Field reports: Razor clamming hits peak season
SHELLFISHING – Razor clam digs proposed for April and May would cap a season packed with more “beach days” than any time in the past 25 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says.
State shellfish managers are planning another 24 days of digging on morning low tides at various beaches from April 4 through May 17.
Approval of those digs depends on the results of marine toxin tests, which have consistently shown this season that the clams are safe to eat.
“We have an abundance of clams on most beaches, which makes for some terrific digging opportunities, “said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager.
Find agency updates, maps and other information about razor clam digging on the Web: http://1.usa.gov/1ev7K2F.
Barbed hooks comeback considered for Columbia
FISHING – State officials are proposing to allow resumption of fishing with barbed hooks for spring chinook salmon at Wind River and Drano Lake.
Barbless hooks have been required since 2013 at the two popular fishing spots in the Columbia River Gorge, part of the switch to barbless hooks for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia system.
Cindy LeFleur, regional fisheries manager, said the switch back to barbed hooks could come as soon as May 1, when regulations also change to allowing anglers to use two rods at the two locations.
“The majority of the fish caught are hatchery spring chinook with few wild chinook or steelhead handled,” she said.
Waterfowling intro especially for women
HUNTING – A day-long introduction to waterfowl hunting for women age 18 and older is set for April 18 near Monroe sponsored by Washington Outdoor Women.
WOW is an outdoor skills educational program of the state Wildlife Federation.
Cost: $115.
Info: (425) 455-1986, washingtonwildlife.org.
Climbing area closed for nesting eagles
RAPTORS – A portion of the China Bend climbing area has been closed to protect nesting eagles, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area officials announced Wednesday.
The closure shuts down an area upstream from Kettle Falls to all public use until July 15.
The area includes Park Service lands at the west end of the cliff formation known as the Main Wall.
See map: nps.gov/laro.
REI sales climbing
RETAILERS –Recreational Equipment, Inc., sales soared to $2.2 billion last year from its 138 stores and online sales.
That’s up 9.9 percent from 2013 — the biggest annual increase since 2010, when the Kent-based retailer and its customers were bouncing back from the recession.
REI, which is the largest consumer cooperative in the U.S., is also refunding a record amount of cash to members. About $168 million, including unspecified rebates for holders of the REI Visa card, is being mailed to co-op members. That’s 6.7 percent more than last year.
The REI Co-Op was founded in 1938.