Many Rivers Closing The End Of The Month

Make sure to read over the emergency closures on the Puget Sound and Straits of Juan De Fuca rivers. Most of the smaller rivers as well as the main stem rivers will be closing after January 31. There will still be fishing in the terminal hatchery areas of many streams. Make sure to take a look at the emergency regulations on the WDFD website or scroll back in our reports to January 7th to take a look at them.

Last Minute Reminder - Winter Crab Catch Records Due By End Of Month

Just a friendly reminder to all of you that have still not sent in your Winter Crab Catch Record Cards that you only have to the end of the month to get them in. You can either send them in or do your reporting on line. Just remember that if you fail to report you will be donating $10.00 to the state when you you get your new ones this next licence year. It's better to keep the $10.00 for something you want rather than give it to the state.

Chelan Report - Anton Jones - Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service

What continues hot is bait fishing for Triploid Rainbow Trout on Rufus Woods Reservoir near the lower net pens. Also hot, is trolling the Narrows on Lake Chelan for big Lakers. Roses Lake is pumping out planter rainbows and jumbo perch for ice fishermen.

Fishing with Fire Bait near the lower pens on Rufus has been very good. Mallow Balls O’ Fire was the flavor de jour on our last trip up there. We continue to be able to get fish to bite jigs for some catch and release action.

On Chelan, fish the deep water on either side of the Narrows near the Yacht Club. Our “go to” lure here is a T4 purple glow flatfish. Silver Horde’s Ace Hi Fly and Mack’s Lures Cha Cha Squidders in glow colors baited with a strip of Northern Pikeminnow also works great in this area. Fish out to the 380’s bench before turning around. Most fish have been biting from 260 to 340 feet deep. Numbers of Lakers can be caught in the trench. Ace Hi flies and Worden Lures U20 flatfish are a great bet there.

Roses Lake has been getting fished hard by anglers for both trout and perch. The perch numbers really seemed to have climbed. Anglers are mostly dangling dough baits through the ice for planter rainbow trout. Worms and jigs will catch your first perch. Then a perch eye on the jig hook is a premium bait to use.

Your fishing tip and kids tip of the week is to attend those Sportsman’s Shows to get new tools for your fishing toolbox or to learn more. The latest and greatest gadgets will be there as well as a variety of instructional seminars. Your younger kids will shake off cabin fever by catching a trout out of the ubiquitous kids fishing pond as well as looking at all the attention getting exhibits. The Yakima Show will have a live bear exhibit! We just finished at the Tri Cities show. As I write this we’re preparing to travel to the Western Washington Sportsman’s show in Puyallup, followed by the National Boat Show in Spokane. We’ll also attend the Yakima Sportsman’s show in the middle of February. Come see us at our booth.

Your safety tip of the week is to remember that four inches of clear ice is the minimum for safe ice fishing. Be very observant before venturing out on the ice. Carry spikes on a tether to haul yourself out if worse comes to worse.

Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service
1-866-360-1523 or http://www.darrellanddads.com/

Pictured: 1/15/12 - The Burdette clan of Deer Park, WA with their catch of Rufus Triploids.
Also Pictured: 1/15/12 - Laura Burdette again with her first Rufus Triploid!

Have You Wanted To Fish Sitka?

If you have ever wanted to fish Sitka, you just might want to mark your calander to attend Angling Unlimited's Open House this Saturday, January 28 from noon to 6:00 PM at the Corinthian Yatch Club, Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle. Tom Ohaus, Chuck McNamee, wife's Linda Mae and Jenny will be there to host the event. There will be a Power Point presentation or two with lots of fish pictures. This event will allow you to speak one on one not only with the crew but also a number of Tom and Chuck's clients that have fished with them for years. Not only will there be lots of information to be had but there will be lots hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine, soft drinks and above all a free three day/four night fishing trip! How can you beat that.

These guys are a real first class operation. I have known Tom for over thirty years back from the days he chartered here in Puget Sound and Neah Bay and can attest to his fishing ability. As far as Sitka goes I have personally seen how Tom and Chuck operate on a daily basis as my boat is moored on the other side of the dock from theirs. I have sent many of customers to fish with them over the years and everyone will attest to how well they run their operation.

So if you have ever wanted to fish Sitka this would be an ideal time for you to spend a couple of hours this Saturday partaking of their knowledge.

25th Annual Washington Sportsman's Show - January 25 - 29

The 25th Annual Washington Sportsman's Show will be held at the Puyallup Fair Grounds starting this Wednesday January 25 and run through Sunday January 29. If you are looking for a new boat, guide trips or outdoor information in general this is the show for you.

Show Information

25th AnnualWashingtonSportsmen’s Show®January 25 – 29, 2012
Show HoursWednesday: 12noon – 8pmThursday: 12noon – 8pmFriday: 12noon – 8pmSaturday: 10am – 8pmSunday: 10am – 4pm
Box office closes 1 hour prior to show closing.
‘Like’ us on Facebook
Price$12.00 for Adults$5.00 for Juniors (6-16)Free to children 5 and under
$18 for 2-Day PassNo other discount valid with 2-Day pass.
*Credit cards welcome. $1 fee will be charged per transaction.
CouponsDiscount coupons to the show are now available for download.
Save $2 on admission!
WherePuyallup Fair & Events Center - Directions

ParkingFREE parking EVERYDAY of the show.

Seattle Boat Show - January 27 - February 5

Looking for a "New" Boat, new electronics, new motor or just wanting to get out of the house and be around boats? Then this next weekend, week and the following weekend is just for you. It's the "Big" Seattle Boatshow. Here's the rundown!

SEATTLE BOAT SHOW, INDOORS + AFLOATJANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 5, 2012The Seattle Boat Show, Indoors + Afloat, is the West Coast's Largest Boat Show featuring more than 1,000 recreational watercraft, seminars and the latest accessories indoors at CenturyLink Field, plus afloat on South Lake Union. A free shuttle runs every day between CenturyLink Field and South Lake Union every 30 minutes. View Recommended Parking Options.
HOURSCenturyLink Field:Monday - Thursday: 11AM - 8PM Fridays: 11AM - 9PM Saturdays: 10AM - 8PM Sundays: 10AM - 6PM*
South Lake Union: WEEKDAYS: 11AM - 5PM WEEKENDS: 10AM - 5PM*
* THE SHOW WILL CLOSE AT 4PM ON FEB. 5
TICKETS ON SALE NOWAdults: $12; Youth (11-17): $5;Special 5-day Big Show pass: $24Kids 10 & under: Free
TICKET DISCOUNTS (Box Office Only)Military: $2 off single-day Adult ticket w/ IDSeniors (65+): $2 off single-day Adult ticket

Rivers In "Great" Shape - Go Fishing

After this pasts weeks weather problems it's time to get out and do a little fishing. Though Mr. Weatherman predicted flooding with lots of rain and higher temperatures, the fact is that both have not been a problem and in fact the rivers are dropping in height and are at good flow levels. We have through the end of the month to fish the main stem streams in most of Puget Sound and after that we will have only the hatchery terminal areas to fish through February 15, after that we all be traveling to to other areas of the state to fish. The remainder of the month will give you the best chance of C & R a nice nate in the main rivers before the closures. There have been a few caught this past couple of weeks.
Good Luck

First Razor Clam Dig of 2012

We have the first razor clam dig for 2012 scheduled for tonight and tomorrow - something tells me that there won't be a lot of competition. It will leave a lot of clams for latter in the season. If you are one of the fortunate ones to live close to the beaches have a "Great" dig!


First razor clam dig of 2012
gets nod at four ocean beaches

OLYMPIA – The first razor clam dig of the new year will proceed on schedule Jan. 20-21 at four ocean beaches.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the evening dig at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches after marine toxin tests showed that the clams on those beaches are safe to eat.

No digging will be allowed at any beach before noon.

“The clams we’ve been seeing are in very good condition, with more fat than usual,” said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager. “That makes them especially good for frying.”

The evening low tide Friday, Jan. 20 is at 4:28 p.m. (-0.5 feet) and on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 5:17 p.m. (-0.8 feet).

Ayres recommends that diggers hit the beach one to two hours before evening low tide for best results.

Kalaloch Beach will remain closed until April, due to a low abundance of razor clams. The National Park Service, which manages that beach in cooperation with WDFW, has announced plans to open Kalaloch for a razor clam dig April 7-9.

At the other four beaches, diggers can take 15 razor clams per day, and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2011-12 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licensing options range from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, which can be purchased on WDFW's website (https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov) and from license vendors around the state.

Tentative dates for digs scheduled in February are:

Feb.18, Saturday, 4:13 p.m. (0.0 feet) Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks
Feb.19, Sunday, 5 p.m. (-0.2 feet) Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks

Not Much Happening

With the weather that we have been having there isn't much to report as there is virtually no one doing much of anything fishing wise. Hopefully we will be seeing a turn in the weather and with that getting back to fishing.

Chelan Area Reports - Anton Jones - Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service

What continues hot is trolling the Narrows on Lake Chelan for big Lakers. Also hot, is bait fishing for Triploid Rainbow Trout on Rufus Woods Reservoir near the lower net pens. Roses Lake has finally frozen over with apparently safe ice.

On Chelan, fish the deep water on either side of the Narrows near the Yacht Club. Our “go to” lure here is a T4 purple glow flatfish. However, the big fish of the week came on Silver Horde’s Ace Hi Fly. Mack’s Lures Cha Cha Squidders in glow colors also works great in this area. Fish out to the 380’s bench before turning around. Most fish have been biting from 260 to 340 feet deep.

Fishing with Fire Bait near the lower pens on Rufus has been very good. Atomic Garlic was the flavor de jour on our last trip up there. We continue to be able to get fish to bite jigs for some catch and release action.

Roses Lake froze over with safe ice during the past reporting period. Those cold nights really thickened the ice. Anglers are mostly dangling dough baits through the ice. Subtle takes are the order of the day here, so use light gear. Remember when using floating dough baits when ice fishing, use a little split shot just above the bait so it doesn’t double back and foul your line up. Slip sinker rigs are unnecessary when fishing vertically.

Your fishing tip of the week is to refine your fish smoking technique to better utilize your excess fish. My neighbor and pro fish smoker Donn Vey advises the following. First, use quality fish with high oil content. Our Lakers from Chelan and Triploids from Rufus make incredible smoked fish. Our Columbia River salmon and steelhead that are dried up from the long swim up the crick, not so much. Second, don’t over brine them. Third, watch your time and temperature to get them done just right. Lastly, check out our website for a nice recipe to start with.

Your kid’s tip of the week is to involve your kid in that fish smoking and weave some life lessons into creating a delicious treat. Have them help in the preparation, checking the fish as you go and especially in the cleanup. Providing food for family and friends is a sacred rite. Having the: prepare, do and cleanup process ingrained at an early age is a priceless life lesson. Your safety tip of the week is to stow a spare set of clothes in case of an unexpected dunking. Particularly footgear is a great idea. Slips at the launch and dock are common this time of the year with ice on both. Cold and wet feet are awful and dangerous.

Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service
1-866-360-1523 or http://www.darrellanddads.com/

Come to our Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service Facebook page and "friend" us to view daily photos and comments.

Pictured: 1/14/12 - Our guide, Jeff Witkowski with a 14 lb. 4 oz Lake Chelan Laker. We took out Guide Emeritus, Andy Byrd for a few hours to catch the big one. Come see it on ice at the Puyallup Sportsman's Show.

Also Pictured: 1/10/12 - Ron & Don Duckworth from Poulsbo with Pastor Dan and their catch of Rufus Triploids.