FISHING REPORT

posted 11:42 PM 02/10
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The forecasted return of coho to the Columbia River, released earlier this week, is 317,200 fish, well below the actual run in 2011. Since 1970, adult coho returns to the Columbia River have ranged from a low of 74,800 in 1995 to a high of 1,549,100 in 1986, said state fisheries biologist Joe Hymer.

The 2012 return, if accurate, would be 26.1 percent below the actual return of 429,700 coho in 2011. The 2011 forecast was for a run of 362,500 fish, Hymer said.

The early coho run usually enters the river from mid-August until mid-September, and is the sign of fishing prospects for the Buoy 10 fishery. The early run is set at 229,800, compared with the 2010 forecast of 216,000 fish and actual run of 288,500 fish.

The late run typically enters the river in October-November. The 2012 forecast is for 87,400 fish, compared to last year’s forecast of 146,500 and actual run of 141,200.

The meeting at which the state releases all the fall salmon forecasts will begin at 9 a.m. Feb. 28 in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. S.E., Olympia.

RIVERS

Columbia: Sturgeon retention in the Bonneville Pool will close Feb. 18. Through Sunday, the kept catch is 831 shy of the guideline of 2,000 sturgeon. At a public meeting in December, Washington and Oregon were asked to save some of the catch guideline for a summer fishing period.

North Sound: A number of rivers will close to fishing after Wednesday because steelhead returns are low. The hatchery areas still open have been just fair at best, as the majority of the hatchery fish have come though, said Mike Chamberlain at Ted’s Sports Center. People putting in their time are managing to land a hatchery fish or two a day.

Olympic Coast: The Calawah and Sol Duc are in good shape, despite recent rain, and the Sol Duc has been fishing best, said Bob Gooding at Olympic Sporting Goods. The Bogachiel is a bit dirty. Most methods have been working, including bobbers and jigs and pulling plugs.

Wynoochee: The action isn’t red-hot, but the river is producing some steelhead. The section between the White Bridge and Black Creek launches has been the best stretch. Try drifting eggs to start with.

Yakima: Trout fishing has been fair to good. People are either swinging streamers such as sculpins or zonkers, or nymphing with stoneflies or San Juan worms, said a report from The Evening Hatch. Fishing has been best in the few hours after noon.

SALT WATER

Hood Canal: The best action has been at the north end of the canal, said Walt Harvey at Verle’s Sports Center. The action should improve as we move toward March, he said.

North Sound: Double Bluff and Possession Bar have been producing some blackmouth. People are having luck trolling spoons behind a flasher right off the bottom in water 100-150 feet deep, said Gary Krein of All-Star Fishing Charters. Jigging for smelt and herring has been fair to good at Cornet Bay and Oak Harbor, Chamberlain said. The public pier at the city marina is a good place to try.

South Sound: Salmon fishing has been fair at best. People are catching mostly shakers, said Tom Pollack at Sportco. He recommends using small lures such as a Coho Killer and fishing on tide changes.

LAKES

American: The pressure has been light in the last week, said David Anderson at Bill’s Boathouse. He expects the kokanee action to pick up as we approach spring.

Island: The lake has been producing some good catches of rainbow trout. People are trolling spoons or Mack flies, Harvey said.

Offut: People are catching mostly rainbow trout and a few cutthroat, said Becky Pogue at Offut Lake Resort. The fish have been measuring 12 inches and longer. Floating a worm with some dough bait has been the popular setup

Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640 jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure

Comments

FISHING REPORT

posted 11:46 PM 02/07

Lake Tapps angler Brian Dennis brought home the $4,000 second prize in last weekend’s Roche Harbor Salmon Classic Invitational. Dennis was the leader after the first day with his 16.2-pound chinook.

FISHING REPORT

posted 11:40 PM 01/31

The first chinook of the season have gone through Bonneville Dam, but fish biologists aren’t sure if they are springers.

FISHING REPORT

posted 11:45 PM 01/27

People eager to get out and fish this weekend might be better off heading for a river. Timing your trip will be important. River levels might be on the high side this weekend, but there is more rain in the forecast for Sunday. So today might be the best bet before river levels start to rise again.

FISHING REPORT

posted 11:44 PM 01/24

Just as rivers return to shape and the roads are cleared, a series of storms is headed this way. The Olympic Coast has been experiencing high winds and has lots of rain in the forecast. The Skykomish remains a good option for now. Reports from local lakes have been nonexistent.

FISHING REPORT

posted 11:46 PM 01/17

As expected, the harvest level of white sturgeon below Bonneville Dam has been cut for the third straight year.

FISHING REPORT

posted 11:44 PM 01/13

The best fishing seems to require a drive these days, at least for folks hoping to tangle with a steelhead. The Skykomish and the Forks-area rivers are the best bet right now. River levels have dropped and visibility is very good, requiring anglers to go with smaller gear.

FISHING REPORT

posted 11:46 PM 01/10

River fishing seems to have improved as water levels have dropped after last week’s rains. The Olympic Coast is a good bet for the weekend, while the Cowlitz and Green are good options closer to South Sound.

FISHING REPORT

posted 11:41 PM 01/06

Fishing for steelhead and other game fish will close early in several river systems in Puget Sound and along the Strait of Juan de Fuca to protect wild steelhead. The early closures will affect the Puyallup, Nooksack, Skagit, Stillaguamish and Snohomish systems, along with several streams along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Friday.

FISHING REPORT

posted 11:45 PM 01/03

Rivers offer the best option; it will just depend on what shape they are in. Rains on the coast are expected to blow out the Olympic Peninsula rivers by today. Trout anglers might want to consider a trip to the Yakima.

FISHING REPORT

posted 01:36 AM 12/28

This is the final week to go crabbing in South Sound. The region closes at sunset Saturday. Puget Sound will be closed to crabbing until summer.

FISHING REPORT

posted 11:40 PM 12/23

Odds are you won’t spend much time fishing over Christmas weekend. But if you can sneak away for a few hours, there is a clear-cut place to try for steelhead.

FISHING REPORT

posted 11:43 PM 12/20

Those looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of last-minute Christmas shopping can find plenty of peace and quiet on area lakes and rivers.

FISHING REPORT

posted 11:41 PM 12/16

Clam diggers will get the chance to dig for razor clams during the school winter break with an opening Thursday and Friday at four ocean beaches.