FISHING REPORT
The last evening razor clam dig of the season will take place Saturday and Sunday on three ocean beaches. After that, clam diggers can expect a series of digs on morning tides.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife approved digging at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks beaches after marine toxin tests showed clams on those beaches are safe to eat.
For this dig, the evening low tide Saturday is at 4:13 p.m. (0 feet); on Sunday it is at 5 p.m. (-0.2 feet). No digging will be allowed at any beach before noon.
RIVERS
Columbia: Fishing in the lower river has been slow, and the state has yet to sample the first spring chinook of the year. In The Dalles Pool, boat anglers averaged one steelhead per rod. Bank anglers were also catching some steelhead. Sturgeon fishing in the lower river remains slow. Last month’s catch of four fish was the lowest for January since at least 1977. In the Bonneville Pool, boat anglers kept one legal sturgeon per every nine rods.
Cowlitz: Fishing has been OK at best by most accounts. Boat anglers at Blue Creek and downstream seem to be doing the best, said Marshall Borsom at Fish Country in Ethel. Most are pulling plugs or running a diver with coon shrimp or eggs.
Rocky Ford: Fly anglers are doing well on this spring creek. Try using streamers or olive scuds. Fishing seems to really turn on late in the afternoon.
Washougal: Steelhead fishing has been slow. A state report said 52 bank anglers kept two hatchery steelhead and released four wild fish, while 23 boat anglers kept five and released seven hatchery steelhead and eight wild fish.
Wynoochee: The action has slowed down quite a bit in the last few days. It could be because the water levels have dropped and fish are waiting for a rush of fresh water.
Yakima: Water conditions are good after flows spiked late last week. Look for rainbow trout holding in the inside seams and corners, said a staffer at Red’s Fly Shop in Ellensburg. Fish red or pink San Juan worms in sizes 12-14 near the bottom.
LAKES
Mayfield: Fishing has been on the slow side.
Offut: People are catching some limits of rainbows, but they’re having to spend some time. Try marshmallows, dough baits or Fire Corn.
Riffe: The action at Mossyrock Dam has improved. There are reports of people catching some nice-size silvers. Try fishing about 15 feet deep with worm and/or cocktail shrimp and a bobber, Borsom said.
Sacajawea: The state has stocked this Longview-area lake with 5,000 catchable-size, 160 5-pound and 17 10-pound rainbow trout in recent weeks.
Sammamish: The lake continues to be very good for cutthroat trout. Most people are finding fish from the surface down to around 15 feet. Try fishing lead core line with needlefish spoons or gang trolls with Wedding Ring spinners baited with worms, said Mike Chamberlain at Ted’s Sports Center in Lynnwood.
Spencer: Trolling slowly with just a worm proved effective for catching a limit of rainbow trout, said Ron Adams at Verle’s Sports Center in Shelton.
SALT WATER
Hood Canal: Fishing for blackmouths has slowed compared with last week. Checks last week at the Misery Point boat ramp showed 41 anglers had seven chinook, said a state report.
North Sound: The Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby will be Saturday-Monday. First place will pay $10,000. Tickets are $40 a person. Sales will end Friday. For more information, go to gardinersalmonderby.org.
Tacoma: Salmon fishing remains slow. State sampling at Tacoma-area docks over the weekend showed 36 anglers were checked, with four blackmouths.
Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640
jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure
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