Coho Better Than So-So At Sekiu

Activity is picking up at Sekiu, where the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department has authorized the first Labor Day Weekend sport coho fishery in three years.

Last year a 17-day salmon season was allowed later in September “and the fishing was fantastic,” said Val Mohrs at Van Riper’s Resort.

This year’s season has a quota of 50,000 coho in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which once had the reputation of being one of the surest places in Washington waters to bag a limit of salmon.

However, no season was allowed for two years to help protect certain dwindling stocks of wild fish, even though good numbers of hatchery salmon still migrated through the strait.

“Most of the people coming here will have their own boats,” Mohr said. “But we’ll have one 16-man charter and Olsen’s resort will have two. Most of the other’s have gone out of business.”

Fisheries officials expect fishing to be good. The limit is two cohos a day and fishing is open daily through Sept. 30 or until the quota is reached.

Salmon seasons also will open on the Washington Coast.

Beginning Sunday, the recreation salmon daily bag limit will increase from two to four fish through Oct. 15 in the Tacoma-Vashon Island and South Puget Sound marine areas. Only two of the four salmon kept can be chinook.

Use barbless hooks

A new Idaho fishing rule that starts Sunday requires anglers to use barbless hooks for all fishing between the mouth of the Clearwater at Lewiston upstream to the mouth of Clear Creek at Kooskia.

In previous seasons, barbless hooks were mandatory only for steelhead fishing, not for bass, trout or other gamefish, said Rod Nichols, Idaho Fish and Game Department spokesman.

The new rule aims to make the barbless requirement for steelhead more enforceable, said Dwight Kilgore, department conservation officer.

Steelhead anglers must have a valid Idaho steelhead permit and fishing license to participate in the ‘no harvest” season through Oct. 14.

The catch-and-keep season will begin Oct. 15.

Watch the birdie…

Federal migratory game bird hunters in Idaho will be asked to provide information on the birds they hunt this season.

Idaho will take part in a national survey coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide better information on migratory bird populations. Several states began the program in 1992. Washington is not scheduled to participate until 1998.

When Idaho hunters buy their state migratory bird stamp, they will be charged an extra $1.50 to cover the cost of the survey and dealer expenses, officials said.

Bismuth-tin allowed

Bismuth-tin shot has been approved for use in waterfowl hunting this season by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Bismuth-tin and steel are the only types of shot currently approved for waterfowl hunting.

Youngsters can get in on action

For the first time, Washington and Idaho have set aside special days for youth waterfowl hunting.

In Idaho, licensed youths from 12 through 15 years old will have the exclusive right to hunt ducks on Sept. 28.

In Washington, the special hunt is set for Oct. 5 for hunters under the age of 16.

The move gives young hunters a head start on the regular waterfowl hunting seasons.

Both states require that young hunters be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age.

The accompanying adults cannot shoot ducks during the youth hunt. However, Idaho has authorized an early goose hunt in certain areas that coincides with the youth hunt. In that case, both youth and adult hunters would be able to shoot geese.

Restoration project under way

Members of the Spokane Falls Chapter of Trout Unlimited joined Forest Service workers recently to begin a restoration project on Indian Creek, a tributary to the Pend Oreille River.

The project involves placing and securing woody debris, root wads and in-stream structures to help form pools that provide rearing and over-wintering areas for trout.

Elk tags up for grabs

Idaho has fewer than 100 nonresident elk tags for the upcoming season that will be sold on a first-come, first served basis.

“The deadline for refunds is Saturday, so each year we have some tags returned by folks who can’t make it to Idaho for one reason or another,” said Steve Beig, Idaho Fish and Game Department licensing spokesman in Boise.

Hunters may purchase the elk tags, as well as remaining nonresident deer tags by using a credit card and calling 1-800-554-8685.

Trapper course held next month

A trapper training course, required for all first-time trappers in Washington, is scheduled for Sept. 24 in Spokane.

The course is set to run 6 p.m.-10 p.m. at the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department Spokane regional office, 8702 N. Division. Pre-register by calling 456-4082.

, DataTimes