THIS YEAR’S SALTWATER chinook fishery is already receiving a lot of hype.
There should be plenty of hatchery kings when the season opens, which is Saturday on the northern coast and Monday, July 1, on the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Hood Canal.
“The forecast is strong for hatchery chinook, and the best we’ve seen in the last decade, but the proportion of wild fish continues to shrink,” Steve Thiesfeld, a state Fish and Wildlife salmon resource manager, told The Associated Press this month.
Adding to that, Dawn Lawrence of Big Salmon Resort (360-645-2374) in Neah Bay reports that the commercial fishers near Neah Bay have had a significant harvest.
So, knock on wood, there should be kings to catch.
Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim will be offering you a chance to increase your knowledge of how to catch these fish.
At his store’s new location (609 W. Washington St.; right next to J.C. Penny, in the old Frick Drug building) on Tuesday evening, Menkal will be hosting a seminar in which area chinook expert Rick Wray will spend two-and-a-half hours sharing tips on fishing for kings.
“He’s really, really good,” Menkal said.
“You’ll want to bring your notebook to this one.”
Wray will discuss mooching, jigging and trolling for chinook.
The class will be limited to 30 people, so call Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) to reserve your spot.
The cost is $25.
Bring a chair, a notebook and a writing utensil.
The class will run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Freshwater fishing
The rivers are producing mixed results.
Menkal went to the Bogachiel and Sol Duc rivers last weekend, and found “pretty sterile water,” meaning he didn’t see many fish.
On the other hand, Bob Gooding of Olympic Sporting Goods (360-374-6330) in Forks reports that springers and chinook are still being caught in the Sol Duc, and steelhead can be found in the Bogachiel and Lower Calawah.
Gooding added that the melting of the large snowfall from last winter has kept the rivers at decent levels.
Anglers heading to the lakes are also finding success.
Menkal reports Lake Leland has maintained its productivity, and many anglers have found success at Sandy Shore.
Squid and tuna
Ward Norden, a fishing tackle wholesaler and former fishery biologist, has told me of a few non-salmon fishing options.
■ Squid: “These are very tasty critters and the sport fishery for them is great for both kids and adults,” Norden said.
“Inside in Puget Sound that fishery is in the dead of winter, but out here on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, it is a summer fishery for some reason known only to the squid.
“The docks out at Neah Bay get them, as well as the public pier in downtown P.A. [Port Angeles].”
Squid appear around the docks at night.
Norden calls this time of year the “loligo vigil,” due to squid’s Latin name, loligo opalescens.
■ Albacore tuna: Norden expects these to appear near LaPush within the next week.
“Whether anyone will fish for them with chinook season on is problematic,” he said.
“How far they will be southwest of the port isn’t knowable yet, and depends on the daily movements of the ocean currents, but 30-35 miles is probably about right.”
Day of trails
The fourth annual Longest Day of Trails 10-kilometer Run and 15-mile Bike Ride will take place Sunday on the Larry Scott Memorial Trail in Port Townsend.
The out-and-back 10K run begins at 9 a.m. Day-of-race registration will be $25.
Ribbons will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age and gender division immediately after the race.
Each place also will receive a live seedling.
Water and refreshments will be provided for all participants.
The start and finish area is at the water in the Port Townsend boat yard.
Runners should park at the Park and Ride across from Safeway on Lower Sims Way.
The 15-mile bike ride covers the entire length of the trail. To participate, gather by the trail entrance at 4 p.m.
The main goal of the event is to raise money for trail caretakers of the Jefferson Trails Coalition and the Pacific Northwest Trails Association.
These trail organizations provide maintenance of some sections of the trail, and are constantly working to promote the completion of the Olympic Discovery Trail and the Pacific Northwest Trail across the North Olympic Peninsula.
For more information or to register, email longestdayoftrails@gmail.com, or visit www.tinyurl.com/LongDayPT.
Adventure talk
The summer’s second session of Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles’ weekly Basecamp Adventure Talk series will feature storyteller Alice Susong of the Story People of Clallam County.
The talk will take place tonight from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel in Port Angeles (221 N. Lincoln St.).
The talks are free and open to the public, and light hors d’oeuvres are included. Happy hour Basecamp drink specials also will be offered.
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.