JUST WHEN HALIBUT anglers and shrimpers think their seasons are closed, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife evaluates data and pulls them back in.
Lower catch totals and less boats on the water, in part due to the sporadic halibut schedule, has once again extended the halibut season.
After extinguishing all eight days of the initial halibut season the state has added at least one more day of fishing — this Saturday. And if the catch stays below the quota maximum, one more day, Saturday, June 17 is likely to be added.
Halibut fishing will be open off La Push and Neah Bay, Sekiu, Port Angeles, Sequim and Port Townsend on Saturday.
And it’s free fishing weekend, too, anglers do not need a fishing license to fish Saturday or Sunday.
As for shrimpers, Hood Canal will reopen for spot shrimp for the second time this month.
Shrimp will reopen in Hood Canal from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday.
The daily limit is 80 shrimp in Hood Canal.
Coalition in Spokane
Dave Croonquist is in Spokane representing the Olympic Peninsula Salmon and Halibut Coalition at the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s meeting. He’ll continue the fight for a safer, longer season with reasonable catch limits for halibut anglers.
A live stream of the meetings, plus an agenda, is available at tinyurl.com/PDN-PFMCStream.
Croonquist also sent out an email to members of the state legislature requesting their action on a catch record card for the 2018 halibut season.
The reasoning behind this effort is to have a better estimate of how many halibut anglers are fishing in order to make improved estimates on halibut catch totals.
There’s been a perceived disconnect between the state’s estimated number of halibut anglers and their catch estimates, so any movement to get a more accurate representation of fish catches (a smartphone app would be best) is worth getting behind.
Know the limits
Upcoming salmon seasons are set, and anglers will be king fishing off the Pacific Coast beginning June 24. The state’s official rule book for the 2017-18 season will be available soon at various outlets and online, but for those anglers looking for some guidance in the meantime, there is an option.
Head to tinyurl.com/PDN-Salmon1718 for a chance to reacquaint yourself with the saltwater salmon fishing rules.
Save the date for derby
A change for 2017-18’s salmon regulations is a delayed start to the Marine Area 6 blackmouth chinook fishing season.
The winter blackmouth fishery will open closer to spring, March 1, and run through April 15.
The Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby will move back two weeks to accomodate the schedule, going from President’s Day Weekend and will be held March 2-4, 2018.
And a round of applause for the Gardiner Salmon Derby Association is in order.
They recently distributed $5,500 in scholarships to Sequim High School seniors Curtis Beery, Sven Wiker, Tori Phillips, Shaun Jones, Calvin Hazard and Lillian Gloor.
Hiking author speaks
Award-winning guidebook author Craig Romano for a virtual tour of the Olympic Peninsula’s outstanding hiking opportunities on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Port Angeles Library.
Romano has logged more than 2000 miles on foot researching his recently released guidebook, Day Hiking the Olympic Peninsula, which includes many hikes found in no other guidebook.
Romano will introduce a diverse array of trails on the Olympic Peninsula and neighboring peninsulas and coastal beaches. From alpine meadows to backcountry lakes; wilderness beaches to groves of towering old-growth forests; there are countless hiking options to choose from on the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas.
Copies of his book also will be available for purchase at a discount.
In his presentation Friday, Romano will focus on hiking the Olympic Peninsula and Washington Coast.
He’ll offer up a slideshow hiking tour around the Olympic Peninsula, Grays Harbor and Long Beach Peninsula.
Saturday’s presentation will showcase family friendly hikes on the Olympic, Kitsap and Long Beach peninsulas and Bainbridge Island.
Father’s Day shoot
The Wapiti Bowmen Archery Club will host a Father’s Day 3D target shoot at their club and archery range at 374 E. Arnette Road, Port Angeles, on Saturday and Sunday, June 17-18.
The event is open to the public.
Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. each day.
Fees for kids up to age 17 are $8 for one day, $12 for two days.
Adults are $12 for one day, $20 for both.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
