Washington razor-clam season fast-approaching

The coastal razor-clam season is approaching fast, and diggers should have plenty to be happy about.

While seasons haven't been set, digging will likely begin sometime in the middle of October.

"We won't announce any season openers until the public meetings are held, but there will likely be some digging time in October," said Dan Ayres, the head state Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish biologist. "We have some good low tides around the middle of October."

Ayres said digging this fall and in the near future looks very promising because a fairly good recruitment of smaller clams are abundant on some beaches.

"Razor-clam populations are looking especially good on beaches north of Grays Harbor," Ayres said. "Places like Ocean Shores and Copalis, the populations are up by 25 percent in harvestable clams over last season at this time, and at Mocrocks it is up 47 percent."

On beaches south of Grays Harbor, like at Twin Harbors, clam populations are down a bit, although there are plenty of clams still available.

Long Beach will have some nice-sized clams this fall, and the smaller clam population is looking better compared to past years. Copalis and Mocrocks beaches will be good at least for a couple more years.

"There are lots of small clams coming in on all the beaches, so we should see good digging," Ayres said.

"Kalaloch Beach [where there was no digging last year] has rebounded, although the clams are very small," Ayres said. "We won't probably allow any harvest until at least next spring, when we have a chance to take a closer look at them."

Shellfish managers will seek input about the fall season in public meetings at 7 p.m. on Monday, Super 8 Motel, 500 Ocean Beach Blvd. in Long Beach; Sept. 23, Ocosta High School library, 2580 Montesano St. in Westport; Sept. 25, Shilo Inn, 707 Ocean Shores Blvd. N.W.; and Sept. 26, Fife High School, 5802 20th St. E. (off I-5). Another meeting in Forks will be announced later.

Written comments will be accepted through Oct. 5. Mail to: Dan Ayres, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA. 98501-1091 or email fishpgm@dfw.wa.gov.

Penalty approved for those who don't report crab catch

The state Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a $10 penalty for anglers failing to comply with the Puget Sound crab catch-reporting requirements.

The new ruling will begin next year with the catch report cards that are due after the 2009 crab season.

Puget Sound crabbers are required to report catches twice — one for summer and one for fall and winter.

Those who don't report will need to pay $10 before a license vendor can issue a new catch-record card for the following season. According to fisheries, less than a third of the 200,000 people licensed to fish for crab in Puget Sound reported their information. Catch reports are vital to manage the popular fishery.

Notes

• The Everett Coho Derby hosted by the Everett Steelhead and Salmon Club and Snohomish Sportsmen's Club is scheduled for Sept. 20-21. Cost is $25, and kids under age 12 are free. Largest coho caught wins $2,500. Details: 425-415-1575 or 425-743-9505 or 206-624-6550.

• The Wenatchee River Salmon Festival is Thursday-Sunday at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery. Events include salmon and wildlife watching, nature-related arts and craft booths, "recycled" salmon sculpture, animal costume parade, salmon maze, Native American encampment, outdoor recreation exhibits and hands-on educational activities. Details: 509-548-6662 or www.salmonfest.org.

• The Kingston Puget Sound Anglers Chapter meeting is 7 p.m. (social at 6 p.m.) Wednesday at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club, 25915 Washington Blvd. N.E. in Kingston. Terry Wiest with SalmonUniversity.com will discuss salmon fishing in the rivers. Details: 360-930-3223.

• The grand reopening of the Bellevue Orvis Store (10223 N.E. 10th St.) is Friday through Sunday. The event includes fly-fishing events, sales, plus discussions with Mike Cummins, owner of the Redshed speyshop in Peck, Idaho, and Michael J. Mathis, an expert Clearwater and Snake River steelhead fly-fisherman. Details: 425-452-9138.

• The monthly meeting of the Washington Fly Fishing Club is Tuesday. Guest speaker is Florida Keys bird artist and saltwater fly-tying specialist Tim Borski. Attendees must register online to participate in the meetings. Details: www.wffc.com.

• The Sportsman's Warehouse in Federal Way is hosting a fly-casting class 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 21. Instructors are Darrel Martin, certified by the Federation of Fly-Fishers, and Michael Martin. Cost is $50. Details: 253-835-4100.

• The city of Woodinville is hosting three eight-week classes on fly-fishing beginning Tuesday. They include basics of fly-fishing; fly-fishing for salmon and steelhead; and fly-tying salmon and steelhead flies. Instructor is Alaskan guide and outfitter Dick Lange. Classes are held 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Carol Edwards Center.

Cost is $39 for Woodinville residents or $44.85 for nonresidents, plus $10 for course manual. Details: 425-398-9327 or www.ci.woodinville.wa.us.

• The Seattle Rifle and Pistol Association hunter sight-in is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 20-21, Sept. 27-28, Oct. 4-5 and Oct. 11-12 at 725 135th Ave. S. in Snohomish. Cost is $5. Details: 360-659-9362.

• The West Coast Sea Kayaking Symposium is Friday through Sunday at the Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend.

The festival offers paddling seminars, new product demos, film festival, guest speakers and beach-side exhibits for paddlers of all ages and skill levels. Hours: Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Details: www.wcsks.org.

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