Salmon University will offer a slate of experts with tips on where and how to fish for salmon in the Northwest. This year’s event, the seventh year it has been held, will be March 16-17.
The seminar will open with a full-day series of seminars focused on basic angling principles and designed to build the foundation of a fisherman’s technique. The second day of classes extends the instruction to developing advanced techniques and fishing style.
“The Northwest’s saltwater fishery is world renowned,” said Tom Nelson, the event organizer. “This year’s Salmon University will help both veteran and novice fishermen learn how to better fish Northwest waters.”
This year’s university will feature eight instructors. The lineup is Terry Rudnick, author of “Washington Fishing” and “How to Catch Trophy Halibut;” Anthony Warren, crew member on the “Bad To The Bone” team that won the Oregon Tuna Classic; Terry Weist of Steelhead University; Paul Marander, general manager for Outdoor Emporium in Seattle; Tom Pollack, fishing expert at Sportco in Fife; Josh Hughes, Columbia River fishing expert; Kevin Lanier, ocean salmon angler based out of Westport; and Nelson, known as the “Dean of Saltwater Fishing.” Nelson estimates he’s had 30,000 people attend his education programs, through the university, other seminars and when he was teaching college courses. Warren and Lanier are new this year.
Sessions include topics such as Columbia River spring and fall chinook techniques, using a GPS and fish finder, sturgeon fishing, ocean salmon fishing, crabbing and shrimping, mooching for salmon, using downriggers, jigging, fishing on Vancouver Island, and tuna fishing off the coast.
“Not only will people have the chance to participate in classes with the instructors, but they will also have ample time to go one-on-one with the instructors to discuss their favorite fishing areas,” Nelson said.
“One thing we’re doing new this year is expanding what’s happening in the lobby,” Nelson said.
There will be tables set up, with people offering mini-sessions on how to tie knots, go shrimping, cut herring, mix bait, troll for halibut and properly vacuum your catch.
“Some people don’t want to hear about tuna fishing because they don’t want to go out 40-50 miles. So this gives them another opportunity to learn something during that hour session,” Nelson said.
All 150 openings are expected to sell out, so early registration is encouraged.
The two-day seminar will be held at the IBEW Conference Center, 19802 62nd Ave. S., Kent. There also will be an opportunity to meet the instructors the first night at the Kent Holiday Inn Evergreen Room.
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