OUTDOORS: Matt Schubert’s five best bets to do this weekend

■ Halibut Derby — Everyone knows who wins fishing derbies: the guy with the horseshoe sticking out the back of his pants.

No doubt the Port Angeles Salmon Club’s 11th annual Halibut Derby will play out that way this weekend.

Might as well try your luck.

■ Cape Flattery hike — You’ve got three days to kill, and the in-laws aren’t getting any more tolerable.

If you can’t throw them off the edge of the earth, you might as well take them there.

Cape Flattery Trail is about as unimposing it gets, and the reward is well worth it. Picturesque views of the rugged coastline and encounters with puffins, sea otters and other aquatic life await those who conquer the 3.4-mile hike.

■ Kalaloch surfperch — Calm surf conditions should make for some good redtail surfperch fishing on the coast.

As I wrote a month ago, Kalaloch Beach can offer some of the best surfperch fishing in the state when the conditions are right.

This upcoming Monday — when morning swells are expected to be 4.5 feet — appears to be one of those times.

■ Casting clinic — Waters West Fly Fishing Outfitters will host a free casting clinic this Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park in Port Angeles.

All skill levels are welcome, with the focus on standard overhead casting and roll casting. Rods will be provided for those without one.

■ Sol Duc springers — Now is the time of the year when West End river banks are a place of solitude.

The combat anglers are gone, and it’s just you, the river and your rod.

If you’re lucky, there might be a spring chinook or two around as well.

Matt Schubert

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