Outdoors Notebook: Long claw of law pinches crabbers

Sport crabbers in Puget Sound who don't follow regulations could find themselves getting pinched by the claws of law enforcement.

Almost half of the 996 crabbers contacted by state enforcement officers in early July were found to be in violation of at least one fishing regulation.

Enforcement officers doled out 180 citations and 284 verbal warnings during the first nine days of the crab fishery that opened July 1. Some crabbers were cited for multiple violations, ranging from keeping undersized crabs to exceeding the daily catch limit.

Fines for most violations start at $75 and increase with each crab illegally harvested.

"If someone fails to record catching a single crab while still on the water, they will usually get a warning," said Capt. Mike Cenci, head of state Fish and Wildlife's marine-enforcement division. "But if we find someone who has caught their entire daily limit and hasn't recorded a single crab, that person is going to be cited."

The department assigned 16 officers and four boats during the nine-day emphasis patrol, which focused on marine waters from central Puget Sound to the San Juan Islands. Other enforcement agencies provided additional support.

While some officers have been reassigned to monitor the coastal salmon season, the Puget Sound crab fishery remains a high priority.

Of the 464 violations observed by enforcement officers, nearly one-third were for crabbers' failure to record the catch of Dungeness crab on catch record cards, as required by law.

Some 109 violations were issued for undersized crab. In Puget Sound, only Dungeness crab at least 6-¼ inches or larger can be harvested to allow smaller male crab the opportunity to mate at least once before they are taken in the fishery.

Enforcement officers issued 63 tickets for crabbing on days or in areas closed to fishing; 24 tickets for fishing without a license or catch record card; 15 tickets for exceeding the daily catch limit; and five tickets for retaining female crab.

"That's a problem for fishery managers, who rely on that information to monitor harvest rates relative to area catch quotas," said Rich Childers, a state Fish and Wildlife shellfish policy coordinator.

"Crabbers have a responsibility to keep their catch record cards up to date," Childers said. "When we do in-season surveys, we don't want people guessing about how many crab they caught or where they caught them."

"These rules are pretty straight-forward," Childers said. "People who ignore them — or who never take time to learn them — are putting fishing seasons at risk for everyone."

State Fish and Wildlife has a Web site for people inquiring about regulations. Go to: wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/lic_req.htm.

Word on sockeye

The sport-sockeye fishing season in Lake Washington reopens Tuesday through Aug. 13.

State Fish and Wildlife officials say about 28,700 sockeye have been caught in the sport fishery, the first since 2004. The latest run size for sockeye is 466,000 fish, compared to the preseason forecast of 211,000.

The minimum spawning escapement goal is 350,000 fish, which leaves a surplus of 57,000 sockeye each for tribal and sport fisheries.

Fisheries biologist also indicate more sockeye are destined to arrive in the large urban watershed.

The test gill-net sockeye fishery occurring off the west side of Vancouver Island is still finding a fairly good percentage of Lake Washington-bound sockeye in their catch.

"It's pretty unusual for this time of the year to see such a strong run still out there," said Mike Mahovlich, a Muckleshoot tribal biologist. The daily limit is two sockeye per angler with a minimum size of 15 inches. Once an angler catches a limit, he or she must stop fishing even if others on the boat haven't yet caught their limit.

Fishing lasts from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. There is a 100-yard closure on both the floating bridges and a 1,000-foot closure at the Cedar River mouth.

Other salmon caught must be released and cannot be taken out of the water. Use of barbed hooks is allowed.

Notes

• The Swim for Life Fundraiser will be at 7 a.m. on Wednesday at Medina Beach on Lake Washington. Participants, accompanied by a support flotilla, will swim 2.25 miles across Lake Washington, finishing at Madison Beach in Seattle.

Swimmers are asked to raise or donate a minimum of $100 to Puget Sound Blood Center. Participants must be over 18 years old, very strong swimmers and in excellent physical health. Details: 206-354-2003 or 206-292-6511 or www.psbc.org.

• The Penn Cove Orca Capture Commemoration, in memory of southern resident orcas captured in Washington, and in honor of Lolita, the sole survivor, will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Island County Historical Society Museum, 908 N.W. Alexander St. in Coupeville on Whidbey Island. Cost is $20. Details: 866-ORCANET, www.orcanetwork.org or e-mail info@orcanetwork.org.

• The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association's Buoy 10 Salmon Derby Challenge is Aug. 24-25. The event begins with a banquet and auction. Cost for a team of three anglers is $270 or $450 for a team of five anglers. There is also a separate big fish $500 cash prize for those who pay an extra $10. Derby is limited to 245 anglers. Details: 866-315-NSIA.

• The Washington Trails Association Hike-A-Thon occurs in August. Raise money to maintain and protect trails for every mile you hike. Log the miles, and collect pledges from friends and family. Details: 206-625-1367 or www.wta.org.

• The Seattle REI store at 222 Yale Ave. N. will offer two free biking seminars; 7 p.m. Wednesday, on Bike Maintenance 101, where bikers can learn simple at-home bike maintenance and basic roadside fixes from changing a flat to cleaning your chain; and Aug. 16, on Basic Bike Maintenance for Women, where an REI bike expert demonstrates simple, at-home and roadside bike maintenance. Details: 206-223-1944 or 888-873-1938. or www.rei.com.

• Free classes are being conducted this month for those who'd like to help prevent poaching of fish and wildlife.

The training sessions are sponsored by state Fish and Wildlife, Eyes in the Woods Association and other outdoor organizations and sporting goods stores.

The classes are part of a series of Crime Observation and Reporting Training sessions to train and certify citizens as non-confrontational witnesses in fish and wildlife enforcement efforts.

All meetings are 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on: Aug. 15, at KC's Family Diner, Highway 395 in Kettle Falls (509-738-4790); Aug. 17, Outdoor Emporium, 1701 4th Ave. S. in Seattle (206-624-6550); Aug. 23, at 6116 N. Market St. in Spokane (509-487-8552); and Aug. 24, at SPORTCO Sporting Goods, 4602 20th St. E. in Fife (253-922-2222).

For other training sessions go to: http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm.

• Twanoh State Park in Hood Canal is closed to all uses, except boat launching until further notice.

The day-use area was closed recently after E. coli bacteria was found in the park's water supply. The camping area had been closed since April because of other water quality problems. Water has been shut off to all fountains and taps. No illnesses have been reported.

• "Swimmer's itch" has been reported at Lake Crescent in the Olympic National Park.

Swimmer's itch is an allergic reaction to a small aquatic parasite that normally infects snails, as well as certain aquatic birds and mammals. Though it does not survive in humans, it causes intense itching and a rash will appear within several hours to several days.

The rash can last as long as a week or sometime longer through scratching. Park officials are advising people to avoid going into the affected water. Details: 360-565-3005.

• The Cascade Bicycle Club is offering a variety of fall rides. Next: Sept. 17, Cascade Spawning Cycle is an urban ride targeted for kids and families with distances of 6 to 45 miles starting at Myrtle Edwards Park in Seattle; and Oct. 1, Kitsap Color Classic begins at the Edmonds Masonic Lodge for a $5 pancake breakfast. Details: 206-522-3222 or www.cascade.org.

• Northwest Trek in Eatonville has a full slate of activities next month: Get Out of the Rut Day is Sept. 2, which is a tribute to elk; Troop to Trek is Sept. 9, and salutes military families with a special half-price day; and Run Wild Fun Run is Sept. 23, and can choose from 8K, 5K and kids' dash.

Elk Bugling Tours are 8 a.m.-10 a.m. on Saturdays, Sept. 9, 16 and 30; and Sundays, Sept. 10, 17, 24 and Oct. 1. Cost is $35 adults and $22 children ages 5-12. Reservations are required. Details: 360-832-6117 or www.nwtrek.org.

• The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is looking for volunteers to help with a summer chum project on the Union River in Belfair, which is listed under the Endangered Species Act.

The group has been performing a supplementation program since 2000, and thousands of chum are now returning. Prior to the project the average return on the river was 200 to 700 summer chum.

Volunteers need to commit to four hour day, and evening shifts and overnight 12 hour shifts at the trap site. Accommodations are available for those who pick the overnight shift. The site is monitored Aug. 15 to Oct. 15 with available 24-hours a day. Details: 360-275-3575.

• Maple Leaf Adventures is offering a nature tours aboard the 92-foot sailing schooner of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, the newest in Western Canada, on Oct. 11-6, Oct. 19-24, Oct. 26-31 and Nov. 2-7. Cost is $1,700 (U.S.), and includes accommodation, meals and shore excursions. Details: 888-599-5323 or www.MapleLeafAdventures.com.

• Mount St. Helens has reopened to climbing despite minor eruptions on the active volcano.

Climbing the crater rim is a popular for beginners and experienced mountaineers, and is open year-round, but entry into the crater itself is prohibited.

The majority of climbers take the Monitor Ridge Route from Climbers Bivouac, which gains 4,500 feet in five miles to the crater rim at 8,365 feet elevation.

This section of the climb is strenuous, and the non-technical climb is suitable for people in good physical condition who are comfortable on scrambling on steep, rugged terrain. It usually takes about seven to 12 hours to make the round-trip.

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest Service and Mount St. Helens Institute also offers a new climbing reservation system.

Climbing permits are necessary for those who trek about 4,800 feet elevation. The permit costs $15, plus a service charge of $7. Permits are available at the institute.

Only 100 climbers are allowed on the mountain per day from May 15 through Oct. 31, and the maximum party size is 12 people. Details: 360-891-500 or www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/mount-st-helens.

• As part of its Centennial 2013 Plan, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission have created some new amenities and services for visitors to choose from this summer and beyond.

They include:

New cabins at Kitsap Memorial State Park with kitchenettes, and mini refrigerators and microwaves. Cost is $50 per night, and they sleep five people. Details: 360-779-3205.

New cabins at Pearrygin Lake State Park with kitchenettes, and bathrooms with toilets. Cost is $65 per night, and they sleep four people.

A new vacation house also is available, with a small living and dining area, kitchen, and bathroom with shower, sink and toilet. Cost is $125 per night, and it sleeps four people. Details: 888-CAMPOUT.

New cabins at Camano Island State Park include furniture made by local volunteers with wood milled from trees cleared at the park. Cost is $41 per night, and it sleeps five people. Details: 360-387-3031.

New yurts at Grayland Beach State Park are $45 per night and they sleep six people. Details: 888-CAMPOUT.

Upgrades to the Fort Okanogan Interpretive Center include new summer interpretive programs, expanded center hours, upgrades to center exhibits, improved signage and air-conditioning system.

There are many family events and other outdoor activities that occur in parks across Washington. They include Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks events, living-history presentations, nature hikes, cultural fairs, musical events and more. An on-line calendar is available by going to www.parks.wa.gov/events. For more information on renting cabins and yurts, go to www.parks.wa.gov/rentalplaces.

• Anglers fishing the Upper Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to Chief Joseph Dam, and the Okanogan River must release any tagged salmon now through Oct. 15.

A small number of chinook will be tagged for management and research purposes to better estimate the stock structure, and the number of wild fish returning to the Upper Columbia Basin. The tags are a colored "anchor tag" approximately two inches in length located near the dorsal fin.

• A public access site on Waitts Lake in Stevens County west of the town of Valley will be closed now through Aug. 13 for reconstruction work. During the closure, the 455-acre lake can be accessed through three private shoreline resorts. The lake is popular with trout, bass and perch fishers.

The lake is set to receive a new boat ramp, paved parking area, toilet, fencing and gate with $289,000 from the Boating Facilities Program of Washington's Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation.

• The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is looking statewide for volunteer interpretive assistance at Goldendale Observatory State Park in Klickitat County.

Individuals, families, schools, clubs and community organizations with an interest in astronomy can get involved. The park also is seeking guest interpretive speakers from colleges and universities to provide occasional evening programs, and volunteers to provide maintenance and improvements to park grounds.

The observatory has one of the nation's largest public telescopes. Details: 509-773-3141 or e-mail Goldendale.Observatory@parks.wa.gov.

• The Washington Trails Association has named the state's top-10 threatened hiking trails and offers ways to help them. The group says trails are vulnerable to a number of threats, from intense weather, neglect, and management decisions that compromise the experience of hikers.

Here is the list: Goat Mountain Trail Gifford Pinchot National Forest; Barclay Lake Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest; Upper Mad River Trail Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; Dosewallips River-Road Trail Olympic National Forest; Rachel Lake Trail Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest; Thorp Mountain Trail Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; Big Greider Lake Washington state DNR land, near Sultan; Juniper Dunes Wilderness Bureau of Land Management land, near Pasco; Crater Lakes Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; and Gothic Basin Washington state DNR land, near Sultan.

Hikers wishing to volunteer to help restore a threatened trail can learn more at www.wta.org or 206-625-1367.

• The Lynnwood Parks Dept. is offering a kayaking trip 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Aug. 20 from La Conner to Goat Island. Open for adults and youth ages 10 and older. Cost is $85 non-Lynnwood residents, and $80 for residents. Details: 425-771-4030.

• Crystal Mountain Resort is offering summer travel packages including sunset dinners and scenic chairlift rides.

The Chinook Express and Rainier Express lifts will run on weekends and Labor Day through Sept. 4. The lifts will operate 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with the last ride up at 3 p.m.

Mountain bikes are not allowed on chairlifts, but biking is allowed on the trails. Trail and wildflower guides are available at the Right Angle Sports Shop. A barbecue lunch will be available from 10:30 a.m.-3:30.p.m. at the Summit House. There will be two nightly seatings for Sunset Dinners. Cost is $59 per person which includes a chairlift ride to and from dinner. Details: 360-663-2265 or www.skicrystal.com.

• The Ilwaco Charter Boat Association is hosting a Father/Daughter/Son Fishing Derby this summer. There is no entry fee, and it is open to all sport fishers. Anglers must register by 11 a.m. on the day they are fishing. Anyone on a charter boat from the port will be considered as registered for the event. Details: 360-642-3495.

• The Salish Lodge & Spa is offering a variety of activities this summer for the outdoor enthusiast including hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, horseback riding and fly-fishing.

Another unique outdoor activity available is Geocoaching, a digital scavenger hunt using GPS units and coordinates. Teams embark searching for hidden "caches" or treasures in the mountain trails within a 1-mile radius of the lodge. Details: 800-272-5474 or www.salishlodge.com.

• "In and Around the Delta" is the theme of a summer lecture series at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. All lectures begin at 7 p.m.

Dates: Aug. 9, Lava, Ice, Mud and Buried Forests: Mt. Rainier, the Volcano in our Backyard with Patrick Pringle, Earth Sciences Faculty Centralia College; Aug. 16, Recovering Salmon, Restoring the Nisqually Watershed with Jeanette Dorner, Salmon Recovery Program Manager Nisqually Indian Tribe; and Aug. 23, Fish Ecology of the Nisqually NWR Estuary with Christopher Ellings, Fish Biologist Ducks Unlimited, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Details: 360-753-9467 or www.fws.gov/nisqually.

• Kitsap Memorial State Park in Poulsbo has four new cabins. Each are The 13-by-13-foot cabins feature featuring a bunk bed that sleeps three, a futon that sleeps two, mini refrigerator, microwave, electric heat and lights, and a locking door. A picnic table, fire pit and water standpipe are outside of each unit.

Kitsap Memorial State Park is a 58-acre camping park with 1,797 feet of saltwater shoreline, and facilities for group and individual recreation, weddings and overnight stays. Details: 360-779-3205.

• The Washington Outdoor Women's [WOW] workshop is Sept. 15-17 at the Camp Waskowitz Environmental Learning Center near North Bend.

WOW is a non-profit program dedicated to teaching women outdoor skills and natural resource stewardship. Classes include archery, fly fishing and tying, canoeing, preparing fish and shellfish, big game hunting, backpacking basics, survival skills, and more.

A new course offered teaches dog owners how to handle canine emergencies in the field. Several state Fish and Wildlife staff members serve as volunteer instructors.

Workshop participants must be at least 18 years old, and need a current Washington recreational fishing license to take part in the fishing and fly-fishing sessions. Cost is $215, includes lodging, meals and use of all equipment. Details: 425-455-1986 or www.washingtonoutdoorwomen.org.

• Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission along with the U.S. Coast Guard and Dairy Queen are hosting a reward program for kids who wear life jackets while boating. Officers patrolling Washington's waterways will hand out coupons for a free, small Dairy Queen ice-cream cone to kids younger than 16 if they are spotted wearing a life jacket when out on a boat.

On weekends and holidays during the summer, state park rangers, county and city marine patrols, state Fish and Wildlife officers and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members will be on the lookout for safe kid boaters. All states now require children to wear life jackets while boating. Details: www.parks.wa.gov/boating.

• Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville is offering family overnight summer camps titled: "S'mores and Snores," Aug. 12-13. Cost is $40 adults, and $22 children ages 3-12. Details: 360-832-6117 or www.nwtrek.org.

• Join in this summer on the Washington Trails Association Wildland Discovery Hike Series. Next: Aug. 19, Tongue Mountain in Gifford Pinchot National Forest; Aug. 26, North Fork Skykomish to Dishpan Gap; Sept. 8, Dark Divide Hikes on banks of Lewis River; Sept. 16, William O' Douglas to Snow Mountain ranch; and Sept. 24, Park Butte near Mt. Baker. Details: 206-625-1367 or www.wta.org.

• The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is offering an Adventure Overnight Camp Aug. 15-18 for sixth to ninth graders.

Learn about wild salmon issues from historical perspectives, current trends and salmon physiology through exploration activities, games, art and journaling. Details: 360-275-3575.

• Outdoor Odysseys in Friday Harbor is offering a limited number of women-only sea kayaking tours in the San Juan Islands now through September. Choose from two types of sea kayaking tours, both led by women guides — a three-day camping tour or a three-day bed & breakfast tour. Cost is $475 for camping tour and $749 for B&B tour. Details: 206-361-0717 or www.outdoorodysseys.com.

• The Washington Trails Association offers statewide trip reports and trail conditions. Details: www.wta.org.

• The Sammamish Rowing Association hosts learn-to-row sessions through October. Meet twice a week for the four-week session. Cost is $75. Details: 425-653-2583.

• The Washington Trails Association is offering high school students volunteer vacations in the Puget Sound region.

Participants learn all about the world of building and maintaining hiking trails, experienced in a safe, teamwork-oriented environment in the Cascade Mountains. The association provides experienced crew leaders, a great project, some camping gear (tents and sleeping pads) and meals.

Cost is $125 for non-members, and $100 for WTA members. The week-long trips are offered through Aug. 20. Details: 206-625-1367 or www.wta.org.

• The Seattle Parks and Recreation is offering a kayaking program for people with disabilities 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Green Lake Small Craft Center, 5900 West Green Lake Way North. The kayaking event is co-sponsored with Wilderness Inquiry. For details e-mail Mara Lynaugh at maralynaugh@comcast.net.

• The North Cascades Institute 2006 catalog offers a wide range of spring and summer adult field seminars, family getaways and a speaker series. Details: 360-856-5700 or www.ncascades.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