Notebook | Salmon returns: Why the falloff?

State Fish and Wildlife biologists are puzzled why some salmon returns this past summer didn't live up to expectations, and most of the problems were happening off the Washington coast and Columbia River.

"It is true that we are seeing some poor salmon returns along the coast, and there is a definite pattern to it," said Doug Milward, a state Fish and Wildlife salmon resource manager.

"The spring chinook run on the Columbia was far below what we predicted, sockeye to the Fraser [in British Columbia] was horribly low and so was Lake Washington," Milward said. "The upriver bright chinook on Columbia was down from 250,000 of the predicted run to 150,000."

"All of these fish stocks are far north migrators in the ocean so my guess is that something bad may have happened out there," he added.

On the coast, many chinook runs aren't living up the expectations although the jury is still out on some late fall returns, such as the Grays Harbor system.

"Willapa Bay didn't do very well and we aren't quite sure what is happening, although what we've seen on the spawning grounds hasn't been good," said Bruce Sanford, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist. "We can attribute it to ocean survival, but it could be other things as well."

The total summary for all weeks of the commercial chinook catches at Willapa Bay was about 70 percent of what was predicted to come back. The chinook forecast was almost 32,000 fish.

Willapa Bay commercial fishermen were expected to catch 5,846 chinook, but only landed 4,130. It was even worse for coho, where the predicted catch was 16,000 and only 8,000 were caught.

It also looks bad for chum at Willapa, where about 15 percent of what was expected were caught, Sanford said.

On the other hand, Sanford says the Forks Creek, Nemah and Naselle hatcheries on the Willapa had or were near their broodstock chinook egg take goal.

"That is unusual considering how poor the catches were in the fisheries," Sanford said. "Very early in the run they were getting a lot of fish in the hatchery, and maybe they came through really fast and didn't linger to be caught in the nets."

"If the water is cool the fish tend to move in a bit earlier, and they have a rapid migration from freshwater areas so they just might not have been taken by commercial fisheries," Sanford said. "If you see hatchery fish not coming back very well, and the wild fish aren't doing much better then conditions are not normal in the ocean. So it hard to gauge what is happening right now for fall chinook."

Through Nov. 1, the Forks Creek Hatchery had about 3-½ million chinook eggs (hatchery goal is 2 million fingerlings), the Nemah has 2.4 million (2 million) and the Naselle has 2.8 million (3 million).

Other coastal areas, such as Tillamook Bay in Oregon and the Salmon River, a tributary of the Queets system on Washington's coast, have seen sketchy chinook returns, as well.

On the other hand, some Puget Sound chinook stocks fared well this summer, and it could be because their migration pattern doesn't occur in the same areas as the coastal salmon.

"Puget Sound chinook stocks only go up as far north as Canada and into the Strait of Georgia, and we've had good survival," Milward said.

Puget Sound hatcheries such as the Nisqually in South Puget Sound, Issaquah on Lake Sammamish and Landsburg on the Cedar River are plugged with chinook.

In early October, agencies on the Cedar counted more than 700 live chinook in the lower river, and saw more than 400 redds.

The record for live chinook in the Cedar River is 1,540 back in 1987; last year, the numbers were 1,090 with 583 redds. These are quite the contrast from the 2000 return when 43 live fish were observed along with 53 redds for the entire counting period.

The total chinook return for the Lake Washington system this year when the counting period ended Oct. 2 was 31,631, which is one of the best in the past 20 years.

Notes

• The Wild Steelhead Coalition meeting is 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St., Seattle. Guest speakers Donna Dam, head of NOAA's protected species division, and Heather Bartlett, director of state Fish and Wildlife's steelhead program, will discuss Puget Sound steelhead and the ESA. Details: www.wildsteelheadcoalition.com.

• The Everett Mountaineers Club meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the First Congregational Church, 2624 Rockefeller, Everett. The group will discuss upcoming winter courses for members and the public to take including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ski mountaineering and avalanche-rescue training. Details: www.everettmountaineers.org.

• The Northshore Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting is 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Lake Forest Park Mall Friends meeting room, 17171 Bothell Way N.E. Photographer Andy Towell will host a presentation on fly fishing and floating the Bow River in Alberta, Canada. Details: www.northshoretu.org.

• The Washington Butterfly Association meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St., Seattle. The guest speaker, state Sen. Ken Jacobsen, will discuss a possible state butterfly, our role in ecotourism and respond to any questions on environmental issues related to butterfly conservation. Details: 206-364-4935 or www.naba.org/Chapters/nabaws.

• Chum salmon are migrating back to local spawning grounds, and Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail located between Olympia and Shelton is the perfect place to view them in a natural setting.

The half-mile viewing area will be open on weekends 10 a.m.-4 p.m. from Saturday through Dec. 2, as well as Nov. 12 and Nov. 23. "Conservation Day" at the trail is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 17, when visitors may talk with local authorities such as the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group and Mason Conservation District officials about water quality, salmon restoration, and conservation issues.

The trail is partially ADA accessible and volunteer trail guides will be on-site to answer questions. Details: 360-412-0808 or www.spsseg.org.

• The sport crab season is open in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (Marine Catch Area 6), northern Puget Sound-Admiralty Inlet (9), Central Puget Sound (10), south central Puget Sound (11) and Hood Canal (12) areas will be open daily through Jan. 2.

Crabbing is also open daily through Jan. 2 at Neah Bay (4), Sekiu (5) and southern Puget Sound (13). Two other marine areas (Areas 8-1 and 8-2 east of Whidbey Island) will reopen Nov. 22-25 only.

The San Juan Islands (7) will not reopen this winter because the area had reached its catch quota this past summer.

The daily catch limit is five Dungeness crab (males only) in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6.25 inches. Anglers may also catch six red rock crab of either sex daily, which must measure at least 5 inches across. Details: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/index.htm.

• Seattle Raft and Kayak is hosting the Deception Pass Dash, a 5-mile kayak race through Deception Pass between Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands, starting at 9:45 a.m. Dec. 2 at Bowman Bay in Deception Pass State Park.

The event is open to all kayakers who are confident in rough-water paddling. There will be a barbecue after the race. Details: 206-940-6269 or www.seattleraftandkayak.com.

• The Orvis Store in Bellevue is hosting a Fly Fishing Antiques Roadshow 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Nov. 17. Larry Peterson, a well known collector of fly fishing paraphernalia, and Dwight Lyons, a restorer and builder of bamboo rods, will display their extensive collection of antique fly-fishing gear. There will also be entertainment, demonstrations and sales of gear. The store is at 911 Bellevue Way N.E. Details: 425-452-9138.

• The annual "Ocian in View" speakers series is 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 9-10 at Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco. The series looks at the life and times before, during and after the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Events include lectures, bus tours, an open house, book signings with authors Tom Bennett, Chip Jenkins and David Szymanski; Maya Lin Confluence Project tours and a seafood dinner hosted by the Chinook Tribe. Some events range in price from $5 to $30, but most are free. Details: 800-451-2542.

• A four-year, $10 million repair project on damaged roads and bridges of the Mountain Loop Scenic Highway has been completed, and the highway is now open to visitors with access through the Darrington Ranger District of Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

The highway follows the South Fork Stillaguamish River over Barlow Pass and into the South Fork Sauk River drainage, and reconnects the towns of Darrington and Granite Falls.

The 2003 flood damaged more than 40 roads, closing of many of them, and restricting public access to popular spots. For details on road closures in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, see www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/road_conditions_report.shtml.

• The Wilderness Awareness School is hosting David Drummond of the Merlin Falcon Foundation at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Seattle REI store. The coastal forest merlins are uncommon to rare, and their status is still regionally undetermined. Twenty years of fieldwork in the state has found that the birds are less common than bald eagles, peregrine falcons, spotted owls and marbled murrelets, which are all threatened or endangered species. Cost is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Details: 425-788-1301.

• The North Cascades Institute's Eagle Watchers program is looking for volunteers who will be stationed on weekends at three sites along the Skagit River from Dec. 15 to Feb. 3. Volunteers will offer information about eagles, salmon and the Skagit River at information tables set up along Highway 20. There will be a two-day training session Dec. 8-9.

Applications are available at www.ncascades.org CQ, and will be accepted through Nov. 23. For details, call 360-856-5700, ext. 209.

• Make your reservations for the Roche Harbor Salmon Classic Invitational on Feb. 7-9 as spaces fill up quickly for this popular fishing derby in the San Juan Islands.

The three-day sport fishing extravaganza offers more than $25,000 in cash and prizes. Largest salmon is worth $10,000.

Derby entries are limited to 100 boats with four anglers per vessel. Cost is $600 per boat, which includes moorage and meals. Registration deadline is Oct. 31. Details: 360-378-5562 or email at market@rocheharbor.com.

• Mount Rainier National Park has switched over to their fall schedule, which is a popular time for visitors to come view the changing colors of the season, but need to be aware of some ongoing work the area.

Two major construction projects under way in the Paradise area will continue through next year, and includes the new Paradise Visitor Center which is expected to ready by November 2008.

Construction of the interior of the Paradise Inn will continue through the winter and is expected to be completed in May of 2008.

Construction at Paradise has reduced parking availability in the area. From now until Thanksgiving parking will be limited to the Jackson Visitor Center parking lot. No parking will be available at Upper Paradise near the Inn.

The Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center is now open on weekends and holidays only (except daily Nov. 23-26 and Dec. 22-Jan. 1) from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Grill and Gift Shop are open 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m. when the visitor center is open.

The National Park Inn and General Store at Longmire are open year-round, and offer meals, lodging, gifts, firewood, ski rentals and ski instruction. Details: 360-569-2275 or 360-569-2400. The Longmire Museum is open daily 9 a. m.-4 p.m.

The Sunrise area is closed for the winter season, but hikers and bicyclists may still access the road, but no restrooms or other public facilities are available.

All public facilities in the White River area are closed for the season, but access to the campground area is determined on a daily basis, weather permitting. Beginning Nov. 1 or when the first significant snowfall occurs, the road will be gated for closure at the junction with State Route 410. Hikers and bicyclists may still access the road, but no restrooms or other public facilities are available.

For highway updates, call 800-695-ROAD. For park information, call 360-659-2211 or www.nps.gov/mora.

• Washington State Parks has announced their winter schedule, but that doesn't mean all outdoor activities have cone to an end.

In fact more than 100 parks will remain open daily through the winter offering campsites and other facilities. There are 19 parks closed until March and April, and six parks are remaining open during the winter on weekends and holidays only.

Tolmie State Park is open Wednesdays through Sundays through April 2, and the Goldendale Observatory is open 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and by appointment Wednesday through Thursdays through March 30.

Winter camping means smaller crowds, and campers may park their RVs or pitch tents on a first-come, first-served basis at most state parks open during the quiet season.

The parks also offer comfortable cabins at Camano Island, Kitsap Memorial or Wallace Falls state parks, a yurt at Cape Disappointment, Grayland Beach and Seaquest or a vacation house at Millersylvania, Fort Flagler, Fort Worden or Moran. These facilities may be reserved year-round.

Year-round camping reservations are available at Cape Disappointment, Deception Pass Dosewallips, Grayland Beach, Ocean City, Pacific Beach and Steamboat Rock. Pearrygin Lake and Riverside. Reservations can be made through Oct. 31. Details: 888-CAMPOUT or 888-226-7688. To view the winter schedule for state parks, go to www.parks.wa.gov.

• The Steelhead University clinic is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 8 at Sportco in Fife. The seminar is open for anglers of all abilities. Speakers include Buzz Ramsey, Dave Vedder, Bill Herzog, Bruce Warren, Joel Shangle, Phil Stephens, Rob Endsley and Terry Wiest. Tackle representatives will be on hand to show products and answer questions. Cost is $88. Details: 206-387-9293 or www.steelheaduniversity.com.

• Washington Sea Grant and the Port of Seattle/Fishermen's Terminal are offering a U.S. Coast Guard approved First Aid sea course 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Nordby Building at Fishermen's Terminal in Seattle. Cost is $80, and pre-registration in required. Details: 206-543-1225.

• A new hiking trail along the Iron Goat Trail is open and follows most of the abandoned Great Northern Railroad line west of Stevens Pass.

The upper and lower grades of the system are connected by a crossover trail between Windy Point and the Iron Goat Interpretive Site.

The Iron Goat Interpretive Site is adjacent to the Stevens Pass Greenway near Milepost 58.3 on U.S. 2, and includes a parking area with restrooms and interpretive exhibits.

The crossover switchback trail is less than a mile long and climbs a bit steeply over 600 feet to connect with the upper grade. After that, it is only a quarter-mile hike on the upper grade to the Windy Point Overlook, with views of the upper Tye River Basin.

The abandoned railway grade was built in the early 1890s, and the trail is along a portion that was abandoned in 1929 when the "new" Cascade Tunnel was open. Details: 360-677-2414 or www.irongoat.org.

• Those planning on visiting the Klickitat Wildlife Area should be aware of three road closures now through April 14 to protect roadbeds and to avoid disturbing wintering deer and elk.

The closures are in the Soda Springs Unit, including Anderson Road, 1.3 miles south of the intersection with Soda Springs Road; Old Headquarters Road, 1 mile south of the intersection with Soda Springs Road; and South Breaks Road, 0.1 miles west of the intersection with Soda Springs Road.

The 12 miles of unpaved roads were badly damaged by vehicle traffic last fall and spring.

The roads will be open during the early deer-hunting season in October, and will reopen in time for the spring turkey season. The roads will remain open to pedestrian access.

• 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 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 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.

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