Hunting & Fishing: Public comment on wolf plan

Fri., Nov. 23, 2007

Alan Liere Correspondent

Tip of week

The Army Corps of Engineers has supplied a barrel of sand for the icy ramp at Rufus Woods Reservoir. Bring a container with you to help distribute it. No matter where you launch, it would be a good idea this time of year to carry a bag of sand in your vehicle. All ramps are getting slick.

Braggin' rights

My niece's 10-year-old son, Ian Walton, flew up last week from Reno, Nev., to spend some time hunting with me. Though he had never been hunting before and had never shot a big game rifle with a scope, he made a nice shot on a spike buck the second morning. Before the week ended, he had also shot his first goose and his first mallard, taking both with a borrowed 20-gauge.

Overheard

Game wardens at Rufus Woods Reservoir wrote more than 60 tickets last Saturday. Most of the citations were for bait fishermen who were releasing fish so they could continue angling, but there have also been some trespassing issues with bank fishermen.

Heads up

Several changes were made after the Idaho turkey brochure was printed. Current seasons will allow more birds in several units. Units 1, 2, 3, and 5 are open now through Dec. 15 (inclusive). Regular and extra turkey tags are valid and you can purchase up to five "Special Turkey Tags" for $5 each, good only in these units. Bag limit is five fall birds, either sex, and you can take up to five birds on the same day. Units 4A, 6, 7 and 9 are also open now through Dec. 15 (inclusive). All tags are valid, but the bag limit is two with a one-bird-per-day limit.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has drafted a wolf population management plan that includes provisions for hunting wolves – in anticipation of wolves in Idaho being removed from the endangered species list. The general public will have several opportunities to review and comment on the draft plan during the public comment period that runs through Dec. 31. Public meetings are planned throughout the state, and the draft plan is available on the Fish and Game Website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ cms/public/, at any Fish and Game office, or by calling (208) 334-3700.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will begin accepting applications Dec. 1 from individuals and groups seeking financial support for volunteer projects that benefit fish and wildlife. The grants will be awarded for projects undertaken between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.

Applications must be received by Feb. 28, 2008. Info: http://wdfw.wa.gov/volunter/ vol-7.htm or call the department at (360) 902-2700.

Steelhead, salmon

Steelheading has been good at the mouth of the Methow and throughout the water from Chief Joseph to Wells Dam. Successful anglers are favoring black and red marabou jigs and shrimp under a bobber. There is prime water above Wells Dam, and also off the big sandy beach by the bridge at Brewster.

The Clearwater River has enough water now, but has yet to get a big push of B-runs. WDFW biologist, Chris Donley, says Clearwater fish counts are down about 10,000, but he expects the January fishery to be good. The Snake River is holding up, and fly-fishermen are doing reasonably well from Asotin upstream, The Grande Ronde has seen a lot of new water and the steelhead are on the move. It will take a few days for them to settle into holes.

Trout

Casting spinners toward the shoreline on Rufus Woods Reservoir for triploid rainbows still provides fast action on 2-6-pound fish near the net pens. Colville Tribal biologist, Monte Miller, confirmed a rumor that there had been a breach in some of the net pens that allowed thousands of fish to enter the system.

Amber Lake is still kicking out some nice trout. Matt Collin and a friend recently trolled F-5 gold flatfish with single barbless siwash hooks and a 1/8-ounce keel sinker for fish 15-17 inches. They also had luck casting small sinking Rapalas at the far end. Amber closes Nov. 30.

Trolling K-Lures in the trench on Lake Chelan has been excellent for lakers. On Lake Pend Oreille, the annual Thanksgiving Derby is in full swing. Numerous 10-pound-plus rainbow and macks have been weighed in.

Rock Lake rainbow have been slamming plugs and seem to be more prevalent right now than the browns.

Lake Roosevelt is nearly at full pool and rainbow are scattered throughout the system because food sources are late in moving toward the dam.

Fly fishermen are finding a very short window of opportunity at mid-day in rivers like the St. Joe, and the Coeur d’Alene. Both of those rivers are stacking with whitefish, however, and that fishery should improve as we move into winter.

Spiny ray

From all reports, the Sprague Lake rehabilitation project was very successful with more carp killed than expected. In late March, catchable rainbow will be planted, followed by warm water species such as crappie, bluegill and catfish in May.

Smallmouth bass can still be caught at reservoirs like Banks and Potholes, and perch at Long Lake near Spokane are still laying in winter fat reserves. A few Lake Coeur d’Alene pike are coming from the dying weed lines.

Other species

The second razor clam dig of the fall season begins today on evening tides at four beaches – Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks – and runs through Saturday. One beach – Twin Harbors – will also open for additional evening digs on Sunday and Monday. Kalaloch Beach in Olympic National Park will remain closed throughout the 2007-08 season.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission during its Nov. 15 meeting, made no changes in sturgeon fishing equipment requirements when it approved new fish rules for 2008-2009.

Hunting

Pheasant hunters are hoping for snow and duck hunters are hoping southern Alberta stays cold and gets some snow. Cold alone won’t do it as long as the birds can still find food. Temperatures in Alberta have dropped below freezing for several consecutive days. With some snow, the greenheads should begin moving our way. A few northern mallards have filtered into the Columbia Basin. While the last aerial flight survey showed a lot of small geese in the irrigated part of the Columbia Basin, significant duck populations had not yet arrived. There is a lot of corn in the central basin to hold them once they get here.

Many eastern Washington hunters were able to put a buck in the freezer during the late season, which ended Monday. With the rut definitely under way, the late season archery and muzzleloader deer hunting should be good. Those seasons opened Tuesday in a few select game management units.