FALL RAZOR CLAM digs have received tenative approval from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Unfortunately, these digs which are set to begin Oct. 6, do not include the beach at Kalaloch.
Final approval of all scheduled openings will depend on results of marine toxin tests, which are usually conducted about a week before a dig is scheduled to begin.
“We’re releasing a tentative schedule to give people plenty of time to make plans to go digging this fall,” said coastal shellfish manager Dan Ayres.
Last season saw diggers harvest an estimated 4.3 million clams during 281, 374 digging trips — an average of 15.28 clams per trip.
Kalaloch, which opened for two days of digging last January — the first digs at the beach since the 2011-12 season — produced 1,410 clams in 637 digging trips, a measly average of 2.2 clams per digger.
Based on beach surveys conducted this summer, Fish and Wildlife estimates the total razor clam population on state beaches has decreased significantly from last season, which means fewer days of digging this season.
Ayres said the decline in clam populations was likely caused, at least in part, by an extended period of low salinity in surf zone ocean waters, particularly those near Long Beach and Twin Harbors.
“The total number of clams may be down this year, but we still expect good digging on most beaches,” Ayres said.
Proposed razor clam digs through December are listed below, along with evening low tides and beaches:
• Friday, Oct. 6: 7:49 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Saturday, Oct. 7: 8:33 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Thursday, Nov. 2: Thursday, 6:03 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Copalis
• Friday, Nov. 3: 6:47 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Saturday, Nov. 4: 7:31 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Sunday, Nov. 5: 7:16 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Friday, Dec. 1: 4:42 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Copalis
• Saturday, Dec. 2: 6:49 p.m.; -1.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Sunday, Dec. 3: 6:15 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Monday, Dec. 4: 7:02 p.m.; -1.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Sunday, Dec. 31: 5:12 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
State shellfish managers also are seeking public input on management options, including scheduling for spring digs.
Comments on the spring digs can be sent via email to razorclams@dfw.wa.gov.
Coho fishing in Quilcene
Coho fishing in the Big Quilcene River is taking a back seat while waves of summer-run chum salmon take over the river, according to Quilcene’s Ward Norden, a former fisheries biologist and owner of Snapper Tackle Company.
“There are so many [chum] spawning right now that the river is cloudy from their digging of nests,” he said.
“For the next week to 10 days it might be difficult to hook one of the coho in the river.”
Anglers probably shouldn’t even try for coho while the chums are taking care of nature’s business.
“Summer chums are an endangered species, rightfully so, and it is illegal to handle or molest them in any way,” Norden said. “For the next week or so even the coho will tend to stay out in [Quilcene] Bay so as not to run the gauntlet of nasty-tempered chum salmon.”
Norden said the best coho fishing will be from boats anchored or drifting just outside the Quilcene Marina.
“Summer chums are unique and genetically distinct from other chum salmon and their existence was once a bit of a mystery,” Norden said. “They have been only found in a few streams around Hood Canal. By the late 1980s, barely 100 of them existed due to overfishing by commercial fisheries for coho.
“At that time, the federal hatchery in Quilcene captured some of the very last to create a breeding program that rescued this subspecies from extinction with the help of the Skokomish Tribe. This is one of the greatest successes ever in fisheries management.”
Norden said the spawning run is a great spectacle and good viewpoints include the Linger Longer Road Bridge in Quilcene or along the trail downriver starting a block north of the bridge.
Quilcene hosts its annual fair this weekend, complete with a parade that shuts down U.S. 101 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, so keep that in mind if you venture there to view some chum.
Anglers meet
Excel Fishing Charters and The Inn at Neah Bay owner Tom Burlingame will speak at Thursday’s meeting of the North Olympic Peninsula chapter of Puget Sound Anglers.
The meeting will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave, with the evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. for the viewing of raffle prizes and fish stories and a short business meeting at 7 p.m. before Burlingame speaks.
Burlingame is going to cover fishing opportunities on the north coast from Seiku through La Push including seasons, regulations and his involvement on advisory councils lobbying for fishing opportunities and conservation.
Also on tap: refreshments, a raffle for great fishing stuff and a membership drawing for those in attendance The public is welcome to attend.
Sutherland report
Swirling winds threatened to scuttle the pre-spawn kokanee fishing trip on Lake Sutherland by avid Port Angeles angler and lure designer Pete Rosko and his neighbor Al Brown.
“The main lake showed very few signs of kokanee,” Rosko said.
“That prompted us to head to the east arm where the kokanee were quickly located in 80 feet of water. For a short time, the kokanee were actively striking our jigs. Then, a slight breeze came up which is fine unless it starts constantly changing directions.
“A swirling wind almost always results in freshwater fish reversing an active bite into a dead bite. That’s exactly what occurred to us that day until the wind died.
“By that time, it was late afternoon and we were ready to head back to the public boat ramp. I told Al that I wanted to check the buoy line off the boat ramp one more time. At the fourth buoy, we finally found a pre-spawn school of eager biting kokanee located near the bottom in 55 feet of water.”
Rosko said this is the area where the annual major fall kokanee spawning run occurs, typically during the last week in September.
“Most activity will occur on the outside line between the second and fourth buoys as you look westward from the boat ramp,” Rosko said.
He suggest vertical jigs with short rod lifts within 2 feet of bottom for most kokanee.
“The consistently best jigging lures are 1/3- and 1/2-ounce kandlefish in the cerise finish and Sonic BaitFish in glow orange, glow pink and glow chartreuse.”
River fishing class
Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim will offer another two-part Introduction to Salmon and Steelhead River Fishing course at his store, 609 W. Washington St., No. 21, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday with part two following at the same time Tuesday, Sept. 26.
Menkal, who loves to fish the rivers of the West End and knows a ton of tips, tricks and locations, offers the course for $35 per person plus tax.
To reserve a space, phone 360-683-1950.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
