Facts, Rumors & Outright Lies: Heavy rains pushing salmon upstream
Friday, November 16, 2007 8:09 AM PST
By Chuck Downer
Printable version
E-mail this articleI hate to say it, but it's beginning to look like winter outside. Just the other night I could look out across my deck and see the walnut and the filbert trees, resplendent in their fall colors. This morning, the trees are nearly bare.
The walnut tree is a gnarled, old veteran. It's always the last tree to leaf-out in the spring, and the last to surrender its leaves to the onset of winter. When the leaves are gone, winter can't be far away.
Once again we're in one of those transitional fishing periods - fall salmon runs have peaked, but winter-run steelhead are still a few weeks out, at least in any significant numbers.
Fishing report
Salmon anglers willing to put in the time on the Cowlitz or the Lewis will likely get a few silvers right on into December, but recent heavy rains have pushed salmon from tidewater holding areas upstream to hatcheries and natural spawning areas in many local tributaries.
Reports from the Naselle River indicate that the bulk of the silver run shot upstream during one day recently, when heavy rains raised water levels.
Fishermen reported a few scraggly chinook for their efforts.
On the Elochoman, anglers reported catching a few fish near the upper hatchery, just before last weekend's wind storm. With more heavy rains expected, most, if not all, small rivers and streams will likely be blown out when you read this.
Mark Ervig of Ervig's Outfitters guide service (425-FISH), did well for silvers on the Kalama River this past week, with some of the fish running 10-12 pounds. The vast majority of the fish were caught on a Brad's Wiggler.
On Tuesday morning the river was "high, wide, and muddy . . ." according to Ervig, and he had to cancel a guided trip. "I have a feeling this high water may signal the last of the good salmon fishing this year," he told me.
It's been more than a week since I last fished Silver Lake. At that time the water temperature was in the high-40s, and the algae bloom was showing some signs of breaking up. Panfish, primarily perch and crappie, will continue to bite right on through the winter.
Lake residents tell me that the bite tends to be somewhat sporadic in December and January, with fish difficult to locate for a week or two at a time sometimes.
November razor clams
Another razor clam dig has been tentatively scheduled for coastal beaches, except Kalaloch, on Nov. 23-24. Like last time, the Twin Harbors beaches (Grayland, Tokeland) are scheduled two additional days, Nov. 25-26. As is always the case, digs are dependant on marine toxins remaining at safe levels.
On Friday, Nov. 23, the afternoon low tide, a -1.3, will occur at approximately 5:30 p.m. On the following Saturday, the afternoon low tide, a -1.7, is at approximately 6:15 p.m. At the Twin harbors beaches only, on Sunday, Nov. 25, the evening low tide, a -1.8, is at approximately 7 p.m., and on Monday, Nov. 26, the evening low tide, a -1.6, will occur at 7:45 p.m.
All of these scheduled digs are early enough in the afternoon/evening that you should be able to get your limit before dark, despite the fact that sunset now occurs before 5 p.m. Remember, two hours before the scheduled low tide is just a guideline to begin digging.
Last time, the tides were 7:30 p.m. and later. We began digging at 5:30 p.m. and finished before dark because daylight savings time was still in effect.
The bulk of the diggers actually began digging at 4 p.m. or even earlier.
Certain factors, the weather especially, will have an effect on when and where the clams show, but as a general rule, there should be clams available once the tide starts to go out.
Clam guns vs. shovels
Now let's talk about a very controversial topic. Which do you prefer - a clam shovel or a clam gun? If you like to use a clam gun, which do you like best - plastic or aluminum?
Each method has it advantages and its disadvantages. If you like to use your hands for a good part of the digging process, then the shovel is for you. You need to be in good shape physically, however. Hip or knee stiffness and arthritis are going to make digging with a shovel difficult.
Razor clams are called "razor" clams because of their shape, but it you break the shell, you can end up with a nasty cut, so be careful. When I was a youngster all we had was shovels, and it wasn't all that uncommon to get nicked.
There are three basic types of clam guns - stainless, aluminum, and plastic.
As a general rule, metal clam guns have a larger diameter barrel, therefore covering a larger area than the smaller-diameter plastic ones.
Stainless guns are heavy, and expensive, but they'll last a lifetime of digging if you take care of them. Aluminum guns are likely a one-time purchase as well, if you don't lose them, but both the aluminum and stainless can get mighty cold on a frigid winter day (or night).
Personally, I use an inexpensive plastic clam gun. I have an arthritic lower back as the result of an industrial accident years ago, and the plastic gun is lighter, and therefore easier for me to handle. Many of the plastic guns are shaped to an edge on the bottom, making it easier to penetrate the sand. And plastic doesn't get as cold on a cold winter night as metal does.
The major drawback to a plastic gun is that they are fragile, and sometimes poorly constructed, so they occasionally break. I'm working on my second plastic gun over the past 15 years, but the only reason I don't still have the first is because I gave it away.
Which one is right for you? Consider the pros and cons, then pay your money and take your choice.
Past Month's Most Commented Stories