JEFFREY P. MAYOR; jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com
Published: May 3rd, 2008 01:00 AM
The Columbia River upriver spring chinook run continues to lag behind forecasts. The Technical Advisory Committee met on Tuesday to review the numbers, and members agree the run is currently not on track to meet the preseason forecast.
Size projections indicated the run may not be greater than 200,000 fish, based on the timing of the most recent three years, passage to date and harvest below Bonneville Dam.
Committee members do not believe the run is 50 percent complete, which makes run size projections difficult. Fish passage could be delayed due to river conditions that are non-conducive for fish migration. The high catch rate in the lower river fisheries also indicates an abundance of fish in the lower river system.
The last razor clam dig of the season opened this morning at Long Beach and Twin Harbors Beach. They will be open for morning digs through Wednesday, while Copalis and Mocrocks are open Sunday and Monday only. No digging is allowed after noon on any beach.
Saltwater
La Push: The lingcod fishing has been very good, said Jim Richeson of Top Notch Ocean Charters. The action for sea bass has improved since last week. Look for them to school around pinnacles close to shore.
Neah Bay: The news is similar from further up the coast, according to Tom Young of Tommycod Charters. He said two out of three boats are getting limits of ling.
North Sound: There were fairly good reports that came in from the lingcod opener Thursday, said Mike Chamberlain at Ted's Sports Center.
Port Angeles: The halibut fishing has been fair to good, with many fish topping 30 pounds. One angler reported landing a fish weighing 90 pounds. John Keizer of Fish Frontiers says herring on a spreader bar has been the most effective setup.
South Sound: Anglers have been catching a few ling near Fox Island and on the Tacoma side of the Tacoma Narrows, said Jennifer Derrick at Narrows Marina Bait & Tackle. Some have been approaching 10 pounds. Salmon fishing has been very slow.
Lakes
American: Trolling for kokanee has been producing a number of limits, said David Anderson at Bill's Boathouse. Most anglers are using a large-bladed gang troll set-up with a Wedding Ring and maggots. Try between the island and western shore.
Drano: The dam counts are improving and that is being reflected in the improved fishing each day. At this point, anglers are having to try a variety of gear and methods to hook a fish.
Harts: The fishing remains good, with anglers starting to hook more triploid rainbows, said Carol Parsons at Harts Lake Resort. Power Bait and worms have been the most effective.
Mineral: A dock angler landed a 6-pound rainbow trout Friday so the fishing is improving, said Jeannie Evans at Mineral Lake Resort.
Silver: The trout fishing has been good for brown and rainbow trout, including a 4-pound brown that hit a green Carey Special, said a staffer at Silver Lake Resort. Most anglers are using Power Bait and worms.
Tanwax: The dock fishing has been slow. Boat anglers on the north end of the lake have had the best luck, including one angler who landed a 101/2-pound bass. The lake also was stocked with another 5,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this week, said Dave Potter at Rainbow Resort
Washington: Fishing for smallmouth bass and cutthroat trout has been slow.
Rivers
Columbia: Chinook fishing above the Bonneville Dam has been OK. Sturgeon fishing has been slow.
Cowlitz: The river has been producing some steelhead and spring chinook at Blue Creek and at the barrier dam. Catches of both species have been improving at the lower end of the river. The fish have been hitting shrimp/eggs combinations, jigs/bobbers with a piece of shrimp, corkies and yarn or Blue Fox spinners.
Kalama: River conditions are improving with visibility at 3 to 4 feet, said Wayne Orzel at Pritchard's Western Angler. Some steelhead have been caught this week.
Olympic Coast: Action on the Quillayute and Soleduck has been slow for steelhead and spring chinook.
Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640
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