Outdoors Notebook | Hatchery chinook season a good bet

The salmon season setting process begins Tuesday in Olympia when state Fish and Wildlife unveils its preseason forecasts for 2007-08.

One fishery likely to stay on the table is the successful hatchery chinook season in and around Saratoga Passage.

The fishery, which has occurred the past two years, targets hatchery-produced marked chinook [fish with a missing adipose fin] from Oct. 1 to April 30 in Marine Catch Areas 8-1 and 8-2.

"It is not a very big fishery in terms of anglers turning out to fish it, but those that do are finding some great opportunity with a good rate of hatchery chinook to bring home," said Pat Pattillo with state Fish and Wildlife's salmon intergovernmental policy group. "We have a test fishery in those areas where we collect information, and this fishery is not a wild chinook killer."

This year, state Fish and Wildlife plans to look at a multi-year program on expansions for selective salmon fisheries.

"We have talked with the tribes a number of times and other management organizations about selective fishing expansions for inside Puget Sound, and some are big and some are small," Pattillo said.

"We will look at possibly providing some opportunities at places like Area 9 [northern Puget Sound-Admiralty Inlet] where there is no summer chinook fishing, and other areas in the winter where we can have some selective fisheries."

The selective summer chinook fishery in the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Sekiu to Port Angeles [Areas 5 and 6] will be managed the same way it has been over the past three years with a possible exception.

"We will be looking at a possible earlier opening in June where it has been in the past a July opener," Pattillo said. "I know the folks at Sekiu would like to see that expanded."

The No. 1 goal for state Fish and Wildlife is for conservation and to even further reduce the impact of wild fish. The other goal is to increase hatchery salmon fishing as long as they're produced.

"It is a conservation issue of hatchery fish on the natural spawning grounds that isn't good," Pattillo said. "Hatchery fish are for harvest, and by increasing the fisheries for hatchery fish it will decrease that threat."

The Columbia River forecast calls for 337,200 fall chinook compared to last year's actual return of 415,100 [464,600 predicted]. The Columbia River summer chinook is forecast at 45,600 compared to last year's actual return of 76,200 [49,000 predicted].

The Oregon Production Index coho figures for the Columbia River were recently released, and this year's preseason outlook is 849,200, which is somewhat larger than last year's actual return of 557,100 [460,200 predicted].

The preseason salmon forecast meeting is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street S.E. in Olympia. Fishing seasons will be finalized April 2-6 during the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting at the SeaTac Marriott Hotel. For other key meeting dates, go to http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/northfalcon/.

Walleye record

Mike Hepper of Richland set a state record with a 19.3-pound walleye he caught Feb. 5 in the Columbia River above McNary Dam. Hepper caught the monster walleye on a spinner-and-worm combination.

The walleye was 33.7 inches long with a girth of 22.24 inches.

The previous state record was 18.9 pounds, and was caught in the John Day Pool of the Columbia in 2002.

Hepper's record ranks sixth in the nation. The largest was a 22-pound, 9-ounce walleye caught in Arkansas in 1982.

Notes

• The Radical Reels Film Festival Tour is 7 p.m. Friday at The Mountaineers Building, 300 Third Ave. W. The film displays stomach-dropping kayak first descents, wild BASE jumpers and plenty of other extreme mountain sports. Cost is $10. Details: 206-284-6310 or www.mountaineers.org.

• The Edmonds Laebugten Salmon Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the South County Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave. in Edmonds. Tom Nelson of Salmon University will discuss salmon angling in Puget Sound. Details: 425-742-6791.

• The Northshore Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting is 7 p.m. March 6 at the Lake Forest Park Towne Centre, 17171 Bothell Way N.E. in Lake Forest Park. John Comes from NorthWestTrout.com will discuss fly-fishing at Yellowstone National Park's Slough Creek. Details: 206-362-6358.

• The Evergreen Sportsmen's Show is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. Cost is $9 adults, and $5 for youth ages 6-16. Details: www.otshows.com.

• The Overlake Fly Fishing Club dinner meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Issaquah Holiday Inn, 1801 12th Ave. N.W. Guest speaker Jack Dennis, expert fly fishing guide and writer from Wyoming, will discuss a program on "The Trout Streams of the West." Cost is $26 for dinner. Details: 425-481-3063.

• The Lake Washington Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is hosting a turkey hunting clinic noon Saturday at the Renton Fish & Game Club, 17500 S.E. 144th St. in Renton. Cost is $15. Details: 206-914-7916. The Chapter's Hunting Heritage Banquet is 3 p.m. March 11 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 3225 158th Ave. S.E. in Bellevue. Details: 425-413-3807.

• The Three Rivers Marine and Tackle is hosting guest speaker Gary Loomis 6 p.m. Friday at 24300 Woodinville-Snohomish Road in Woodinville. Loomis will discuss the organization Fish First, which looked for ways to rebuild declining fish populations in the Lewis River to historical levels. Registration required. Details: 425-415-1575.

•More coastal razor clam digs are possible on March 16-18 if marine toxin tests show clams are safe to eat, and in conjunction a clam festival will be held at Ocean Shores.

Once the seasons are approved digging will be open March 16 at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks; March 17 at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch; and March 18 at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Kalaloch. Digging will be allowed from noon to midnight on each day.

Low tides: March 16, 0.1 feet at 5:31 p.m.; March 17, -0.1 at 6:16 p.m.; and March 18, -0.1 at 6:58 p.m.

The Ocean Shores Chamber of Commerce is planning a Razor Clam Festival and Chowder Cook-Off is 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on March 17.

Events include a pancake breakfast, artisan marketplace, kids fun zone, food vendors, music, razor clam facts, art auction and Caribbean pirate party. Details: www.oceanshores.org or 360-289-2451.

•The Washington Fly Fishing Club is offering fly casting classes for beginner and advanced fly fishers.

The beginning classes start April 5, and are held every Thursday for six weeks. Cost is $40. The advanced classes start April 4, and are held every Wednesday for four weeks. Cost is $50. Details: 206-542-4623 or 206-932-4925.

•The Washington Butterfly Association is hosting a free lecture titled "Discovering the Unique Wildlife of Madagascar," 7 pm. March 7 at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St. in Seattle. Dave and Jo Nunnallee will discuss tales and photos of the wildlife and natural history from their recent trip to Madagascar. Details: 206-364-4935 or www.naba.org/Chapters/nabaws.

•The Spree at the Summit is March 10 at the Summit at Snoqualmie, and is a fundraising event benefiting the Outdoors for All Foundation who's mission is to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation.

Events include demos of new snowboards and skis; an all-day lift ticket or $10 Sturtevant's gift certificate; continental breakfast; BBQ lunch from Red Robin's; unlimited giant slalom racing or recreational skiing/snowboarding; a Spree t-shirt; and an Après ski party for adults. Be one of the first 100 to register and receive a $5 gift card to Starbucks. Details: 425-462-0978, ext. 213 or www.outdoorsforall.org.

•The sport oyster season is open at Cushman Park in Mason County on the west side of Hood Canal from now until Dec. 31.

Last year's oyster season ran only one month, and recent surveys indicate that the oyster population will support an extended season.

•The Coulee Corridor National Scenic Byway "Big Event" is 3 p.m. March 3 at the Soap Lake Middle and High Schools.

The event focuses on the scenic byway between Othello and Omak, and features displays on wildlife watching from state Fish and Wildlife, the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, the Othello Sand Hill Crane Festival, Washington State Parks, Soap Lake Conservancy, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Colville Tribal Enterprise Corp. and the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce. Details: 509-633-3655 or www.okanoganvacation.com/couleecor06.shtml.

•The Lake City Chapter of Ducks Unlimited Banquet is 5:30 p.m. March 21 at the Lake City Elks Lodge, 14540 Lake City Way. N.E. in Seattle. Reservations are required. Details: 206-660-9334.

•The Hot Plug Blackmouth Salmon Derby is March 17-18 at the Stanwood Eagles. Cost is $60. Details: 360-387-5638 or 425-231-5640.

•The Northwest Youth Conservation and Fly-Fishing Academy hosted by the Olympia Chapter of Trout Unlimited and South Sound Fly-Fishers is June 24-30 at the Gwinwood Conference Center on Hicks Lake in Lacey.

The purpose of the summer camp is to educate youths ages 12 to 16 about the importance of natural resources conservation and stewardship, and to provide an introduction to fly-fishing.

Lessons include ecology, hydrology, aquatic entomology, invasive species, watersheds, wildlife management and fish behavior. The deadline for application is April 15. Cost is $275. Details: 360-491-9227 or www.nwycffa.org.

•The Tacoma Nature Center is hosting an art exhibit and reception by John McCuistion 2 p.m.-4 p.m. March 3 at the Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 Tyler St. in Tacoma. The artist's theme for his Northwest ceramics are air, land, water and the natural world around us. Details: 253-591-6439 or www.metroparkstacoma.org.

•The East Lake Washington Audubon Society is hosting an all-day bird watch March 3 to Camano Island's shoreline, salt-water marshes, grasslands and forest habitats. Places on the list include Livingston Bay, English Boom, Utsalady and Iverson Spit. Meet before 7 a.m. at south end of Kingsgate Park and Ride. Cost is $7. Details: 425-868-7986 or www.elwas.org.

•The REI Southcenter Store, 240 Andover Park West in Tukwila is offering two free seminars at 7 p.m. Next: March 6, Angels in the Wilderness: A Solo Trekker's Survival Story of solo ultralight backpacker Amy Racina; March 7, GPS and Topo Navigating with Jeff Caulfield and Honor Fredlund of National Geographic will show you, step-by-step, how to plan your next day hike or backcountry adventure. Details: 206-248-1938 or www.rei.com.

•The Everett Boat Show is March 8-11 at the Everett Events Center.

The show features 100,000 square feet of affordable, family boats for fishing, cruising and water skiing from more than 60 different brands. More than a 100 exhibitors will offer the newest and finest boats and accessories. Authors and experts on topics from fishing to cruising will present free seminars.

Show hours: Thursday-Friday, noon-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost is $7 for adults, $3.50 for youth age 11-17, and kids 10 and under are free. Details: 206-634-0911 or www.everettboatshow.com.

•The Three Rivers Marine and Tackle bass fishing seminar is 9 a.m. March 10 at 24300 Woodinville-Snohomish Road in Woodinville. Guest speakers are Frank White, ABA big fish record holder and 2006 ABA Opener winner; Tag Watson, Washington's IGFA largemouth bass record holder; and Marc Marcantonio, a 35-year veteran tournament angler. Cost is $5. Details: 425-415-1575.

•The Fidalgo Island Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers is hosting the Anacortes Salmon Derby March 10-11 at Cap Sante Boat Haven in Anacortes. Cost is $50. More than $5,000 in prizes will be awarded, $2,000 for the salmon that comes closest to a hidden/secret weight. Details: 360-941-4500 or www.ancortessalmonderby.com.

•The Darrington Ranger District Open House is 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m. March 13 at the Darrington Ranger Station, 1405 Emens Ave. North.

Information will be provided about recent damage and repairs by wind storms and floods to Darrington District trails, roads, bridges and campgrounds, some that may not be open to public travel or use this year. Details: 425-259-7911 or 360-436-1155 or www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs.

•The Western Bass Club meeting is 7 p.m. March 15 at the Kennydale Community Center, 2424 N.E. 27th St. in Renton. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. Details: 253-841-2183.

•Author and mountain climber Arlene Blum, PhD will speak and host a slide show on her new memoir "Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life," 7 p.m. March 15 at the Seattle REI store, 222 Yale Ave. N. in Seattle. Details: 206-223-1944 or www.rei.com or www. Arleneblum.com.

•Northwest photographer Lee Mann will host a benefit program for the Merlin Falcon Foundation titled "Landscapes and Wildlife of the World," 7 p.m. March 21 at the Seattle REI store, 222 Yale Ave. N. Cost is $12. Details: 206-223-1944 or www.rei.com or www.merlinfalconfoundation.org or www.leemanphotography.com.

•The Washington State Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society Habitat Banquet is 5:30 p.m. March 24 at the College Club of Seattle, 505 Madison St. in Seattle. Cost is $ 60 membership and dinner; $35 member with dinner. Details: 206-232-0603 or 206-667-8211.

•The ecotourism schooner Maple Leaf is offering a five-night nature tour of western Canada's newest national park: The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve on April 12-17.

The trip offers visits to virtually unreachable wildlife spots, natural history education by experienced naturalists, frequent shore excursions, sailing a tall ship and chef-cooked meals. Details: 888-599-5323 or www.MapleLeafAdventures.com.

•The Race and Ace Competitions are May 5 at Mt. Bachelor and Sunriver Resort in Oregon, and May 19 at the Tamarack Resort in Idaho. The event is a single-day biathlon where competitors ski or snowboard a dual giant slalom course in the morning and play 18 holes of in the afternoon. Cost for the Oregon event is $229 by April 9, and $248 until registration closes April 30. Cost for the Idaho event is $179 by April 23, and $199 until registration closes May 14. Details: www.raceandace.com.

•The Summit for Salmon Benefit Climb of Mt. Rainier is Aug. 25-27. The funds raised will support awareness and funds to support salmon recovery efforts of the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition for the Columbia and Snake river systems.

The climb will be led by experienced guides from Rainier Mountaineering, Inc, and anyone who is looking for a physical challenge and enjoys the outdoors can participate. No mountaineering experience necessary. Each climber is required to raise a minimum of $2,000 in donations. The registration deadline is March 15. Details: 206-286-4455, ext. 102 or www.wildsalmon.org/about/summit2007.cfm.

•The Rosario Resort & Spa on Orcas Island is offering a "Take a Hike, Clear a Trail, Enjoy a Vacation" travel package starting May 5 through Sept. 3.

The three-hour-a-day program offers guests a chance to prepare trails for the Moran State Park's summer season and maintain them. Guests who volunteer will receive a special "green" rate of $119 per night, a 40 percent discount. Participants will also receive a 15 percent discount at Rosario's Avanyu spa.

Many cleanup sites will require three to four mile hikes, while others are accessible by vans provided by the resort. Activities will include brushing trails and removing unwanted weeds. Details: 866-801-ROCK or www.rosario.rockresorts.com.

•The Cycle Washington Memorial two-day bike ride from Seattle to Wenatchee is July 21-22. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Jill Spanjer Foundation and the Washington State RSVP Association. Details: www.cyclewamemorialride.com.

•The Washington Ski Touring Club offers trips, classes and volunteer opportunities for cross-country, telemark and backcountry skiers. Meetings are at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month through April at the Seattle REI Store, 222 Yale Ave. N. Membership is $20, and $30 for a family. Details: 206-784-8741 or www.wstc.org.

•State Fish and Wildlife officials have closed public access to the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area now through April 30 to reduce stress on wintering elk.

Last month, wildlife biologists counted nearly 400 elk in the wildlife area at the foot of Mount St. Helens, and that number is likely to grow depending on the severity of the winter. More than 60 elk died of malnutrition and related causes last winter in the 2,744-acre wildlife area.

•The South Park area of Lake Wenatchee State Park is closed starting in mid-January because of a forest thinning project. The area will be off limits to skiers, sledders, snowshoers and campers until the project is finished in approximately five to six weeks.

Forest thinning reduces the risk of wildfire and improves the overall health of the forest. Winter is the optimum time for thinning trees because it minimizes damage to underlying vegetation and soils.

Groomed ski trails at Chiwawa See & Ski, North Park, Kahler Glen and the Nason Ridge backcountry will be unaffected and will remain open for skiing and snowshoeing. But no alternate sites exist in the park for sledding and winter camping, so those activities will resume only after the South Park area is reopened. Details: 509-763-3101.

•Skiers and snowboarders traveling to Mission Ridge, Stevens Pass and the Summit at Snoqualmie can take part in "SkiGreen," a Bonneville Environmental Foundation program meant to help maintain snow-pack levels in the Cascades by supporting the development of wind and solar energy.

Participants can purchase a $2 SkiGreen Tag at a lift or a $20 SkiGreen Tag when purchasing a season pass.

The program reinvests its revenue into renewable energy and conservation projects. Details: 503-248-1905, 866-BEF-TAGS or www.skigreen.org.

•The winter feeding of elk and bighorn sheep has started at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area and Cleman Mountain in Yakima County.

The main feeding site is near the area's headquarters building off Highway 12, southwest of Naches and west of Yakima; the elk are normally fed around 1:30 p.m. daily. When temperatures are low and snow is on the ground, many elk will stay in the area throughout the day.

The interpretive center is operated by volunteers 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Volunteers conduct elk-viewing tours by haywagon through the feeding area. There's a suggested $5 donation. For reservations, call 509-698-5106.

The majestic bighorn sheep also can be viewed in the Tonasket-to-Oroville area off Highway 97 in Okanogan County. A group of Sinlahekin bighorn sheep also live nearly year-round in and around Loomis.

•State Fish and Wildlife officials are asking the public to report dead or ill swans in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties.

Some trumpeter swans in those counties, and in southwestern British Columbia, are plagued each winter with lead poisoning after ingesting lead shot in areas where they feed.

Lead shot has been banned for waterfowl hunting for more than a decade, but biologists believe swans are likely reaching shallow underwater areas where spent lead shot remains.

Callers are asked to leave a message including their name and phone number, and the location and condition of the swans, at 360-466-4345, ext. 266.

•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 (but not December) 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 Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is looking for volunteers for the wild salmon recovery program now through June. Details: 360-275-3575 or email Chris Daniel at chris@hcseg.org.

•The Salish Lodge and Spa, 30 minutes east of Seattle, offers an array of winter outdoor activities.

The guided fly-fishing package for two guests is available year-round, weather permitting A winter snowshoeing package for two occurs during the winter and early spring.

At the adventure center guests can participate in cross country and downhill skiing trips, guided hikes, kayaking and mountain biking. Details: 800-272-5474 or www.salishlodge.com.

•Alpine Ascents International Inc. will begin offering a variety of guided climbs and instructional programs on Mount Rainier starting next year. The group has scheduled more than 30 expeditions and more than 50 training courses in 14 countries, including the Arctic and Antarctic regions. These expeditions range from six-day training courses in the North Cascades and Alaska to three-month expeditions to Mount Everest to summit climbs and courses on Mount Rainier. Details: 206-378-1927 or www.AlpineAscents.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.

•Local Escapes, a local-based travel planner and tour operator, offers a two-night guided exploration of the Olympic Peninsula's rainforest, mountains and coastline.

The personal guided package offers snowshoeing, hiking and other recreational activities. The cost is $950 per person and includes two-night accommodations; transportation; all equipment including snowshoes, poles and raingear; park entrance fees and all meals and refreshments. Details: 877-780-4162 or www.localescapes.com.

•The storms from last November and December left a wake of damage and downed trees across many parts of Washington's state parks.

Because of the severe damage, many parks normally open to the public during the winter months were forced to close their doors.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation is now looking for volunteers to help clear debris from park trails and camping areas in preparation for the spring and summer months.

Here is a list of parks seeking out volunteers: Bridle Trails in Issaquah, 425-649-4276; Dash Point, near Tacoma, 253-661-4955; Kitsap Memorial, near Poulsbo, 360-779-3205; Saint Edward Park in Kenmore, 425-823-2992; Seaquest in Castle Rock, 360-274-8633; Spencer Spit, on Lopez Island, 360-468-2251; Wenberg in Stanwood, 360-652-7417; and Moran on Orcas Island, 360-376-3636.

Also, Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island, 360-675-2417, and Blake Island State Park in Puget Sound near Seattle, 360-731-8330 are looking for volunteers to help remove noxious weed in specific park locations. Details: 360-902-8583.

•The Washington Audubon Society has unveiled a new section of the Great Washington State Birding Trail to include the Olympic Loop in the Olympic Peninsula.

The new route features more than 200 of Washington's 365 bird species. The trails are usually self-guided driving tours to places where birds are likely to be seen, and some include water routes where visitors can paddle canoes or kayaks. Copies of the trail maps can be ordered at www.wa.audubon.org.

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