Batten down the hatches or pull out the rain gear.
This soggy weather forecast has me purchasing new waterproof duds for tonight’s Rainshadow Rumble rivalry football game between Port Angeles and Sequim. Turns out that it does rain in the Dungeness Valley, and quite often those showers fall on Friday nights in fall over a field lacking little in the way of protection from the elements.
And this late-summer soaker is sorely needed as witnessed by last week’s decision to delay reopening the Quillayute and Sol Doc rivers to fishing.
State biologists say the Quillayute watershed is experiencing record-low flows, and returning fish are staging in the lower portion of the river where deeper pockets of water remain.
Fishing will only reopen when flows increase or stock assessment information suggests that wild coho have started to migrate upstream. So let’s root for a fish push up the river.
Weather reports all call for a “a vigorous front to move through Western Washington [today],” complete with heavy rain, winds and swells.
Razor clamming also opens today on early morning tides on ocean beaches with digs set through Wednesday.
Take care and be cautious. There are a few more days left in the salmon and halibut seasons and many more expected for razor clam digs, so if you don’t need to be out on the water or along the surf, it may be a good idea to stay home and wait for more coho to push through the Strait.
Chilly Lake Leland
Add water temperature to the list of signs of early fall on the North Olympic Peninsula along with a bountiful mushroom harvest in the field and changes in foliage.
Quilcene’s Ward Norden was looking for some extended bass fishing after a busy summer selling fishing gear with his Snapper Tackle Co.
“I put a thermometer in the water at Lake Leland to see if it is time for the frenzied fall bite to begin,” Norden said. “Normally, the water would be about 64 degrees at a depth of 24 inches. Not this year, however. The water temperature is already 54 degrees.
“The fall bass fishery may already be beginning to wind down. Hopefully, the [state] Department of Fish and Wildlife can move up its fall planting schedule for Lake Leland by a couple weeks. At a water temp of 55 degrees, conditions are nearly perfect for the fish to get acclimatized for the approaching winter.”
Campfire ban lifted
The campfire ban has been lifted in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest due to the fire danger being moderated with cooler, moist weather and a forecast for significant rainfall.
Paddling race
The Lake Crescent Paddling Race, a 10-mile course for all human-powered peddling craft, including rowers, kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders, is set Saturday on Lake Crescent.
Rates are $70 per person or two people for $80.
Prizes will be offered by Barhop Brewing and The Rail Cafe, Sound Bikes and Kayaks, KAVU and Seattle Sports Co.
Ten percent of proceeds will be donated to Feiro Marine Life Center, according to race organizer Salmon Bay Paddle Club.
To register, visit here.
________
Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or mcarman@peninsula dailynews.com.
