Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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As we began 2016, heavy rains were predicted for San Diego and Arizona. Anticipation of rising water sheds appear to be in our future for Arizona lakes especially on the Salt River lakes chain. Meanwhile, the offshore water current temperatures hold and numbers of 15-30 pound yellow tail are being reported at H&M Landing from the ½- and ¾-day boats. The offshore fishing season took the Christmas holiday week off but we’re at it once again; it continues! The El Niño currently causing mayhem arou... Full story
YELLOWTAIL TIME – The eighth annual Yellowtail Derby is set for Saturday, April 30 through Sunday, June 5. This premier fishing event out of San Diego offers a total of $30,000 in cash and prizes (based on 500 entries). The entry fee for all 36 days is, until March 15, $60; after that, it is $80. Juniors (ages 8 to 14) pay $40. This annual favorite is open to private boater anglers, including kayakers. The target species are yellowtail, white seabass, and halibut; there are prizes in each c... Full story
Action: Kalama River anglers may keep up to 2 hatchery adult spring chinook beginning Saturday, March 10. Effective date: March 10, 2016 until further notice. Species affected: Chinook salmon. Location: Kalama River from boundary markers at the mouth to 1,000 feet below the fishway at the upper salmon hatchery. Reason for action: The preseason forecast is for 4,900 adult spring chinook to return to the Kalama in 2016. The hatchery escapement goal of 400 fish is expected to be met, leaving... Full story
Action: Anglers must release all chinook salmon. Species affected: Chinook salmon. Effective date: March 10, 2016 until further notice. Location: Lewis River from the mouth upstream to the overhead powerlines below Merwin Dam. Reason for action: The pre-season forecast is for a return of 1,100 adult spring chinook to the Lewis River in 2016 compared to a hatchery escapement goal of approximately 1,350 fish. The closure is necessary to provide the hatchery with as many returning fish as possible... Full story
Action: Steelhead anglers on these three Cowlitz County streams will be able to fish for hatchery steelhead. Effective date: March 16, 2016 through April 15, 2016 Species affected: Hatchery steelhead Locations: * Mill Creek. * Germany Creek, including all tributaries. *Abernathy Creek from the mouth (Hwy. 4 Bridge) upstream to posted markers 500 feet below Abernathy Fish Technology Center Reason for action: Hatchery winter steelhead smolts are released into Abernathy Creek as part of a hatchery... Full story
Several fisheries are set to open in the weeks ahead, and the year’s first hunting season isn’t far behind. With a new season of outdoor adventures about to begin, Washingtonians might want to consider purchasing 2016-17 fishing and hunting licenses before current licenses expire at midnight March 31. The cost of fishing and hunting licenses remains the same as last year, and most annual licenses include a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) vehicle-access pass. That pass all... Full story
OLYMPIA – Another decent return of hatchery chinook salmon to the Columbia River is forecast this year, but expected low returns of coho could put a damper on salmon fisheries in the river, along the coast and in Puget Sound. Forecasts for chinook, coho, sockeye and chum salmon, which were developed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and treaty tribes, were released today at a public meeting in Olympia. The forecast meeting marks the starting point for developing 2016 s... Full story
Tip Alamo Lake can be a crappie hot spot this time of the year. Heavy rains might delay the great winter crappie bite, but it bodes well for the lake's productivity. Catfishing can still be excellent. These voracious channel catfish at Alamo routinely feed on shad. Try live minnows on the bottom or drop-shot style just off the bottom. The Reel Deal Water temperatures across the state have dropped to their winter standards, and rain and snow has slowed or stalled driving in the high country. Be... Full story
The evolution of the lead spoons or flat falls continues with local Striper Guide Derrick Franks, aka The Striper Snatcher. I told you previously of the 3" jig very effective in fresh and saltwater. Well he's taken the lure to the next level, with the 5", 130 gram version with high performance Daiichi saltwater hooks. The jigs performance on the fall is more erratic than any I ever seen or used. Like the 3" version, the Snatcher has standard colors and has the ability to custom finish with your... Full story
OLYMPIA – State shellfish managers have proposed two days of razor clam digging in February at Copalis beach in addition to an approved a month-long opening at Long Beach that starts today. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has tentatively scheduled a dig on evening tides for Feb. 19 and 20 at Copalis, provided that marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat. WDFW will announce final word on the dig about a week before it is scheduled to begin. The upcoming dig at C... Full story
OLYMPIA – Anglers, commercial fishers and others interested in Washington state salmon fisheries can get a preview of this year's salmon returns and potential fishing seasons during a public meeting March 1 in Olympia. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will present initial forecasts – compiled by state and tribal biologists – of 2016 salmon returns. The meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street S.E.,... Full story
Last month two amazing fish were landed in our San Diego waters. A 50# Yellowtail was landed off La Jolla by angler Naum. The photo is by Victor Posada. Kayak angler, Brian Fagan, on Jan 28, landed a 74.2 # White Seabass off La Joll. It was weighed in at Dana Landing. This could be an IGFA line class World Record. Brian's picture with the White Seabass was in a story in the San Diego Union Tribune on Tuesday of this week. I called Brian and encouraged him to submit the catch to the IGFA. Looks l... Full story
OLYMPIA – Razor clam diggers can count on openings beginning Feb. 19 at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches, state shellfish managers announced today. Additionally, Long Beach remains open to clam digging on afternoon or evening tides through March 10. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved a two-day opening (Feb. 19 and 20) at Copalis and three days of digging (Feb. 19-21) at Mocrocks on evening tides after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat. Dan Ayres, WDFW co... Full story
OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to take action on the protective status of four wildlife species at a public meeting Feb. 26-27 in Olympia. The commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), will convene in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building at 1111 Washington St. SE in Olympia. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. both days. An agenda for the meeting is available a... Full story
There have been significant advances made in reel design over the last several years. Today’s reels are smaller, lighter, stronger, smoother and, in many cases, faster than ever before. Abu Garcia has driven many of these innovations with game-changing models in their popular Revo baitcaster line. It’s impossible not to like the powerful Abu Revo MGX or the speedy Revo Rocket. Both offer performance upgrades that help put fish in the boat. Let’s fast-forward to today. And tomorrow. While innov... Full story
Recently a story surfaced in the local news that the Department had lifted all fishing regulations at Tempe Town Lake and that anglers were free to take whatever they wanted. We want to ensure anglers have facts: • First, the Department has agreed to cease all fish stockings in Tempe Town Lake until the project has been completed, and the lake has been refilled. • Second, the Department has not lifted all fishing regulations for Tempe Town Lake, but we are evaluating options that could inc... Full story
Bob Rich is a storyteller. Many people know this about Rich through his nearly three decades-old friendships made in the course of fishing across the globe and through his books. As a gentleman angler, a competitor, guest lecturer, fly-fishing partner, a sponsor, an IGFA board member, a benefactor for numerous causes, a multi-event host or sharing a drink and humor with him dockside, Rich can weave a story. The author of four popular non-fiction books, he now takes on the role of a raconteur in... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is launching a new program to encourage anglers to learn more about trout fishing in Arizona. The Arizona Trout Challenge Program is an incentive program that highlights the state's unique species, waters, and fishing opportunities. Any angler completing the Challenge will receive a certificate featuring the species caught along with the date and location. In addition, the first group of anglers to complete the Challenge will receive other items that may... Full story
In Arizona, winter doesn't have to mean sending boats and rods and reels into hibernation. While outdoor recreation opportunities across many U.S. states shut down during the season of freeze, Arizona rolls on with trout stockings and water temperatures just warm enough to convince fish to bite during the holidays. Although fishing tends to slow a tad this time of the year, there are some spots that are winter-friendly. Here, then, in no particular order, are the Arizona Game and Fish Department... Full story
Information provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As we begin 2016, a week of heavy rains are predicted San Diego and Arizona. Anticipation of rising water sheds appear to be in our future for Arizona lakes especially on the Salt River Lakes Chain. Meanwhile, the offshore water current temperatures hold and numbers of 15-30 pound Yellow Tail are being reported at H&M Landing from the ½ and ¾ day boats. The offshore fishing season took the Christmas Holiday week off a... Full story
OLYMPIA – Recreational spot shrimp fishing in Puget Sound will open Saturday, May 14 – one week later than usual, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today. Shellfish managers are delaying the popular shrimp fishery until May 14 due to the extremely low tides that are expected to occur midday on the first Saturday in May, which traditionally marks the start of the season throughout Puget Sound. Low tides of this magnitude will render many boat ramps around Puget Sou... Full story
OLYMPIA – The public will have an opportunity to comment on salmon and sturgeon management on the lower Columbia River during a meeting of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission scheduled Jan. 22-23 in Vancouver, Wash. The commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), will also receive a briefing and accept public comments on the status of four protected species: the northern spotted owl, snowy plover, western gray squirrel and greater s... Full story
We spoke in August 2015 that El Niño is "significant and strengthening," and could rival the strongest on record - even the Super El Niño of 1997. Perhaps there will be more and bigger fish and much-need precipitation this winter from the West Coast. Well it did and has, so did the fishing. As the sportfishing season comes to a close, let me clarify, the anglers are not as enthusiastic about going fishing now as earlier in the season. We're all used to the fish bailing out of the area and we g... Full story
Each November we conduct our annual gillnet sampling to assess adult fish population strength, numbers and health. Since we will be on the lake for two weeks, this issue's fishing report will the last of the season. Sporadic reports will be sent out randomly when something unusual happens like a trophy fish being caught. For current fishing information during winter log on to Wayneswords.com. The next regular weekly report will be published the first week of March 2016. Stripers Late fall finds... Full story
Tip Of The Week Silver Creek near Show Low is a spring creek that comes out of the ground at a constant temperature and does not freeze in the winter. Catch-and-release fishing for big rainbow trout with artificial lure and flies, with single barbless hooks, will continue through the winter. The Reel Deal Fishing, hunting, football, campfires, and possible "cast-n-blast" adventures (it's quail season!) - this is our cool wave of fall perfection. It also signals the return of trout to our... Full story
