Catch numbers down for annual trout opener
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, April 26, 2017
By Wayne Kruse
For The Herald
Saturday’s lowland lakes trout opener, if judged solely by catch numbers tallied by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, was generally slower than last year’s opener. Of the 15 lakes in Snohomish and Skagit counties monitored by the department, 11 showed anglers catching fewer trout (fish either kept or released) than in 2016. The four lakes with higher catch rates than last year were Echo (Maltby), Bosworth, Howard and Storm.
Since the number of trout planted prior to this year’s opener was similar to last year, some other factors appear to have been at work — perhaps colder water temperatures or weather that was unpleasant at least some of the day in our area. Who knows? But the silver lining is that lower catch rates mean more trout for anglers in the weeks to come. And fish on the stringer is not the measuring stick anyway. The real value of the day is spending quality time at a healthy activity, and keeping alive a valued Northwest tradition.
Here are the opening-day catch averages for selected lakes in our area:
Snohomish County: Echo Lake (Maltby), 10.5 fish per person; Bosworth, 9.3, including two tagged derby fish; Howard, 6.0, including an 18-inch cutthroat; Serene, 5.7; Storm, 5.1; Ki, 3.8; Wagner, 3.6; Riley, 2.8; Martha (Alderwood Manor), 2.6; Crabapple, 1.6, including a 17-inch rainbow; and Armstrong at a dismal 0.9 fish per rod.
Skagit County: Lake Sixteen, 4.3; Heart, 3.8 including a 23-inch rainbow; Erie, 3.2; and McMurray, 3.2.
Island County: Deer Lake, 11.8 fish per person.
King County: Langlois Lake, a mile and a half south of Carnation, 5.3 per person, one tagged derby fish caught, and a 20-inch rainbow.
Kids event
The annual Lake Tye Kids’ Fishing Day in Monroe, sponsored by the Sky Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited and arguably the largest kids’ spring trout event in the area, pulled another crowd Sunday. The big-fish list was topped by Morgan Lachapelle of Granite Falls, with a trout of 6 pounds, 4 ounces. Her sister, Lexus, won first place last year.
“That family has learned the big-bait-equals-big-fish strategy,” event organizer Gary Bee said.
Second place went to Kianna Lance of Tacoma, at 5 pounds, 6 ounces, and third to Taliyah Millspaugh of Mukilteo, at 5 pounds, 5 ounces.
The adult derby, held after the kids were done for the day, was won by George Hagans of Bellingham, at 4 pounds, 4 ounces. The special $500 tagged fish was not caught during the adult derby.
Kokanee derby
The popular and easily accessible Lake Stevens Kokanee Derby is scheduled for May 20, offering some substantial prizes. First place for the largest kokanee pays $1,000; second, $500; third, $250 and fourth, $100. The biggest 10-fish boat limit wins a $500 gift card at Three Rivers Marine.
The separate kids’ derby pays $100, $75, and $50. First place must be a kokanee, but second and third can be any species caught in Lake Stevens on derby day.
Tickets are $20 for adults. Kids 14 and under get to fish for free. Buy yours at Greg’s Custom Rods, John’s Sporting Goods, Ted’s Sports Center, Triangle Bait & Tackle, Three Rivers Marine, or Holiday Sports.
The derby is sponsored by the Snohomish Sportsmen’s Club and the Lake Stevens Lions.
Stanwood Eagles results
The 30th running of the Stanwood Eagles Blackmouth Derby resulted in fewer, but larger, fish this time around, according to organizer Ed Keller. The derby last weekend weighed 35 chinook for the 133 anglers entered, compared to 70 fish in 2016, but the top three places were all larger than last year.
First and $2,900 went to Cory Myron of Stanwood, at 15.4 pounds (compared to 14.5 in 2016), from Elger Bay on a Coho Killer herring aid. Second went to Larry Mandella, also of Stanwood, at 14.9 pounds (12.9 pounds last year), from Camano Head on a spatterback squid. Third was won by Mike Navarre of Camano Island at 13.8 pounds (12.9), from Elger Bay on a spoon; fourth to Kevin Hushagen of Stanwood at 12.7 pounds (12.8), from Cama Beach on bait; and fifth to Gary Brossard of Marysville at 12.3 pounds, from the racetrack.
The derby was limited to Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2.
Razor clams
After canceling the first two days of a tentative eight-day razor clam dig on coastal beaches because of borderline levels of toxic domoic acid in clams, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the state Department of Health gave the green light to the remaining six days of the tide series: April 26 through May 1.
The dig coincides with the annual Long Beach Razor Clam Festival, April 29-30. For details visit http://longbeachrazorclamfestival.com.
In an unusual move, the state decided to allow a “bonus” number of clams on Long Beach because the beach has been closed most of the season and there are more than enough to support the bonus limit of 25 clams per person daily. All other beaches remain at the traditional limit of 15 clams per day.
The tides are as follows: today, 7:55 a.m., minus 1.6 feet at Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Long Beach. Friday, 8:42 a.m., minus 1.8 feet at Twin Harbors, Copalis and Long Beach. Saturday, 9:32 a.m., minus 1.7 feet at Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Long Beach. Sunday, 10:24 a.m., minus 1.3 feet at Twin Harbors, Copalis and Long Beach. Monday, 11:20 a.m., minus 0.8 feet at Long Beach only.
