Gig Harbor Fishing

The Blog Has Moved

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:43:00 +0000

If you were getting the Email version I will be setting this up on the new host as soon as I can.

The new site is www.gigharborfishing.com

Thank you for your patience.

Kerry

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

Chum Chum Chum

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 20:24:00 +0000

We appear to be up to our necks in Chum. There are quite a few stacking up in front of Al's Grocery in Ollala and people are catching in front of the harbor too. I'm sure there are other places to fish them also as they spawn in several of the small creeks in the area.

So the question is how to catch them and once we catch them what to do with them.

The answer to the first is green and flashy just like for Coho but unlike Coho we want to troll slowly. these fish are not really motivated to feed but they will strike if you annoy them enough. This also makes them great candidates for a buzz bomb in green or pink. The Ollala fishery is especially good for fly fishing. My friend Blake at Gig Harbor Fly shop has a couple classes scheduled for this. Check them out here.

Now once we catch some what do we do with them. First they are GREAT in the smoker. Chum tend to be a little oily so they don't dry out in the smoker and they hold smoke very well. If you need a recipe I will have a great smoked salmon recipe in my newsletter next week so be sure to sign up here.

These fish are also great with a sauce or strong rub. They strong flavor so you want to make sure you use something that will compliment that.

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

More Chinook retention on the Columbia

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:22:00 +0000

The lower river chinook stocks have moved out of the mainstem Columbia and there are harvestable numbers of upriver fall chinook available for harvest based on the current run-size projection.

Effective Oct. 15, the entire lower Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam will be open for chinook retention. As per permanent rules the area from Beacon Rock to Bonneville Dam will be closed to all salmon angling from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2010. Daily limit is six salmonids of which no more than two may be adult salmon or hatchery steelhead or one of each. Release all salmon other than chinook and hatchery coho. Any chinook, adipose fin clipped or not, may be retained.

Read the release here

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

Thats not a Salmon

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:46:00 +0000

I'm in town having lunch with some guys a couple days ago and this friend of a friend of mine comes up and tells me he's been catching lots of jack coho's under the bridge. Reports like this always peak my interest but in this sloww year this one was especially interesting.

Guy tells me he caught eight before lunch and six or eight yesterday. That "kicks ass" says I and he says ya I got a picture right here on my phone. He shows me the picture and uh oh, staring back at me was a beautiful about 18" cutthroat that he's holding by the lower jaw. First I ask him "you didn't keep any of these did you?" no he says "they were too small".

I tell this guy I got good news and I got bad news. The bad news is those aren't salmon. The good news is they are nice sized cutts. I explained a little about safe catch and release proceedures and find out he was using worms on a spin rod.

Again today I get an update from my friend area 10 Ben that they are catching good numbers of cutts up there too. Time to dig out the fly rod.

Photo courtesy of Northwest Fly Fisherman

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

4th Annual Chum Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:39:00 +0000

Since 1972, the Gig Harbor Fisherman's Club has been raising and releasing chum salmon at Donkey Creek in Gig Harbor. For the last four years harbor residents have been celebrating this accomplishment with the Donkey Creek Chum Festival.

This years festival on October 16th features Booths, Kayak Races, Chum Burgers, Refreshments, "Paint Your Own Salmon" t-shirts, and the giant FIN salmon among other exciting events. The Puyallup tribe is planning to have a booth and the Harbor History Museum will be open throughout the event with displays and activities based around Gig Harbors rich fishing heritage.

Get details here.

Events begin at 10:00am with lots of great kids events, chum burgers at noon and Kayak Races at 2:30 to 3:00pm. Come out and enjoy the fun!

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

First Razor Clam dig approved

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 01:05:00 +0000

Clam diggers today got the go-ahead to proceed with the first razor-clam dig of the fall season, starting at noon Thursday, Oct. 7 at Twin Harbors beach and expanding to four other ocean beaches Friday and Saturday. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the digs at all five beaches after marine toxin tests confirmed the clams were safe to eat.
For the first opening, razor-clam digging will be allowed Oct. 7-10 at Twin Harbors beach and Oct. 8-9 at Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch and Long Beach. No digging will be allowed before noon on any of the five razor-clam beaches.

Below is the schedule of approved digging days, along with evening low tides, announced by WDFW and Olympic National Park:

Oct. 7, Thurs. - 6:55 p.m. (-1.0 ft.), Twin Harbors
Oct. 8, Fri. - 7:42 p.m. (-1.4 ft.), Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
Oct. 9, Sat. - 8:28 p.m. (-1.5 ft.), Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
Oct. 10, Sun. - 9:15 p.m. (-1.3 ft.), Twin Harbors

Read the release Here

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

New policy for Puget Sound Crab

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 19:12:00 +0000

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission today approved changes in its policy for managing Dungeness crab in Puget Sound that could increase sport crabbers’ annual catch by 40 percent.

The State Auditor’s Office, in a report issued earlier this year, found that the state’s policy for allocating the harvest would not accommodate the continued growth in the number of Puget Sound sport crabbers.

The new policy, adopted on a voice vote, eliminates current catch quotas for the popular sport fishery and instead establishes a fixed season for recreational crab fishing in Puget Sound.

Current regulations limit the summer sport crabbing season in most of Puget Sound to four days per week, including Saturdays but not Sundays.

Once adopted as a state regulation, that model will allow sport crabbers to fish for Dungeness crab five days a week - including weekends - from July through Labor Day, with a five-crab daily limit. A winter season would run seven days a week from October through December.

Read the release here

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

WDFW trucking Chinook up the Cowlitz

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 01:23:00 +0000

Starting this week, tanker trucks carrying adult chinook will make daily trips from the salmon hatchery to the release site above the dam, said Jim Scott, assistant director for WDFW’s Fish Program. The relocation effort, funded by Tacoma Power, is expected to continue into December.

By relocating some of those fish to the upper watershed, WDFW and its partners hope to rebuild a naturally spawning fall chinook population that has declined to marginal levels in recent decades, Frazier said.

"Sport fishing is definitely compatible with this effort," said Pat Frazier, WDFW regional fish manager for southwest Washington. "While anglers might catch one in five of these fish, others will spawn naturally and help to create new generations of wild salmon."

"Downstream collection will remain the toughest challenge to recovery," said Dave Becker, a member and past president of Friends of the Cowlitz. "Nonetheless, the dream of using the upper watershed for the spawning and rearing of salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout is alive and well."

Read the press release here.

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

Puyallup and Carbon Closing

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:08:00 +0000

The hatchery has not received enough Coho to meet egg-take goals. This has been a very week year so far for Coho. The Puyallup and the Carbon will open if egg-take goals are met in the near future.
Read the release here.
Good Fishin’ To Ya’
Kerry W Allen

New Mailing List

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:07:00 +0000

You may have noticed the sign up on the right side of the page for my mailing list. This is a seperate list from the feed burner list that sends the blog posts to your E-Mail. My plan is to send out a monthly newsletter and other important timely information via this E-Mail list. There will be things in these E-Newsletters that probably won't show up on the blog, like links to videos and answers to questions, so please sign up on the form to the right.

Also, if you have any suggestions for content you would like to see included in the newsletter please feel free to comment here or on the Facebook at www.facebook.com/gigharborfishing or send an E-Mail.

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

Puyallup Tribe closes Coho Fishing

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 03:42:00 +0000

Due to extremely low numbers, 10 Coho have returned so far, the Puyallup tribe has halted fishing on the river. There should be between 350 and 600 Coho by now. If the escapement of 1000 to 1200 is met the tribe may consider opening it back up.

“Future fisheries depend on there being enough fish in the hatcheries each year,” said Chris Phinney, fisheries management biologist for the Puyallup Tribe.

As a South Sound fisherman I for one want to thank the tribe for their efforts to help with this weak return year.
Read the story here

Good Fishin’ To Ya’

Kerry W Allen

Summer crab cards due Oct. 10th.

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 03:29:00 +0000

WDFW’s terrific dual catch card system rears it’s ugly head again. Your summer catch record card for crab is due October 10th. If you forget it will cost you $10 next year when you try to get your license. You have to report even if you did not crab or catch.

You can report online at this address.

or you can mail it to

CRC Unit

600 Capitol Way N.

Olympia, WA 98501-1091

Voter Voice Alert!!!!!! Dungeness Crab Season

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 02:49:00 +0000

I generally try to keep political discussion off the Blog as much as I can but every once in a while things come up that need to be brought to light.

The PSA (Puget Sound Anglers) now have a program called voter-voice that allows you to sign a pre drafted letter to the Governor and the WDFW regarding season setting and allocation issues. i am not recommending you do this but after this years short season I think I will.

Here's the link

I'm sure other issues will come up that PSA will need help with so watch carefully.

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

Big Changes coming for GHF

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 21:06:00 +0000

Gig Harbor Fishing is rapidly outgrowing our current surroundings. When I started this site my goals were to share what knowledge and experience I have and learn from others. This collaboration has been great for me, and I hope for you, as I have learned a lot. I have also had some great input from you that use the site.

As well as fishing, I have learned a lot about internet publishing and search engine optimization and a bunch of other stuff I had no idea about. So, That said, I will still provide the information and reports you’ve come to expect but in a format that will allow for a more user friendly experience. There will be growing pains but stay close and we’ll get this thing really rockin’.

Thank you for your patience and continued support.

WDFW rule change proposals.

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:32:00 +0000

WDFW is seeking input on proposed rule changes for the upcoming season. The deadline for input is October 2nd. There are a lot of housekeeping changes but the big ones for this are are an opening for Minter Creek above the hatchery and reopening Purdy Creek that got closed by accident.

There is a proposed closure of all Fresh and saltwater fishing of Columbia River Smelt as well as an increase in the limit of Shiner Perch from 2 to 15 because they are bait not food fish.

You can read the proposal here or by clicking the Pictur.

You can E-Mail your suggestions to WDFW here

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

Razor Clams for October

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:51:00 +0000

The first razor-clam dig of the season is tentatively scheduled to begin early next month on five ocean beaches, with additional digs planned through the New Year’s holiday weekend.
In announcing the initial digging schedule, fishery managers emphasized that final approval of all scheduled openings will depend on results of marine toxin tests that show the clams are safe to eat.

"As in years past, we are announcing the proposed digging schedule so people can start making plans," said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "But no dig is confirmed until we announce the results of the toxin tests."
For the first opening, Twin Harbors is scheduled to open for four days of razor-clam digging Oct. 7-10, with additional harvest opportunities planned Oct. 8-9 at Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks and Kalaloch.

Read the rest of the story here and watch for update on www.gigharborfishing.com

Now 2 Nookies on the Lower Columbia

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 22:37:00 +0000

Up to two adult chinook may be retained as part of the salmon daily limit on the mainstem Columbia River upstream from the mouth of the Lewis River to Bonneville Dam.

Read the Release here

Everett Coho Derby. Good Turnout, Slow fishing

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 03:11:00 +0000

Official results from the Everett Coho Derby:
1586 Adult tickets sold and 270 kids tickets given away. (last year 1861 and 252)
Totals of 225 Adult division fish and 13 for the kids. (last year 904 and 91)

"The catching went from banner results last year to scratchy. That is why they call it fishing and not catching." said Tony Floor, director of fishing affairs for the Northwest Marine Trade Association and the Northwest Salmon Derby Series.

Weather was good on Saturday but Sunday was a bit blowy.

Winner was Randy Warren who caught his 15.61 pound coho on Saturday in Central Puget Sound (Marine Catch Area 10)

2nd was Doug Smith with a 15.61 coho caught on Sunday in the Skykomish River which earned him $2,000

Other adult finishers were: 3, Michael Blankenship, 15.28 coho, $1,500 by Silver Horde caught in Area 8-1; 4, Charles Blankenship, 15.04 coho, $1,000 by Kershaw Knives, caught in Area 9; 5, Kyle Bride, 14.58 coho, $750 by Dick Nite Spoons, caught in Area 9; 6, Bryan Choate, 14.37 coho, $600 by Ted's Sports Center, caught in Area 9; 7, Danny Iverson, 14.31 coho, $500 by John's Sporting Goods, caught in Area 9.
The winner of the kids division was Sean McCauley who caught his 12.16 pound on Saturday to earn $100.

For those of you who recall the derby last year McCauley also took home the grand prize then for back to back year wins.

Other kids division finishers were: 2, Jarett Waldemer, 9.10 coho, $75; 3, Floyd Clark, 6.83 coho, $50. All the kids prizes were sponsored by First Heritage Bank.

The winner of the raffled NMTA NW Derby Series boat was Gary Curtis. Curtis will take home a $50,000 22-foot StabiCraft powered with a 130 horse Etec Envinrude motor on a galvanized trailer. The boat also came with a Lowrance Radar and High-Def depthsounder and GPS along with Scotty Downriggers and a crab pot puller.

For the record I got all this information from the Seattle Times. Read the article here

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

Frankenfish - Genetically Engineered Salmon

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 01:22:00 +0000

This company came up with a way to genetically engineer Atlantic Salmon. They grow faster and larger, they are all female and are completely sterile. These are Atlantic Salmon with a growth gene from a Chinook and another gene from an eel to keep the growth gene working.

My initial reaction is we should talk the tribes into raising these fish in exchange for taking the nets out of the rivers. Tribes get lots of big fish to sell and we get larger more healthy runs of hatchery and wild fish. Eventually we could maybe even have a limited commercial fishery again in Washington.

Just a thought.

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

Everett Coho Derby

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 04:01:00 +0000

I am trying to get results for the Everett Coho Derby. I have sent E-Mails to the people running it but in the mean time if anyone has any info on it please post it as a comment here.

Thanks,

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

Cowlitz Alert: You may keep Chinook with a fin

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:47:00 +0000

An unexpected abundance of hatchery-produced fall chinook that have not been marked with a missing adipose fin are returning to the Cowlitz River this season. This action will increase fishing opportunity this season and allow for a transition before a season-long mark-selective fishery for hatchery salmon is expected to begin next year, when all hatchery fall chinook salmon returning to the Cowlitz river will be marked with a missing adipose fin. This action does not affect WDFW’s ability to meet conservation objectives for wild salmon.

Read the release here.

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

Marine areas 3 and 4 open til monday

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:00:00 +0000

A rule change to keep consistent with the intent of the Pacific Fisheries Management Council recommendations is out for marine areas 3 and 4 keeping them open till Sunday.

Read it here

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

Where can I get clams and oysters?

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 04:39:00 +0000

Did you know that the WDFW has an interactive map of Beaches where you can harvest clams and oysters. of coarse you have to follow the regs and check with the Health Department to ensure it is safe but click the picture and check out the interactive map.

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

Three Ladies

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 01:14:00 +0000

Lots of Great Boat Pictures of the Mighty Parker
"Three Ladies"

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen

noreply@blogger.com (Kerry W Allen, www.gigharborfishing.com) — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 19:18:00 +0000

My friend Tom just sent me an E-Mail that there are Coho's jumping out in front of Al's Grocery in Ollala. Looks like it may be time to go visit Blake at the Gig Harbor Fly Shop for some tips on how to catch these little fighters.

Good Fishin' To Ya'
Kerry W Allen