Outdoors Notebook | Face-lift in store for Sekiu?

Nestled along the southwestern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the small town of Sekiu has a memorable history of sport salmon fishing that dates back before World War II.

While the number of days to fish at Sekiu has dwindled because of tougher restrictions, it still lures anglers from around the world in search of catching a prized salmon.

It's not uncommon at the height of summer to see no-vacancy signs posted on motels, restaurants full of customers in the predawn hours, and campgrounds filled to the brim with tents and RVs.

While the hustle and bustle of this tiny community still remains fairly unfazed, there could be some changes on the horizon as prospective private land buyers are interested in altering the look of this fishing town.

The large hillside where the RV site and campground are located at the Coho Resort, which opened its doors to anglers in 1960, are for sale along with the marina.

"There is an interested party from Canada, but it hasn't been sold yet and we've been hearing a lot of rumors flying around that we've already been sold," said Chester Kimple, the son-in-law of the resort's owner, Warren Konopaski of Port Angeles.

"The sale doesn't include the restaurant and motel, which are operated by separate owners.

"It has been for sale for years, but wasn't too active until now, and we've finally got a buyer who has money."

According to Kimple, if the sale goes through as planned, the land could change hands in January.

Word has it the interested buyers want to build condominiums or a gated community on the hillside.

"I think the community is kind of divided as far as the sale of the Coho goes, and some see it as good and some see it as bad," said Bill Drath, president of the Clallam Bay-Sekiu Chamber of Commerce.

"There are a couple of hundred campsites on that land, and so I'm not sure where those people are going to go if it is sold, but the area also needs housing."

Just down the road sits Olson's Resort, the largest marina and motel in Sekiu.

It also is up for sale, but the Olson family has different plans compared to turning their beloved resort over to private land developers.

Back in 1936, Arlen Olson's father, Alvin, built the resort that has attracted thousands of anglers throughout the past 71-plus fishing seasons.

They too received a bid from a Canadian land developer, but are pursuing to keep the marina and shoreline access open to the public.

"We just couldn't take the chance of the boat ramps and other stuff at the resort being shut down to the public, and that really scared us," said Donalynn Olson, Arlen's wife. "But we do agree that the sale of the Coho Resort, and the plans to build condominiums, is a good thing for our community as well."

Olson's Resort has 400 to 450 tie-up boat spaces on the docks, 33 complete motel units, cabins, trailers and houses for overnight rental, and the campground and RV areas can accommodate hundreds of people.

Drath said the whole community is grateful for what Arlen and Donalynn Olson are trying to do, and they are giving up a lot of money to pursue it.

"I just met with one of our planners and a member from the land trust [about Olson's], and we're going through a process that includes a feasibility study," Drath said.

Some of the smaller businesses in the middle of the Clallam Bay/Sekiu area have already been closed or sold to private buyers.

They include the Silver King Resort, Herb's Motel and the town's bank, pharmacy and the Clallam Bay Grocery Store.

"I'd hate to see Sekiu lose any more businesses because pretty soon you're not a fishing town, and it turns into a retirement community and that doesn't pay the bills," said Chris Mohr, owner of Van Riper's Resort in Sekiu. "Personally, I am happy for the Konopaski family from a family standpoint, but as for a business, to lose the Coho Resort is not a good thing."

Mohr said he believes the pending sale of the Coho Resort could take away business from the area.

"We are all kind of a piece to the puzzle," Mohr said. "You lose one piece and it just makes the town smaller. What happens when all the rooms or campsites in town are filled up, and someone calls and can't find a place to stay? Then they'll probably go elsewhere, to Canada, Westport or wherever."

Mohr said this is another example of why those in the fishing community have been pleading for years with state Fish and Wildlife to expand Sekiu's salmon catch quotas and to extend the fishing seasons.

"Without more in the catch quotas, these types of situations are going to happen, and it is getting pretty darn close to being a ghost town," Mohr said. "I think Sekiu is on a verge of change."

Notes

• The Eastside Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave N.E.

Tom Nelson of Skagit River Outfitters will speak about winter blackmouth fishing. Details: 425-562-9180.

• The Steelhead Trout Club of Washington steelhead fishing season preview event is 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Tyee Yacht Club, 3229 Fairview Ave. E. in Seattle.

State Fish and Wildlife biologists from the Mill Creek office will discuss the steelhead forecast for this year in the Puget Sound region. Details: www.steelheadclub.com.

• The Puget Sound Anglers of Lake Washington seafood cooking seminar in memory of Virginia Secrest is 7 p.m. Thursday at the Mercer Island VFW Hall, 1836 72nd Ave. S.E.

Guest is Jeremy McLachlan, executive chef at Salty's in West Seattle. Details: 425-823-0704.

• The Northshore Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday 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 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, and will be accepted through Nov. 23.

For details, call 360-856-5700, ext. 209.

• The Orvis Store in Bellevue is holding an Antique Fly Fishing Show and Whiskey Tasting 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday. The store is at 911 Bellevue Way N.E. Details: 425-452-9138.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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