The WDFW released its salmon return projections for this year and it doesn’t look good for chinook and coho, but the pinks are expected to return in good numbers.
Take note these are just predictions, so that doesn’t necessarily mean they are fact. I remember the prediction last year for Lake Washington sockeye returns being very low and they were not even expecting to have a season, but boy was that wrong!
According to the reports, they are expecting 238,000 chinook to return to the Puget sound area and around 630,000 coho, about two-thirds of last year’s return.
The bright spot is the estimated 3.3 million pinks, commonly known as humpies, to return to Puget Sound waters this year, nearly 1.3 million more than the 2005 projection.
This could prove to be a wonderful year because as most of us can remember the 2005 season was spotty at best.
Later on this month and in to early April, the WDFW will list its trout stocking reports for our local lakes. You can go to wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/weekly/ and get the reports, but I have not seen anything yet for Skagit or Island counties.
Be sure to dust off your favorite lake pole and put some fresh line on the reel now.
Nothing ruins a day of fishing like finding out your gear is beyond repair.
With the pink projections looking good and the upcoming trout opener in April, this is another great time of the year to get kids involved with the outdoors.
Like the old adage says, “Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you will feed him for life.” Teach them young and they will have more time to teach more anglers.
The weather probably is on most anglers’ minds right now and the wind, snow and rain we’ve experienced lately make it clear we are in March. With all the wacky weather the fishing has been tough.
The upper Skagit is faring fairly well with good reports coming in all the time. Steelhead in the 10-to 15-pound range have been caught quite regularly. Sand shrimp and eggs seem to be the most popular baits used by the local anglers, with artificial lures after that.
Up in the San Juan Islands the fishing has been decent for those who have braved the elements. I’ve been told Coyote spoons and hoochies in various shades of green seem to be the best bet.
Thatcher Pass has been one of my favorite spots to go and some anglers are finding nice winter runs of fish, some running 20 pounds or so, on a regular basis.
Look for bait as always and the sea birds as well. They are the best indicators of where the fish are.
On a lighter note, smelt fishing is picking up in Cornet Bay and there have been some caught in Oak Harbor as well. Get over to the tackle store and get a smelt rig and give it a try. This could be your first chance of the year to take the youngsters out for some fun.
March 10 and 11 the Anacortes Puget Sound Anglers annual salmon derby kicks off. With a first prize of $5,000 and free berthing for a limited number of boats, this will be a great event. Once again the web address is, www.anacortessalmonderby.com.
