Lots of anglers are looking forward to the winter steelhead season, which traditionally gets under way the day after Thanksgiving. Those on the east side of the Cascades are preparing for openings on winter-fishing lakes, while clam diggers gear up for a razor-clam dig set to begin Dec. 2 on coastal beaches.
But just about everyone who fishes or hunts in Washington has already started to think about next year’s adventures in the great outdoors. For those ready to start laying a foundation for those plans, Washington state hunting and fishing licenses for the 2010-11 season will go on sale Dec. 1. Although the new licensing year doesn’t begin until April 1, a lot of people like to pick theirs up several months early, said Joe Stohr, deputy director for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
"It’s always great to be prepared when the new season arrives," Stohr said. "Plus, hunting and fishing licenses make great holiday gifts."
Licenses may be purchased by phone (360-902-2464), over the Internet (
https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/) or from hundreds of license dealers across the state. The new fishing and hunting licenses are valid from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011 and include vehicle use permits for access to nearly a million acres of wildlife lands throughout Washington.
Like last year, all license fees include a 10 percent surcharge approved by the state Legislature to address a funding shortfall and help offset budget cuts to WDFW.
Also starting Dec. 1, hunters can purchase an application for multi-season hunting permits, which allow successful applicants to hunt in all general archery, muzzleloader and modern firearms seasons throughout the year. Drawing results for 2,000 deer and 600 elk permits will be announced in April.
More immediately, late archery hunts for deer and elk open today (Nov. 25) in select game management units (GMU) in the region. Muzzleloader hunts for elk also open today, while the late muzzleloader season for deer gets started Nov. 26.
Birders also have good reason to bundle up and get outdoors. Bald eagles are starting to arrive at their wintering sites along the Skagit River, and Tundra swans have been spotted in many parts of eastern Washington. For more information about fishing, hunting and wildlife-viewing opportunities available throughout the state, see the regional reports below.
North Puget Sound
Fishing: Salmon fishing has been slow in the region’s river and streams, but stalwart anglers on Puget Sound have had some success hooking blackmouth.
"We saw a drop off in fishing effort in the marine areas during this recent stretch of wet and windy weather," said John Long, WDFW’s statewide salmon manager. "However, fishing for blackmouth was decent for the few anglers that did get out on the water, especially those in central Puget Sound." Marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner), 9 (Admiralty Inlet) and 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) are open for salmon. Anglers fishing those marine areas have a two-salmon daily limit, but must release wild chinook.
Long reminds anglers that only a few days remain to fish for salmon in Marine Area 9. The salmon fishery in that area is open through Nov. 30. Beginning Dec. 1, however, salmon fishing will open in Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands), where anglers will have a two-salmon daily limit, but must release wild chinook.
Crabbing also is an option in select marine areas. Marine Area 10 and most of Marine Area 9 are open for crabbing seven days a week through Jan. 2, 2010. The portion of Marine Area 9 south of a line from Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point is closed for the season. Crab fishing also is open seven days a week through Jan. 2 in marine areas 4 (Neah Bay), 5 (Sekiu) and 13 (south Puget Sound).
The daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crab, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6¼ inches. Fishers may catch six red rock crab of either sex per day, provided those crab measure at least 5 inches across. For more information about recreational crabbing in Puget Sound, see WDFW's website at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab.
In the rivers, fishing for chum salmon has been slow and many anglers are gearing up for hatchery steelhead , which are expected to arrive in greater numbers in the coming weeks.
Rainbow trout also is an option for freshwater anglers, who might want to try casting for lunkers at Beaver Lake near Issaquah. About 2,000 hatchery rainbows - averaging about 3 pounds each - were released in the lake in early November. The lake, which is one of several westside lowland lakes open to fishing year-round, is best fished by small boat, although anglers also can be successful fishing from shore. The daily bag limit is five fish, and bait anglers must keep the first five trout they catch.
Before heading out, anglers should check the regulations for all freshwater and saltwater fisheries in WDFW's Fishing in Washington pamphlet (
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm).
Hunting: Waterfowl hunters in the region have had success recently, thanks to a stretch of rainy and windy weather that has moved the birds inland. "While it appears not all the birds have made their way to the region, hunters have done very well because of the optimal conditions," said Don Kraege, WDFW waterfowl manager. "This is usually primetime for waterfowl hunting, so hunters should continue to have success if the weather cooperates." Waterfowlers have through Jan. 31 to hunt for ducks and geese in the region.
Late archery hunts for deer and elk open today (Nov. 25) in select game management units (GMU) in the region. Muzzleloader hunts for elk also open Nov. 25, while the late muzzleloader season for deer gets started Nov. 26. Archers have through Dec. 8 to hunt deer in GMU 437, through Dec. 15 in GMUs 466 and 460, and through Dec. 31 in GMUs 407, 410 and 454. The region's musket hunts for deer run through Dec. 15. Most muzzleloader and archery hunts for elk also continue in the region through Dec. 15.
Meanwhile, only a few days remain to hunt pheasant, California quail and bobwhite . Those general seasons run through Nov. 30.
Before going afield, hunters should check the Big Game Hunting pamphlet (
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm) and the Waterfowl and Upland Game pamphlet (
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm) for details.
Wildlife viewing: Bald eagles are starting to arrive at their wintering sites along the Skagit River. Each winter, hundreds of the white-headed raptors spend December and January along the river, where the carcasses of spawned salmon provide a feast for the birds. After a few weeks of dining, the eagles head north - usually around mid- to late January - to their summer homes in Alaska and British Columbia.
Farther south, a birder in the Edmonds area spotted five ancient murrelets passing overhead. For most of the year, the birds are an uncommon sight in Puget Sound, but can be found in the region in November and December. Ancients are small, stocky birds with gray and white sides, a white belly and a black head. The birds are agile in flight and often plunge into the water to forage. Using their wings as flippers, the birds seek out a meal of small fish, krill and shrimp.
Birders throughout the nation are beginning to make preparations for the annual Christmas Bird Count , scheduled Dec. 14, 2009 through Jan. 5, 2010. Specific counting dates have already been announced in several areas of western Washington, where birders turn out by the hundreds to count and categorize the birds they see to benefit avian science. Those interested should check the Audubon website at
http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/for details.
South Sound/Olympic Peninsula
Fishing: Weather permitting, anglers have some opportunities to catch returning winter steelhead on area rivers in the days ahead. Meanwhile, a razor-clam dig is planned for early December.
Winter steelhead are starting to move into Olympic Peninsula rivers, but anglers will have to wait for a break in the weather to see much success, said David Low, WDFW fish biologist. "The fish are there, but with the rains we’ve had, the rivers are all blown out," Low said. "If the rivers get a chance to drop, the fishing should be good."
Low said the Bogachiel River typically gets early returning hatchery steelhead during the first weeks in December, followed by the Sol Duc and the Hoh rivers. "Then the wild steelhead start showing up in January," he said.
Starting Dec. 1, wild steelhead-retention rules go into effect on the Bogachiel, Calawah, Clearwater, Dickey, Hoh, Hoko, Pysht, Quillayute, Quinault and Sol Duc rivers. Anglers fishing those rivers may retain one wild steelhead per license year. Because retention rules and the length of the wild steelhead season vary for each river, Low strongly recommends that anglers check the 2009-10 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) before heading out.
That’s good advice for salmon anglers too, because fishing rules change for a number of rivers Nov. 30. Rivers in the Quillayute system, along with the Clearwater and Hoh, close that day to salmon fishing along with the Elk, Hoquiam and Johns rivers and Joe Creek in Grays Harbor, the Bear and Niawiakum rivers in Pacific County, and the Carbon River in Pierce County.
The popular chum fishery on Kennedy Creek also closes Nov. 30, but anglers can still try their luck on the Nisqually River, which is open through January. Minter Creek in Pierce/Kitsap counties is open through December, while the Dosewallips and Duckabush rivers in Jefferson County close Dec. 15. Four evening razor clam digs are scheduled Dec. 2-5 at Twin Harbors. Copalis and Mocrocks will be open Dec. 3-5, Long Beach will be open Dec. 2, 4 and 5, and Kalaloch Beach will be open for digging Dec. 4 and 5 only. No digging will be allowed at any beach before noon.
Evening low tides during the dig are at 6:32 p.m. Wednesday, Dec.2 (-1.2 ft.), 7:18 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3 (-1.4 ft.), 8:04 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 (-1.3 ft.), 8:51 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 (-0.9 ft.). The best time to start digging is an hour or two before low tide. Clam diggers should also take lights or lanterns and check weather and surf conditions before heading out.
Harvesters are allowed to take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Any 2009 annual shellfish/seaweed license or combination fishing license is still valid. Another option is a razor-clam only license available in annual or three-day only versions. Descriptions of the various options are available on the WDFW website at
https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/.
More digs are tentatively scheduled Dec. 31 - Jan. 3, subject to the results of marine toxin tests.
Recreational crab fishing is under way in five marine areas of Puget Sound, including marine areas 4 (Neah Bay), 5 (Sekiu), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton), 13 (south Puget Sound), and a portion of Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet). Crab fishing in those areas is open seven days a week through Jan. 2, 2010. The portion of Marine Area 9 south of a line from Foulweather Bluff to Olele Point is closed for the season.
The daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five Dungeness crab, males only, in hard-shell condition with a minimum carapace width of 6¼ inches. Fishers may catch six red rock crab of either sex per day, provided those crab measure at least 5 inches across.
Recreational crabbers are required to send in a winter catch card or report their catch online by Jan. 15. People failing to submit their winter reports will receive a $10 fine when they apply for a 2010 Puget Sound crab endorsement. For more information about recreational crabbing in Puget Sound, see WDFW's website at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab.
In the South Sound, anglers fishing in marine areas 11 and 13 (Vashon Island to South Puget Sound) may retain wild chinook as part of their two-fish daily limit, but only one chinook - hatchery or wild - may be retained.
Anglers are advised to check the 2009-2010 Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htmbefore heading out.
Hunting: Late archery hunts for deer and elk open Nov. 25 in select game management units (GMU) in the region. Muzzleloader hunts for elk also open Nov. 25, while the late muzzleloader season for deer gets started Nov. 26.
The hunting seasons for duck and geese run seven days a week through Jan. 31 in all parts of the region except Pacific County (Goose Management area 2B), which is open Saturdays and Wednesdays only through Jan. 16.
Pheasant, California quail and bobwhite hunting ends Nov. 30, but an extended pheasant-hunting season runs Dec. 1-15 at Skookumchuck, Fort Lewis, Kosmos, Scatter Creek, Belfair, Whidbey Island (except Bayview) and Lincoln Creek release sites. The statewide forest grouse hunting season continues through Dec. 31.
Additional information about bird-hunting seasons is available in the Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game pamphlet,
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm. Hunters planning to participate in any hunting season should check WDFW’s 2009 Big Game Hunting pamphlet at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htmbefore going afield.
Hunters should be aware that the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has suspended garbage service at eight DNR campgrounds on state trust lands in Clallam and Jefferson counties. DNR asks the public to pack out what they pack in. Campgrounds include Bear Creek in Clallam County and Hoh Oxbow, Coppermine Bottom, Cottonwood, South Fork Hoh, Willoughby, Minnie Peterson and Upper Clearwater in Jefferson County.
Wildlife viewing: Cabin fever? Grab some binoculars, dress warmly and discover the world of winter birding. A few highlights for the region include the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, where birders reporting on the Tweeters website (
http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/TWET.html) recorded sightings of sandhill cranes along with other winter favorites - American wigeon, green-winged teal, northern pintail, gadwall, Eurasian wigeon, western meadowlark, red-winged blackbird, Virginia rail, Wilson’s snipe and dunlin .
With numerous varieties of winter seabirds in the area, docks are favorite places to set up a tripod. Viewers on the Dash Point Dock just north of Commencement Bay in Tacoma reported numerous birds on the water including red phalarope, horned grebe, rhinoceros auklet, white-winged scoter, greater scaup, red-breasted merganser, bufflehead, surf scoter, Barrow’s goldeneye, red-throated loon, double-crested and Brandt’s cormorants, mew, glacous-winged, Thayer’s and Bonaparte’s gulls, red-necked grebe and pigeon guillemot .
For a view of a rare bird to the area, a king eider duck has been spotted in the waters off Potlatch State Park in Mason County (near Hwy 101 in southern Hood Canal). This large sea duck, usually found near the Bering Sea, is distinctive for the bright plumage and coloring on its head The male king eider is black and white with a light blue crown and nape, greenish face and bright-orange bill with large, orange knob outlined in black.
Birders throughout the nation are beginning to make preparations for the 110th annual Christmas Bird Count , scheduled Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. Specific counting dates have already been announced in several areas of western Washington, where birders turn out by the hundreds to count and categorize the birds they see to benefit avian science. Those interested should check the Audubon website at
http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/for details.
Southwest Washington
Fishing: Anglers have reportedly taken a few early winter steelhead and others are still catching some late-run coho , but fishing is generally slow throughout the lower Columbia River Basin at this time of year. That includes sturgeon fishing, which picked up in mid-November then dropped off a week later.
"A lot of anglers knock off for a few weeks until winter steelhead fishing begins in earnest," said Joe Hymer, WDFW fish biologist. "Of course, hunting is always an option at this time of the year."
After a quick start, returns of winter steelhead on several rivers have lagged, Hymer said. The number of fish returning to hatcheries on the Lewis, Kalama and Washougal rivers are all down from last year. While it’s too early to gauge the strength of the run from those early returns, early-bird steelhead anglers have their work cut out for them, Hymer said.
Those fishing for hatchery coho may have better luck, particularly in the Lewis and Klickitat rivers. Both rivers continue to provide some coho action, although anglers are releasing an increasing number of dark fish. Cutthroat trout are a good option on the Cowlitz River, where WDFW recently recycled about 500 of them downstream to the Barrier Dam boat launch.
And while sturgeon fishing has been slow in recent days, it could always pick up again, Hymer said. Anglers fishing from the Wauna powerlines upstream to the dam can keep one white sturgeon measuring between 38 and 54 inches fork length per day on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only. "You’re best bet is to fish around the mouth of the Willamette River, where the water is warmer than in the mainstem Columbia," Hymer said. "Sturgeon tend to gravitate there at this time of year." Anglers should also be aware of several rule changes that take effect Dec. 1:
Grays River: Hatchery steelhead fish opens - two weeks earlier than in recent years - from the Hwy. 4 Bridge upstream to the South Fork and the West Fork from the mouth upstream to the hatchery intake/footbridge.
Blue and Mill creeks (tributaries to the Cowlitz): The lower sections of these streams open to fishing for hatchery steelhead. In addition, hatchery sea run cutthroats may be kept on Blue Creek. See the 2009-2010 Fishing in Washington pamphlet for details.
Klickitat River: Fishing for trout - including hatchery steelhead - closes. However, salmon fishing remains open below the Fisher Hill Bridge while fishing for whitefish opens from fishway #5 upstream. Special gear rules will be in effect for whitefish.
Swift Reservoir: Fishing closes for trout and salmon.
Meanwhile, Tacoma Power employees recovered 3,135 coho adults, 118 jacks, 332 sea-run cutthroat trout, 77 winter-run steelhead, 60 summer-run steelhead and 14 fall chinook adults at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator during the week ending Nov. 22. Also that week, they released:
337 coho adults, five jacks, three fall chinook adults and five cutthroat trout into the Tilton River at Gust Backstrom Park in Morton.
864 coho adults and 52 jacks into Lake Scanewa above Cowlitz Falls Dam, 654 coho adults and 23 jacks into the upper Cowlitz River at the Skate Creek Bridge in Packwood
533 coho adults and 18 jacks into the Cispus River above the mouth of Yellowjacket Creek.
Hunting: The modern firearm season is now over for the year, but archers and muzzleloaders will take to the field Nov. 25 for late deer and elk seasons - except the late-muzzleloader deer season, which begins Nov. 26. Hunters planning to participate in any hunting season should check WDFW’s 2009 Big Game Hunting pamphlet at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htmbefore heading out.
The hunting seasons for ducks and geese run seven days a week through Jan. 31 in most parts of the region. The exception is Goose Management area 2A, where hunting is restricted to three days per week. See the Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game pamphlet (
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm) for more information. Pheasant, quail and bobwhite hunting ends Nov. 30 in most areas, but the forest grouse hunting season continues through Dec. 31 throughout the state.
Wildlife viewing: A birder recently reported spotting a white-throated sparrow in the Mount St. Helens visitor parking lot. Another saw a red-shoulder hawk swoop across South Big Lake at Ridgefield National Wildlife Center and disappear into the grasses on the other side. A third watched an American dipper paddling around on Riffe Lake. "He was swimming near the shore, bobbing up and down like a miniature duck," the observer wrote in a posting on the Tweeters birding website (
http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/latest.html).
Perhaps they'll still be there for the Christmas Bird Count , which gets under way Dec. 14 in southwest Washington and throughout the Americas. Sponsored by Audubon, the annual event enlists birdwatchers - veterans and novices - to contribute their sightings over a 24-hour period to the world's longest-running bird database.
For more information on the Christmas Bird Count, see the Audubon website at
http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/history. To get involved, see the Washington Ornithology Society’s website at
http://www.wos.org/WACBCsfor a counting circle in your area.
Eastern Washington
Fishing: Chris Donley, WDFW central district fish biologist, says this is his favorite time to fish for steelhead in the Snake River system in the south end of the region. "A lot of people have given up on them because the initial surge of returning fish is over and we haven’t had any rain to provide a pulse of water to move fish up the tributaries," Donley said. "So they’re all hanging out in deep holes in the mainstem river. When you find them in those holes, the fishing is really good. A lot of steelhead are shuffling around now from one deep hole to another in the reservoir above Lower Granite Dam."
Donley said steelheading on the Snake’s tributaries, like the Grand Ronde, can still be productive if anglers change their tactics to fish low, clear water. "You’ve got to downsize your gear and weights and be very quiet," he explained. "There are some steelhead in those tributaries, but if we get a warming trend with rain, instead of snow holding in the mountains, that flush of water will bring even more of them into those smaller waterways."
Lake Roosevelt is providing excellent rainbow trout fishing now, Donley reports. "A few kokanee are being caught in the reservoir, but the big net-pen-reared rainbows are the big attraction," Donley said.
Donley also said big rainbows continue to come out of Sprague Lake. "Both shore fishers and those trolling in boats are hauling in 7 to 8-pound rainbows," he said.
Rainbow trout fishing also remains productive at Z-Lake on WDFW’s Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area in central Lincoln County. Juli Anderson, area manager, says the lake, which is a walk-in only site off Telford Road, has lots of planted rainbows. "The largest reported hooked this year was 15 inches," she said. "With dry ground right now, it’s fairly easy to access from either the north or south end."
Two of the region’s four winter-only trout lakes that normally open Dec. 1 will not open this year because they don’t have any fish after fall rehabilitation treatments. Fourth of July Lake, on the Lincoln-Adams county line near Sprague, was treated with rotenone to rid it of fathead minnows. Hog Canyon Lake, in southwest Spokane County, was treated to rid it of bullheads and tench. Both lakes will be re-stocked with rainbow trout next spring and will re-open for fishing in December 2010.
Hatch and Williams lakes in Stevens County are well-stocked and will open Dec. 1 as usual. Both should provide decent catches of rainbows up to 14 inches.
Whitefish season opens Dec. 1 on the middle section of the Little Spokane River, from state Hwy 291 bridge to the West Branch of the river. Whitefish gear is restricted to one single-point hook with a maximum hook size of 3/16-inch from point to shank (hook size 14). Up to 15 whitefish can be retained daily. Most will run from 10 to 13 inches, found in winter groups in deep pools, and usually caught with maggots or small artificial flies or lures.
Sherman Creek in Ferry County opens to all gamefish Dec. 1 and will mostly produce catches of rainbow trout, with some mountain whitefish in the upper reaches. WDFW regional fish program manager John Whalen explains that Sherman Creek’s unusual fishing season, which runs through Aug. 31, protects an in-stream kokanee spawning trap for hatchery kokanee production during the September through November period. The only year-round closed portion of Sherman Creek is from the hatchery boat dock to 400 feet upstream of the hatchery water diversion dam.
Hunting: Joey McCanna, WDFW upland game bird specialist, reports that overall pheasant , quail and partridge hunters are "working hard" for birds in the bag. "The birds are out there, but our public lands are being hit pretty hard at this point, and it shows in fewer birds taken off those properties," McCanna said. "If hunters are willing to put in the time to knock on doors and secure permission to hunt private lands in the central and southeast districts of the region, they’ll get into more birds."
Juli Anderson, WDFW Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area manager, says upland game birds seem to be few and far between on the Lincoln County property this year. "One covey of Hungarian partridge that I regularly see is down by half this year," she said. "I’m also seeing very few pheasants, and those I do see are within about a mile or less from homesteads." Anderson reminds hunters of the need to positively identify upland game birds before shooting to avoid prohibited take of threatened sage and sharp-tailed grouse in the area.
Game-farm raised rooster pheasants continue to be released periodically on the region’s designated sites to supplement wild populations. For details on all sites, see
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/ewapheas.htm.
Late season wild turkey hunting continues through Dec. 15 in the northeast game management units 104 - 124 where populations of the big birds are abundant. All turkey hunters, whether successful or not in any of this year’s seasons, are reminded to submit mandatory hunting activity reports by Jan. 31, 2010. Reports can be made either online at
https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/or over the phone at 1-877-945-3492.
Waterfowl hunting opportunity, as usual, varies greatly across the region and can be dependent on weather changes moving ducks and geese around waterways and grainfield foraging areas. At Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, Anderson reports the only good amounts of water are in the Lake Creek drainage. "My recommendation to waterfowl hunters is to start at Telford Road off Highway 2, and work down from there, checking the major lakes in the chain that are on public lands, including Bureau of Land Management, and Whittaker Lake just east of Telford on Whittaker Lake Road," Anderson said.
Goose hunters in Lincoln, Spokane and Walla Walla counties - where goose hunting is available only on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays - get a few extra days this month with the Thanksgiving holiday. Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, are open to goose hunting in that zone.
Late archery and muzzleloader deer and elk hunting seasons are underway in select game management units throughout the region. All deer and elk hunters, whether successful or not in any of this year’s seasons, are reminded to submit mandatory hunting activity reports by Jan. 31, 2010; reports can be made either online at
https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/or over the phone at 1-877-945-3492.
Multi-season hunting permit applications for next year’s deer and elk seasons go on sale Dec. 1 through license dealerships across the state, online at
https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/or over the phone at 1-866-246-9453. A total of 2,000 deer and 600 elk permits will be drawn that allow hunting in any open unit during general seasons for archery, muzzleloader and modern firearm. For more information see page 59 of the hunting season pamphlet.
Wildlife viewing: Tundra swans have been spotted in many parts of the region, including on and around ponds in the Channeled Scablands in western Whitman County. Kurt Merg, WDFW Private Lands Program supervisor, reports increasing numbers and diversity of ducks, geese and other waterfowl visible in and around ponds, especially along Hwy 23 between Sprague and Steptoe.
An easy view of tundra swans, Canada geese, and a variety of dabbling ducks is usually available now at Reardan’s Audubon Lake Wildlife Area, just on the edge of the town of Reardan in eastern Lincoln County. Viewing trails and blinds and toilets are available at both the north and south side parking lots.
Backyard bird feeding enthusiasts are reminded to keep feeding stations clean to avoid spreading bird diseases. Wear rubber gloves when cleaning feeders. Report cases of multiple dead birds to WDFW’s Dead Bird Hotline, 1-800-606-8768.
North Central Washington
Fishing: Art Viola, WDFW district fish biologist, of Wenatchee reports steelhead fishing on the Wenatchee River is slowing down. Both angling effort and catch rates have declined, likely due to low water temperatures, he said. Viola’s latest measurement showed 38-degree water at mid-day.
Steelheading effort and catch rates on the Entiat River have recently increased. Viola reports anglers are catching about 50 percent hatchery fish (those with clipped adipose fins) and 50 percent wild fish, which must be immediately released. Both effort and catch rates seem to be holding steady on the mainstem Columbia River, from Rock Island Dam to Wells Dam.
"On all rivers anglers are retaining every hatchery fish they can, which is what we want and the new rules require," Viola said. "Unfortunately, anglers are confused by some fish with partially clipped adipose fins. Many, including myself, have caught hatchery steelhead with some of the adipose fin still intact. The guideline to follow is that if the fin is obviously clipped, but not completely gone, and if the cut is healed, the fish should be kept as a hatchery marked fish."
Bob Jateff, WDFW district fish biologist from Omak, notes a few Okanogan County lakes open for catch-and-keep rainbow trout fishing Dec 1. Rat Lake near Brewster, and Big and Little Green lakes near Omak are on a catch-and-release season through Nov. 30, but change to catch-and-keep Dec. 1 with a daily limit of five trout.
Also opening Dec. 1 is the winter whitefish season on portions of the Chewuch, Entiat, Methow, Similkameen, and Sinlahekin rivers. Jateff notes that river stretches open to whitefish angling are listed in the current sport fishing pamphlet. "Anglers need to be aware that in areas where there are ongoing but unlisted special steelhead fisheries, whitefish anglers must use single barbless hooks and no bait is allowed," he said.
In general, whitefish gear is restricted to one single-point hook with a maximum hook size of 3/16-inch from point to shank (hook size 14). Up to 15 whitefish can be retained daily. Most will run from 10 to 13 inches, found in winter groups in deep pools, and usually caught with maggots or small artificial flies or lures.
Hunting: Mikal Moore, WDFW waterfowl specialist from Moses Lake, says North Basin waterfowl hunters are still waiting for a big push of migrant mallards and geese from Canada.
"Numbers are building on the reserves, particularly North Potholes and Winchester, but we expect more birds over the next month," Moore said. "Canada goose numbers are steady with the small Canada geese moving from the Stratford area to Moses Lake, but lots of honkers are still to come. We could use a big weather event to push some more birds south. Warm, dry weather is not speeding the waterfowl migration along. On the upside, there is still a lot of open water available for duck hunters."
Rich Finger, WDFW district wildlife biologist from Moses Lake, agrees. "The northern extent of the Columbia Plateau has still not seen the bulk of the northern mallards due to relatively mild winter conditions from the plateau to the prairies of southern Alberta," he said. "Canada geese are in large numbers, however. Though a few snow events have occurred locally, the plateau is mostly snow-free and ponds are open. Low temperatures have been in the high 20’s to low 30’s with high temperatures in the 40’s most days."
Finger also noted that hunting conditions on the Winchester Regulated Access Area are "tough this year due to beaver reducing our ability to flood the impoundments." He reported the Frenchmen Regulated Access Area is full, and roughly 700 acres have been enrolled in the corn stubble retention program. Waterfowl hunters should call the WDFW Northcentral Regional Office in Ephrata at 509-754-4624 for locations and details.
Periodic aerial waterfowl survey results are posted on WDFW’s website at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/reg/eventopp/events2.htm.
Goose hunters throughout the region, where goose hunting is available only on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays, get a few extra days this month with the Thanksgiving holiday. Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, are open to goose hunting in that zone.
Late archery deer hunting seasons are under way in select game management units in the region. All deer and elk hunters, whether successful or not in any of this year’s seasons, are reminded to submit mandatory hunting activity reports by Jan. 31, 2010; reports can be made either online at
https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/or over the phone at 1-877-945-3492.
Multi-season hunting permit applications for next year’s deer and elk seasons go on sale Dec. 1 through license dealerships across the state, online at
https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/or by phone at 1-866-246-9453. A total of 2,000 deer and 600 elk permits will be drawn that allow hunting in any open unit during general seasons for archery, muzzleloader and modern firearm. For more information see page 59 of the 2009 Big Game Hunting pamphlet at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm.
Wildlife viewing: Rich Finger, WDFW district wildlife biologist from Moses Lake, reports that in addition to the usual ducks, geese and swans , a variety of other migrant birds are passing through or taking up residence for the winter in the Columbia Basin now. "Northern shrikes are passing through," he said. "We’re also seeing large groups of horned larks , which can sometimes be scanned successfully for a few snow buntings and Lapland longspurs . Short-eared owls can be found in the willow and Russian olive thickets this time of year. Even a few sandhill cranes were recently observed, although for the most part, they have all moved through to the south."
Backyard bird feeding enthusiasts are reminded to keep feeding stations clean to avoid spreading bird diseases. Wear rubber gloves when cleaning feeders. Report cases of multiple dead birds to WDFW’s Dead Bird Hotline, 1-800-606-8768.
South Central Washington
Fishing: Paul Hoffarth, WDFW district fish biologist from Pasco, reports steelhead fishing effort and catch rates remain steady on the Ringold area of the Columbia River near the Tri-Cities.
The latest weekly creel estimated 148 steelhead were caught at Ringold. Of those, 115 hatchery steelhead were harvested and 27 wild steelhead were released. Recent high winds slowed angler effort on some days. Bank anglers were averaging 20 hours per steelhead caught and boat anglers were averaging 6.5 hours per steelhead.
Eric Anderson, WDFW district fish biologist from Yakima, notes recent stocking of big rainbow trout in local year-round lakes. Hatchery surplus rainbow brood stock were planted in Mattoon and North FioRito lakes near Ellensburg in Kittitas County. Each lake received 150 rainbows that run about four pounds each, plus a few 8-pounders. All year-round lakes are on statewide rules with a daily catch limit of five trout.
Anderson also reported North Elton Pond, near Selah in Yakima County, received 2,000 half-pound rainbows in preparation for its Dec. 1 - March 31 fishing season. Daily catch limit at North Elton is two trout.
"Portions of local rivers, like the Yakima below Roza Dam, and the Naches and Tieton rivers will open for whitefish on the first of December," Anderson said. "Be sure to check the fishing regulation pamphlet for all the details."
Hunting: Mikal Moore, WDFW waterfowl specialist from Moses Lake, says South Basin waterfowl hunters are still waiting for a big push of migrant mallards and geese from Canada.
"Numbers are building on the reserves in the North Basin, particularly North Potholes and Winchester, but we expect more birds over the next month," Moore said. "Canada goose numbers are steady with the small Canada geese moving from the Stratford area to Moses Lake, but lots of honkers are still to come. We could use a big weather event to push some more birds south. Warm, dry weather is not speeding the waterfowl migration along. On the upside, there is still a lot of open water available for duck hunters."
Goose hunters in Benton, Franklin and Kittitas counties, where goose hunting is available only on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays, get a few extra days this month with the Thanksgiving holiday. Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, are open to goose hunting in that zone.
Periodic aerial waterfowl survey results are posted on WDFW’s website at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/reg/eventopp/events3.htm.
Late archery and muzzleloader deer and late archery elk hunting seasons are underway in select game management units throughout the region. All deer and elk hunters, whether successful or not in any of this year’s seasons, are reminded to submit mandatory hunting activity reports by Jan. 31, 2010; reports can be made either online at
https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/or over the phone at 1-877-945-3492.
Multi-season hunting permit applications for next year’s deer and elk seasons go on sale Dec. 1 through license dealerships across the state, online at
https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/or over the phone at 1-866-246-9453. A total of 2,000 deer and 600 elk permits will be drawn that allow hunting in any open unit during general seasons for archery, muzzleloader and modern firearm. For more information see page 59 of the 2009 Big Game Hunting pamphlet at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm .
Wildlife viewing: Bighorn sheep are usually visible now in the Yakima River Canyon between Ellensburg and Yakima, and north of the White Pass Highway across the road from a footbridge that crosses the Tieton River. Wintering bald eagles are also viewable now along both rivers.
Backyard bird feeding enthusiasts are reminded to keep feeding stations clean to avoid spreading bird diseases. Wear rubber gloves when cleaning feeders. Report cases of multiple dead birds to WDFW’s Dead Bird Hotline, 1-800-606-8768.
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David Renew holding tarpon that was caught Saturday November 21, 2009 while using live shrimp under a popping cork! The picture as taken and the tarpon was released still strong back to the wild!
Rapala “Skitter Walk” 
Just to give you an example this is the surface trail that a Rapala “Skitter Walk” makes with retrieved properly. This lure is imitating exactly what a mullet does when trying to escape an attack, which is to come to the surface and go into this traversing mode. This act is about their only line of defense a mullet has, because any straight swimming offers too much opportunity for a direct hit. According to what I have seen in the past most baitfish makes these moves in hopes of being a harder target to hit!
Patrick McDonald and his father Lamar had a great day inshore fishing with Captain Rick Reynolds the past week. According to the report the bite was steady with this fishing DUO catching their limit in spotted sea trout. Not only that, but each fishermen also caught a nice red fish and flounder. All this catching and keeping boils down to some pretty good options, which means “Turkey or Not for the entire Thanksgiving Day Holiday!”
Red snapper and king mackerel are holding at the artificial reefs and Savannah Snapper Banks. It’s time to go!
Captain Ali Young of Miss Judy Charters holding up a nice flounder, which was caught on a small piece of squid while bottom fishing!
This is Captain Kathy Brown of Miss Judy Charters holding up a nice bull red, which was caught while bottom fishing offshore. During this time of the year the artificial reefs, snapper banks, and Gulf Stream areas are holding large schools of red fish. You can keep them, but you can get a picture! Please release them back to the wild.
Here’s an assortment of Sabiki bait rigs. There are many more of these to be found on the tackle shelves. Here are a few that we have used with great catching results. All fishermen’s tackle boxes whether they fish inshore or offshore should be stocked with some of these of rigs. They are great for catching bait of all kinds, which be used different ways! The best news is they are not expensive!
Bait Options!
Franks Gibson’s 500 pounds plus Pacific Blue Marlin getting some air!
For those that get to see this in color…check out how this fish has it’s light on.
This picture is showing us that the reeling is just about to get even more interesting! My father was asked this question all of the time, “How hard does a marlin fight?” My father always said “For those of you that want to try to imitate a marlin pulling thrill here’s a suggestion: First get a reel that has lot of line on it and set the drag at about 10 pounds, tie the end of your line to the bumper of a Ford Truck, and then have the driver take off. Now as the line pulls out try to control the truck that’s pulling it! Now you know the rest of the story! A big congratulations goes out to Frank Gibson!
This is a picture of me (Captain Judy) when I was 19 years old. The engine in the hole is a slant head Gray Marine Engine, which I worked on all of the time. As I look at this picture I know exactly what I was doing. I was removing the spark plugs, dropping them in that bucket of gasoline and then sloshing them around a bit. After the sloshing I would then hit them a few times with the old wire brush, and dry them off. My father always suggested that all six plugs had the same space. To adjust the space I would pull a piece of 80 pound test wire through it. If the spaces were too big I would take the plug and tap in on the block the engine. This would close the space a bit allowing me to re-space. Back in the old days sparkplugs were cleaned and spaced a lot more than they were replaced!
The chair at my left shoulder was a bucket seat removed from a recently totaled 1969 Ford sport car. The fact of the matter is I have both of the bucket seats from this wrecked car. My father brought them home and we mounted them on old office furniture metal petals. The bucket seats swiveled and folded down. Daddy always said folding down wasn’t necessary, but is was an added feature. So therefore I had matching leather look a-like bucket seats as fighting chairs that swiveled as well as folded down. I tried to find an old brochure from the sixties, because that’s exactly what we advertised!
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The trip is on the Blackwater Explorer Yacht, the week of December 5th, 2009 - yeah, we know - just two short weeks from now, but, first come, first save. Fishing has been extremely good these last few weeks with perfect water levels. Here are the particulars: Departing Manaus - December 5th, 2009 (2 spaces available) Returning to Manaus - December 12th, 2009 Price includes; air charter out of Manaus, 7 nights 6 days fishing aboard the beautiful, fully air-conditioned, Blackwater Explorer yacht, meals, beverages, open bar, guided fishing - two people to a boat, airport tranfers and one night at the Tropical Hotel. If you have ever wanted to explore the vast Amazon Jungle for Peacock Bass here is your opportunity of a lifetime to take the trip of a lifetime. At this price the space will not last long so call today, Contact Garry Reiss, Toll-free - 866 431-1668. For more information about this trip and the Blackwater Explorer, 
