WHET YOUR APPETITE for Friday’s Marine Area 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca) and 9 (Admiralty Inlet) halibut opener by buying a ticket today for the Port Angeles Salmon Club’s 14th annual Halibut Derby.
With the contest set for Saturday and Sunday, May 24-25, derby tickets are on sale now at area retailers.
This includes Swain’s General Store and Jerry’s Bait and Tackle in Port Angeles and Brian’s Sporting Goods and More in Sequim.
Tickets cost $40 per person and are valid for one or both days of the derby.
Salmon Club members also will sell tickets on Friday, May 23, at derby headquarters at the Port Angeles Yacht Club, located at 1305 Marine Drive.
While there, anglers can pick up one of 150 launch permits valid during the derby and provided by the Port of Port Angeles.
These permits, along with derby hats, will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis at the Yacht Club.
Halibut may be landed between a line due north from Low Point to the west and a line due north from the base of Dungeness Spit to the east in the waters of Marine Area 6.
While tempting, anglers can’t stray into Canadian waters for the purposes of this competition, it’s USA all the way.
Prize purse for the derby is $20,000, with the winner taking home $5,000, an amount that should purchase enough lemon and garlic for a lifetime of flattie filets.
Runner-up will receive $2,500 and third place $1,500, with the amounts dropping down all the way to the 30th place angler picking up $135.
Fishing will be open from daylight to 2 p.m. Saturday and daylight to 2 p.m. Sunday.
A 1.15-foot low tide is set for 6:49 a.m. Saturday, with a 4.39-foot high tide rolling in at 1:04 p.m.
Sunday’s low tide of 0.18 feet is 7:33 a.m. with a high tide of 4.87 feet coming after the derby has wrapped at 2:57 p.m.
Other nitty-gritty rules and regulations: every person in a boat competing in the derby must have a derby ticket or all passengers will be disqualified.
Every fish must be brought in by water to the West Boat Haven Ramp and Docks and taken to the weight-in station at the Port Angeles Yacht Club.
Each fish is subject to inspection or examination by a biologist or other person directed to do so by the Port Angeles Salmon Club board of directors.
So no trying to pass off a halibut with the onset of rigor mortis as a valid, eligible fish.
We’ve all heard stories about the winning derby fish being pre-caught or even bought and stashed in a cooler onboard so don’t try that old fraud.
Follow all state fishing regulations while competing and have fun.
The cash prizes will be dispersed immediately after the close of fishing at 2 p.m. Sunday.
For more ticket information, phone 360-452-2357.
Pick up a pamphlet
Anglers and hunters can check out the latest regulations for fishing and big game hunting in new pamphlets now at sporting goods stores throughout the state.
Compiled by state Department of Fish and Wildlife, these pamphlets detail state rules for upcoming fishing and hunting seasons for species ranging from steelhead to Roosevelt elk.
Both pamphlets already are available at wdfw.wa.gov.
I implore all readers to pick up a pamphlet and keep one with them to consult when hunting or fishing.
State fishery managers have extended the rules that went into effect May 1 by two months — through June 30, 2015 — to transition to a later cycle, said Jim Scott, assistant director of the Fish and Wildlife fish program.
In future years, the pamphlet will be effective July 1 through June 30.
“The switch to a July-through-June timetable will improve our ability to complete the rule-making process for salmon and reflect the regulations in the pamphlet,” Scott said.
Some spring 2015 fisheries, such as salmon, shrimp and crab, will be updated online when finalized next year.
Changes, though, occur throughout the year so keep up by visiting tinyurl.com/pdn-fishrules.
Big game rules can be found online at tinyurl.com/pdn-huntrules.
Apply for hunt permits
Hunters have through May 22 to apply for special hunting permits for fall deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep and turkey seasons in our state.
The special permits authorize hunters to go for game at times and places beyond those allowed by a general hunting license.
Permit winners will be selected through a random drawing conducted by Fish and Wildlife in late June.
To apply, hunters must purchase an application and necessary hunting licenses for each species they wish to hunt and then submit that application.
Applications and licenses are available from license vendors statewide or at tinyurl.com/pdn-specialhunt.
Applications must be submitted on that web site or by phoning 877-945-3492.
Most special hunt permit applications cost $7.10 for residents, $110.50 for non-residents and $3.80 for youth under 16 years of age.
The exception is the cost for residents purchasing applications for mountain goats, any ram and any moose, as well as “quality” categories for deer and elk. Those applications cost $13.70.
Dave Ware, Fish and Wildlife game division manager, reminds hunters to update their email and mailing address in the system when purchasing their special hunting permit applications and licenses.
The state receives hundreds of special hunting permits back in the mail due to invalid addresses.
Results will be posted by the end of June at tinyurl.com/pdn-specialhuntwinners and winners will receive a mailed notification by mid-July.
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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.
