We are now almost a month into the all-species salmon season. How can we characterize fishing to-date? I said it two weeks ago: the best is yet to come. Having said that ….. fishing has improved somewhat. During the first full week of the season we had a Chinook CPUE of 0.3. The second week was 0.4. Not fantastic but certainly an improvement.
Seven days
As of Sunday, July 14, characterized by some as the best “catching” day of the season so far, our Chinook catch still amounts to only 7% of our guideline. That led to liberalizing the days per week from 5 to 7 starting tomorrow Friday, July 19th. Officially, there will be no more closed salmon days between now and the end of the season in September (or quota).
Why the slow start? Well, first of all, the salmon managers predicted 50% less Chinook of the type we usually catch in Westport than there were in 2010 and 2011. Second, although the best fishing has been north of the harbor, those that are here in our area seem to be scattered. Third, weather has contributed to a lack of stability in the day-to-day catch.
On the brighter side, there are Chinook north of us that will eventually filter through here as they meander toward the Columbia River. The evidence is compelling that these fish are of CR origin. On the other hand, if you want to go 30-35 miles south, the CR folks have been doing pretty well at North Head on the beach.
And coho? Not a factor yet. Hopefully they’ll show up in good numbers by early August.
Tuna talk
So let’s talk a little tuna. Each year we get an opening shot around mid-July and this year’s no exception. Good sources say a charter boat carrying 4-5 people caught 65 Albacore last week about 40 miles straight out. Hopefully those fish will remain in the area.
August and September are prime time for tuna off Westport. The North Pacific albacore stock is very healthy and is one of the few fisheries these days that doesn’t need to be intensively managed. Stock assessments are done every three years and management actions are done biannually.
Derby leaders
Our derby leaders to date: Chinook salmon – 29-6 dressed (34 in the round) caught by Carl Chew of Seattle, WA on July 10. Coho salmon – 7-5 dressed caught by Jerry Brummond of Port Orchard, WA on July 8. Lingcod – 41-6 caught by Larry Sturman of Spokane, WA on March 30. Halibut – 60 pounder caught on May 14 by John Polaski, also of Spokane.
Grand prize sponsors
• Chinook $2,500 – Bank of the Pacific, Basket House Gift Shop, Brady’s Oysters, Seafood Connection, Vacations by the Sea
• Coho $1,500 – Breakers Boutique Inn, Masco Petroleum, One-Eyed Crab Restaurant, Vacations by the Sea, Westport Inn
• Lingcod $1,500 – England Marine Supply, Gifts Ahoy/Sea Shanty, Islander Resort, Totem RV & Trailer Park
• Halibut $1,000 – Bennett’s Restaurants, Fishing Vessel Owners Association
• Tuna $1,000 – Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill, Price & Price, Inc, Timberland Bank
• Largest Chinook in July $1,000 – Shoalwater Bay Casino
• Largest Chinook in August $1,000 – Shoalwater Bay Casino
Additional sponsors
Alaskan Motel, Boat Seafood, Chateau Westport, Grayland Hardware, Holiday Motel, Local Bar & Grill, Lindley Financial, Lucky Eagle Casino, McBee’s Silver Sands Motel, Original House of Pizza, Pacific Motel, Preszler Larner Mertz & Company, Ron Cowles, DDS, Seagull’s Nest Motel, South Beach Buccaneers, South Beach Dental Clinic, Washington Crab Producers, Westport “Y” Deli, and Windermere Real Estate
More info: www.charterwestport.com