Published: Thursday, December 8, 2011
Blackmouth derby fails to match last year's results
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Submitted photo
Tommy VanWingerden (left) and his grandfather Walt VanWingerden pose with the winning fish at the 2011 Resurrection Derby in Friday Harbor. The 22.34-pound hatchery chinook earned the $10,000 first prize.
If one derby can be considered an indicator of future fishing success, then blackmouth action in the San Juan Islands this winter may not be up to last year's standards. The two-day Resurrection Derby out of Friday Harbor last weekend drew much of the best sport salmon fishing talent in Western Washington, but the anglers found only fair fishing compared to last year's results.
Just under 100 fish were weighed, which was roughly comparable to the 2010 event, but it took 69 boats (of up to four anglers each) to nail that many hatchery-origin chinook. Last year, 44 managed the feat.
Upscale derby, top highliners, good participation, but slower fishing.
"On the other hand, the money fish were larger," said TJ Nelson of Lake Stevens, host of The Outdoor Line on ESPN Radio 710 Seattle. Nelson fished the derby with co-host Rob Endsley in "Big Red," and his blog, with photos, is available at http://www.theoutdoorline.com.
The winning blackmouth, at 22.34 pounds, beat last year's top fish by better than 2 pounds and was caught by Walt Vanwingerden of Bellingham on Friday morning, fishing with his grandson Tommy Vanwingerden. Nelson said the $10,000 fish was caught at Eagle Bluff on a plug-cut herring.
The second-place hatchery blackmouth, also larger than any of last year's winners at 21.05 pounds and worth $2,500, was taken by Steve Grey of Everett, fishing with Mark Schinman and Robert Norling. It was caught, according to Nelson, on a Lucky Louie plug in Thatcher Pass, on Saturday afternoon, with only a half hour of fishing time left in the derby.
Third place and $1,500 went to the Jerry Sangiacomo party, Team Defiance Boats of Bremerton, at 16.01 pounds. Last year's big name, Lance Husby of Marysville, fished with Derek Floyd and Scott Bumstead, nailing a dozen keepers over the two days totaling 63.5 pounds, to win the $1,000 boat weight prize.
The derby was sponsored by the San Juan Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers, and all proceeds go to support salmon enhancement efforts in the area.
"Fishing wasn't as fast as last year, and guys were reporting a lot more shakers, there's no doubt about it," Nelson said. "But the weather was good -- Friday was breezy but not bad, Saturday was flat calm, and the islands were as beautiful as ever."
State checks at the Washington Park ramp west of Anacortes on Sunday (the day after the derby), showed seven boats with 10 anglers and six blackmouth.
HANFORD ELK HUNT
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting public comment on its Elk Population Control Hunt Plan for the Rattlesnake Hills unit of the Hanford Reach National Monument. The Fish and Wildlife Service, along with state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Yakama Nation, is considering cutting the Rattlesnake herd on and near the Hanford Reservation from a current population of about 700 animals to a more manageable 350 or so. The control hunt, to extend over several years, would help minimize elk damage on adjoining private property and to sites on the Hanford Reservation.
The hunt next fall/winter could take place from October through March, utilizing up to 10 hunters per day, selected by random draw and using modern firearms only. The goal the first year would be to harvest 50 to 75 elk, mostly antlerless animals.
The hunt would take place on weekdays only, utilizing time-specific permits to spread out hunting pressure in the relatively bare habitat. Hunters winning permits would be required to attend a pre-hunt orientation.
To view the plan go to fws.gov/hanfordreach/management.html, or call 509-546-8300 for paper copies.
Comments will be accepted through Dec. 30, by e-mailing hanfordreach@fws.gov, or writing to Elk Plan Comments, USFWS, 64 Maple Street, Burbank, Wash., 99323.
GIFT LICENSES
Fishing and hunting licenses for 2012 seasons (valid April 1, 2012, through March 31, 2013) make good Christmas gifts and are available this month at retail license dealers, by phone, or online. For license purchasing information see wdfw.wa.gov/licensing.
License fees vary by type, but some of the most popular are in the $30-$50 range. An annual freshwater fishing license for resident adults is $29.50, while a deer hunting license for state residents is $44.90.
The Discover Pass is new this year and, since fish/hunt licenses include a free vehicle-use permit for lands managed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, primarily useful for outdoor folks using other state-managed recreation lands: state parks, Department of Natural Resources land, heritage sites, wildlife and natural areas, trails and trailheads, and others. The annual pass, valid for one year from the date of issue, is $35 with transaction and dealer fees if purchased at a fishing or hunting license dealer, online, or by phone. For more information on the pass, visit discoverpass.wa.gov.
Gift purchases of licenses or passes can be securely completed online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. State customer service is available 24 hours by calling 1-866-246-9453, toll-free.
For more outdoor news, read Wayne Kruse's blog at www.heraldnet.com/huntingandfishing.
Just under 100 fish were weighed, which was roughly comparable to the 2010 event, but it took 69 boats (of up to four anglers each) to nail that many hatchery-origin chinook. Last year, 44 managed the feat.
Upscale derby, top highliners, good participation, but slower fishing.
"On the other hand, the money fish were larger," said TJ Nelson of Lake Stevens, host of The Outdoor Line on ESPN Radio 710 Seattle. Nelson fished the derby with co-host Rob Endsley in "Big Red," and his blog, with photos, is available at http://www.theoutdoorline.com.
The winning blackmouth, at 22.34 pounds, beat last year's top fish by better than 2 pounds and was caught by Walt Vanwingerden of Bellingham on Friday morning, fishing with his grandson Tommy Vanwingerden. Nelson said the $10,000 fish was caught at Eagle Bluff on a plug-cut herring.
The second-place hatchery blackmouth, also larger than any of last year's winners at 21.05 pounds and worth $2,500, was taken by Steve Grey of Everett, fishing with Mark Schinman and Robert Norling. It was caught, according to Nelson, on a Lucky Louie plug in Thatcher Pass, on Saturday afternoon, with only a half hour of fishing time left in the derby.
Third place and $1,500 went to the Jerry Sangiacomo party, Team Defiance Boats of Bremerton, at 16.01 pounds. Last year's big name, Lance Husby of Marysville, fished with Derek Floyd and Scott Bumstead, nailing a dozen keepers over the two days totaling 63.5 pounds, to win the $1,000 boat weight prize.
The derby was sponsored by the San Juan Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers, and all proceeds go to support salmon enhancement efforts in the area.
"Fishing wasn't as fast as last year, and guys were reporting a lot more shakers, there's no doubt about it," Nelson said. "But the weather was good -- Friday was breezy but not bad, Saturday was flat calm, and the islands were as beautiful as ever."
State checks at the Washington Park ramp west of Anacortes on Sunday (the day after the derby), showed seven boats with 10 anglers and six blackmouth.
HANFORD ELK HUNT
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting public comment on its Elk Population Control Hunt Plan for the Rattlesnake Hills unit of the Hanford Reach National Monument. The Fish and Wildlife Service, along with state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Yakama Nation, is considering cutting the Rattlesnake herd on and near the Hanford Reservation from a current population of about 700 animals to a more manageable 350 or so. The control hunt, to extend over several years, would help minimize elk damage on adjoining private property and to sites on the Hanford Reservation.
The hunt next fall/winter could take place from October through March, utilizing up to 10 hunters per day, selected by random draw and using modern firearms only. The goal the first year would be to harvest 50 to 75 elk, mostly antlerless animals.
The hunt would take place on weekdays only, utilizing time-specific permits to spread out hunting pressure in the relatively bare habitat. Hunters winning permits would be required to attend a pre-hunt orientation.
To view the plan go to fws.gov/hanfordreach/management.html, or call 509-546-8300 for paper copies.
Comments will be accepted through Dec. 30, by e-mailing hanfordreach@fws.gov, or writing to Elk Plan Comments, USFWS, 64 Maple Street, Burbank, Wash., 99323.
GIFT LICENSES
Fishing and hunting licenses for 2012 seasons (valid April 1, 2012, through March 31, 2013) make good Christmas gifts and are available this month at retail license dealers, by phone, or online. For license purchasing information see wdfw.wa.gov/licensing.
License fees vary by type, but some of the most popular are in the $30-$50 range. An annual freshwater fishing license for resident adults is $29.50, while a deer hunting license for state residents is $44.90.
The Discover Pass is new this year and, since fish/hunt licenses include a free vehicle-use permit for lands managed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, primarily useful for outdoor folks using other state-managed recreation lands: state parks, Department of Natural Resources land, heritage sites, wildlife and natural areas, trails and trailheads, and others. The annual pass, valid for one year from the date of issue, is $35 with transaction and dealer fees if purchased at a fishing or hunting license dealer, online, or by phone. For more information on the pass, visit discoverpass.wa.gov.
Gift purchases of licenses or passes can be securely completed online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. State customer service is available 24 hours by calling 1-866-246-9453, toll-free.
For more outdoor news, read Wayne Kruse's blog at www.heraldnet.com/huntingandfishing.
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