Shrimp season gets underway May 2

It's not easy being a jumbo spot shrimp in Puget Sound or Hood Canal.

And the reason for that is beginning May 2, a bounty of shrimp pots will be hitting the bottom of local marines areas with the hopes of trapping these prized, tasty long-tailed decapods whose population remains relatively healthy.

"From our preseason test-boat surveys, and what I heard about the treaty fisheries now under way is that it looks like it will be a pretty good season," said Mark O'Toole, a state Fish and Wildlife shrimp biologist.

"We tested down in Area 11 [south-central Puget Sound] around Vashon and Des Moines, and it was a little better than normal," O'Toole said. "Elliott Bay was pretty good last season and always is a good draw, plus the CPUE [catch per unit estimate] was better than Hood Canal."

O'Toole says they also did some test fishing around Everett and Mukilteo, and that turned out to be good and somewhat improved from last year. Same goes for the Gedney Island area, he said.

Bad weather last month prevented the fisheries test boat from getting out to look around the San Juan Islands, but O'Toole heard the tribes had done quite last week around the Iceberg Point area off Lopez Island.

Another area where they were unable to fish was Saratoga Passage, but in past years it has been pretty decent area for spot shrimp.

Shrimping around Saratoga Passage/eastern Whidbey Island area, northern Puget Sound and central Puget Sound [Areas 8, 9, and 10] will be open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Wednesdays only beginning Saturday. They will remain open until quotas are achieved or until May 31, whichever comes first.

South-central Puget Sound [Area 11] extending from the northern tip of Vashon Island to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge will be open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday only, and won't get any additional openings after that.

Areas east of the Bonilla boundary line [Area 4], and the Sekiu-Port Angeles areas [Areas 5 and 6] and southern Puget Sound [Area 13] will open Saturday at 7 a.m., and will remain open daily until the quota is reached or through Sept. 15, whichever comes first.

The Discovery Bay Shrimp District in Area 6 near Port Townsend will remain closed for all shrimp fishing this year.

The San Juan Islands [Area 7] will open Saturday at 7 a.m., and will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays only until the quota is reached.

The "Big Bend" better known as Hood Canal is the showcase area for large spot shrimp and usually draws thousands of people out on the water.

"In Hood Canal our testing there was not quite as good as last year, which was exceptional in catch-per-pot average," O'Toole said.

The test fishery from March 16-24 yielded an average of 5.53 pounds of spot shrimp per pot down from 6.88 in 2008 but above the catches from 2005-2007. The good news is that the total amount of shrimp caught in this season's test fishery was 746.76 pounds, well above the weight caught in 2008 which was 557.61.

Hood Canal [Area 12] will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, May 9 and May 13, or until the quota is achieved, whichever comes first. Additional dates and times may be announced if sufficient quota remains.

Notes

• Come join Ambrose Bittner, lead organizer and owner of Red Lantern Journeys for an adventure of stories and photographs of Katmandu, Nepal, and the Mitrata Orphanage, 7 p.m. May 20 at the Alderwood REI store.

Also come learn about the Red Lantern Journeys benefit called The Climb for Himalaya Children at Mount Rainier, July 17-19, for the Mitrata Orphanage in Katmandu, Nepal. All proceeds for the climb go directly to the orphanage. The climber who raises the most money will be awarded a free trekking trip to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Details: www.mitrata.org.

• The Washington Steelhead Coalition is hosting a fundraiser and presenting the documentary film "Rivers of a Lost Coast," 6 p.m. May 9 at the University of Washington' s Kane Hall. Film producers Justin Coupe and Palmer Taylor are guests along with narrator/actor Tom Skerritt. Cost is $35, and tickets are available until Friday. Details: www.wildsteelheadcoalition.org/movie.html.

• Don Langlois with Ridge Explorations is hosting a Washington State Boater Education Class, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 16 at the Lake Wilderness Lodge in Maple Valley; and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 13 at the Enumclaw Expo Fieldhouse. Cost is $49. Details: 360-663-2343 or www.RidgeExplorations.com.

• The Washington Trails Association is hosting a Hiking with Children Workshops 6:30 p.m. May 6 at the Everett Public Library; 4 p.m. May 16 at the Ballard Public Library; and 6:30 p.m. May 20 at the Queen Anne Public Library. Details: www.wta.org.

• The Bellevue Orvis Store is hosting the Spring Orvis Days Events. Next: May 2, 1 p.m., How to Identify Birds of Puget Sound with Bob Morse co-author of Birds of the Puget Sound Region; May 9, 1 p.m., Antique Fly Fishing Show and Appraisal with Larry Peterson and Dwight Lyons, plus Fly Fishing Hidden Montana with Tim Linehan, Spey Casting to Kings with Andrew Bennett, and Beginning Fly Casting and Computer Analysis with FFF Certified Casting Instructors, Craig Koeppler, John Olson and Pat Peterman; and May 10, 1 p.m., Fly Casting Analysis for intermediate and advance fly casters with Don Simonson, FFF Casting Board Governor. Details: 425-452-9138 or www.orvis.com.

• The Northwest Dive & Travel Expo is today at the Tacoma Convention Center. The event features 40 free seminars, more than 250 exhibitors, a free scuba demo pool, marine art, films and career opportunities. Details: www.nwdiveandtravelexpo.com.

• Join in celebrating the International Migratory Bird Day, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. May 9 at Marymoor Park in Redmond. Events include bird walks, native plant walk, displays, kids' activities, a family bird walk, and scopes for viewing of the active Osprey nest. Details: 425-822-8580 or www.eastsideaudubon.org.

• Michael Martin at the Sportsman's Warehouse in Federal Way is conducting an Introduction to Fly-Fishing the Lakes and An Introduction to Fly-Fishing the Rivers. Cost is $100 for the lakes class, and $55 for the steam class. For specific dates of the classes please contact the store. Details: 253-835-4100.

• The Metropolitan King County Council is hosting a town-hall meeting to discuss the future of the Mountains to Sound Greenway 6 p.m. May 6 at the South Bellevue Community Center, 14509 S.E. Newport Way. Panelists include Bill Chapman, Doug McClelland, Elizabeth Lunney, Doug Schindler and Jim Reinhardsen. Details: 206-382-5565 or www.mtsgreenway.org.

• The Icicle Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting is 6:30 p.m. May 13 at Kristalls Restaurant in Leavenworth. Mike Beagle who works with sportsmen on public lands issues in Oregon and Washington is the guest speaker. Details: www.icicletrout.org.

• The new nonprofit Cascade Musky Association is looking for new members. Cost is $25 or $35 for a couple/family membership. Details: www.cascademuskyassociation.com or www.wafish.com.

• The Washington Butterfly Association is hosting a free presentation 7 p.m. May 6 at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St. in Seattle titled: "Monarch Journeys South, Mexican Wintering Grounds," by photographer Denny Granstrand. Details: 206-364-4935 or www.naba.org/Chapters/nabaws.

• The North Cascades National Park Complex is celebrating National Park Week with some activities. Next: May 1-3, Hands to Work Learning Center Stewardship Weekend, cost is $40 includes two nights lodging and six meals, 360-856-5700 or www.ncascades.org.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club meeting is 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Seattle Tennis Club. Please RSVP to attend meetings. Details: www.WFFC.com.

• The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation is hosts various Fishing Kids events throughout the state. During each event, about 500 kids will get a chance to fish, and go home with a T-shirt, rod and reel, and maybe a fish or two. Cost is $5.

Each child should arrive 30 minutes before their assigned time. Kids will listen to a short talk on water safety, and volunteers will show them how to bait the hook and use the rod and reel before they start fishing.

Next is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 16 at Seward Park on Lake Washington in South Seattle. Preregistration is required. Details: 425-251-3202 or 206-684-4075 or www.castforkids.org.

• The campgrounds at Fort Flagler State Park will remain closed until May 13 while scheduled capital improvement projects are completed. All other facilities will remain open during construction, including the retreat center, watercraft launch sites, moorage, trails and the day-use areas. Camping is available at nearby Fort Worden, Old Fort Townsend and Sequim Bay state parks. Details: www.parks.wa.gov.

• The Mount St. Helens Institute offers a free Sunday Hiking Program series of 14 hikes in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest now through Oct. 25. The hikes range from east to difficult, and are 4 to 10 miles round-trip. Space is limited and reservations are required. While the hikes are free a $5 donation is suggested. Details: www.mshinstitute.org.

• The Western Bass Club meets every third Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Kennydale Hall in Renton. Details: www.westernbassclub.comor www.nickbarrfishing.com.

• 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