Outdoors Notebook | Better returns putting focus on chinook

This year's ocean sportfishing seasons will be pretty limited for coho, but fisheries managers are looking at ways to pursue a hatchery chinook return that is somewhat better than last year.

"The coho sportfishing options in the ocean are ridiculously small," said Phil Anderson, deputy director of state Fish and Wildlife.

The forecast for Columbia River wild and hatchery coho is 196,700, which is almost 266,000 less than last year's return.

Anderson pointed out that poor coho returns, coupled with tighter restrictions needed to protect coho and chinook listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, will severely curtail ocean fishing.

"We haven't seen a Columbia River coho forecast this low since the late '90s," he said. "Poor ocean conditions that persisted off the West Coast in 2005 and 2006 appear to be the primary factor in the dramatic decline of Columbia River coho, as well as chinook originating from central Oregon and California river systems."

At a meeting this past week in Sacramento, Calif., the Pacific Fishery Management Council crafted three catch options for Washington's ocean sportfisheries.

The high option would be 22,500 chinook and 21,000 hatchery-marked coho; the middle option 17,500 and 21,000; and the low 12,500 and 12,600.

The total season adopted last year was 16,250 chinook and 117,600 coho.

Fisheries managers have also proposed some ways to target hatchery chinook, which are expected to have a stronger return, without compromising the poor coho returns.

"The chinook quotas are still at a level in previous years, and we are using it as a management tool to provide for chinook when we have a low coho abundance," Anderson said. "And because of that we have crafted options that include a chinook-only fishery."

One option would have a chinook-only fishing season from May 24 to June 30 (6,000 chinook quota for Areas 2-4 only) with a one-fish daily limit. Neah Bay-La Push would be open daily, and Westport open Sundays to Thursdays. Ilwaco (Area 1) would be open daily May 24 to June 28, under its own summer chinook quota.

Neah Bay, La Push and Westport would open for chinook and coho July 1 and Ilwaco June 29, all with a two-fish daily limit.

In a second option, all four ports would open for a chinook-only fishing season daily from May 25 to June 15 (3,500 chinook quota) with a one-fish daily limit.

Neah Bay-La Push would open for chinook and coho July 1, Westport would start June 16, and Ilwaco would open June 29, all with a two-fish daily limit.

In a third option, there would be no early chinook-fishing opportunity. Neah Bay-La Push would start July 8, Westport on June 8 and Ilwaco on July 13 with a two-fish daily limit.

"The early opening dates at Westport are because of its historic trend that there are some chinook around in the earlier part of the season, whereas in the Columbia River area [Ilwaco] there isn't very much chinook at that time," Anderson said. "So that is why the Westport season is front-loaded with chinook."

Anderson pointed out that in 2002, Westport had a similar situation in which a chinook-only fishery was allowed during the early part of the fishing season.

"The effort was incredible and the catch was good, with a couple thousand chinook caught in a two-week period," he said.

Coastwide, sport anglers in 2002 landed a whopping 20,000 chinook, the vast majority caught off Westport.

The public can make input at these meetings: 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Olympia General Administration Building; 7 p.m. March 31 at the Chateau Westport; and 9 a.m. April 1 at Lynnwood Embassy Suites.

Final seasons will be adopted April 6-11 in Sea-Tac.

Notes

• The Olympic Peninsula Fly-Fishing Expo is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 4907 Landes St. in Port Townsend.

Fly-fishing experts Phil Rowley, Doug Rose and Skip Morris will provide tips, and there will be a wide range of slide shows and presentations on fly-tying, casting, fly-fishing photography and fishing destinations.

Cost is $9 adults, and $2 for kids under age 12. Details: www.cataraft.com/FFExpo08/ or 360-582-0092.

• The Northwest Fly Anglers' eight-week beginning fly-casting class begins April 1 at Green Lake Casting Pier. Limited to 35 participants. Cost is $35. Details: 425-486-5011 or e-mail slowsnap@att.net. If you're interested in joining the club, a family-oriented and educational fly-fishing group with year-round activities and outings, call 206-935-8979 or e-mail craig.erwin@comcast.net.

• The Northwest Storm Recovery Coalition is hosting "Taking the Parks by Storm: Community Support for Restoring Washington's Treasures" at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Seattle REI Store, 222 Yale Ave. N.

Members of Congress and representatives from the three national parks will discuss 2006-07 storm damage impacts, the current state of repairs at the parks, and how upcoming visits to the park may be affected. Details: e-mail David Graves at dgraves@npca.org or 206-903-1444, ext. 25.

• The Coastal Conservation Association Sea-Tac Chapter meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Des Moines Masonic Temple, 2208 South 223rd St. Membership is necessary to participate in meetings. Details: www.ccapnw.org/chapters.html or 206-755-8409.

• The sport clam-harvesting season at Dosewallips State Park, on the west side of Hood Canal, opens April 1. Last year's clamming opened on May 15, but surveys showed an increase in the clam population, which extended the season.

• The Washington Fly-Fishing Club meeting is Wednesday at the Seattle Tennis Club. Guests who would like to attend the meeting must register online. Columnist Stuart Ramsey will discuss Kentucky Bourbon. Details: www.wffc.com.

• The Puget Sound Anglers South King County Chapter meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Des Moines Masonic Temple, 2208 S. 223rd St. Todd Girtz will discuss halibut fishing. Details: 206-755-8409 or www.pugetsoundanglers.net.

• Outdoor Emporium, 1701 4th Ave. S. in Seattle, is hosting a free spring turkey-hunting seminar from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Two-time "Pennsylvania Turkey Call" champion and 1999 "Cabela's Open" champion caller Rob Hand will be one of the guest speakers. Plus, learn to pattern your gun's choke tubes, pellet sizes and targets; scouting and calling techniques, and advanced tips and tricks. Details: 206-624-6550.

• The Eastside Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the North Bellevue Community Center. Ron Garner will discuss halibut fishing. Details: 425-562-9180.

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

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

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