By Wayne Kruse
For The Herald
It appears we’ve reached a new low this summer in north Sound salmon management.
Not just a cut from two fish to one. Not just whacking a week off the end of the season. Not just insisting on barbless hooks or other band-aid measures.
A whole new ball game.
This isn’t a rant against the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. They’re responsible people doing what they think is best for the resource while stuck in the middle of a big crowd, all with their hands out: feds, tribes, commercials, recreationists. And in a year when, for whatever reason, the numbers just aren’t there.
Still, the picture isn’t pretty. The release from WDFW on Friday said:
“Effective July 31, Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet, Possession Bar) closes to chinook retention and restricts salmon anglers to shoreline fishing only. Estimates through Thursday (July 27) indicate anglers had caught 83 percent of the chinook quota of 5,600 fish for Marine Area 9.
“In addition (and here’s the juice), area 9 will remain open to salmon fishing only from the shoreline. Anglers will not be permitted to fish for salmon from a boat or other floating device starting July 31. The reason for the action is to protect expected low runs of wild coho and pink salmon returning to the Skagit and Stillaguamish rivers.”
It’s particularly important this summer to read the specific salmon regs, because the situation becomes confusing. Pick up a free copy of the regulations pamphlet at any fish/hunt license vendor, or go online to http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/.
The WDFW goes on to say that beginning July 31, the area 9 daily limit will be two salmon, release chum, chinook and wild coho. You can keep two pinks, two hatchery coho, or a mix of the two while not fishing from a boat or floating device. Inner-tubers and paddle-boarders are out of luck as well.
Marine Area 10 (Edmonds to Seattle) remains open under existing regulations to boats and chinook, but has been only so-so this far into the summer season. All Star Charters owner/skipper Gary Krein of Everett says area 10 should pick up for both chinook and coho, now that 9 is closed. He would fish the outgoing tide in front of Kingston on the Kitsap Peninsula side, or on the incoming tide off the oil docks or Richmond Beach, mainland side, using 4-inch Kingfisher Lite spoons in cookies ‘n cream or herring aid patterns.
So where can you fish for your two pinks or hatchery coho from shore in Area 9, with a chance of catching something? Mike Chamberlain at Ted’s Sport Center in Lynnwood says the west side of Whidbey Island is probably the best bet, at Bush Point, Lagoon Point, or Fort Casey; or across Admiralty Inlet at Point No Point, the Marrowstone Island beaches, or Point Wilson.
On the southeast corner of Whidbey Island, pretty good coho fishing is available now through Sept. 4 at the park or at the “Bait Box” in the same area. Most beaches there are private, so plan on fishing only the two specific spots with public access.
Chamberlain says hang a herring under a float at any of these areas, or toss Buzz Bombs or Rotators, red or pink for humpies, chartreuse, greens or reds for coho.
Chamberlain says the Tulalip Bubble remains open for boats and chinook, although the kings may be getting a little skanky by now. Fish Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday ‘til noon, through Sept. 4. On Sept. 10, the schedule changes to Saturday and Sunday.
Of the rivers, the Stilly and Skagit are closed. The Snohomish opened Tuesday (too early) from the Highway 9 bridge downstream to the 529 bridge for three fish daily, hatchery or wild coho, or pinks. The Snohomish above Highway 9 opens Aug. 16 for three fish daily, hatchery or wild coho, or pinks.
The Skykomish opens Aug. 16 for three salmon, coho or pinks, from the mouth upstream to the Lewis Street bridge in Monroe, and Sept. 1 from Lewis Street upstream for three salmon, coho or pinks.
Once again, it’s important to check the regulation pamphlet before heading to the water.
Or you can drive a ways. Sekiu and Neah Bay are putting out fish, the latter so good that WDFW may have to close the season early. Westport has been good for a mix of chinook and coho, and the chinook limit was pushed up to two fish. Ilwaco is excellent for coho.
Speaking of Neah Bay, a monster 46-pound king was landed there Friday, near Mushroom Rock, west of the boat harbor. Most have been using bait there, but this angler (name not available) nailed his once in a lifetime chinook on a green needlefish hoochie, and he was fishing by himself.
Baker Lake Derby
The 2017 edition of the Baker Lake Sockeye Shootout over the weekend went off without a hitch and participants found great weather and lots of salmon. Some 59 participants weighed in 69 sockeye, with the average fish weighing 4.05 pounds and winning $1,000 for David Sitton. Largest fish, worth $500 weighed 6.44 pounds and was caught by Kenny Jans; second place, worth $250 to Adam Adkinson, weighed 5.77 pounds, and third, worth $100 to David Sitton (again), weighed 5.71 pounds. Largest youth fish weighed 5.09 pounds and won a $250 rod/reel for Troy Schmidt and Hayden Christensen.
The derby is sponsored by the Coastal Conservation Association of Washington.
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