A popular fall fishery, hatchery coho on the Dungeness River, opens Saturday.
Salmon anglers can keep up to four hatchery coho of a minimum size of 12 inches per day from Saturday through Nov. 30.
Trout fishing is open until Jan. 31 from the mouth of the Dungeness up to the fork of the Dungeness and Gray Wolf rivers at the Dungeness Forks Campground.
Trout must be at least 14 inches in length, and the daily limit is two. Return any wild rainbows or cutthroats to the river, as those species are off limits to retention.
Water flows and gage, which refers to USGS Waterflow data height on the river, have dipped but should rise with wet weather in the forecast ahead of Saturday.
The Dungeness rebounds from heavy rains quickly and should be in shape with a couple of days of dry weather.
The hatchery coho coming upstream will seek out deeper pools of water to rest in the river as they finish the home stretch.
Riffles, a shallow section of stream bed with fast-moving water, also can provide opportunities in the normally shallow Dungeness.
Spoons and spinning bait are a solid method, with softer colors in pink and orange and darker colors such as purple and green preferred over fluorescent or bright red color combinations.
Many of the properties neighboring the Dungeness River are private, which can make access a challenge.
Some tried-and-true public access areas include the dike near the Dungeness Schoolhouse.
That spot is close to the mouth of the Dungeness, and anglers can fish on an incoming tide for a shot at hatchery silvers washing in from Dungeness Bay.
Other areas for fishing access include along Ward Road near the Olympic Game Farm.
Another popular location is found around the U.S. Highway 101 bridge over the Dungeness. In addition, there are some turnouts along Taylor Cutoff Road closer to the hatchery.
Razor digs approved
Razor clam digs on evening tides are set Tuesday through Monday, Oct. 25.
The following digs were approved, along with the low tides and beaches:
• Tuesday, 6:47 p.m.: 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Wednesday, 7:23 p.m.: 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Thursday 7:58 p.m.: -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Friday, Oct. 22 8:32 p.m.: -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Saturday, Oct. 23 9:07 p.m.: 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Sunday, Oct. 24 9:43 p.m.: +0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Monday, Oct. 25, 10:25 p.m.: +0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
With the move into fully evening tides, Fish and Wildlife staff remind diggers to come prepared with good lighting and proper protective clothing.
Through the end of 2021, diggers are allowed to keep 20 clams instead of the usual limit of 15.
Guides wanted
Applicants are sought to serve on a Fish and Wildlife department fishing guide advisory committee to provide input on broad fisheries and conservation issues as well as specific projects like guide logbook reporting.
The Fishing Guide Advisory Group was created in 2019 to engage guides across the state, increase communication and transparency in management and provide feedback on critical fisheries management decisions that have impacts on the guide industry.
One of the group’s first tasks was to help consider and test reporting tools for the new guide logbook system, and this project continues to be a primary focus of the committee.
Committee members serve two-year terms and participate in up to four meetings annually, currently being held virtually. Nominees should have a demonstrated commitment to respectful, productive dialogue and an ability to work with those who have differing perspectives.
Interested individuals can apply by sending the following information to Raquel Crosier at raquel.crosier@dfw.wa.gov:
• Candidate’s name, address, telephone number and email.
• Relevant experience and reasons for wanting to serve as a committee member.
• Any constituent groups represented or affiliated stakeholder groups.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 5.
Learn more about the advisory group, and see notes from previous meetings, at wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/fgag.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or mcarman@peninsula dailynews.com.
