Outdoors | Indications calling for poor smelt run again

The first signs of smelt arrived in the Lower Columbia River this past week, but fisheries managers are predicting another poor return for the 2006-07 season.

"There have actually been a handful of smelt caught in the commercial fishery since it opened Dec. 1 in the Cathlamet area," said Joe Hymer, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist.

According to a release sent out by state Fish and Wildlife this week, the overall rapid decline in the smelt biomass tonnage in the Canadian ocean shrimp fisheries suggests poor returns to the Columbia River.

Columbia River smelt are caught in the spring shrimp fisheries off the west coast of Vancouver Island, thus by-catch and test fishery information gathered by Canada can be used as an indicator for Columbia River returns.

Some positive abundance indicators include strong adult smelt returns during the winters of 2002-03; high mainstem Columbia River smelt larval densities during the winters of 2002-03; and a high level of 1-year-old smelt by-catch in 2003, and a low but improving level of 2-year-old smelt by-catch in 2005 in the Canadian ocean shrimp fisheries.

There are plenty of downside influences for smelt including low mainstem Columbia smelt larval densities during the winter of 2004; an overall significant decline in the smelt by-catch in the Canadian ocean shrimp fisheries since 2002; a decline in Columbia River salmon runs in the past few years; and potential poor survival rates due to negative ocean conditions since late 2001.

The Columbia River mainstem smelt commercial catch of 13,100 pounds in 2005-06 was the fourth lowest recorded since 1938.

The mainstem Columbia was open daily for sport smelt fishing in 2005-06 with a 25-pound per person daily limit.

The tributary sport season was restricted to the Cowlitz River from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturdays only with a 10-pound per person daily limit.

Sport smelt fishing was poor due to the muddy high flows and lack of fish in the Cowlitz.

The joint fisheries staff from Washington and Oregon will meet Thursday to discuss the smelt fisheries, and are recommending that the 2006-07 smelt fisheries operate consistent with a Level One fisheries.

Level One fisheries are made when there is great uncertainty in run strength or indications for a poor return.

It is expected that a sport dip-net fishery in the Cowlitz River will consist of opening it one day per week from sometime in January through March.

A pilot run of smelt appears in the Columbia River tributaries by mid-January with peak abundance occurring in February, and tapering off as late as April.

Smelt are very sensitive to variations in water temperature with temperatures of less than 42 degrees often stopping their migration upstream. They also do not like too turbid of water in the river.

Notes

• Skiers and snowboarders traveling to Mission Ridge, Stevens Pass and the Summit at Snoqualmie can take part in a Bonneville Environmental Foundation called SkiGreen program, meant to help maintain snow pack levels in the Cascades by supporting the development of wind and solar energy.

Participants can purchase a $2 SkiGreen Tag at a lift or a $20 SkiGreen Tag when purchasing a season pass.

The program reinvests its revenue into renewable energy and conservation projects. Details: 503-248-1905 or 866-BEF-TAGS or www.skigreen.org.

• The Washington Alpine Club six-week telemark ski classes are held Wednesday evenings beginning Jan. 10 at Summit Central at the Summit at Snoqualmie. The lessons are open for skiers of all abilities. Cost is $120. Details: 206-244-7410 or jeffwright98168@yahoo.com or www.wacweb.org.

• The free Ski, Safari and Avalanche Awareness Lecture is 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Feathered Friends, 119 Yale Ave. N. in Seattle. Mountain Madness Certified Ski-Mountaineering Guide Matt Schonwald will review avalanche safety and backcountry travel fundamentals. Details: 800-328-5925 or www.mountainmadness.com.

• Olympic skiing champion Jonny Moseley and Duofold, a leading manufacturer of base layer apparel, will visit retail stores in the Auburn and Bellevue area Tuesday.

The first 100 customers who come to each store will have the opportunity to meet Moseley, pose for photos and receive an autographed picture.

Also, all attendees can enter a special contest to win a "ski experience of a lifetime" at Crystal Mountain with Moseley and three of their friends the very next day.

The pair will be at The Sports Authority, 1101 SuperMall Way in Auburn from 3-5 p.m., and The Sports Authority, 44 Bellevue Way N.E. in Bellevue from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

• The Puget Sound Anglers of Lake Washington meeting and holiday potluck is 7 p.m. Thursday, 4007 W. Mercer Way on Mercer Island. PSA members and families are invited. Details: 425-823-0704.

• The Seattle Astronomical Society meeting is 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Physics/Astronomy building on the University of Washington campus, room A-102. The family fun meeting of the society will include a showing of Frank Capra's 1956 educational film "Our Mr. Sun." Details: 206-523-2787.

• The Patty Wagon Ski Bus to the Stevens Pass Ski Area will be offered every Thursday from Jan. 4 to Feb. 22. Morning pickups are North Seattle, Lake Forest Park, Bothell and Monroe. Cost is $186 for eight weeks or $26 per trip. Details: 206-546-6717 or email patty@pattysplaces.com.

• The East Lake Washington Christmas Bird Count and Dinner is 8 a.m. Dec. 16 at the west parking lot of Marymoor Park just south of Redmond. Cost is $5 for bird count and $6.50 for dinner. Details: 425-827-2478 or www.elwas.org.

• The winter feeding of elk and bighorn sheep has started at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area and Cleman Mountain in Yakima County.

The main feeding site is near the area's headquarters building off Highway 12, southwest of Naches and west of Yakima; the elk are normally fed around 1:30 p.m. daily. When temperatures are low and snow is on the ground, many elk will stay in the area throughout the day.

The interpretive center is operated by volunteers 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Volunteers conduct elk-viewing tours by haywagon through the feeding area. There's a suggested $5 donation. For reservations, call 509-698-5106.

The majestic bighorn sheep also can be viewed in the Tonasket-to-Oroville area off Highway 97 in Okanogan County. A group of Sinlahekin bighorn sheep also live nearly year-round in and around Loomis.

• State Fish and Wildlife officials are asking the public to report dead or ill swans in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties.

Some trumpeter swans in those counties, and in southwestern British Columbia, are plagued each winter with lead poisoning after ingesting lead shot in areas where they feed.

Lead shot has been banned for waterfowl hunting for more than a decade, but biologists believe swans are likely reaching shallow underwater areas where spent lead shot remains.

Callers are asked to leave a message including their name and phone number, and the location and condition of the swans, at 360-466-4345, ext. 266.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club is holding an eight-week beginning fly-tying class beginning at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 4 at the Mercer Island Covenant Church. Cost is $35. Details: 206-932-4925 or 206-542-4623.

• The Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall holds numerous outdoors events, including a monthly "Tracking Club," that meets in Sultan on the third Saturday of each month now through May (but not December) from 9 a.m. to noon.

The program is open to naturalists, hunters and people curious about learning to identify, follow and understand stories written in tracks left by animals on the Skykomish River shoreline. Details: 425-788-1301 or www.wildernessawareness.org.

• The Washington Ski Touring Club offers trips, classes and volunteer opportunities for cross-country, telemark and backcountry skiers. Meetings are the first Thursday of each month through April at 7 p.m. at the Seattle REI Store, 222 Yale Ave. N. Membership is $20, and $30 for a family. Details: 206-784-8741 or www.wstc.org.

• The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is looking for volunteers for the wild salmon recovery program now through June. Details: 360-275-3575 or email Chris Daniel at chris@hcseg.org.

• The Salish Lodge and Spa, 30 minutes east of Seattle, offers an array of fall and winter outdoor activities.

The guided fly-fishing package for two guests is available year-round, weather permitting A winter snowshoeing package for two occurs during the winter and early spring.

At the adventure center guests can participate in cross country and downhill skiing trips, guided hikes, kayaking and mountain biking. Details: 800-272-5474 or www.salishlodge.com.

• Alpine Ascents International Inc. will begin offering a variety of guided climbs and instructional programs on Mount Rainier starting next year. The group has scheduled more than 30 expeditions and more than 50 training courses in 14 countries, including the Arctic and Antarctic regions. These expeditions range from six-day training courses in the North Cascades and Alaska to three-month expeditions to Mount Everest to summit climbs and courses on Mount Rainier. Details: 206-378-1927 or www.AlpineAscents.com.

• The Roche Harbor Salmon Classic Invitational is Feb. 8-10 at the Roche Harbor Marine & Resort on San Juan Island.

More than $25,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded, including $10,000 for the largest fish. Cost is $600 per boat. Derby entries are limited to 100 boats with four anglers per vessel. Details: 360-378-5562 or email Debbie Sandwith at market@rocheharbor.com.

• The Washington Trails Association offers statewide trip reports and trail conditions. Details: www.wta.org.

• The Northwest Fly Anglers offers various public classes through the year. The public also is invited to club meetings on the third Thursday of each month, at the Haller Lake Community Center, 12579 Densmore Ave N., in North Seattle. Details: 206-684-7524.

• The Emerald Sea Dive Club offers year-round activities including the big buddy program and weekly and monthly dives. The club meets on the first Wednesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. at Alfy's Pizza, 4820 196th S.W. in Lynnwood. Details: 425-775-2410 or www.emeraldseadiveclub.org.

• The Seattle Audubon Society offers field trips and classes every month. Details: 206-523-4483 or www.seattleaudubon.org.

• Northend Bassmasters is accepting new members who want to learn more about bass fishing. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Creek Cafe, 22620 Bothell-Everett Highway (Canyon Park) in Bothell. Details: 206-789-4259 or e-mail Gary Millard at glmillard@comcast.net.

• The eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (Marine Catch Area 6), North Puget Sound-Admiralty Inlet (Area 9), Central Puget Sound (Area 10) and Hood Canal (Area 12) will reopen daily from Wednesday Nov. 1 at 8 a.m. through Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. Sport crabbing rules adopted this year have helped slow the catch, leaving enough crab available to extend the season in some areas. Crabbing is currently open daily through Jan. 2 at Neah Bay (Area 4), western Strait of Juan de Fuca (Area 5) and southern Puget Sound (Area 13), but could close earlier if catch quotas are reached before then.

• The Tengu Blackmouth Derby is held every Sunday from today until Dec. 24 in Elliott Bay at the Seacrest Boathouse in West Seattle. Cost is $15, and $5 for children under age 12. Details: 206-324-7600.

— Last month's all-time record rainfall led to flooding, road damage and the closure of Mount Rainier National Park.

And while the park remains closed for repairs, there are still many winter recreation opportunities available around the mountain.

The Crystal Mountain Resort has a healthy 60-inch base at the summit and boasts a wonderful view of Mount Rainier from the Summit House. The Crystal Mountain Express Bus service from Seattle and Gig Harbor/Tacoma is being offered now through March 18. Details: www.skicrystal.com.

To the south of Mount Rainier, the White Pass Ski Area has a 63-inch base at the summit with full access to all runs and excellent conditions, including its 18-kilometer nordic trail system. Details: www.skiwhitepass.com.

The White Pass Winter Carnival is March 17-18. Check out the "No Rules Chainsaw Snow Sculpture Competition," March 3-4, and the Verizon Luge Challenge March 17-18.

The Mount Tahoma Trails Association hut-to-hut cross country ski system at Ashford has expanded trails north of Highway 706. The trails south of Highway 706 remain closed until a washed out bridge approach can be repaired. A new trail will be added allowing groomed access to Volcano Vista. Details: www.skimtta.com.

The mountain community of Ashford, just six miles from the Nisqually entrance to Mount Rainier National Park and the base camp for the majority of summit attempts, will host a new winter event titled: "Celebrate Snow Festival," Feb. 3-4. The festival will offer a snowman-building contest, sleigh rides in a horse-drawn carriage, free snowshoe and cross country ski clinics, avalanche awareness talks, wine tasting, snow films and slide shows, a taking-pictures-in-the-snow clinic, an introduction to the MTTA hut-to-hut trail system and much more. Details: www.celebratesnow.com.

Near Ashford, the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad is now offering weekend Snowball Express runs. Excursions begin at Mineral Lake, due to damage to the railroad's Nisqually Bridge. Details: www.mrsr.com.

SnoParks, maintained by Washington State Parks and Recreation, surround Mount Rainier and are open on a fee basis [$8 day pass/$20 season pass] for sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and other winter recreation. Details: www.parks.wa.gov/winter.

Park officials say parts of Mount Rainier could be open in time for the Christmas holiday, although the popular winter playground at Paradise will remain closed this winter. For more information, go to www.visitrainier.com.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com