NEAH BAY IS about to call it a season.
The salmon fishery concludes Sunday, which all but ends the fishing in Marine Area 4 — at least for Big Salmon Resort (360-645-2374) in Neah Bay.
But before we bid them farewell until spring, here is a parting shot courtesy of the resort’s owner, Joey Lawrence.
“There are a lot of silvers at the west entrance of the Strait,” he said.
It appears the coho are just waiting for the rain before bolting down the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
I’ve checked a few online weather services and it doesn’t look like we’ll be seeing much, if any, rain on the North Olympic Peninsula in the next few weeks.
Who needs a boat?
Port Townsend remains a solid spot for beach casters.
Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim reports Fort Flagler is doing well.
Eric Elliott of Fish N Hole (360-385-7031) in Port Townsend said anglers are catching a lot of coho at Point Wilson.
Ward Norden, a fishing tackle wholesaler and former fishery biologist, said Buzz Bombs and rotator jigs are the weapons of choice for beach casters.
“The hottest thing is to attach one of the plastic mini-squids between the hook and the sliding jig,” Norden said.
“At the moment, pink squids are hotter than blazes, but last week it was greens and chartreuses.”
Norden and Elliott both said many anglers have been heading to Whidbey Island to catch coho.
Silvers are cheap
Norden has an idea why recreational coho fishing has been so fruitful this season.
“. . . The reason is that the low price for the fish is causing the commercial pressure to be down,” Norden said.
“There is so little commercial pressure . . . that the coho are showing in shallower depths and anglers are getting them trolling at 50-60 feet rather than the usual 100-150 feet.”
Razor clam input
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is accepting public suggestions for the upcoming 2012-13 razor clam season.
The season is tentatively set to begin in the middle of October, and it could be a good one.
The state’s stock assessment shows increases in the number of clams large enough for harvest on all ocean beaches except Kalaloch.
“We are looking forward to a really great season,” coastal shellfish manager Dan Ayres said in a state press release.
Comments on digging days, catch limits and other management options must be received by Oct. 9.
They can be emailed to razorclams@dfw.wa.gov, or mailed to RazorClams, 48 Devonshire Road, Montesano, WA 98563.
Management options for the upcoming razor clam season are available at http://tinyurl.com/clamplans.
Bike adventure
The ninth annual Olympic Bike Adventure will take place Sunday.
The ride is fun for the entire family, with three different lengths to choose from: 10-, 25- and 60-mile routes.
Participants will travel along the Olympic Discovery Trail through valleys and along the shoreline.
Included is a stop at the Boys & Girls Club in Sequim for lunch.
The longer ride will start at 8 a.m. from the Gateway Pavilion, while the shorter ride begins at 11 a.m. from Robin Hill Park.
The event is a joint effort by the Port Angeles Recreation Department, the Sequim Sunrise Rotary Club and the Boys & Girls clubs of the Olympic Peninsula.
Registration is $50, or $25 for 12 and younger, and includes lunch and event shirt (while supplies last).
For more information or to register, call Dan Estes at 360-417-4557 or email destes@cityofpa.us.
You can also register online at www.olympicbikeadventure.com.
Trail-ebration
The Upper Big Quilcene Trail is one of seven Washington state trails that will receive maintenance work by volunteers as part of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 29.
The Washington Trails Association will host a work party on the Quilcene trail in which volunteers will help with drainage projects.
The party will begin at the trailhead at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.
No prior experience is necessary.
Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes and bring a lunch, water and work gloves. Tools, hard hats and training will be provided.
Learn fly fishing
Brian Menkal will begin his two-part fly fishing class on Tuesday. Part two will be held Tuesday, Oct. 2.
Both sessions run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Brian’s Sporting Goods and More at 542 W. Washington St. in Sequim.
Bring a pen, chair and notepad.
For more details, call Menkal at 360-683-1950.
Send photos, stories
Have a photograph, a fishing or hunting report, an anecdote about an outdoors experience or a tip on gear or technique?
Send it to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
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Outdoors columnist Lee Horton appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.