Sometimes, it's fun just to watch

posted 03:30 PM 08/19
Link this article here.

Well, the chinook salmon are once again milling around below the 4th Avenue Bridge in downtown Olympia.

I visited the bridge Tuesday morning, and a kid stared at the fish like a heron.

"I wish I could fish here!" he said.

I went back Tuesday afternoon, and a guy -- he looked to be in his 50s -- was leaning on the rail and staring at the fish.

"I wish I could fish here!" he said.

I hear you brothers, but it's illegal to fish in that part of Budd Inlet, and that's not a bad idea. This spot shows civilians -- people who don't fish and think salmon is best found in the supermarket -- the beauty and majesty of these fish -- and why they need all the help we can give them.

Besides, it's fun to watch the fish and dream a little.

Chester Allen

For Nisqually River anglers, rain is a beautiful thing

posted 01:47 PM 08/18

Bass-O-Rama awaits night owls, early risers

posted 03:03 PM 08/12

A bass lake is a special place in August -- if you're there when the light is low and the jetskiers are asleep or gassing up their water-churning machines.

A sad sign of the times: Fishing & Hunting News closes shop

posted 06:20 PM 08/08

Staycation fun with Columbia River smallmouth bass

posted 04:44 PM 08/05

Vacation time is also slacker time, and there is no better fish for casual catching than the bajillions of smallmouth bass that lurk along the rocky shorelines and reefs of the Columbia River.

Share your Nisqually River reports here

posted 01:39 PM 08/05

Join a committee, save a sea-run cutthroat trout!

posted 04:00 PM 07/28

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is looking for anglers to keep tabs on a program that is supposed to improve fishing in Puget Sound and Lake Washington.

Huge catfish being caught in Harts Lake

posted 02:34 PM 07/23

Short halibut seasons about to happen off Washington coast

posted 02:31 PM 07/18

Sport halibut fishing will reopen for a one-day season on July 26 in the nearshore areas off the north coast of Washington and along the western Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Bobbing around with the shark bait

posted 02:49 PM 07/09

I've been fishing like a madman for 39 years now, so maybe it's a good thing for me to give the fish -- in the form of sharks -- a return shot every now and then.

Smallmouth bass a big deal on the Columbia River

posted 01:05 PM 06/30

The closest thing to a sure angling bet in the Northwest right now is smallmouth bass on the Columbia River.

Chinook salmon limit now 2 fish for ocean anglers

posted 03:45 PM 06/23

If you're fishing off Westport or Ilwaco, you can now keep two chinook salmon.

South Sound sport crab season starts on June 18

posted 04:20 PM 06/09

Got your pots ready for a summer-long crabfest? Well, you've got until June 18 to get your gear together.

Shrimpers get yet another day on Hood Canal

posted 06:00 PM 06/06

You've seen it here before, but it seems that sport shrimpers will get yet another final day of shrimping on Hood Canal this year.