Outdoors | Early forecast for Columbia coho is cloudy

The Columbia River coho forecast was recently released, and anglers shouldn't expect off-the-charts fishing in the ocean this summer.

The total forecast, known as the Oregon Production Index (OPI), calls for 276,100 coho to arrive off the coast, compared with an actual return of 536,600 last year. The Columbia River forecast alone is a mere 196,700. Doug Milward, a state Fish and Wildlife salmon resource manager, says the coho news doesn't look good, and ocean coho returns could be comparable to the 1995 to 1998 stretch when time on the water was slim.

While the predicted Columbia coho run looks to be in the tank, many believe that there will be enough to sustain some kind of ocean fishery.

"There are differences between now and the 1990s, when we were in an El Niño weather pattern, compared to now where there's a La Niña pattern," said Mark Cedergreen, president of the Westport Charterboat Association.

El Niño generates a warm inshore water current from South America that moves north, wreaks havoc on cold-water marine life and brings with it predators that feed on fish. On the other hand, La Niña generates cooler-than-normal sea-surface temperatures.

"The OPI run-size index is low and typical of a couple times in the 1990s, but not too far off from what happened in 2006," Cedergreen said. "Plus we are now selectively fishing for coho [with only hatchery-marked coho kept], and that allows more fishing opportunities than in the 1990s."

Fishing was slow during the 2006 ocean fisheries, Cedergreen said, with some of the lowest coho catches ever.

"Even with the low coho quotas in 2006 nobody hit their catch limits and we went through the entire fishing season without closing down early," he said. "I would suspect it will be like that this summer for coho, but better for chinook fishing."

The chinook situation looks somewhat better for certain Columbia stocks that drive ocean fisheries, and the poor chinook runs headed to Northern California shouldn't affect Washington's fisheries, Cedergreen said.

A lot of what happens this season depends on the Endangered Species Act standards, federal policies, catches in Canada and catches south of Cape Falcon, which aren't going to be good this year.

"It is still too early to know how things will turn out, and we should know more in the coming weeks," Cedergreen said. "The first thing [state Fish and Wildlife officials] will do is [computer] model runs using this year's run strengths under last year's fishing regulations and see what kinds of spawning escapements we'll get, and then they'll tweak it from there."

State Fish and Wildlife will unveil forecasts March 4 in the General Administration Building, 11th Avenue and Columbia Street in Olympia.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council and all constituents will make final decisions on fishing seasons April 6-11 at the Seattle Marriot Hotel, 3201 S. 176th St. in Sea-Tac.

Skagit River system steelhead rules revised

The expected low wild winter steelhead returns have prompted state Fish and Wildlife to adjust the regulations in the Cascade, Sauk and Skagit rivers and Fisher Slough.

Anglers fishing the Cascade, Sauk and Skagit rivers and Fisher Slough must now follow selective gear rules. Those rules require anglers to use unscented artificial flies or lures with single-point barbless hooks and knotless nets.

The specific regulations are listed on page 26 of the state Fish and Wildlife regulation pamphlet or on-line at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm. There will be some exceptions, however, for the use of motorized vessels on the Skagit River. Anglers will have a daily limit of two hatchery steelhead.

"We're expecting a down year for wild steelhead to the Skagit River basin," said Bob Leland, a state Fish and Wildlife steelhead program manager, in a press release. "These emergency changes will allow anglers to continue to harvest hatchery fish, while reducing impacts to this spring's wild steelhead return."

Only about 5,100 wild steelhead are expected to return to the Skagit River basin this year, about 900 fish below the spawning escapement goal. The low steelhead returns are likely due to poor ocean survival, impacts of flooding in 2005 and several other factors, Leland said.

"By moving to selective gear requirements, and closing portions of the Skagit and Sauk rivers early, more wild steelhead should have an opportunity to reach the spawning grounds this spring," Leland said.

Coastal razor clam dig set for next month

State Fish and Wildlife has tentatively scheduled a dig March 7-12 at Twin Harbors and March 8-9 at Long Beach, if marine toxin tests show clams are safe to eat.

Digging would be allowed March 7-8 from noon to midnight, and then will switch to morning tides March 9-12 from 12:01 a.m. until noon.

"The weather and surf conditions during the [Feb. 6-9] opener were tough, so effort and catch were down considerably," said Dan Ayres, the head state Fish and Wildlife shellfish biologist. "The good news is we have sufficient clams left to offer a dig in March."

Final testing results should be known by early-March.

Digs also may be scheduled in April at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Copalis if enough clams are available for harvest. Kalaloch will remain closed throughout the 2008 season.

Daily limit is no more than 15 razor clams, and diggers must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.

Low tides: March 7, plus-0.3 feet at 6:21 p.m.; March 8, 0.5 at 6:58 p.m.; March 9, 0.3 at 7:28 a.m.; March 10, 0.0 at 8:12 a.m.; March 11, -0.1 at 8:59 a.m.; and March 12, 0.0 at 9:51 a.m.

Halibut fishing seasons finalized

Here are the sport halibut fishing seasons for all Washington marine areas:

• Columbia River [Ilwaco]: Marine Area 1 will be open May 1, seven days a week until 70 percent of the quota is reached or until July 20. The fishery will then reopen on Aug. 1 and continue three days a week (Friday-Sunday) until the remaining quota is reached, or Sept. 30, whichever occurs first. The annual catch quota is 18,762 pounds.

• South Coast [Westport/Ocean Shores]: Marine Area 2 will open on May 1, and then continue two days a week, Sundays and Tuesdays until the quota is reached, or Sept. 30, whichever occurs first. The northern nearshore area will be open on Fridays and Saturdays in addition to the days that the offshore area is open, until the quota is reached. The annual catch quota is 44,700 pounds.

• North Coast [LaPush/Neah Bay]: Marine Areas 3 and 4 will be open starting May 13 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until the quota is reached. If sufficient quota remains, the fishery will reopen on June 17 and 19 (Tuesday and Thursday) in Area 4B and shoreward of a line approximating 30 fm from the Bonilla-Tatoosh line south to the Queets River. All recreational fishing in Marine Areas 3 and 4 outside of these areas will be closed on those dates. If sufficient quota remains, the fishery will reopen in all areas of Marine Areas 3 and 4 on Saturday, June 21. The annual catch quota is 109,991 pounds.

As in previous years, a portion of the coast between La Push and Neah Bay will be closed to fishing for halibut and bottomfish to reduce the chance that anglers will unintentionally catch yelloweye rockfish. Retention of canary and yelloweye rockfish is prohibited.

• Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound: Marine Area 5 [Sekiu] will be open May 22 through July 21. Marine Areas 6-11 and 13 [Port Angeles and Puget Sound] will be open April 10 through June 13. These fisheries will be open five days a week, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The annual combined catch quota for these areas is 59.354 pounds.

Marine Area 12 [Hood Canal] remains closed to fishing for halibut and a number of other species due to low dissolved-oxygen conditions.

Notes

• The Washington Sportsmen's Show, Feb. 21-24 at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, will feature hundreds of hours of presentations covering hunting, angling and other outdoor activities.

Survival expert Peter Kummerfeldt will share tips for surviving an outdoor crisis. Kummerfeldt is a former survival training director at the Air Force Academy.

Kathryn Cunningham, a former professional archer and co-owner of Camo'd Arrow Archery Center in Chewelah, brings a 3-D pop-up, bow hunting target system to the show.

There's free fishing for children under 12 at the popular kids trout pond. Kids can catch-and-keep or release their fish. All of the materials, including poles and take-home bags, are free.

The show is noon-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 24. Cost is $10 for adults, and $5 for kids ages 6-16. Details: www.otshows.com.

• The Holy Oly Revival Snowboarding Event is 11 a.m. Saturday at Summit East at the Summit at Snoqualmie. Registration begins at 10 a.m. The event is free for spectators. Details: www.summitatsnoqualmie.com.

• The Seattle Poggie Fishing Club meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Seattle City Light Building, 97th Street North and Stone Avenue North. Gary Proudlock, commander of Flotilla 21, North Seattle Coast Guard Auxiliary, will discuss water and boat safety. Details: 425-742-7948 or www.seattlepoggies.com.

• Learn about this summer's Climb for Clean Air in a meeting with Lou Whittaker and the American Lung Association at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Seattle REI store, 222 Yale Ave. N. The meeting is for anyone interested, regardless of experience. Details: 206-441-5100.

• The Fly-Fishing Film Tour is 7 p.m. Thursday at the Neptune Theater, 1303 N.E. 45th St. in Seattle. Cost is $12 for adults, $10 for children. Details: www.flyfishingfilmtour.com.

• The Puget Sound Anglers Eastside Chapter meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. N.E. Michael Jamboretz of Jambo's Sportfishing will discuss halibut fishing off Neah Bay and Canada. Details: 425-562-9180.

• The South King County Puget Sound Anglers meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Des Moines Masonic Temple, 2208 S. 223rd St. Steve Thiesfeld, the state Fish and Wildlife Puget Sound recreational salmon manager, will discuss salmon fishing in 2008. Details: 206-755-8409.

• The Washington State Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society banquet is 5:30 p.m. March 22 at the Red Lion Bellevue Inn, 11211 Main St. Cost is $60. Details: 425-649-5194.

• The Wild Steelhead Coalition Auction is 6 p.m. March 1 at the Redmond Marriott Town Center, 7401 164th Ave. N.E. Jeff Bright, author of Found in a River: Steelhead and Other Revalations is the guest speaker. Cost is $65 by Feb. 24. Details: 425-238-4903 or www.wildsteelheadcoalition.com.

• The Lake City Chapter of Ducks Unlimited banquet is 5:30 p.m. March 19 at the Lake City Elks Lodge, 14540 Lake City Way N.E. in Seattle. Details: 206-660-9334.

• The Fidalgo Island Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers is hosting the Anacortes Salmon Derby March 29-30 at the Cap Sante Boat Haven.

This event offers $20,000 in prize money and thousands more in merchandise, with a $10,000 first place prize for the largest fish. The derby is limited to 800 anglers. Cost is $50.

Last year, the derby raised $24,000 for scholarships, which benefited students pursuing careers in fisheries and related sciences. Details: www.anacortessalmonderby.com.

• Peter Potterfield, author of Selected Climbs in the Cascades and Classic Hikes of the World, is hosting a slide show and book signing that features his favorite hikes in New Zealand 7 p.m. March 10 at the Seattle REI Store, 222 Yale Ave. North, and 7 p.m. March 11, at the Issaquah REI Store, 735 Northwest Gilman Boulevard. Details: 206-323-1944 or 425-313-1660 or www.rei.com.

• Mount Rainier National Park is offering guided 1.2-mile snowshoe walks with park rangers every weekend through March 30 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. The walks are on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign ups start one hour before the walks begin at the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise. The walks aren't recommended for children under age 8.

Organized groups of 13 or more people may reserve a snowshoe walk in advance. Group snowshoe walks begin at 10:30 a.m. on weekends.

The Paradise snowplay area is now open, and only "soft" sliding devices such as flexible sleds, inner tubes and saucers may be used.

The Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise is open weekends and holidays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Ski Touring Center, operated by Guest Services, Inc., at Longmire offers cross-country skiing including touring and telemarking. Details: 360-569-2211Cor www.nps.gov/mora.

• Just 5 miles of road within North Cascades National Park Service Complex is affected by the winter closure of the North Cascades Highway (SR 20) at milepost 134, and that means scenic drivers and adventurers can enjoy the park all winter long.

The North Cascades National Park Visitor Center near Newhalem is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. From here, drivers can access Diablo Lake and Gorge Creek Falls Overlooks.

Campers are invited to stay at the Colonial Creek, Gorge Lake, and Goodell Creek Campgrounds (no winter services and no fees).

Hikers can access the Ross Dam, Happy Panther, Pyramid Lake, Thunder Knob, Diablo Lake, Thunder Creek, Pyramid Lake and Newhalem Area trails. Boating is open in Diablo and Gorge lakes, and rafters can drift down the Skagit River. Details: 360-854-7200 or www.nps.gov/noca.

• The Stehekin and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area are open and offer a range of snowshoe and backcountry ski routes.

The National Park Service will offer ranger programs through March 8 covering various natural and cultural history topics on Fridays at 7 p.m. at the Stehekin Landing Resort, and guided snowshoe walks on Saturday mornings at the end of the plowed Stehekin Valley Road.

The Golden West Visitor Center is open 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Rangers can provide details and maps of area trails, trip planning assistance and naturalist information.

The Stehekin Landing Resort offers fully equipped kitchenettes, equipment rentals, vehicle rentals and transportation service to ski and snowshoe trails on the weekends. Details: www.stehekinlanding.com. For more information on Stehekin and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, call 360-854-7365 or www.nps.gov/noca.

• The Nature of Winter Tour Series in the Methow Valley, hosted by the Twisp River Pub, will be held through March 1. The snowshoe trek from Jack's Hut at the Wilson Ranch or Sun Mountain Lodge is 11 a.m. every Saturday with a local naturalist. Learn about winter ecology, wildlife and animal tracking. All participants need a $3 snowshoe pass, and snowshoe rentals are available. Details: 509-996-3287 or www.mvsta.com.

• The National Alpine Ski Camp is offering a summer snow camp for children and young adults of all ages at Mount Hood in Oregon.

The camp offers six- and ten-day sessions in the summer for children of all ages. There is also a masters program for those over age 20. Race training is the foundation for the camps, with an emphasis on free skiing and free skiing drills. Designated for intermediate and advanced skiers, campers must have basic ski skills to attend.

Ski training is conducted in the morning, followed by windsurfing, rock climbing, rafting, swimming, hiking, mountain biking and go-cart racing in the afternoon. Details: 800-453-6272 or www.skicamp.com.

• The state's Winter Sno-Parks are open for operation. Those planning a trip need to register their snowmobiles and purchase Sno-Park permits and cross-country ski trail guides.

Permits are available at more than 125 retail dealers statewide; one-day permits may be purchased on-line at www.parks.wa.gov/winter/. A one-day permit costs $10, seasonal permits are $30 and a special groomed-trails permit is $30.

The groomed-trails permit must be purchased along with a seasonal sno-park permit for the following Sno-Parks: Cabin Creek, Chiwawa, Crystal Springs, CS Road 54, Hyak, Lake Easton State Park, Lake Wenatchee State Park, Mount Spokane State Park and Nason Ridge. Individuals who purchase a one-day permit are not required to buy the special trail permit.

The snowmobile sno-park permit including the yearly snowmobile registration fee is $30 a year per sled ($12 a year per vintage sled), plus additional dealer fees. Snowmobile owners may register through county auditors or local state licensing office.

Nason Ridge Sno-Park near Lake Wenatchee State Park will be closed this season due to winter logging.

Downriver Golf Course Sno-Park in Spokane and Hardtime Sno-Park along the Wind River Highway in southwestern Washington are no longer available.

Several new Sno-Parks have been added: Ape Cave and Government Mineral Springs (South Cascades area), CS Road 54 and Lake Keechelus (I-90 corridor/Mt. Snoqualmie area) and Silver Springs (Crystal Mountain area).

For a list of permit dealers email winter@parks.wa.gov or 360-586-6644. For winter recreation information, including trail grooming reports go to www.parks.wa.gov/winter.

• 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 vistors 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.

• 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.

• 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