SALMON SEASON IS underway, finally, in the waters of Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet).
Hatchery chinook retention is only open through Sunday, so anglers targeting Marine Area 9 fishing holes need to hit them early and often if they want to try and reap the rewards of what is turning into a better-than-expected king season across the state’s other marine areas.
Following that “early and often” advice may make the most sense for a fishery that is as tidal dependent as Marine Area 9.
The western boundary of the fishery juts up against Point Wilson, where a swift rip current comes together as the Strait of Juan de Fuca connects with Puget Sound, forming Admiralty Inlet and it’s offshoot, Port Townsend Bay.
Hit the Bank
Point Wilson, inside of Fort Worden State Park, is one of the better beach casting locations for salmon anglers and is an option for those beach bound or those in boats looking to beat the crowds at Midchannel Bank.
Midchannel Bank is the most popular fishing location in Marine Area 9, located between Port Townsend and Marrowstone Island. Midchannel Bank is known for holding blackmouth chinook in winter and serving as a migratory route for Puget Sound-bound kings in the summer.
Traditionally, summer chinook move through Midchannel on the incoming tide and don’t pause like winter blackmouth, so the best king fishing occurs on the outgoing tide.
Morning low tides range from a 2.1-foot tide at 5:34 a.m. today to an -0.8 at 7:44 a.m. Sunday, while afternoon/evening low tides range from 4:22 p.m. today to an 7:45 p.m. Sunday.
Look for sea birds grouped together on the bank, that typically means a bait fish feast is underway.
Candlefish are abundant in this area, so matching your presentation is a good idea.
If you can find a Point Wilson Dart or a Crippled Herring lure, you’ll be set.
Full or cut-plug herring also are popular.
Moochers and jiggers are in closer, fishing in between 60 and 100 feet of water.
Anglers running downriggers are sending the gear between 90 and 150 feet deep.
Evaluation Monday
Marine Area 9 has a two-salmon daily limit, only one of which may be a hatchery king 22 inches or larger. All chum, wild coho and wild kings must be released.
Enjoy the hatchery king fishery while it lasts. Fishery managers with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife will evaluate catch estimates Monday and if any hatchery chinook quota remains additional openings may be announced.
If you catch a hatchery king and want to share the good news, email sports@peninsuladailynews.com or call 360-417-3525.
Sequim Bay boat launch
Construction work is underway at Sequim Bay State park to replace the retaining wall and make other improvements to the park’s boat launch facility.
The boat launch and parking area are closed with an expected project end date at the end of November.
Campers can also expect construction traffic and noise in this area of the park.
The timing of the boat ramp closure occurs during the height of the recreational crabbing season and the busiest time of year at the park.
Construction must coincide with the in-water work window, as required by regulating agencies, to ensure construction occurs during a time of year that minimizes harm to salmon and forage fish.
When completed a new “more habitat-friendly” bulkhead will be installed, replacing a creosote-treated timber bulkhead.
Creosote-treated boat launch pilings will be replaced and new floats installed.
Stairs also will be installed for easier, safer beach access.
John Wayne Marina, about a mile north of the park, is an option to launch your boat as is Port Williams County Park just outside the entrance to Sequim Bay.
The work is being done by Port Ludlow-based Olympic Peninsula Construction, Inc.
Long Rifles rendezvous
Trail and range shooting events are part of the Peninsula Long Rifles’ 47th annual Rendezvous held on a 20-acre site southwest of Sequim off Slab Camp Road Thursday through Sunday.
Spectators are admitted free to the event, which celebrates “Mountain Man/Fur Trade history.”
Shooting event competitors also can pay at the gate to participate.
For more information, visit peninsulalongrifles.org.
Outdoor women
Area biologists will teach women the basics of fishing, hunting, outdoor stewardship, and other outdoor skills in a September weekend workshop.
Washington Outdoor Women (WOW) present and coordinate the annual workshop at Lazy F Camp near Ellensburg on Sept.13-15. Now in its 22 year, WOW is an outdoor skills education program of the Washington Wildlife Federation, a non-profit program dedicated to teaching women outdoor skills and natural resource stewardship.
Certified and experienced instructors will teach 20 classes throughout the weekend on skills such as archery, basic freshwater fishing, fly-fishing, fly-tying, big-game hunting basics, survival, garden for wildlife, Dutch oven cooking, backpacking, outdoor photography, map and compass and more.
Port Townsend-based biologist Camille Speck and Kris Costello will present “After the Harvest,” i.e. what to do with shellfish after they’ve been collected.
Shelly Ament, a Sequim-based biologist with expert knowledge of elk, will offer “Wildlife Awareness and Tracking.”
Workshop participants must be at least 18 years old and have a current Washington recreational fishing license to participate in the fly-fishing and basic freshwater fishing sessions.
More information about the workshop, including attendance fees and registration, is available at washingtonoutdoorwomen.org.
Partial scholarships from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are available for first-time participants.
