Don't start fishing for springers early
Saturday, March 15, 2008 5:47 AM PDT
By Chuck Downer
For The Daily News
Printable version
E-mail this articleSeveral years back, not long after I first started writing this column, I got the days of the week and the days of the month confused, and I tried to start the general hunting season a day early. I remember a call to work from a reader that began "You dirty son of a ..." I didn't stay on the line to hear what I was the son of.
After my column last week, I received several e-mails and phone calls from readers, seeking to help me out with another mistake. This time, they were polite.
But this time, it wasn't my mistake. The WDFW sent out conflicting information about the Columbia River spring chinook season in news releases, and the incorrect date got into my columns (and other places in the Outdoors section, too.)
For the record, from the west power lines on Hayden Island downstream to Buoy 10, the spring salmon season will run Monday, March 24, through Friday, April 4, seven days per week. No, it won't start on Easter Sunday. The daily limit will be one adult, fin-clipped chinook salmon.
Fishing report
It appears that there are a few salmon in tributaries locally, but no one is talking. I've heard rumors of a fish here and there on the Cowlitz, and guide Mark Ervig, of Ervig's Outfitters (425-FISH) told me that he caught his first springer in the Kalama last week.
I checked at Bob's Sporting Goods (425-3870) Wednesday morning but so far they haven't had a single entry in their spring salmon derby. Bob's spring derby runs through May 15. First prize is a $500 Bob's gift card; second place a $200 gift card. There are 10 additional merchandise prizes that will be drawn from accumulated entries.
There's nothing new on the grapevine, at present, concerning smelt or sturgeon. As expected, this was a pretty dismal year as far as smelt were concerned. There are three Saturdays remaining in the 2008 smelt season.
Keep in mind that you're going to need a new fishing, hunting, seaweed/shellfish license on April 1. Licenses are available at local sporting goods dealers now.
I'm going to do a little bass fishing report for all you early-season bass fishermen this week. At last check, the water temperature at Silver Lake was hovering right at 50 degrees. The water has its usual algae-green color, but there is no algae on the surface. In fact, in some shallow areas, visibility is good beyond two feet.
I've made eight trips to the lake, since Feb. 15, catching one nice bass and a native cutthroat trout - "Bloodie Troot." The trout, about 12 inches long, was in there playing with the big boys and I set the hook so hard that it came flying out of the water and landed with a splat on the rear deck.
I haven't fished for crappie or perch at all yet this year, but given the water temperature, you might be able to find both back in the canals if you do a little looking. Once the water temperature reaches 55 degrees, the bass will likely be more cooperative, but rain and colder temperatures may keep the water temperature around 50 degrees for several more days or weeks.
Multiple season hunting permits
New this year, the WDFW is offering multiple-season permits for deer and elk statewide. This means that permit holders will be allowed to hunt for deer and elk, during archery, modern firearm, and muzzleloader general seasons. Winners of multiple-season elk permits will be allowed to participate in eastern and western general elk seasons as well.
The agency is offering 1,500 multiple-season deer permits and 500 multiple-season elk permits. Applications can be purchased at an authorized dealer, or by phoning (866) 246-9453. The application fee is $5.48 for residents, $54.75 for nonresidents. Only one application is allowed for each species, and only one deer and/or elk can be harvested by the applicant.
Successful applicants can purchase a hunting license and multiple season deer or elk tag from local license dealers, or online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/lic/vendors/vendors.htm. The deadline for submission of the application is March 31.
Multiple season deer and elk tags cost $164.25 for residents, and $1,642.50 for nonresidents. Applicants are cautioned that they may hunt only during general seasons and in game units that are currently open for the type of weapon used. For example; modern firearms may be used only during seasons and in game units open for modern firearm, not during archery season, in an archery unit.
In simple terms, this permit allows you to hunt modern firearm seasons with a modern firearm; if you don't get your animal, you can hunt in archery seasons with archery equipment, or muzzleloader seasons with muzzle loading equipment. You're paying for an increased opportunity to harvest an animal.
Chuck Downer can be reached at 636-5746 or cdowner@earthlink.net.
Son Of A Gun wrote on Mar 15, 2008 9:04 AM:
Justfishin wrote on Mar 15, 2008 12:58 PM:
They are allowing ,A one fish limit on the Willamete , no closure for so called low stocks. Tell me what the hell is up with that ?
I would think we could at least bank fish, but no.
I would say what comes around goes around, Oregon, stay on your side of the river. "
Past Month's Most Commented Stories