LEE HORTON'S OUTDOORS: Some steelhead showing up in West End rivers

STEELHEAD ARE MAKING their way through the rivers and the Strait of Juan de Fuca is about to reopen to salmon fishing.

Little by little, steelhead are showing up in the Bogachiel and other West End rivers.

“We’re on the verge of big fish,” Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim said.

Many anglers are already out chasing steelhead, but it hasn’t reached prime time yet. However, Menkal said it could be just a few inches of rain away.

He recommends putting in some work while you wait: Prep your leaders, make sure your reels are in good shape and perform other maintenance.

“So when you get the call that the steelhead are here, you’ll be ready to go, not getting ready,” Menkal said.

The Quillayute and portions of the Bogachiel, Calawah, Hoh and Sol Duc rivers have a daily limit of three hatchery steelhead, and anglers can retain one wild steelhead per year.

River fishing class

Another mode of preparation is taking in Menkal’s two-part river salmon and steelhead fishing class, which he is teaching Tuesday, ∂Dec. 3, and Tuesday, Dec. 10.

These classes discuss topics such as where to go, when to go and what to use.

Both sessions start at 6 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m.

The cost for the two-part class is $25. Bring a notepad, pen or pencil and a chair.

Class attendance is limited to 10 participants. To reserve a spot or for more information, phone Menkal at 360-683-1950.

The classes are held at Brian’s Sporting Goods and More at 609 W. Washington St. in Sequim.

On the saltwater front

Marine Area 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca) opens to hatchery chinook fishing Sunday.

Anglers can keep two salmon per day, but must release wild chinook.

The Hood Canal (Marine Area 12) salmon fishery remains open with a daily limit of four salmon, but only two of those can be a hatchery chinook (wild kings cannot be retained).

Meanwhile, salmon fishing in Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) closes Saturday until the middle of January.

Fishing tackle wholesaler and former fishery biologist Ward Norden of Quilcene said the fishing has been ruined lately.

“An infestation of sea lions has been making fishing tough at the most popular spots,” he said.

“When it reopens on Jan. 16, I am expecting good things, since that is about the time the baitfish migration moves into the [Port Townsend] area, bringing the hungry blackmouth with them.”

Value of nature

There will be three workshops next week that discuss the value of nature in Clallam County.

The public workshops will be held Thursday and Friday in the Clallam County comissioner’s meeting room 160 at 223 E. Fourth St. in Port Angeles.

The value of Clallam County’s nearshore ecosystems is conservatively estimated at $103 million per year by Earth Economics, a nonprofit organization located in Tacoma that is dedicated to researching and applying the economic solutions of the future.

This dollar value is based on habitat creation, commercial and recreational fishing, carbon storage and the value of feeder bluffs for their sediment transfer services.

All three forums will be lead by staff from Earth Economics who performed the Ecosystem Service Valuation, ESV, analysis, and all are open to the public.

■ Thursday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. — The first session will be targeted to County staff and officials and likely be more technical in nature.

■ Thursday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. — The second forum provides an ESV introduction and overview targeted to the public, with emphasis on nearshore bluff systems.

■ Friday, 11:25 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — The final presentation is part of the Straits Ecosystem Recovery Network meeting agenda, and will focus on the ESV pilot projects results for the central Strait of Juan de Fuca nearshore area and next steps.

Reminders

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has stocked Lake Leland with 971 jumbo trout for its post-Thanksgiving lake fishing event.

Also, an eight-day razor clam dig opens Saturday.

Here are the dates, low tides and beaches for the upcoming dig:

■ Saturday: 4:28 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks.

■ Sunday: 5:13 p.m.; -0.9 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach and Mocrocks.

■ Monday: 5:59 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach and Mocrocks.

■ Tuesday: 6:44 p.m.; -1.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach and Mocrocks.

■ Wednesday: 7:30 p.m.; -1.7 feet; Twin Harbors and Long Beach.

■ Thursday, Dec. 5: 8:17 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Twin Harbors.

■ Friday, Dec. 6: 9:05 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Twin Harbors.

■ Saturday, Dec. 7: 9:56 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Twin Harbors.