Winter Blackmouth - Opens November 1

Winter blackmouth fishing will open this Thursday in Marine Areas 8-1,8-2 & 9.  Marine Areas 10, 11, 12 and 13 are already open.  Make sure to read your regulations before fishing as there are some differences between areas. 

Though our local areas don't open until Thursday we have been hearing of some blackmouth being caught incidental to the coho fishery.  We have heard of some nice average 7 - 8 pound fish being caught on the west side of the bar off Satchet Head.  These fish came out of 90 -150 feet of water right tight up against the ledges.

The Brown's Bay area off Spanish House also turned out a few smallish blackmouth for one of our customers yesterday while he was trying to get a couple more of those late running coho.

We have also been hearing of some blackmouth fishing off Jefferson Head in the past couple of weeks.  Nothing outstanding size wise but at least there seems to be a few fish around.

Hopefully we will see some better weather for the opener as well as the Bayside Derby that will take place this weekend.  Typically, we will get only 10 - 11 days in November that we will be able to fish due to our typical very windy weather.

Steelhead & River Fishing - Free Workshop

The Everett Parks & Recreation in conjunction with the Everett Steelhead and Salmon Club will be presenting a Steelhead & River Fishing Workshop on Saturday Nov. 10, 2012 from 8:30 am - 12:30pm at Forest Hall at Forest Park - 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd., Everett.  This is a "Free" workshop open to the public.  It will cover the following topics.

*How-to tips for beginning river fishing
*Methods and techniques
*Ideas for selecting fishing gear
*Hook tying
*Rigging and casting
*Best waters for fishing

For more information call Everett Parks & Recreation at 425-257-8300 ext.2

This a great informative workshop for anyone wanting to get started river fishing for salmon and steelhead.

Squid Fishing

The local squid fishing has been quite good for some time now.  We have have been getting some better than average reports coming from both Edmond's as well as the Seattle areas piers.  The fishing has varied a tad from night to night but for the most part those willing to put in a little bit of time have been rewarded with some fairly good catches. 

If you have not participated in this fishery, stop by and we'll be glad to give you the particulars as well as a little lesson in how to clean and cook your catch.

This is a great way to pass a few hours in the evening as well as procuring a tasty treat.

Local Crabbing

Though the local crabbing has been open for some time during this winter season, the weather has not been especially conducive to getting out on a regular basis.  The folks that we have been talking to that have been able to get out between the wind and the rain have found crab, however; most have said that there has been an overwhelming number being soft shelled.  The other day I took a look at one of the customers catch that he was so proud of, in that the four of them had there limits.  However, there was not a single one that was hard shelled.  I took the time and explained that their catch could have got them into a little bit of hot water with the Game Warden and that it was not in their best interest (eating wise) to have kept them.  I took a couple minutes more to show them how to tell if a crab is hard shelled.  I am sure that they will not make the mistake of keeping soft shelled crab in the future. 

With a little bit of time these crab will harden up and fill in and will make for some mighty fine eating.  At least for the near future you will more than likely have to sort through a good number of critters to find a few to make it to your table.

 

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

  What’s hot (even though the weather is getting colder) is trolling for Lake Trout near the Yacht Club on Lake Chelan.  Try fishing depths of 120 to 140 feet deep early in the morning by the Yacht Club.  Then move to water that is over 200 feet deep as the sun gets up higher in the sky.  This is a transitional period as our Lakers work through the spawn and move into winter habitat.  As you are developing your own locations, look for areas that relate to chunk rock in depths of 60 to 130 feet deep.  Our Lakers will spawn there and then hold in water that is a little deeper to feed and recover. 

    Work Worden Lures Flatfish off your outside rods in the T4 size and the purple glow color.  Try either Mack’s Lures Cha Cha Squidders or Silver Horde’s Ace Hi Flies off the downriggers.  We rig the Ace Hi’s with a Mack’s Lures Smile Blade.  Bait those with a chunk of Northern Pikeminnow if you can get it.  Otherwise use whatever fish you can get.  We use a 2” triangle that is about a half inch across the base.  As always, fish within 5 to 10 feet from the bottom regardless of how deep you are.  The presentations that I recommend work best when trolled at 1.2 to 1.6 mph. 

    Your fishing tip of the week is to try a slip sinker rig with Pautzke’s Firebait in the American Wildfire flavor if you are unsuccessful with artificials on Rufus Woods Reservoir.  Remember, the heavier the current, the longer your leader needs to be.  Also, a simple formula that has caught a lot of steelhead is to take 1” chunks of shrimp and sprinkle Pautzke’s Fire Cure on them and let it soak in overnight in the frig.  Then bag them up in a Ziploc to fish on Worden Lures Maxi jigs. 

    The kid’s tip of the week is to shorten the fishing trips down a bit as the weather gets colder.   I can remember taking my eldest grandson to Potholes Reservoir during some bitter weather.  I, of course, wanted to catch fish.  Tyler was in it for the pie at the restaurant.  We caught some fish but ran in for a lot of pie and to warm up.  He’s in college now and has deckhanded for me on Chelan, but we both remember the “pie” fishing trip.  As I get older, those memories get more precious. 

    The safety tip of the week is to start thinking about freeze protecting your boat.  The force that water generates as it freezes is impressive.  Don’t let it break your water pumps, manifolds or other expensive boat parts.  Make sure things are properly drained and protected before putting the boat to bed for the winter.     

Razor Clam Dig - October 27 - 30

Razor-clam dig approved for Oct. 27-30
OLYMPIA – The second razor-clam dig of the fall season will get under way on evening tides at four ocean beaches Saturday (Oct. 27).
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig after marine toxin tests on all four beaches confirmed the clams are safe to eat.
Twin Harbors beach will open for digging after noon on four consecutive days, Oct. 27-30. Three other beaches – Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks – will open for digging Oct. 27-28 after noon each day.
Digging days and evening low tides for beaches scheduled to open are:

• Oct. 27, Saturday, 5:57 p.m., +0.2 ft., Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Oct. 28, Sunday, 6:36 p.m., -0.1 ft., Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Oct. 29, Monday, 7:12 p.m., -0.3, Twin Harbors
• Oct. 30, Tuesday, 7:46 p.m., -0.4, Twin Harbors

Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, recommends that diggers carry a lantern or strong flashlight during night digs. He also said diggers heading to Copalis and Mocrocks should be aware of a traffic revision on eastbound U.S. Highway 101 in Hoquiam due to emergency work on the Simpson Avenue Bridge.
“This is the only route to those beaches, so people should allow extra travel time to make sure they arrive on time,” Ayres said. He advises diggers to check the Washington Department of Transportation website for more information at http://goo.gl/hzoM1.
Ayres also reminds diggers that the limit for razor clams is 15 per day, and that diggers are required to keep the first 15 clams they dig. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.
“Diggers caught returning clams can be cited for wastage,” Ayres said.
All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2012-13 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW’s website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.

Snohomish River Coho

The lower tide water sections of the Snohomish have been yielding some coho for those trolling plugs.  The tidal section extends from the mouth at Everett to the mouth of the Pilchuck River just above the town of Snohomish.  This section of the river is predominately a boat show with a little bit of bank access off the Lowell / Snohomish River Road, some in the town of Snohomish and near the Stocker Soccer Fields just outside of town.  Boaters use the launches at Rotary Park below Lowell, Langus Park, Maple Street in Snohomish as well as the Marysville launch.  Most of the boat fishermen are trolling plugs such as the Brad's Wigglers, 3.5 Mag Lips or Fat Fish by Yakima Bait or Wiggle Warts by Storm.  Colors are generally Fluorescent Red, Fluorescent Red Black Herring Bone and Fire Tigers.  Don't be afraid of trying additional colors as coho are a strange bird and can bite just about any color at times.  Spinners such as a number 3 or 4 Vibrex and also produce well, try silver with fluorescent chartreuse, fluorescent red, blue or green bodies.
This fishery will continue through the end of the month without any question with the number of fish that are still in the Straits.

Chelan Reports - Anton Jones - Darrell & Dads Family guide Service

 What’s hot is running and gunning by trolling for Lake Trout in the lower basin of Lake Chelan.  Additionally, fall fishing for triploid rainbows on Rufus Woods is heating up.  

    No particular area has been super productive, but we’ve had some nice days by working the Yacht Club, the Bar, the Trench as well as Minneapolis and Rocky Point.  Work Worden Lures Flatfish off your outside rods in U20 or T4 sizes and use glow colors.  Our favorites are Luminous Chartreuse and Purple Glow.  We like Mack’s Lures Cha Cha Squidders and Silver Horde’s Ace Hi Flies off the downriggers.  We rig the Ace Hi’s with a Mack’s Lures Smile Blade.  Bait those with a chunk of Northern Pikeminnow if you can get it.  Otherwise use whatever fish you can get.  We use a 2” triangle that is about a half inch across the base. 

    At Rufus we haven’t had much success trolling.  Most of our fish have come by vertical jigging after locating the fish.  Boy, those are good eating fish!  Remember, precision is the key with these fish.  You have to put your presentation right on them.  They are used to being fed, not chasing food.  Think hog, not tiger. 

    Your fishing tip of the week is to match your Rufus presentations to the day.  On bright days muted presentations are more likely to work.  On cloudy days, brighter presentations are more likely to work.  

    The kid’s tip of the week is to relax a bit.  The reality of our society now is that we are becoming more urbanized and incredibly sanitation conscious.  Part of the fishing experience for kids on a “catch and retain” fishery involves touching and smelling.  When you’re taking those kids fishing dress them in clothes they can get messy.  Don’t worry about fish slime.  It will wash.  Don’t force it on them, but if they are so inclined, let them handle the fish.  I really enjoy the little kids that can overcome their squeamishness to touch and sniff the fish.  That usually leads to questions and experience based education.  The best kind… 

    The safety tip of the week is to be wake and distance conscious.  The most simple rule is that when you are running up on plane never come closer than 100 feet to another craft.  A rule of thumb is that the closer you are to another boat, the more effect your wake can have on them.  Another rule of thumb is the smaller that other boat is, the more effect your wake will have.  Slow down as both a courtesy and safety consideration to minimize the effect of your wake on others.   

Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service

www.darrellanddads.com or 1-866-360-1523

Razor Clams Open October 13 - 18

Razor-clam dig approved for Oct. 13-18
OLYMPIA – The first razor-clam dig of the season will get under way on evening tides Oct. 13 at four ocean beaches.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig after marine toxin tests on all four beaches confirmed the clams are safe to eat.
Digging days and evening low tides for beaches scheduled to open are:

• Oct. 13 (Saturday), 5:41 pm (+0.3 ft.); Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Oct. 14 (Sunday), 6:26 pm, (-0.5 ft.); Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Oct. 15 (Monday), 7:11 pm, (-1.1 ft.); Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Oct. 16 (Tuesday), 7:57 pm, (-1.5 ft.); Twin Harbors
• Oct. 17 (Wednesday), 8:44 pm, (-1.6 ft.); Twin Harbors
• Oct. 18 (Thursday), 9:34 pm, (-1.4 ft.); Twin Harbors

“Low tides will occur relatively late in the day, so diggers need be prepared for darkness during evening digs in the fall,” said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager.
All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2012-13 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW’s website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.
Under state law, each digger can take 15 razor clams per day, and must keep the first 15 clams they dig to prevent wastage. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.
Meanwhile, WDFW is still in the process of determining additional fall and winter digging opportunities, said Ayres.
WDFW is accepting public comments through Oct. 9 on digging days and other management options for additional razor-clam digs later this season. For more information, check the department’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/seasons_set.html. The department will announce additional razor-clam digs later this month.
 

Coho Fishing Continues - Though Getting Spotty

The local Coho fishing continues, though the fishing is beginning to become a little more spotty with each passing day.  Overall the fishing has still been quite good with everything considered.  We are still seeing good catches of fish each and every day by some of our customers.  Not everyone is doing well at the present time as you have to be lucky and on top of fish as there are not fish everywhere as we were seeing last month.  You have to be where they are at to be successful now.  If you happen to be where they are then you can do well and if you happen to be where they are not then you don't.  It is just that simple!  We should see some very consistent fishing through the middle of the month and with the numbers of fish that are being caught at Sekiu and Port Angeles at the present time fair fishing should continue until the end of the month.  This has been perhaps the best Puget Sound Coho fishery we have seen in 25 years and most everyone has had an outstanding season.

Crabbing To Reopen Saturday October 13 8:00AM 2012

Most areas of Puget Sound reopen
Oct. 13 for late-season crab fishing
OLYMPIA – Most marine areas of Puget Sound will reopen for recreational crab fishing Oct. 13, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.
The openings were approved by fishery managers after summer catch assessments by WDFW indicated more crab are available for harvest, said Rich Childers, shellfish policy coordinator for the department.
Waters reopening to sport crabbing Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. include marine areas 4 (Neah Bay), 5 (Sekiu), 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 7 (San Juan Islands), 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island, and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 12 (Hood Canal), and 13 (South Puget Sound).
In each area, crabbing will be allowed seven days a week through Dec. 31.
Sport crabbing will not reopen this year in marine areas 10 (Seattle/Bremerton Area) and 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island). The annual quotas in those areas were reached during the summer fishery, said Childers.
The daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crab, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6¼ inches. In addition, fishers may catch six red rock crab of either sex per day, provided those crab measure at least 5 inches across. Additional information is available on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/crab/.
All crab caught in the late-season fishery must be recorded on winter catch cards, which are valid until Dec. 31. Winter cards – free to those with crab endorsements – are available at license vendors across the state.
Winter catch reports are due to WDFW by Feb. 1, 2013. For more information on catch record cards, visit WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/crab/crc.html.