By WAYNE KRUSE
Herald Writer
An oversight in salmon regulations for the Snohomish and Skykomish rivers developed recently when the streams were opened for coho but not for chums to match. Chum retention in the two rivers, as printed in the state fishing regulations pamphlet, was not due to open until Nov. 1. The situation has been addressed, and anglers can now keep both coho and chums in the Snohomish and Skykomish, with a daily limit of two adults of either species.
A similar move by state salmon managers has opened the Skagit River to daily fishing, for two coho or chums per day. The number of fishing days per week had been limited on the Skagit.
Remember that you need a freshwater license to fish salmon in the rivers, along with a free salmon catch record card. The short term license, good for two consecutive days of salmon fishing, is legal for either fresh or salt.
A fall/winter razor clam season, broken into several different openings on different beaches (see below), begins Oct. 25. All beaches will be open for that day’s dig, and the tide is minus 0.1 foot at 6:14 p.m. Since all razor clam digs are subject to approval by the state Health Department, call the shellfish hotline at 1-800-562-5632 before heading south.
Wally Hoch, Ducks Inn Guide Service in Ephrata (509-754-9670) says duck hunting on local birds in the Columbia Basin has been good since the season opener. Major concentrations, he says, can be found on Moses lake, McNary National Wildlife Refuge near Pasco, and the Umatilla NWR near Paterson. Moses Lake is holding a concentration of about 5,000 mallards on its south end, while the north end holds an even larger raft of mixed ducks.
A recent two-day hunt with three friends near McNary NWR resulted in a real potpourri of species, Hoch said, including mallards, pintail, greenwing teal, gadwall, ringnecks, shovelers, and one cinnamon teal.
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: Last day today for the annual hunter sight-in sponsored by the Seattle Rifle and Pistol Association at its Machias-area range, 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 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.
Razor clams: Recreational razor clam openings this fall and winter, afternoon tides only, are as follows: Oct. 25, all beaches; Oct. 27-28, all beaches; 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.
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.
