ANGLERS CAN SELECT between two salmon derbies set on the North Olympic Peninsula the weekend of Oct. 4-5.
The more adventurous could choose to fish in both derbies.
Out in LaPush, the Last Chance Salmon Derby, an annual event cosponsored by the Forks Chamber of Commerce, the Quileute tribe and the city of Forks, is Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4-5.
Tickets for the two-day event are $25 and are available at the Quileute Marina, Swain’s General Store in Port Angeles, Forks Outfitters, Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks and the Forks Chamber of Commerce, as well as during the derby at the Quileute Marina.
Separate cash prizes for the largest chinook and coho species will be awarded.
Prizes are $500 apiece for the grand-prize king and coho, $250 each for the second-largest of each species and $100 for the third-largest chinook and silver.
There is also a $100 prize for largest bottom fish.
Fishing must occur in the in the LaPush late-season area which opens this Saturday.
The Oct. 4 weigh-in is set for 4 p.m., with the Oct. 5 weigh-in at noon.
All ticket-holders are eligible for prize drawings, which will be done on the dock in LaPush within an hour of the close of the derby, scheduled for noon Sunday.
Coffee and doughnuts will be available in the Quileute Marina before and during the derby.
This also will double as the spot to spread fishing gossip and rumors, as well as show remorse about the big fish you were reeling in that spit out the hook just before you could bring it aboard.
For more information, visit www.forkswa.com/salmonderby or phone 360-374-2531.
Builders derby
The North Peninsula Building Association’s second annual Salmon Derby is Saturday, Oct. 4.
There’s no membership requirement for this derby, it’s open to all anglers.
The derby allows fishing in the waters of Marine Area 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca) off Port Angeles.
Fishing opens at dawn and the official weigh-in is set for 2 p.m.
The Port Angeles Yacht Club will serve as derby headquarters.
Derby tickets are $40 and can be obtained by phoning the association at 360-452-8160.
First razor digs
State Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers have announced a tentative slate of 41 days of razor calm digs through New Year’s Eve.
As I predicted last week, the continued low numbers of clams at Kalaloch will keep that beach closed to harvest again this year.
The state also emphasized that final approval of all scheduled openings will depend on results of marine toxin tests that show the clams are safe to eat.
During the first set of digs, scheduled Oct. 7 through Oct. 12, both Twin Harbors and Long Beach will be open all six days, with additional harvest opportunities at Mocrocks and Copalis.
I’ll include the first scheduled dig information, along with low tide and open beaches in next Thursday outdoors column.
“Beach surveys indicate an average razor clam population at Copalis this year, while Twin Harbors, Long Beach and Mocrocks show excellent numbers of clams,” state coastal shellfish manager Dan Ayres said.
A new Fish and Wildlife video, which demonstrates how to teach your kids to harvest razor clams, is available at tinyurl.com/PDN-ClamForKids.
Get involved with DFW
Members of the sport fishing community are sought to serve on a state Department of Fish and Wildlife committee that oversees the Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries Enhancement Program.
Since I assumed the reins of the outdoors beat back in the spring, I’ve heard comments and concerns, some positive and some negative, about Fish and Wildlife policies and procedures.
Considering the economic importance of the recreational fishing community to the North Olympic Peninsula, as well as the rightful pride Peninsula residents take in the area’s fishing stocks, I think it would be beneficial to have gainful area representation on this committee.
Those interested in serving on the oversight committee must apply by Oct. 15.
The committee was created in 2003 by the state Legislature to advise Fish and Wildlife’s director on all aspects of the fisheries enhancement program.
Key responsibilities of the program are to restore and enhance recreational fisheries in Puget Sound, ensure the productivity of sustainable populations of salmon and marine bottomfish, and promote recreational fishing opportunities.
Ten volunteers will be appointed to the oversight committee.
Members serve two-year terms and may be re-appointed.
The next term begins in January and expires in December 2016.
The committee, which is a broad representation of the sport fishing community, meets several times a year to review projects and provide guidance on funding activities related to the enhancement program.
To qualify, applicants should be closely linked to and maintain strong communication with the recreational fishing community, have an understanding of salmon and bottomfish fisheries in Puget Sound and be able to attend the meetings.
Committee members do not receive direct compensation for their work.
Interested individuals do not have to be affiliated with an organized group.
Individuals must submit a letter of interest and a resume with the following information: name, address, telephone number and email address; relevant experience and reasons for wanting to serve as a member of the enhancement group; effectiveness in communication, including outreach and promotion.
Interested individuals should submit their application by Oct. 15 to Ryan Lothrop at ryan.lothrop@dfw.wa.gov or state Department of Fish and Wildlife, Attn: Ryan Lothrop, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia WA, 98501-1091.
For more information on the enhancement program and oversight committee, phone Lothrop at 360-902-2808.
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Outdoors columnist Michael Carman appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
