So here we are – about ten days into the All-species salmon season. How can we characterize fishing to-date? Let’s look at it this way: The best is yet to come.
Last year we started out with excellent Chinook fishing on June 9 and went downhill from there. June was OK, July and August were pretty poor, and, of course, September is never a good Chinook month.
This year we’ve started out about where we ended last season. Let’s hope we begin an up-trend soon. At press deadline the catch per unit effort (CPUE) for Sunday, June 30, was about .57 fish per person, slightly more Chinook than coho.
June was an interesting month. Inclement weather kept anglers at the dock for a number of days, including a 3-day period last week. Strong southerlies are not typical in June but we got them! We’re accustomed to northwest winds, which, by the way, are best for ocean upwelling and good salmon conditions.
Budget angst
In addition, without a state budget deal until the last moment, we were facing a fishery closure beginning July 1. Angst over what to do regarding planning and reservations took its toll on most charter operators as the “drop-dead” date approached. WDFW had to send out “provisional” pink slips to more than 1,500 employees. Many thanks to the Director for keeping fishery leaders in the loop as the negotiations progressed.
Now here we are in July. Winds are forecast to be more out of the northwest for a while; there’s a “bright sun” on the Westport weather forecast for the next 3-4 weeks (does that really mean anything?); and were moving into a period of morning minus tides. Put that all together and what do you get? Sorry, I don’t have a clue! But let’s hope for better fishing and the sooner the better!
Lingcod fishing great
Lingcod fishing continues to be outstanding when targeted. Rockfish have also been plentiful. Anglers now can fish for lingcod outside 30 fathoms, but must stay inside 50 for the rest of the season with one exception: The area outside 30 fathoms and south of latitude 46-58 is closed for Lingcod on Fridays and Saturdays, July 1 – Aug. 31.
Lingcod is open inside 30 fathoms all season.
The purpose of these various Lingcod closures is to minimize impacts on Yelloweye and Canary Rockfish. Always check the WDFW rules pamphlet before venturing out.
Derby leaders
• Chinook salmon – 21-13 dressed (25 in the round) caught by Tonia Baker of Liberty Lake on June 9
• Coho salmon – 5-6 dressed caught by Michael Cane of Spokane Valley on June June 27
• Lingcod – 41-6 caught by Larry Sturman of Spokane on March 30
• Halibut – 60-pounder caught on May 14 by John Polaski
All four anglers reside in Spokane County.
Grand prize sponsors
Many thanks to the Westport Charterboat Association Derby 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 Coastal 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 to date
Alaskan Motel, Boat Seafood, 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, South Beach Buccaneers, South Beach Dental Clinic, Westport ‘Y’ Deli, and Windermere Real Estate
More info: www.charterwestport.com