APRIL MARKS THE final month of steelhead fishing as it is currently known on the West End.
The use of only barbless hooks and bait during hatchery steelhead runs will become the law of the land July 1.
But for now, anglers and guides are enjoying blue skies, excellent water conditions and the fight of wild steelhead.
“It’s been beautiful out here. All the rivers are in great shape,” said Mike Zavadlov of Mike Z’s Guide Service in Forks (360-640-8109).
Zavadlov has been taking clients on numerous rivers, and was fishing the Sol Duc River on Thursday.
“We hit into six or seven this morning,” Zavadlov said.
“In the clear water like the Sol Duc, I’d recommend using a bobber and jig setup.”
Zavadlov said while many of the steelhead haven’t been the late-season monsters the West End is known for, this later batch are worth the effort.
“These are nice-sized fish,” Zavadlov said.
“Most of them are above 10 pounds and pack a punch.”
The Hoh River closes Friday, April 15, so North Olympic Peninsula anglers may wish to fish there before that opportunity ends.
Zavadlov mentioned bobber dogging or side drifting with purple jigs on the Hoh River.
Bobber dogging is a relatively new steelhead technique that appears to be increasing in popularity with West End guides.
There’s versatility in setups with this technique, in which anglers cast the bait and bobber rigging pointing downstream and then float alongside it with the river’s current.
While not trolling and not exactly side-drifting, the technique draws praise for its ability to cover larger amounts of water compared to a boat anchored against a riffle or fishing from the bank.
Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim also had good news for river fishers.
“I’ve heard some guys did really well on the Bogachiel with [guide] Pat Neal,” Menkal said.
“They had seven takedowns and landed four fish, which is a great day.”
Menkal also noted Neal caught his first salmon of the year, a large spring chinook, recently on the Quillayute River.
“There have been a few spring chinook showing up, and some guys are starting to go after them,” Zavadlov said.
“But I’d say 90 percent or more of the guides are going to fish for steelhead until the end of the season.”
Lake Leland planted
Lake Leland received its annual preseason trout plant Tuesday.
The lake near Quilcene was stocked with 2,090 catchable trout from the Eells Spring Hatchery near Shelton.
“Leland was a circus this afternoon when I drove by,” Ward Norden, owner of Snapper Tackle Company and a former fishery biologist who lives in Quilcene, said Thursday.
“I counted over 25 boats, the pier was packed, and you have to bring your own rock for shore fishing.”
These planted fish have been fed in shallow tanks for much of their lives, so keep that in mind when casting.
“Hint to anglers: fish nearer the surface as these trout don’t understand water less than 3 feet deep,” Norden said.
For the first week or so after a plant the trout may just think your bobber and worm are a tasty hatchery pellet and bite.
Norden also said the lake’s water temperature has climbed 10 degrees in the past week and is now 52 degrees.
The Jefferson County-owned campground at the lake also opens for the season today.
Need new license
Anglers wanting to target steelhead or springers in rivers, blackmouth in Marine Area 5 (Sekiu) or 9 (Admiralty Inlet), or trout at Lake Leland this weekend will need a new fishing license.
Licenses for the 2015-16 fishing season expired at midnight.
A list of Clallam County license vendors is available at tinyurl.com/PDN-ClallamLicense, while Jefferson County dealers can be found at tinyurl.com/JeffersonLicense.
Licenses also can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/PDN-License, but it takes seven to 10 days to receive licenses via mail.
River fishing class
Menkal will offer his two-part introduction to river salmon and steelhead course this Tuesday, and Tuesday, April 12.
Anglers will learn where to go, what to use and how to target salmon and steelhead in North Olympic Peninsula rivers.
The cost is $25. The class runs from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each night
The store is located at 609 W. Washington St. No. 21, next to J.C. Penney, in Sequim.
Phone Menkal at 360-683-1950 to reserve a spot.
He recommends bringing along a chair, a pen and a notebook.
Kids Fishing Day
The annual Kids Fishing Day at the Lincoln Park Ponds in Port Angeles is Saturday, April 9.
Youth anglers up to age 14 can vie for 35 brand-new fishing rods in five different age groups.
Fishing will run from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Anglers and their parents are advised to arrive early to claim a fishing spot.
Winners will be announced at 10:45 a.m.
The event is sponsored by Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishers, the Port Angeles Parks and Recreation Department, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and Port Angeles Kiwanis members.
Gun show slated
A gun show presented by Big Top Promotions is planned for the Clallam County Fairgrounds in Port Angeles on Saturday and Sunday, April 9-10.
Show hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Modern, antique, military and collectible firearms will be on sale and display, as well as ammunition, knives, accessories and more.
Admission is $9, $7 for military members with ID and $14 for couples.
Admission is free for those under 18 accompanied by a paid adult.
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.
