Outdoors | Optimism spreads for sockeye fishery at Lake Wenatchee, but not at Baker Lake

All eyes are on two possible sockeye fisheries that straddle each sides of the Cascade mountains.

To the east, anglers are hopeful that some of a near record sockeye return headed up the Columbia River will make its way into Lake Wenatchee.

Earlier this month Art Viola, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist in Leavenworth said, "I'm more optimistic to have a sport fishery this year than in the last three years."

Lake Wenatchee needs about 23,000 for spawning escapement, plus an additional 4,000 more fish to have a fishery.

Sport sockeye fishing in Lake Wenatchee last occurred in 2004 and 2001. The fishery would typically open in early August and stay open until the harvestable surplus was taken.

The original preseason forecast for Columbia River sockeye was 75,600 and has now been increased to 230,000 fish. That would be the third highest return since Bonneville Dam was erected in 1938. The record is 237,723 in 1955.

According to Joe Hymer, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist roughly 18 percent of the total Columbia River sockeye run makes it way back to the Wenatchee.

The Wenatchee River sockeye figure Hymer says is based on subtracting the fish count total at Rocky Reach Dam located above Wenatchee from the total at Rock Island Dam located below Wenatchee.

Through July 9, the total at Rock Island is 137,523 and at Rocky Reach it is 105,277. Thus, 32,246 should have made its way up the Wenatchee River to date, plus some late fish still in transition.

"It is still an eyeball on the figure, and we'll have to wait and see what actually makes it way back to Dryden Dam on the east bank of Lake Wenatchee," Hymer said.

"We may not know the answer until mid-July," Viola recently said, so the countdown on the clock is starting to tick.

If the fishery does happen, anglers fish it similar to the Lake Washington fishery.

Downriggers are most effective to catch them or a 4- to 8-ounce lead crescent sinker attached to one or two bare red, blue or black hooks on a short 9- to 12-inch leader trailed behind a 0-size chrome dodger. Many add krill-gel scent to their hooks as an attractant, or a tiny gob of Power Bait.

On the western side of the Cascades, hopes are fading fast for a possible sport sockeye fishing season on Baker Lake.

"We are not even close to what we expected to get at this point, and there is some panic," said Brett Barkdull, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist. "It is not looking really good right now."

Pat Pattillo, a state Fish and Wildlife salmon policy coordinator, says water flows have gone down and the Upper Skagit Tribe has been fishing. Last week their catch was 750 sockeye and 100 chinook.

"The catches are still way below what we expected at this time, and a lot of that is because of the high water making it unfishable," Pattillo said. "So are they late or are they in low abundance is the great debate."

Pattillo says fisheries officials will meet tomorrow to look at fish traps numbers on the Baker River and discuss what the updated run size is.

The peak of the Baker sockeye run is right around July 15, and the preseason forecast is 25,500 fish. From July 4-11, the fish trap on the Baker River has captured 610 sockeye.

The Baker River itself is currently open to sport sockeye fishing, but has been slow with just a few caught on some days.

"The likelihood of a sport opening in the lake is low at this time, but anything can happen," Pattillo said. "All indications are pointing to at the most optimistic is a delay in the opening or likely it isn't going to open at all."

The prospects for a Lake Washington sockeye fishery are pretty much washed out judging by the latest fish counts at the Ballard Locks fish ladder.

Through July 8, 25,568 sockeye have been counted. On that same date when the last sport fishery occurred in 2006 the cumulative count was 109,227.

The forecast is 105,600 sockeye, and the spawning goal is 350,000 before a fishery could be considered.

Notes

• The Puget Sound Anglers South King County Chapter meeting is 7 p.m. July 16 at the Des Moines Masonic Temple, 2208 So. 223rd St. Tom Nelson from Salmon University will discuss Puget Sound salmon fishing. Details: www.pugetsoundangle rs.net or 206-755-8409.

• TrailsFest is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 19 at Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend. This free event features clinics on everything from wilderness first aid to hiking with kids to backcountry cooking. Also take a guided hike, paddle a kayak, climb a rock wall or attend some informative clinics. The event will have dozens of exhibitors, including gear companies and outdoor groups. Details: www.wta.org.

• Washington State Parks and Recreation is hosting a free event titled "Clark's Campsite" 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 18, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 20 on Waikiki Beach at Cape Disappointment State Park. There will be displays on the Lewis and Clark Expedition and participants can interact with living historians portraying expedition members.

• The Coastal Conservation Association Sea-Tac Chapter meeting is 7 p.m. July 15 at the Des Moines Masonic Temple, 2208 So. 223rd St. You must be a member to participate in meetings. To join go to, www.ccapnw. org/chapters. html.

• The Icicle Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited Conservation banquet and auction is 5 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Enzian Motor Inn, 500 U.S. Hwy. 2 in Leavenworth. Cost is $45 per person and includes steak dinner. Purchase tickets by July 25. Details: 509-548-7526 or 509-548-7662.

• The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is seeking volunteers to help with the summer chum project on the Union River in Belfair. Work is needed from Aug. 15-Oct. 15. Details: 360-275-3575.

• The Kingston Puget Sound Anglers Chapter meeting is 7 p.m. July 16 at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club, 25915 Washington Blvd. N.E. Bill Dever from Puget Sound Salmon Charters will discuss Puget Sound summer chinook fishing. Details: 360-930-3223.

• The Elliott Bay Salmon Derby is July 26, with all proceeds going to the North Seattle Boys & Girls Club. Largest fish is worth $1,500. Cost is $25. Details: 206-399-3575 or www.elliottbaysalmonderby.com.

• The Washington State Parks and Recreation is inviting the public for the grand opening celebration at Kanaskat-Palmer State Park's three new yurts, the first in the Puget Sound area. The event is 11 a.m. July 17 at 32101 Kanaskat-Cumberland Road, 11 miles northeast of Enumclaw.

Each yurt is 16 feet in diameter by 10 feet high and furnished with bunk beds that sleep three, queen-size futon, floor lamp and small end table. Outside is a deck (ADA-compliant), picnic table, fire grill and utility hookup, with bathrooms and showers nearby. Cost is $50 per night. Details: www.parks.wa.gov or 888-CAMPOUT.

• Children with disabilities will get a chance to wet a fishing line during a special fishing event July 19 at Merwin Fish Hatchery, east of Woodland.

The Merwin Special Kids' Day is expected to draw more than 100 participants and their families. The wheelchair-accessible hatchery waters will be planted with up to 6,000 trout ranging from 1 to 9 pounds.

Rods, reels, tackle and T-shirts will be provided for the young fishermen to use and keep. A free barbecue lunch will be served, followed by fish painting, storytelling and other activities.

Deadline to register is July 14. Volunteers are welcome. Details: 800-899-4421.

• The Tacoma Outboard Association Salmon Derby is Aug. 23. Largest salmon is worth $1,000. Cost is $10. weigh-in at the Narrows Marina. Details: 253-564-1468.

• The Buoy 10 Salmon Challenge is Aug. 21-22 at the Lower Columbia River mouth. All activities will be held at Warrior Hall at Camp Rilea in Astoria. Derby is limited to 245 entrants. Cost is $270 for a team of three anglers. Details: 503-631-8859 or www.nsiafishing.org.

• The Sunrise area in Mount Rainier National Park has reopened the lodge, snack bar and visitor center. Visitors should be aware that 3 to 10 feet of snow remains on the ground, and trails in the area are generally inaccessible.

The White River Campground is open, but silt from heavy snowmelt is clogging the water system. Mowich Lake Road is open to the Paul Peak Trailhead, but up to 8 feet of snow remains on the road beyond Paul Peak. Details: 360-569-2211.

• State Fish and Wildlife is offering a women's workshop on fishing, hunting and outdoor skills with experts and other certified instructors Sept. 12-14 at Camp River Ranch in Carnation.

The workshop is coordinated by Washington Outdoor Women, a nonprofit program dedicated to teaching women outdoor skills and natural resource stewardship.

Classes offered are archery, basic fishing, fly-fishing and tying, canoeing, kayaking, preparing fish and shellfish, big-game hunting basics, map and compass reading, wilderness first aid, survival skills, wildlife identification, outdoor photography, and more.

Several state Fish and Wildlife staff members serve as volunteer instructors for the event, including biologists Laura Till and Shelly Ament who will teach "Map and Compass" and "Wildlife Identification" workshops, respectively. In all, 36 instructors will volunteer their time. Participants must be at least 18 years old and must have a current Washington recreational fishing license to participate in the fishing and fly-fishing sessions.

Cost is $225 includes the weekend's lodging, meals and use of all necessary equipment. A limited number of partial scholarships, provided by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, are available for first-time participants. Details: 425-455-1986 or www.washingtonoutdoorwomen.org.

• Mount Rainier National Park visitors can now ride a shuttle from Ashford, six miles from the park's Nisqually Entrance, to Longmire on weekends.

Shuttles will depart from Ashford every 30 minutes from 9:15 a.m. through 10:45 a.m., and every 75 minutes from noon to 5 p.m.

Although the shuttle itself is free, visitors will be required to pay the park entrance fee of $5 per person (no more than $15 per car load). Details: 360-569-2211, ext. 2301.

• The Goodell Creek Campground will be closed Wednesday through July 2 for paving projects. Access to the Goodell Creek raft launch and picnic shelter will be maintained, but restrooms will not be accessible.

The nearby Newhalem Creek Campground is open. Reservations are available. Details: www.recreation.gov.

The North Loop of the Colonial Creek Campground is also currently closed to accommodate paving projects, but could open as soon as June 23. After it reopens, the South Loop of the Colonial Creek Campground, the main parking area, and the boat launch will also experience temporary closures to accommodate paving projects the week of June 23. Details: www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/car-camping.htm.

• If you thought skiing and snowboarding are over, then you might want to recheck your summer plans and head to Whistler-Blackcomb Resort where the Horstman Glacier is open, and the area is also doubling its terrain park features and upgrading to a Superpipe.

Grooming and parks crews have been building the summer Superpipe under the Glacier Express chair. The pipe wall will feature three to four medium jibs and will be groomed nightly. As the build-out continues, the bottom of Showcase T-bar will become jib central with six rails and boxes, varying in difficulty from small to large, and four medium-sized booters. Regular skiing and riding lanes will also be open to the public.

Access to the Horstman Glacier is at the base of Blackcomb Mountain via the Wizard Express and Solar Coaster to the Rendezvous. Guests will then take a shuttle bus to the 7th Heaven Express Chair, which will bring them to the top of the glacier. Lift access to the glacier is via Horstman and Showcase T-bars.

Horstman Hut will be open and offers patio BBQs and light refreshments. Chair upload from the valley is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for sightseers and 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for skiers and boarders. Glacier skiing is open from noon-3 p.m. and runs through July 27. Details: www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

• The Lake Chelan National Recreation Area is celebrating its 40th Anniversary, and the Stehekin and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area are providing plenty of opportunities for family fun this summer.

Stehekin is accessible by foot, air, or passenger ferry. Hike down the Pacific Crest Trail from Highway 20 or over Cascade Pass and along the Stehekin River to arrive in Stehekin. The Lake Chelan Boat Company operates two boats (www.ladyofthelake.com) and Chelan Airways flies floatplanes (www.chelanairways.com).

Hikers of all ages and abilities can trek through nearly 400 miles of trails and more than 100 backcountry campsites accessible to hikers, boaters, and stock users are available. Details: 360-854-7245 or www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit.htm or www.stehekin.com.

• The North Cascades National Park Visitor Center, near the town of Newhalem, is open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The center features exhibits, theater presentations, and is staffed by park rangers and volunteers. The center has access to the scenic Sterling Munro Overlook and a network of easy hiking trails such as the 1/3 mile Rock Shelter Trail and the 1.8 mile River Loop Trail.

The Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount is open daily, and offers trip planning information and is the main location for backcountry users to obtain permits required for all overnight stays. Details: www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/hiking.htm. Reservations for campgrounds can be made at www.recreation.gov.

• The Summit for Salmon climb of Mount Rainier is Aug. 22-25, and Save Our Wild Salmon is looking for participants that raises funds to help protect and restore healthy, sustainable wild salmon in the Columbia and Snake River basins. Experienced guides from Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. will lead the group. Details: 206-286-4455 or www.wildsalmon.org.

• 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 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