Hunting and fishing

Fri., Aug. 19, 2011

By Alan Liere spokesmanliere@yahoo.com

Tip of the week

If you are running out of room in your freezer, consider canning that remaining venison or the turkey that is taking up so much room. Pressure cooking is not nearly as intimidating as it may appear, and a jar of canned venison or turkey over noodles, rice or potatoes makes a quick and tasty main dish. You’ll get simple instructions and even recipes when you purchase a pressure cooker.

Braggin’ rights

I don’t know who gets the braggin’ rights for this one, but a record has been set for August for the number of Washington steelhead either kept or released. The previous mark of 11,049 was for August 2009. So far, this August has seen almost 12,000 fish handled.

Heads up

• The Inland Empire chapter of Safari Club International will sponsor its 14th annual “New Shooters’ Day” on Sept. 11 at Miller Ranch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is for new shooters only – any age. It includes instruction and hands-on participation with rifle, shotgun and bow as well as a laser shooting simulator. Lunch is provided. RSVP by Sept. 5 to Larry Maddux (443-1474) or Mike Beshoar (226-5359). For directions to the site, go to Millerranch.com.

• The salmon fishery off Westport has again been restricted to five days a week – Sundays through Thursdays – prompted by a significant increase in the recreational catch. Anglers can still fish for salmon daily off Ilwaco (Marine Area 1), La Push (Marine Area 3) and Neah Bay (Marine Area 4).

• Hunters will have an opportunity to help shape 2012-14 hunting seasons at a series of public “open house” meetings planned by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife this month. The meeting in Spokane runs from 7-9 p.m. at the Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St., Monroe Ballroom. The public can also comment on hunting season proposals via an on-line survey, available at http://bit.ly/qZ6EMZ through Sept. 20.

• The fall Chinook salmon season in the Snake and Clearwater rivers opens Sept. 1. The season will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Only Chinook with a clipped adipose fin may be kept, including jacks, even though there will be no daily, possession or season limits on these immature fish.

Overheard

Anglers targeting the numerous smallmouth in Banks Lake have been reeling in some perch up to 16 inches long.

Fly fishing

A fly-fishing clinic specifically for females 12 years and older will be held 6-9 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 7 in Lewiston. Info: Peg Kingery, (208) 669-1858 or pkingery@vandals. uidaho.edu. Registration ends Aug. 28.

Most Idaho and Montana rivers are fishing well. The best and closest is probably the St. Joe, which is in full summer mode. The Coeur d’Alene can be jammed with non-fishing recreationalists, and the bigger trout are extremely wary. Local lakes are slow.

Sean Visintainer at Silver Bow Fly Shop said a nice little summer fly fishing destination is Long Lake near Republic. Use a full sinking line and dragonfly patterns to entice the rainbow and cutts.

Salmon and steelhead

Steelhead fishing is good on the catch-and-release section of the lower Clearwater. Idaho-licensed bobber fishermen in the catch and keep section of the confluence are also doing well. As usual, purple-dyed shrimp is the most popular. The Snake River has also been good for catch-and-release steelhead fishing for anglers drifting Rock Bouncer jigs under a bobber. Keep it close to the bottom.

Jacks and small Chinook are being caught in the Brewster Pool, but fishing is spotty. At Wells Dam, anglers report lots of Chinook rolling at midweek, but few biting. Success is often dependent on the amount of debris in the water, as too much “grass” fowls downriggers and hooks and makes things difficult. At Triangle Exxon in Brewster, Bob Fately said the locals are doing well, and the best success has come before daylight. He also said the sockeye fishery didn’t happen this year because the fish raced up the cold Okanogan River without stopping. Info: 509- 689-3473.

The Wenatchee River seems to have plenty of salmon, judging by the number rolling on the surface. A few have been landed on Corkies and yarn. Some anglers say they have had consistent success drifting small silver and blue spoons.

Trout and kokanee

The Loon Lake night fishery slowed down during last week’s full moon, but is expected to remain good for several more weeks. Some of the male fish are losing their brightness, but flesh quality is still excellent.

West Medical fishing is picking up again with rainbow to 2 pounds. Diamond Lake is an underfished resource in Pend Oreille County. The fish aren’t particularly large, but they are numerous. Expect to catch browns and rainbows, mostly less than 16 inches.

The emergency trout opening below Chief Joseph Dam is yielding triploids 2-6 pounds. The season will remain open through August, then be evaluated for a possible extension. On the other side of the dam, Rufus Woods is still good (not great) for triploids.

At Tiffany’s Resort on Curlew Lake, Doug Malsam said trout fishing is slow, and those who are doing best are still-fishing. A couple of tiger musky were caught this week.

In Idaho, Dworshak Reservoir is providing fair to good fishing for 9- to 10-inch kokanee, with some anglers taking limits. Most action is from the Dent Bridge up. Launch at Dent Acres.

Spiny ray

Pend Oreille River has little “cabbage” showing this year and the water is murky everywhere in the main river. Pike fishing has been hit and miss. Friends “missed” there Tuesday, fishing between Cusick and Rivers Bend with only two hits to show for six hours of casting. Another group of successful anglers, however, reported 16 pike landed, mostly on spoons. They said 4 feet is the magic depth.

Silver Lake has been good for decent-sized perch and bluegill, and some anglers consistently get bass there. A few tiger musky are caught each week.

Smallmouth fishermen on the Snake River are catching lots of small fish on wacky rigged Senkos. Some larger fish have been taken recently near Wawawai on crawdad plugs.

Because of the current draw-down, if you want to fish Banks Lake, the Coulee Playland launch is the only one still in the water. Later, when the water goes beyond the existing concrete launch, there is a second one available that was built when the reservoir was still a river. Coulee Playland is not charging for use of either. At this time, fishing is “a little confused,” according to Lou Nevsimal, conservation project manager for the Washington Bass Federation. There is a lot of food available and the fish have relocated. The fishing can also be phenomenal on the south end as the pool continues to diminish. When the reservoir reaches low pool at the end of September, it would be worth the drive just to see.

Lake Roosevelt has been slow for two weeks for all species. A few small walleye are coming in. Best walleye fishing is Rufus Woods and Potholes reservoirs.

Potholes Reservoir continues to provide excellent bass fishing for both species. Friend Gary Russell of Moses Lake said the face of the dam is excellent for smallmouth. He hooked and lost a monstrous rainbow there last week also, and added that the water in front of Potholes State Park is giving up a lot of trout.

Black Crappie to 13 inches have been showing up around the MarDon Fishing Dock.

Hauser Lake in Idaho is providing easy fishing from shore for big bluegills. The evening bite in front of the county park has been good.

Hunting

The wheat harvest is just beginning and early surveys near stubble fields indicate this could be a banner year for doves.

They may be more spread out because of the amount of wheat land available, so scouting is recommended, and it never hurts to begin knocking on doors to seek permission to trespass.

Contact Alan Liere at spokesmanliere@ yahoo.com