The rain arrived like an old friend dropping in on a whim. Gee, it’s good to see you once again.
A humid gust preceded the arrival. The birds flocked. The critters huddled. Trolls headed back underneath their bridges.
Everyone who was paying attention already knew who was coming. But the gutters are still overflowing.
The same old tired eyes. Paper mache skin soggy like a paper sack in a puddle.
A familiar scent permeated the air. Seaweed and sandalwood. Hoodies go up. Shirts grow sleeves. Pants get long. Socks get wooly and boots get up laced tight. We know to be prepared because old friends evoke memories that we can taste.
The window tapping arrival gave us a startle at first, and then it was a welcome excuse to wax on familiar themes. Pull the folded family quilt from the top shelf in the hallway while tea kettles whistle and sugar cubes bloop. Cold silver spoons clink melodically against hot ceramic.
Clear the chimney so soot and old crows fall down. The wood pile looks so little in the rain. I guess we all look our best in the sun.
A match fluttered in draft, nearly giving up the ghost but flickers and blazes a singed path forward. Combined with a cluster of crumpled fish wrap they create an inky bed of coals to help keep the cold out.
Out of doors the dirt of a long hot summer is washed away. The street is empty. Windows all aglow as pumpkin spice candles conduct shutterbug shadow dances from window sills. Through the persistent pitter-patter of whiplashed splash-pad leaves the silence is entirely deafening. This is how a region catches cabin fever.
Space age satellite images on Wednesday showed storm clouds stretching from China to Puget Sound. It was a convincing scientific visual confirmation of what our beating hearts already knew from many mossbacked years pinned between the Cascades and the coast...That dreary old friend is going to wind up crashing on the couch, taking entirely too many showers, and generally overstaying their welcome.
It happens every time.
FISHIN’
With the official arrival of blustery fall weather this week the fishing prospects around the area are bound to start bobbing up and down right along with the rain gauge.
“It’s going to be curious what happens with all this rain,” said Jerry Barr, master spinner of fish tales at the Sunbirds sporting goods desk in Chehalis. “It hasn’t changed yet but this is going to blow everything out...But with the rain stopping this weekend, and it’s supposed to be pretty decent next week, it should be pretty good fishing. Some new fish should be coming up.”
Anglers who like to head for the secluded waters of the North Fork Toutle and Green rivers have only a few more days to target salmon on those rivers before emergency state regulations shutter the fishery until further notice. On Oct. 21 both coho and Chinook salmon will become off limits to retention from the mouth all the way upstream. That action was taken due to a low return of both species of salmon to the North Toutle Hatchery this season. Those returns are far below the preseason forecast and fish managers are afraid that without an end to salmon fishing too few fish will return to facilitate broodstock operations at the hatchery.
Downstream on the Cowlitz River silver salmon continue to keep anglers testing the waters from the bank and boats. Old kings are finding hooks too, but most are getting tossed back, and cutthroat trout have proven to be hungry as well.
“The boaters at the mouth are catching (coho) real good and they’re catching them up at the Barrier Dam too,” said Barr.
Last week the WDFW sampled 25 bank rods below the I-5 Bridge with one released cutthroat while 19 boat anglers kept six adult coho, and released two adult Chinook and four adult coho. Upstream from the I-5 Bridge the WDFW sampled 26 bank rods with a haul of four jack and one adult coho. Those anglers also released 16 adult Chinook, two adult coho, and one cuttie. Eleven boat rods caught and kept four jack coho, one steelhead, and five cutties, and released one jack and seven adult Chinook, two jacks, two adult coho, and two cutthroats.
Out past the Gearhardt silt flats on the mighty Columbia River last angling effort and catch remained steady as a captain’s eye on the horizon but high winds and bouts of heavy rain will likely depress the turnout heading into the weekend. Last week more than 300 boats were counted on the lower Columbia on Saturday alone. Half of those boats came home with kings. In between Vancouver to Cathlamet boat anglers split the catch, averaging 0.25 Chinook and 0.26 coho caught per boat. Looking at the entire week, the WDFW estimates that anglers made 4,950 fishing trips with a haul of 1,013 Chinook, 496 coho, and eight steelhead.
The catch and release sturgeon fishery on the lower Columbia last week saw a light effort but that’s bound to change on Saturday when the waters from Bonneville to the Wauna power lines are opened up for the first of two catch and keep white sturgeon fisheries. Anglers will be allowed to keep sturgeon on the lower Columbia River on Oct. 21 and Oct. 26. A brief opening for sturgeon harvest on the lower Columbia River this summer was forced to close early after a strong turnout resulted in a larger, and quicker, catch than fish managers had anticipated.
In a press release, the WDFW explained that there are sufficient sturgeon population numbers to allow the two-day retention fishery. Anglers will be allowed to keep fish that measure between 44 and 50 inches from snout to tail fork. There is a one sturgeon per day and two sturgeon per year limit in effect, no matter where the fish are caught. The retention of green sturgeon is prohibited.
Silver salmon are still taking their time mingling down in the semi-salted waters of the lower Chehalis River but the hope is that this week’s rains will start to bring them upriver toward the county line. So far most of the angling effort has been targeted below the confluence of the Satsop.
“There’s nothing in the Satsop yet, believe it or not. I’m pretty surprised,” said Barr who noted that that stretch of the river can be fished by both boat and bank anglers. “Although the boat guys do have a distinct advantage.”
Change is already afoot on the Humptulips River where the regulations were recently altered so that anglers are now only allowed one adult hatchery Chinook as part of their two-adult salmon daily limit. That rule will stay in place through the end of October from the mouth to the concluence with the East and West forks. Beginning Nov. 1, anglers must release all kings.
Barr noted that the rainbow bite just keeps on keeping on at Mayfield Lake, but he’s expecting the action to drop off sometime soon. “Once that water gets cold they just get lockjaw,” said Barr.
The lake trout fishing scene will be picking up in other places over the next few months. Thanks to a concerted stocking effort by the WDFW some 100,000 “catchable size” hatchery rainbow trout have a ticket to Washington lakes this fall in an effort to fortify inland fishing opportunities through the holiday season.
“Fall can be one of the best times of the year to reel in a nice-sized trout, and fishing should be terrific over the next few months,” said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW inland fish program manager, in a press release. “Most of the stocked trout are 13 to 15 inches long, with a few larger ones in the mix.”
In Lewis County Fort Borst Park Pond and South Lewis County Park Pond are slated to receive 2,000 rainbow trout weighing 1.25 pounds each on Nov. 20. In Thurston County Offutt Lake, Black Lake and Long Lake are also scheduled for Nov. 20 deliveries of 1,000, 3,000, and 1,000 fish each, respectively. Long’s Pond received 300 trout on Oct. 17 and on Oct. 15 Lake St Clair was planted with 425 trout and Lawrence Lake was planted with 400 trout. Deliveries began at Munn Lake on Oct. 4 with a load of 275 trout.
Pacific, Cowlitz, Clark, Pierce and Grays Harbor counties have also been designated for hatchery trout deliveries this fall. The statewide trout stocking efforts will also serve to prep lakes for the traditional Black Friday fishing event on Nov. 24. On that day-after Thanksgiving families are encouraged to forgo shopping sprees in favor of reeling in fish in the great outdoors. The complete fall trout stocking plan is available for review online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/fall-into-fishing/.
HUNTIN'
Rumor is it’s been a slow start to most popular hunting seasons around these parts, including last week’s highly anticipated modern-weapon general opener for deer.
“From what I’m hearing there’s a ton of people out there and nobody’s getting anything. It sounds like the ones who are getting them are all going over to the east side,” said Barr. “I honestly haven’t hear one success story from around here.”
Lately it seems all the deer and elk have been hanging out in backyards beneath apple trees.The stormy weather should help to increase the odds of success in the woods as sideways wind and rain puts critters on the move.
“That’s the smart place to be,” laughed Barr. “They are pretty smart. They sure disappear when it’s hunting season. I don’t know how they know but they do.”
General season for black-tailed deer started last Saturday and will continue through the end of the month. Some of the most popular, and successful units, here in southwest Washington, include GMUs 530 (Ryderwood), 501 (Lincoln), 520 (Winston), and 550 (Coweeman). Meanwhile, eastern Washington hunts for white-tailed deer and mule deer will continue through Oct. 24 or 27, depending on the area.
Duck, coot, and snipe seasons will start again on Oct. 21 and continue through Jan. 28. Goose seasons are already underway with the length of the particular season varying depending on the area. Goose hunters in Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Pacific, Wahkiakum and Clark counties are required to pass an identification course for Dusky Canada geese, which are off limits to hunting in Goose Management Area 2.
Forest grouse and crows will remain open statewide until the end of the year and mourning doves will remain in the crosshairs through Oct. 30. The general pheasant hunt in Western Washington will continue through Nov. 30. Those hunts are allowed from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day and hunters are held to a daily two bird limit and a possession limit of 15 birds. The California quail, standard quail and Northern bobwhite seasons in Western Washington will also continue through Nov. 30.
Fall bear season will continue through Nov. 15 and cougar hunts will be allowed at least through Dec. 31. Bobcat, fox, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare all open through March 15, and of course, coyotes are fair game all year round.
A conglomeration of state agencies including the Washington Invasive Species Council, the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board, the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife are urging hunters to take precaution against spreading noxious weeds and non-native plants. The spread of noxious weeds can result in damaged habitat and poor conditions for wildlife. As a preventive measure, officials are asking hunters to clean their boots and gear before leaving an area. They are also asking the public to report any patches of noxious weeds they observe in order to help the state create an inventory of the problematic flora.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to help protect the backcountry and wildlife from the devastating impacts of invasive, noxious weeds,” said Alison Halpern, executive secretary for the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board, in a press release. “Brushing off your boots and gear takes just a few minutes but has such lasting effects by preventing further spread of invasive species.”
The press release noted that invasive plants and noxious weeds degrade the natural environment by outcompeting native plants that are critical to the diet of local fauna. In some cases, wildlife have documented moving to new locations after the proliferation of invasive plants. In order to avoid that outcome, officials are asking hunters to clean all mud, seeds and propagating plant parts from boots, vehicles and equipment before entering the backcountry, and then again before hitting the dusty trail home. Officials suggest using a boot brush, cleaning equipment and hosing off vehicle tires in order to thwart the spread of noxious weed seeds.
“Prevent the introduction and spread of noxious weeds. It’s far less expensive than trying to remove species once they arrive,” added Justin Bush, executive coordinator for the Washington Invasive Species Council in the release. “If you value the experience of hunting, quality habitat and abundant wildlife then take a few minutes to preserve it.”
Additional information, including an identification chart, is available online at www.nwcb.wa.gov. Reports of invasive weed infestations can also be made online at http://www.invasivespecies.wa.gov/report.shtml or by sending a detailed email to invasivespecies@rco.wa.gov.
CLAMMIN’
The next proposed round of razor clam digs are tentatively set for Nov. 2-5. Confirmation of those digging dates is dependent upon marine toxin test results that will be announced about one week in advance.
Razor clam digs proposed through December are listed below, along with evening low tides and beaches:
Daylight Savings Time
• Nov. 2, Thursday, 6:03 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Copalis
• Nov. 3, Friday, 6:47 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Nov. 4, Saturday, 7:31 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Pacific Standard Time
• Nov. 5, Sunday, 7:16 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Dec. 1, Friday, 4:42 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Copalis
• Dec. 2, Saturday, 5:29 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Dec. 3, Sunday, 6:15 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Dec. 4, Monday, 7:02 p.m.; -1.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Dec. 31, Sunday, 5:12 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
In Washington all clam diggers age 15 and older are required to have an appropriate fishing license. The daily limit is 15 clams and diggers are required to keep the first 15 clams they dig regardless of size or condition. Additionally, each digger must keep their own clams in a personal container.
Throughout the 2017-18 razor clam season, a research team from the University of Maryland will be out on the beaches looking for volunteers to participate in a survey about razor clam consumption and harvesting practices. Additional information on the study can be obtained by contacting Lynn Grattan at 877-668-4559 or LGrattan@som.umaryland.edu.
GUIDIN’
The WDFW is seeking public input as they sort out regulations for the salmon and steelhead guide industry.
The state Legislature has instructed the WDFW to evaluate whether the current management of the guide industry does enough to ensure the conservation of wild steelhead and salmon while simultaneously providing a high quality angling experience for both guided and independent anglers. A pair of public meetings will be held for discourse and official commentary. Those meetings are scheduled for:
Forks: 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 25, Rainforest Arts Center, 35 N. Forks Ave.
Lyle: 6 to 8 p.m., Nov. 8, Lyle Activities Center, Hwy. 14 and Third St.
The WDFW is currently working with an outside contractor in order to prepare a survey for feedback from folks who can’t make it to a meeting in person. A summary of findings is slated to be delivered to the Legislature by the end of the year.
