WINTER HAS BEEN defeated, despite a last-ditch attempt to drench us here on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The mean, old bugger started strong, getting in a punch of lowland snow back in November, but was mostly a paper tiger with many instances of warmer-than-normal temperatures and extended streaks of consecutive sunny days.
Our winter produced no ski season at Hurricane Ridge, little snow pack and a likely drought this summer as a result.
The season officially switches to spring with the vernal equinox (in our hemisphere, at least, autumnal down south of the equator) at 3:45 p.m. today.
Equal daytime, equal nighttime (approximately), along with a big Super Moon to aid in your fishing endeavors.
License renewal
The calendar will soon bring another rite of spring: time to renew fishing and hunting licenses.
A spring wild turkey season for hunters under age 16 is scheduled April 4-5 prior to the start of the general spring turkey hunt April 15.
With a new season of outdoor adventures about to begin, Washingtonians might want to consider purchasing 2015-16 fishing and hunting licenses before current licenses expire at midnight Tuesday, March 31.
“We encourage people to renew their fishing and hunting licenses early, so they can take advantage of all the great recreational opportunities available throughout the year,” said Joe Stohr, deputy director of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The cost of fishing and hunting licenses remain the same as last year.
All fees included, a resident adult freshwater fishing license is $29.50; saltwater is $30.05; and a combination license is $54.25.
Resident hunting licenses vary with package options, ranging from a small-game license at $40.50 to a deer/elk/cougar/bear combination license for $95.50.
Most annual licenses include a Fish and Wildlife vehicle access pass, which gives people access to more than 700 water access sites throughout the state.
Or, for $35, individuals can purchase an annual Discover Pass, which also provides vehicle access to state parks and other state lands.
Fishing licenses, hunting licenses and the Discover Pass are all available online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, by phone (866-246-9453) and from license dealers around the state.
Westbound for steelies
Outdoors enthusiasts can pick up a license from Bob Aunspach of Swain’s General Store (360-452-2357) in Port Angeles.
And Aunspach advises anglers should look west for steelhead if they are looking to set a hook this weekend.
“There’s been quite a few good fish in the rivers out west,” Aunspach said.
“I talked to a salesman who comes in here who fishes a lot and his group hooked 37 fish on the Sol Duc before it started to go south last weekend.”
River flows have returned to normal, and despite rain Thursday and rain forecasted for today and Saturday, should stay in a semblance of shape for a Sunday plunk.
“It should probably stay fishable on the Sol Duc and the Hoh,” Aunspach said.
Out on the salt water, it’s a different story around Port Angeles.
“Blackmouth fishing has been tough,” Aunspach said.
“There’s been days where there’s been a fish here and a fish there, but it just hasn’t been consistent.”
That lack on consistency has pushed anglers away from the usual and accustomed fishing holes.
“You’re seeing guys going lots of places to find these fish,” Aunspach said.
“Places that we just don’t normally see people head to at this time of year.
“They are fishing Green Point now, and most folks haven’t fished for blackmouth there in years.
“Some are finding a few at Coyote Bank, and some guys are running all the way to Partridge Point.”
Aunspach, for one, has an answer for the low numbers in our neck of the woods.
“Blackmouth are a roamer. They can hang out anywhere,” Aunspach said.
“I think most of them congregated up in the San Juan Islands this year.
“That fishery closed so quickly, they must all be up there.”
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. 5152 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
