Following a series of public meetings, razor clam managers for the state Fish and Wildlife Department have designed a fall season as close as possible to what recreationists said they wanted. It’s also a little complicated, so if you’re a razor clam aficionado, you might want to save this schedule. All digging will be on afternoon tides only:
Oct. 25: All beaches are open – Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, “Mockrocks” (from the Copalis River to the Moclips River), and Kalaloch.
Oct. 27-28: All beaches are open.
Nov. 10-11: Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Kalaloch only.
Nov. 12-16: Kalaloch only.
Nov. 24-25: All beaches.
Dec. 8-9: Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Kalaloch only.
Dec. 10-12: Kalaloch only.
Dec. 13: Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Kalaloch only.
Dec. 14: Kalaloch only.
One change this year is a two-day opening on all beaches during part of the long Thanksgiving weekend – a very popular digging time.
As usual, diggers should check the agency’s shellfish hotline (360-796-3215) and the Marine Toxin Hotline (1-800-562-5632) before driving south. All openings are contingent on the number of remaining clams available for harvest, and on permission from the state Health Department.
Kids’ fish: The national CAST For Kids organization, along with Everett Parks and Recreation and the state Fish and Wildlife Department, sponsors a day-long kids’ fish-in and fishing seminar, Oct. 14 at Silver Lake City Park in south Everett. The event is open to youngsters 5 to 14 and will include tips from volunteer experts on how to rig tackle, fly tying, water safety, fishing ethics, and more. Participants may also, if they choose, enter the Bassmasters casting contest. Silver Lake will be planted with trout by the WDFW prior to the event, and the major part of the day will be actual fishing time. For a $5 registration fee (call EvParks at 425-257-8300 for information or to register), participants will receive a T-shirt and a Zebco rod and reel, all of which are theirs to keep. Or, youngsters may bring their own gear and participate in all the events free.
Duck hunt: The “duck taxi” service for waterfowl hunters on Potholes Reservoir is on tap again this fall and winter, ferrying hunters daily from MarDon Resort to sand dune islands and other choice spots on the reservoir. Unguided, “drop-off” hunts include the boat ride, a blind, and decoys, for $125 per person, two-person minimum. Fully guided hunts go for $175 per person, three-person minimum. Call 1-800-416-2736.
Hunter sight-in: The annual hunter sight-in days sponsored by the Seattle Rifle and Pistol Association at its Machias-area range will run weekends through Oct. 22, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fee is $5 for the first rifle, and $2 for each additional. Range address is Evergreen Sportsmen’s Park, 625 135th Ave. S.E., Snohomish. Call 425-488-6885, evenings, for more information.
Upcoming seasons: The north end of Lake Washington is now open for coho, through Nov. 30, daily limit six fish. General buck deer season opens Oct. 14. General bull elk season opens in all areas except Western Washington (which opens Nov. 6) on Oct. 30. Winter blackmouth season opens in most parts of Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Nov. 1.
?Hunter ed: Successful completion of a certified hunter safety class is required in order to obtain a first Washington State hunting license for those of a certain age, or for those planning on hunting as a non-resident in any of several other states. For information on upcoming classes, call certified instructors Dick Abbey, at 206-542-2792 (leave a message if no answer), or Jim Elliott at 425-353-2211, after 5 p.m.
Build a rod: Greg’s Custom Fishing Rods in Lake Stevens presents a second rod building class this fall, 7-9 p.m. on Nov. 6, 8, 13, and 15, for a fee of $25. Call for reservations or more information, 425-335-1391.
