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STORE HOURS
SUNDAY 6AM-5PM
MONDAY 7AM-7PM
TUESDAY 7AM-7PM
WEDNESDAY 7AM-7PM
THURSDAY 7AM-7PM
FRIDAY 7AM-8PM
SATURDAY 6AM-7PM
PHONE (360) 757-4361
FRESHWATER
The Baker River opener was semi productive for sockeye according to the fishermen that decided to fight the crowd for the three day season. One fisherman reported landing one sockeye and losing multiple others while using standard plunking gear with sandshrimp. He said that the fish were biting really light. Baker Lake is scheduled to open for sockeye fishing tomorrow for the first time ever. It will be interesting to see if fishermen will get them to bite. We have had reports that the lake is nice and clear and people are seeing fish jumping on an regular basis. Most people are figuring that they will have the best chance slow trolling a dodger with either a small pink squid or a bare red hook similar to the techniques used in the Lake Washington fishery.
SALTWATER
Marine Area 7 has still been providing decent salmon fishing. Brysen (gunstore employee) and I fished Sunday afternoon after closing the store up. We didn't have much time. First, we hit Obstruction Pass. There was alot of bait and we marked some fish but we didn't get any hits in an hour so we decided to head down to Thatcher. On the first pass, Brysen hooked and landed a fish that weighed about 7 pounds. Throughout the next hour we had three more takedowns but didn't land anything. Fishing has been a little hit-and-miss though. Some days you will get into fish and others, they seem to disappear.
Marine Area 9 really started off with a bang. Most fishermen that hit Midchannel for the opener reported great fishing and lots of hatchery fish in the mid to upper twenties were reported. Each day following the opener seems to slow down a little more though. Hopefully another shot of fish will come through.
Crabbing in Marine Area 7 has been pretty hot. Kevin and Justin (tackleshop employees) dropped their pots for a couple hours off Saddlebag last week. They had about ten keepers per pot and some of them were over 7 inches.
Anthon
For the first time, Baker Lake
will open for sockeye fishing
OLYMPIA - For the first time, anglers will be able to fish for sockeye salmon in Baker Lake, where the fish are returning in significantly higher numbers than expected.
From July 22 until further notice, anglers can retain up to two adult sockeye salmon that exceed 18 inches in length from Baker Dam upstream to the mouth of the Baker River.
All other salmon must be released, and no fishing will be allowed between the dam and the log boom at the lower end of the lake.
More than 10,000 sockeye have returned to hatchery facilities and artificial spawning beaches on the lake, exceeding this year?s 6,300-fish escapement goal, said Brett Barkdull, a fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
"People have been waiting a long time to be able to fish for sockeye salmon in Baker Lake," Barkdull said. "This year?s run isn?t huge by historical standards, but we?ve exceeded our goals for both hatchery-reared sockeye and naturally spawning fish needed for production."
Harvest opportunities for returning fish will be shared by recreational and tribal fisheries, he said.
Barkdull said improving ocean conditions have helped to boost survival rates for young sockeye returning to the watershed. Meanwhile, the installation of a juvenile-collection facility at the upper Baker Dam has improved the transfer of out-migrating smolts downstream to Puget Sound, he said.
But the biggest boon to area sockeye fishing may be the completion of a new hatchery facility on Baker Lake, Barkdull said. Starting next year, smolt production in the watershed is expected to increase significantly at the new facility built by Puget Sound Energy as part of a 2008 hydroelectric licensing agreement.
"We hope to eventually produce enough sockeye fry to bring 75,000 adult fish back to the watershed," Barkdull said. "We?ve been working toward that goal for a long time and we know what it would mean for sockeye fishing in the watershed."
In addition to the upcoming opening at Baker Lake, anglers can also catch sockeye salmon on the Baker and Skagit rivers today (July 16) through Sunday (July 18) under rules announced earlier this week by WDFW.
The Baker River open to sockeye fishing from the mouth to the Highway 20 bridge. The Skagit River is open from the Dalles Bridge at Concrete to a point 200 feet above the east bank of the Baker River.
The daily limit in those areas is two sockeye salmon. The anti-snagging rule and night closure are in effect in both areas.
***** SPORTING ORGANIZATIONS INFORMATION* ********* ********
Puget Sound Anglers-Fidalgo Chapter. Meets 7:00PM, 3rd Tues. of each month
Village Pizza in downtown Anacortes @ 807 Commercial Avenue, Anacortes, Wa. 98221 Meeting format: invited presentation program, club business, members fishing reports, raffle drawings-about 2hr meetings. Open membership with dues of $35 annually. Dues include subscription to monthly sport fishing newspaper of Puget Sound--The Reel News.Web site and derby info -
www.psafidalgo. org derby website
www.anacortessalmon derby.com President -Jeff Marrs
The Bellingham chapter of Puget Sound Anglers meets the third Wednesday of each month, 7p.m., at Nicki's Bella Marina in the upstairs meeting room, located in Squalicum Harbor. It is just a few doors down from the Yacht Club and gate 3. The contact person for the Bellingham Chapter and current President, Bruce Johnson--360- 592-2922
The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), Sea-Tac Chapter will meet on the first Tuesday of each month, 7:00 PM, IBEW local 46 Hall, 19802 62nd AV S, Kent, WA 98032 :
http://www.bing. com/maps/ ?FORM=Z9LH8# JnE9eXAuMTk4MDIr NjJuZCtBVitTJTJj K0tlbnQrV0ErOTgw MzIlN2Vzc3QuMCU3 ZXBnLjEmYmI9NDYu NTU4ODYwMzAzMTE3 MiU3ZS02Ni4zNTc0 MjE4NzUlN2UxNi40 Njc2OTQ3NDgyODkl N2UtMTI2LjgyNjE3 MTg3NQ== You must be a member in order to participate in the meetings. You may join at the meeting. Foster Fishing's Future, come, join, participate.
http://www.ccapnw. org/chapters. html
http://www.joincca. org/ Call Frank Eshpeter206- 755-8409 for further information.
Snoking Puget Sound Anglers--We meet every second Thursday in Edmonds @ 6:30 PM at the South County Senior Center near the ferry on Railroad Ave.
Raffles every meeting and guest speakers. Pizza Sodas and Hot Dogs are available for purchase.
Puget Sound Anglers Whidbey Island Chapter. 3rd Wednesday of each month. Time 7:00PM Holmes Harbor Rod and Gun Club
The Wild Steelhead Coalition meets on the first Wednesday of the month. Meeting place is at the Union Bay Campus at the Center for Urban Horticulture in the Isaacson Classroom. the University of Washington Campus 3501 NE 41st st. Seattle, WA 98105
http://depts. washington. edu/urbhort/ html/info/ facilities. html
The Wildcat Steelhead Club meets last Thursday of the month 7:00pm Sedro-Woolley Senior Citizen Center. Contact Don Collins at 855 2291
The Skagit Valley Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. We meet at the Skagit Valley College in the portables behind the truck building on the 2nd
Tuesday of each Month. The meeting starts at 6:30. For additional information contact Mike Newman @ 360-428-8888
Sky Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, based in the Snohomish River basin, has meetings on the second Tuesday of each month except December. Meetings are at
7:00 PM at the Snohomish County PUD building, 120 E. Fremont St., Monroe. For further information contact: Gary Bee, 360-794-6378
NW Chapter of the Washington Waterfowl Association meets at
Twin Cities Sportsman's Club in Stanwood on the 2nd Thursday of each Month. Shooting begins at 6. Contact is Rone Brewer at nwducks@snohomish. net or 360.629.4213
The Skagit Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever will meet every Tuesday during the months of January, February and March at 501 So. 2nd St., Mount Vernon at
7:00 p.m. Those interested in learning more about this organization should plan on attending.
Skagit Valley Bass Anglers We meet at the Burlington Senior Center (Community Center) on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. New members are always welcome.
The Seattle Poggie Fishing Club meets the third Wednesday of each month, 7-9:30PM, at the Seattle City Light Bldg, 97th St N & Stone Ave N. Membership drive underway; $20 annual dues. Presentation program, fishing reports, raffles and prizes, coffee & donuts. For additional information call 425-742-7948; or view our award winning website:
www.seattlepoggies. com.
From Olympic Fly Fishers of Edmonds
We meet the second Wednesday of the month. Location South County Sr
Center.
Please see:
Website
www.olympicflyfisg. com
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WHO TO CALL! RIVER GUIDE SERVICES
CAUSE FOR DIVORCE GUIDE SERVICE - Cal Stocking PH 360-428-5038 - specializes in the Sauk and Skagit rivers, also fishes the Skykomish,Cowlitz, and Columbia,also
targets Sturgeon email - iamgonefishn@ hotmail.com
www.causefordivorce guideservice. com
JOHN'S GUIDE SERVICE - John Koenig - PH 360 853 9801 -
E-mailjohnsguidesvc @hotmail. com - travels the Northwest operating a guide service in Washington and Alaska. Web site listed below. Call him for Skagit/Sauk river conditions as he lives in Rockport about a half mile from Howard Miller Steelhead Park.
DRIFTING FLY GUIDE SERVICE - Scott Fierst - e-mail:
info@driftingfly. com - Web site listed below. We Specialize in Spin, Drift and Fly-Fishing for Steelhead, Salmon, and Trout on Washington Cascade and Coastal Rivers.
BOB'S WEST COAST FISHING ADVENTURES - Fishing adventures in Washington and Alaska for steelhead, salmon and trout. email bob@princeofwalesso rtfishing. com
Website listed below. 1 888 943-4746
Ackerlund's Guide Service, pro guide Wayne Ackerlund offering drift boat trips on the Skagit/Sauk and Olympic Peninsula's premier rivers for Salmon,Trout and Steelhead.
Email: fishhugger@ackerlun ds.com phone 206-218-3362
www.ackerlunds. com
CJ's Fly Fishing Adventures Specializing in fly fishing guided trips for steelhead, salmon, and trout. Beginner and advanced fly fishers welcome. Sauk, Skagit, Skykomish, and Stillaguamish Rivers. Very productive private and public local lakes. Find me on the web at
www.northwestflyfis hingadventures. com, email: christheflyguy@ yahoo.com
SALTWATER CHARTER SERVICES -
SEA HAWK SALMON CHARTER'S - Mike Dunnigan from Skyline, Anacortes -Specializes in area 7 fisheries - PH 360 424 1350 -
seahawk2@gte. net -web site listed below
DEEP WATER CHARTERS-Out of Neah Bay. Fishes U.S. and Canadian waters targeting Halibut, Lingcod, and Black Rockfish. Call 360-679-2162, cell 360-929-4028.
www.deepwatercharte rs.net Email-halibutdave@ whidbey.net
DASH ONE CHARTERS-Fishes the Puget Sound, especially Marine Area 7. PH (360)293-6450.
www.dashonecharters .com Jay Field, Captain, out of Anacortes
26ft Osprey, all fishing gear supplied.
SALMONATOR CHARTERS--Fishes the Puget Sound, Especially Marine Area 7. Mike Lindquist-360- 941-7467
www.salmonatorchart ers.com
STARFISH CHARTERS--salmon and halibut
port Hardy B.C. spectacular country around here. Go to
www.starfishcharter s.com
thankyou from david connor . my email... tufftug@telus. netQuoting
All Star Charters-Fishing Puget Sound, Salmon and Bottomfish. Call 425-252-4188 or 1-800-214-1595.
www.allstarfishing. com
BC FISHING - FRED'S CUSTOM TACKLE FISHING ADVENTURES - Fred Helmer from Chilliwack BC, PH (604) 858 7344 - FAX (604) 858 7307 -email
helmerjr@uniserve. com Web site listed below. Provides complete service tackle shop and guide services - will provide for complete logistics of overnight
stays if required. Also has fishing update on his phone before opening the store.
NORTH SOUND WATERFOWL--Premier Snow Goose and Duck Hunting Club--Located in Skagit County. Call 360-202-8009 or website is
www.northsoundwater fowl.com
GANDER CONNECTIONS GUIDE SERVICE- Guided goose & duck hunts on thousands of acres of leased land 360 652-1312, 425 418-1293
OTHER USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
Seabolt's SMOKEHOUSE located on Whidbey Is., just one mile south of the Deception Pass bridge at the Tesoro gas station. Mr. Vinton Waldron specializes in all custom smoking of your meats, fish, and game. He will add flavors for free for a limited time only such as lemon pepper, Cajun, and garlic. Call him at 360 675 6485 or 360 679 3705 for details. Also visit his website
http://www.seabolts .com.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's new toll-free Shellfish Rule Change Hotline at 1-866-880-5431
New WDFW toll free phone number for reporting
cougar or bear encounters that represent a public safety concern or cougars or bears that have caused damage to property or injured or killed livestock or pets. (888) 879-6069
RICK BLANK at Deception Pass State Park (Cranberry Lake reports) - 360 675-2417
THE SPORTSMAN ORGANIZATION' S AUCTIONEER
DiNardo & Lord Auctioneers
www.DiNardoandLordA uctioneers. com
Call Tom: (360) 320-2155
auctioneer@bigemail .com
Local Tribal Commercial fishing hotline (Skagit and Swinomish) - 360 466 4112
Nooksack tribal fishing hotline - 360 592-5140
WA Road & Pass conditions - 1 800 695 7623 (ROAD)
TH Downrigger Repair-repair all types of downriggers specializing in Penn-Call Mike "the downrigger guy" 360-435-4201.
Local Hunter Education Course dates (Skagit Co.) - Contact Bobby Beddome @ 336-5039, or email at -bobyhunted@verizon. net
or Al & Judy Littlefields for Anacortes area Hunter Education information 293-7356
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USEFUL INTERNET AND EMAIL ADDRESSES - Seahawk Salmon Charters
http://www.seahawksalmoncharters. com
National Rifle Association
http://www.mynra.com/Ducks Unlimited
http://www.ducks.orgWashington Waterfowl Associations web address
http://Http://www.waduck. org
Washington State fishing information - Excellent site developed by Dave Graybill.
http://www.fishmonitor.com Excellent web site for freshwater fishing info in British Columbia
http://www.guidebc.com US tide guide
http://www.saltwatertides.com/ pickpred. html
John's Guide Service - John Koenig
http://www.johns- guide-service. com
WDFW Home Page
www.wa.gov/wdfw
