow, cutthroat and brown varieties, also opened in these streams earlier this month.
But here’s the thing: most dads would appreciate spending time with their children more than any outdoors bounty a child could provide.
That’s why the best advice is to ask dear old dad along for that fishing trip.
And even if you get skunked you’ll make some lasting memories.
Go deep at Sutherland
Port Angeles angler and lure designer Pete Rosko fished Lake Sutherland through Tuesday’s wind and rain squalls with his neighbor Al Brown.
Rosko said the pair fought constant changes in wind direction and rain.
“The water temperature dropped four degrees from 67 to 63 [this week], which I was happy to see,” Rosko said.
“However, the fluctuating barometer and shifting winds always create a challenging fish-catching environment.”
Rosko and Brown found the fish were biting deep in the water table, with bites coming in depths ranging from 62 to 79 feet.
“We fished both the east and west ends of the lake and had equal success,” Rosko said.
“However, by jigging 6 feet off bottom (three full turns on my spinning reel) was the secret to constant kokanee action.
“A jigged Mack’s Lure Co. 1/2- or 3/4-ounce glow chartreuse Sonic BaitFish remains the consistently best lure and finish.
Rosko reminds anglers to be vigilant and make sure your hook point remains sharp, otherwise you’ll miss out on kokanee strikes.
Surf day celebration
In honor of International Surfing Day, the Olympic Peninsula chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will hold a celebration today at Habinger Winery.
The family-friendly event is open to all ages. Tickets are $20, or $10 with ASB card. Ages 12 and younger get in free.
Ticket purchase includes raffle entry and a complimentary glass of beer, wine or a soft drink provided by Harbinger Winery.
There also will be treats provided by H2O Waterfront Bistro.
There will live music by country singer/songwriter Buck Ellard.
Raffle prizes include a Lib Tech waterboard and Gnu snowboard.
The event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Harbinger Winery is located at 2358 Highway 101, west of Port Angeles.
For more information about Surfrider’s Olympic Peninsula chapter, visit its website at www.olympicpeninsula.surfrider.org.
Archery shoot in PA
The Wapiti Bowmen will host a Father’s Day 3D Shoot featuring more than 30 targets at the club headquarters, 374 E. Arnette Road, in Port Angeles, on Saturday and Sunday.
Registration will open at 7:30 a.m. both days.
Shooting fees are $12 for one day or $20 for both days for archers ages 18 and older; $8 or $10 for youth ages 12-17; $4 or $5 for cubs ages 6-11 and free for ages 5 and younger.
Breakfast and lunch will be available for $5 per meal.
A silent auction is planned.
Camping also is available.
For more information, phone Nick Roberts at 360-582-7686 or Steve Morgan at 360-460-9132.
Send photos, stories
Have a photograph, a fishing or hunting report, an anecdote about an outdoors experience or a tip on gear or technique?
Send it to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
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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.
