Originally published February 1, 2012 at 8:04 PM | Page modified February 1, 2012 at 8:26 PM
Break between storms a boon for salmon anglers | Fishing Report
The weather hasn't been kind, but a break in storms this week should allow marine salmon anglers to get out and test the waters.
Seattle Times staff reporter
Seattle native and lifelong angler Mark Yuasa blogs on fishing in the Pacific Northwest.
The weather hasn't been kind, but a break in storms this week should allow marine salmon anglers to get out and test the waters.
One locale under the spotlight is the San Juan Islands. The Roche Harbor Salmon Classic Invitational will be Thursday to Saturday.
The derby last year produced 68 fish for 100 boats with 337 anglers, and a 28.10-pound hatchery king caught by Derek Floyd of Stanwood was the winner.
"I've heard about some decent fish caught on the north end of Spring Pass and Big Rock on northwest corner of Lopez (Island) has been kicking out quite a few smaller, legal-size fish," said Tony Floor, derby coordinator for the Northwest Marine Trade Association.
Other island chain places to look for chinook are Eagle Bluff, President's Channel, north end of Orcas Island, Tide Point, Thatcher Pass, Lopez Pass and Point Lawrence.
In northern Puget Sound, the state Fish and Wildlife test fishery boat managed to get out once late last week, and caught a chinook at Possession Bar and two more at Double Bluff off the southwest side of Whidbey Island.
Don't overlook Point No Point on the northern Kitsap Peninsula, Midchannel Bank off Port Townsend, Elger Bay, Camano Head, Columbia Beach and Browns Bay.
South central Puget Sound and Hood Canal reopened Wednesday for hatchery chinook. Southern Puget Sound is also open for salmon. Central Puget Sound is closed for salmon. The Strait of Juan de Fuca from Sekiu to Point Wilson north of Port Townsend reopens for salmon Feb. 16.
Notes
• The first spring chinook, an 18.2-pounder, was caught in the commercial sturgeon fishery at Cathlamet on Tuesday, and the first sport-caught fish should happen soon as a strong run of 314,200 fish are forecast this season.
• The Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby in the eastern Strait is Feb. 18-20. Cost is $40. Details: http://gardinersalmonderby.org. The Bill Hayes Hot Plug's Blackmouth Derby is Feb. 25. Cost is $50. Details: 425-308-9437.
Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com
| Fishing report | |
| Location | Comment |
| Statewide lakes |
Horseshoe Lake in Woodland was planted with 3,038 catchable-sized rainbows and 20 trout averaging 10 pounds; Spearfish Lake near Dallesport was planted last week with 12 trout averaging 10 pounds and 162 trout averaging 5 pounds . Other planted southwest lakes are Klineline Pond and Battleground Lake.
Fairly good fly fishing for trout, tossing micro leeches at Pass Lake near Deception Pass and Lone Lake on Whidbey Island. Very good ice fishing for perch and trout at Fish Lake and Roses Lake in Chelan County. Good in Rufus Woods for big trout. Lake Chelan is good for lake trout. |
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Biting: Yes
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| Statewide rivers |
"Should be some pretty decent steelhead fishing (in Sol Duc, Calawah, Bogachiel and Lower Hoh), and the hatchery fish are pretty much gone with more bigger natives showing up," said Bob Gooding, owner of Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks.
Fair for steelhead in the Wynoochee, Cowlitz, Washougal, Queets and The Dalles Pool in Columbia. Slow to fair for steelhead at Reiter Ponds on the Skykomish, Cascade and Tokul Creek. Slow for sturgeon in Lower Columbia, and The Dalles and John Day pools. Many westside rivers are closed to fishing on Feb. 1 or Feb. 16 to protect poor returns of wild steelhead. Details: http://wdfw.wa.gov/. |
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Biting: Yes
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| Marine fishing | A few steelhead caught off the beaches at Bush and Lagoon points on west side of Whidbey Island. Fair smelt jigging at Cornet Bay Pier on Whidbey Island. Slow squid jigging at Pier 86 on the Seattle waterfront, Seacrest Boathouse and Edmonds piers. The next coastal razor clam digs are Feb. 18-19. |
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Biting: Yes/No
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