THE WEATHER THAT hampered last week’s fishing will be a boon to anglers this week.
“There’s a lot of real good fishing,” Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim said.
“The rain brought the fish down the Strait.”
The fishing options on the Strait of Juan de Fuca were increased earlier this week when Marine Areas 5 (Sekiu) and 6 (Port Angeles and Sequim) were opened to wild coho and wild chinook.
I call this the “No Fin, No Problem” fishery.
Unfortunately, anglers on Admiralty Inlet (Marine Area 9) won’t be allowed to retain chinook, hatchery or otherwise, until Nov. 1.
Not many fish are making it that far, anyway.
“People are getting their fish quickly, even outside Sequim,” Menkal said.
“From Sekiu to Sequim, there’s real good fishing.”
Although kings are in the Strait, silvers are still the common catch.
“Coho are bigger right now,” Menkal said.
“There’s more of them, and they’re easier to catch.”
The daily salmon limit in Marine Areas 5 and 6 is two, but only one of those can be a chinook.
This fishery remains open through Thursday, Oct. 31.
Upcoming salmon derbies
The Last Chance Salmon Derby in LaPush is Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets for the two-day derby are $25, and can be purchased at the Quileute Marina, Swain’s General Store in Port Angeles, Forks Outfitters, Olympic Sporting Goods in Forks, Forks Chamber of Commerce and during the derby at the Quileute Marina.
The derby includes separate divisions for chinook and coho.
Cash prize is $500 for the largest chinook, $250 for the second largest and $100 for the third largest; and $500 for largest coho, $250 for second largest, and $100 for third largest.
There also is a $100 prize for the largest bottomfish as well.
■ Olson’s Resort (360-963-2311) in Sekiu is hosting the Sekiu King Coho Derby on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-13.
The derby will serve as a tribute to Arlen and Donalyn Olson, to celebrate the resorts in 80th anniversary.
Also, Elvis will make an appearance, with Clayton Wagy performing “A Tribute to the King” in honor of the Olsons.
Tickets are $30, and everyone in a boat over the age of 15 must have a derby ticket.
“Progressive pot” cash prizes will be awarded, based on ticket sales, to the largest hatchery or wild king, hatchery or wild silver and chum caught.
A Lil’ Anglers kids derby will be held for anglers 14 years and younger.
All proceed from the derby will go to Olson’s Resort’s Wounded Warrior fishing fund for 2014.
Rivers ready
The heavy rain last week brought the West End rivers up a little bit too high, but they’ve come down the last few days.
Higher water brought salmon into the rivers, and lower water will make catching those fish easier.
The Sol Duc, Quillayute and Bogachiel should offer good salmon fishing opportunities.
Adding to the good news is that the Dungeness River opens to fishing Tuesday from the mouth to the hatchery intake pipe at river mile 1.3.
The salmon limit on the Dungeness is four coho.
So, between the Strait and the rivers, there are plenty of great fishing opportunities for anglers on the North Olympic Peninsula.
“You can’t miss on the saltwater or the rivers,” Menkal said.
“It’s all good. Every bit of it.”
Razor clam digs
A five-day razor clam dig kicks off today at four ocean beaches.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife approved the dig after marine toxin tests conducted at all four beaches showed that the clams are safe to eat.
Here are the dates, beaches and evening low tides for the digs:
■ Friday: 6:56 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks.
■ Saturday: 7:36 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks.
■ Sunday: 8:17 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
■ Monday: 9:00 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
■ Tuesday: 9:48 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Twin Harbors.
No digging will be allowed before noon each day.
For best results, the state recommends diggers hit the beach an hour or two before low tide.
CCA meeting
The Coastal Conservation Association North Olympic Peninsula Chapter will meet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Sequim Library at 630 N. Sequim Ave.
The meeting’s guest speaker will be James Beasely, owner and creator of Wicked Lures, which is a Port Angeles company.
James will share videos of his product in action and will discuss their uses in rivers, lakes and saltwater.
East Jefferson anglers
Beasley will also speak at the next meeting of the East Jefferson Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers on Tuesday.
Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited.
The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. in the Marina Room at Hudson Point Marina at 103 Hudson St. in Port Townsend.
River fishing class
Just in time for the Dungeness River opener, Menkal is teaching his two-part river salmon and steelhead fishing class on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Both sessions start at 6 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m.
The cost for the class is $25. Bring a notepad, pen or pencil and a chair.
Class attendance is limited to 20 participants. To reserve a spot or for more information, phone Menkal at 360-683-1950.
The classes are held at Brian’s Sporting Goods and More at 609 W. Washington St. in Sequim.
Send photos, stories
Have a photograph, a fishing or hunting report, an anecdote about an outdoors experience or a tip on gear or technique?
Send it to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
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Sports Editor Lee Horton appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-417-3525 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.