Posted on Leave a comment

COHO SALMON

WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501
wdfw.wa.gov
Sept. 21, 2022
Upper Columbia River salmon fishery update
Action: Opens coho retention from Priest Rapids Dam to Wells Dam.
Species affected: Salmon.
Locations, effective dates, and rules:
Columbia River:
From Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam:
Sept. 22 through Oct. 15: Salmon:Min. size 12″. Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult Chinook and no more than 2 coho.
From Rock Island Dam to Wells Dam:
Sept. 22 through Oct. 15: Salmon: Min. size 12″. Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook and no more than 2 coho. Release wild adult Chinook.
From Wells Dam to Hwy. 173 Bridge at Brewster:
Immediately, through Sept. 30: Salmon: Min. size 12″. Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook and no more than 4 sockeye. Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
From Hwy. 173 Bridge at Brewster to the rock jetty at the upstream shoreline of Foster Creek (Douglas County side):
Immediately, through Oct. 15: Salmon: Min. size 12″. Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook and no more than 4 sockeye. Release wild adult Chinook and coho.
Reason for action: Returns of upper Columbia River-bound coho salmon are sufficient to meet conservation objectives and to provide for sport angler harvest between Priest Rapids Dam and Wells Dam.
Additional information:
Fishing closures around dams remain in effect and as described in the 2022-2023 Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet (https://www.eregulations.com/washington/fishing/
).
Two-pole fishing is allowed with valid a two-pole endorsement in the mainstem Columbia River for the seasons described above.
Barbed hooks allowed.
Anglers are reminded that the Colville Confederated Tribes will be collecting broodstock and fish for ceremonial and subsistence. Please be respectful of this activity.
WDFW will be monitoring these fisheries closely and may close the season early if necessary due to excessive incidental catch-and-release impacts to ESA-listed summer steelhead.
Anglers are advised to check WDFW’s website for fishery rule change updates at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/emergency-rules
. Also, you can receive all in-season rules changes as they are announced by signing up for email notification through WDFW Regulation Updates at wdfw.wa.gov/about/lists
.
Information contact: Region 2 Office (Ephrata): 509-754-4624 or email TeamEphrata@dfw.wa.gov .
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call 360-796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.
Coho Salmon Identification
Coho salmon are a member of the pacific salmon family. They are known for having white gums and black tongues. They can be a silver color or a red to wine color depending on their age and whether they are male or female. Their back and heads are usually a dark blue-green color.
Most salmon that you will catch will weigh an average of around 5 to 15 lbs and be around 17 to 24 inches in length. Larger coho salmon can reach sizes up to 38 inches and weigh upwards of 30+ lbs.

Coho are anadromous, so they can survive in both freshwater and saltwater. They usually spawn in rivers and migrate to saltwater to feed and grow, returning once again to freshwater for spawning.
Seasonal Patterns
Fall
In early fall to early winter, coho salmon begin to make their spawning runs, depending on the location you are in. They return to the freshwater streams they were born in to spawn. If you’re fishing the spawning run, they can be caught in coastal streams as they swim their way upstream. They like to spawn in smaller streams with gravel bottoms.
Winter
In the wintertime, coho can be readily caught in small rivers and streams. The mouths of coastal rivers tend to be productive places to fish. You can also catch them near harbor mouths. Look for areas that have an influx of warmer water and are full of baitfish. In the great lakes regions, deeper offshore sites with 150+ feet of water are good places to look as well.
Spring
When the water starts to warm up in the springtime, certain pockets of lakes warm up faster and begin to teem with baitfish activity. This is where you will catch coho hunting. Later in the spring they will move offshore.

Coho Salmon Equipment Recommendations
Rods and Reels
Both spinning gear setups and conventional rods and reels are popular choices for fishing coho. Some anglers even carry multiple rods for things like twitching jigs and other tactics. We recommend a medium to heavy rod with moderate to fast action. If you’re using a spinning rod and reel, an 8’ 6” to 9’ 6” length rod is a good bet. Make sure you choose a reel that can handle 100 yards of 10-15 lb test line.
If you’re after larger coho salmon a conventional rod and reel might be your best choice. Again around 8’6” to 9’6” in length. Though you can go shorter if needed.

• A popular technique among Columbia River Salmon anglers is plunking. When using this method, the aim is to cast your line in an area that is on your Salmon of choice’s migratory route and wait it out. Plunking involves setting up an 8–9′ extra-heavy rod, paired with a 40–60 lb braided line topped off with bait fish.

Lures and Baits
• The most popular natural bait to use for coho fishing is salmon eggs. Many anglers will cure their own eggs to use as bait, though you can also buy pre-cured ones. Try fishing salmon eggs with a slip bobber the next time you are targeting coho, and you might find it to be very productive.

Plugs
Coho salmon are known to hold in waters with little to no current. River mouths, small streams, and lakes even, where the current is slowed or nonexistent are good places to be casting plugs. You can cast from a boat, or if the coho are close to shore casting from the bank will work good too. Cast directly over where the coho are holding and try to get the plug a few inches off the bottom.

Spinners

Plugs
Coho salmon are known to hold in waters with little to no current. River mouths, small streams, and lakes even, where the current is slowed or nonexistent are good places to be casting plugs. You can cast from a boat, or if the coho are close to shore casting from the bank will work good too. Cast directly over where the coho are holding and try to get the plug a few inches off the bottom.
Spoons
The wobbling action of a good spoon lure can be irresistible to hungry coho salmon. You can cast or troll them effectively and get good results. They tend to work surprisingly well when the coho are bulking up for the spawning season.
Spinners aren’t often used for coho salmon, but they can work well when fished properly. The key is to get your spinner near the bottom. Usually you want to cast it upstream and reel it back to you through the area the coho are in. Make sure to retrieve it at a tempo that keeps in near the bottom.
Salmon Eggs
The most popular natural bait to use for coho fishing is salmon eggs. Many anglers will cure their own eggs to use as bait, though you can also buy pre-cured ones. Try fishing salmon eggs with a slip bobber the next time you are targeting coho, and you might find it to be very productive. You can drift fish or float fish with salmon eggs.
Fishing Line
Stick with around an 8 to 15 lb test line if you are using a lighter spinning rod and reel. For heavy casting, gear use a 15 to 20 lb test line. You can use monofilament, braided, or even fluorocarbon line depending on your preferences.
Hooks
Coho are commonly fished with octopus hooks and treble hooks. Usually, it is best to go a size smaller than you would for other kinds of salmon. Size 4 to 2/0 hooks are good options depending on your bait size.
Tips to Catch More Coho Salmon
Increase Your Casting Distance
Coho tend to be easily spooked by boats, so if you are boat fishing, you need to try to get a little sneakier when you are targeting coho. A spooked coho will be less likely to bite your bait or lure. To avoid scaring away the fish, you will want to use a longer rod to increase your casting distance. Some anglers will also get their boat out of the water and walk along the bank after they find where the fish are holding.
Learn to Spot the Activity
When coho are making their runs you need to be on the lookout for activity and be prepared to search new places. There are a few things you can look for that will help you locate the coho. Jumping coho for example, is generally a good sign, though some believe jumping fish are hard to catch. Other signs to look for include gull activity near the surface. Generally, if there is gull activity, they are hunting something, and that something could be the spot the coho are holding.
Use the Right Lure
Coho are often more easily caught with smaller lures than larger ones. Choosing the right colors is also important. A bright fluorescent chartreuse color is something we always recommend you carry in your coho toolbox.
MAUK FISHING STUFF
1408 SUNSET
BREWSTER,WA
BAIT AND TACKLE
FISHING REPORTS DAILY

Visits: 33
Today: 0
Total: 73602
Posted on Leave a comment

Kokanee Salmon

2 fresh caught kokanee salmon laying in a fishing net

Kokanee salmon – Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Kokanee Salmon
The kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), also known as the kokanee trout, little redfish, silver trout, kikanning, Kennerly’s salmon, Kennerly’s trout, or Walla, is the non- anadromous form of the sockeye salmon (meaning that they do not migrate to the sea, instead of living out their entire lives in freshwater).
Kokanee has become one of our most popular fisheries in the Pacific Northwest
Kokanee are the land-locked form of sockeye salmon. Because they never migrate out to the ocean to feed, kokanee are often much smaller than sockeye. However, other than their size, kokanee have very similar identifying characteristics as sockeye.
Kokanee Salmon: What You Need to Know
Kokanee Salmon came from the ocean around 15,000 years ago when there were more lakes and rivers over the America. As the rivers retreated and the lakes separated from some streams, there were sockeye salmon that were not able to get back to the ocean.
They adapted to their new environment over time, and soon, there was no urge or need to head back to the ocean to spawn. The Kokanee Salmon changed from their original species so much that even today Kokanee Salmon cannot reproduce with Sockeye Salmon.
Kokanee salmon, like other types of salmon, mature around the age of 3 to 5 years of age. During this time they do not attempt to get to the ocean. Most of the species does not have a way back to the ocean, but the species as a whole has changed to not have that drive.
Method for fishing for Kokanee:
They do not usually stay close to shore, so the best way is to have a boat or know someone that does or hire a guide.
Trolling at a slow speed and finding the fish on the Fishfinder using downriggers or weights to get your tackle down to the fish.
Baits
Kokanee bite because of smells. It is pretty simple. If it smells irritating, which can mean a few different things, then the Kokanee will bite out at it, trying to kill it and get it away from themselves.
The best baits that work well are corn, maggots, shrimp, and salmon eggs. If they are pink, then the Kokanee will be more likely to bite it. The corn is used not because it smells bad, but because it can keep in substances that smell strongly very well.
There are a few things that the Kokanee Salmon hate the most, and those things are pinks, zigzag-ing lures, and stinky bait
Lures: There are tons of lures on the market and usually what will catch trout will catch Kokanee
Dodgers: A dodger is an attractor that is attached to the line above the lures 8 to 10 inch and is made to make the lure move around and to attract the fish’s attention. Small dodger 4 to 6 inches are preferred. Like Lures there are a ton of different kinds, sizes and colors. Lots of Kokanee fishermen have dozens of dodgers and that is what our products are made for, to keep those spendy little dodgers in good shape when not in use during storage and transport You can find them on LureSafe.com and in some retail Tackle and sporting good stores.
Best Lakes to fish for Kokanee in Washington

1. Lake Roosevelt
Lake Roosevelt, Washington State’s largest lake, stretches some 151 miles and covers over 77,000 acres. The lake is an impoundment of the Columbia River starting at the Grand Coulee Dam in remote north central Washington and crosses the border into Canada

2. Conconully Lake
This overlooked gem has not been on most kokanee angler’s radar, especially those looking for fish with a bit more heft to them. This 292 acre lake sits in a narrow, picturesque canyon and has started producing whopper sized kokanee in recent years.
3. Lake Chelan
Expansive mountain views, cold clear water and 33,000 acres spanning 50 miles into rugged wilderness makes up Lake Chelan. This lake is more than just a picture perfect landscape, it’s kokanee heaven.
4. Lake Merwin
The lowest in a trio of reservoirs on the Lewis River in southwest Washington, Lake Merwin has long been known as a top destination for kokanee. Lined by dense forests of fir, this remote reservoir is as beautiful as the fishing is good.
5. American Lake
This 1,100 acre lake has some of the best fishing in the South Sound. American Lake draws a fair number of anglers every season to its productive waters for slab kokanee.
6. Lake Stevens
Just to the east of Everett sits the woefully under fished Lake Stevens. At 1,100 acres, it offers an excellent fishery for both cold and warm water fish but the quality kokanee fishing is starting to be recognized by the masses.
Here are other Washington State lakes with excellent fishing for kokanee that average 10 to 12 inches in size:
 Palmer Lake
 Rufus Woods
 Yale Reservoir (Cowlitz County)
 Angle Lake (King County)
 Lake Meridian (King County)
 Lake Cushman (Mason County)
 Mason Lake (Mason County)
 Clear Lake (Pierce County)
 Summit Lake (Thurston County)
 Ward Lake (Thurston County)
 Lake Whatcom (Whatcom County)
 Lake Samish (Whatcom County)
 Deep Lake (Stevens County)
 Loon Lake (Stevens County)
 Alta Lake (Okanogan County)
 Patterson Lake (Okanogan County)
 Sullivan Lake (Pend Oreille County)
 Chapman Lake (Spokane County)
 Rimrock Lake (Yakima County)
For more information on maps and lodging and boat ramps check out www.washingtonhometown.com
For tackle Storage check
https://luresafe.com/product-category/kokanee/

For local fishing information in Okanogan County contact Mike at luresafe@gmail.com or call and text 509-449-0605
For fishing tackle, google Mauk Fishing Stuff in Brewster WA please call for hours and information before coming to the store at 1408 Sunset Drive Brewster, WA 98812, We carry bait, tackle and check our showroom for tackle sleeves and covers to keep your tackle untangled and problem-free during storage and transport

Visits: 12762
Today: 0
Total: 73602
Posted on Leave a comment

TACKLE SHOP

Continue reading TACKLE SHOP

Visits: 1028
Today: 0
Total: 73602
Posted on Leave a comment

Exciting Adventures-TV and Radio links

April 20, 2019
Lots going on and I have not updated my blog in a long time.
An amazing thing happened, I was lucky enough to be asked by Mike Carey with Northwest Fishing reports to go fishing for the weekend at Billy Clap Lake down below Banks Lake. I did not realize that I was going to “the guest” for a TV show. Long story short, I accepted and met Mike and Aaron down at the boat launch, and we had a blast fishing and I got to show off my covers, and catch a few fish and actually fish a lake I had never been to. It was a beautiful weekend weatherwise. Mike and Aaron are a kick to be around and it was fun to see how they actually film the TV program and learned quite a bit about their industry, which is difficult, to say the least, and takes many man-hours to produce the show and the marketing is a huge undertaking.
The next day we were joined by John Kruse with Northwest Sportsman radio. I was lucky enough to have him interview me and he put that on his radio show not long after. I will put that show link below, on here as well. Be sure to check out John Kruse on the radio. Some great local and regional information every Saturday on select radio stations! http://northwesternoutdoors.com/

Is was really interesting to me, listening to the 2 talk about their businesses, one radio, one TV and what direction they are both going.
It was a very fun weekend and the film is on the link here.
It turned out excellent I think.
Ok so about doing KXLY MADE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST a segment that KXLY has been doing for quite some time now. Well after my trip to Washington DC last year I saw that they had run a story about Kuma Stoves out of Idaho that was selected to represent Idaho in the Made in Ameria Product Showcase. But they never contacted me, which was very disappointing as I am in Eastern Washington and never heard a word from them.
I had sent the media release to all the TV stations in Spokane and the newspapers and received no response.
Well, Derek got ahold of me and explained that they had done a segment with KUMA stoves earlier and when Kuma got selected for Washington DC they got a hold of Derek and since he had already interviewed them he ran with that.
I still do not understand why the media and all were not more interested in talking with me the small company in Eastern Washington getting invited to represent the state. I thought it was a pretty big deal, but with the politics and media these days it is a very sad state of affairs in my mind.
This should have been Headline news across the State. the local newspaper did 2 really great stories on the front page with interviews of us and pictures, it was great and the Brewster Chamber of Commerce had me as a guest speaker telling of my experience. The ONLY politician that got ahold of me was Congressman Dan Newhouse, our district representative, and they told me congratulations and Dan was not going to be in DC the day of the event, but he was coming in the next day and they invited us on a special tour of the Nations Captial Building and he wanted to congratulate us in person. So that was an honor as well. That is a story in itself and I will write that up soon.
So anyway these 2 shows actually aired the same week. how that happened I do not know, but it did.
To say I deserve this I do not know.
I am a small business that has designed a product or now lots of products to help the fisherman keep their tackle visible and out of the tackle boxes. I also created a pole wrap. Believe it or not, I do not care, but I did not know that others had this product, not many but I did find some colored ones at bass pro. but I did not copy them. Plus I wanted clear to see what is inside without removing them.
My BIG claim is that we are made in America and 99% of my materials are made in the USA as well. Some of the Thread is actually German made.
Anyway I have come up with a new idea and with the help of Captain Dave out of Spokane Valley I am designing a product that may actually be patentable.. so now after some research, I can not market it, you can’t patent something that has been on the market, I need to take it to trade shows and such to see how it will do then if I think it will take off I need to search for patents, and I hear it is very spendy so it may not happen..
My brother Ernie reminded me of my age and asked me if I wanted to spend my year’s sewing or out fishing and enjoying the life that I have left.. well I do not need to tell you the answer to that…. see me on the road and on the water!

Mike Mauk
Owner
Mauk Fishing Stuff
LureSafe.com
Northwest Fishing Reports Billy Clapp
https://youtu.be/MbEO5mJzhrM

https://www.kxly.com/…/made-in-the-northwest…/1065931589?fbclid=IwAR1iKy9lMRKZ4KdjkkbUvNAiue6E0kQ_aMV7FXp9s4DrtlVf78fNNt3KHI8

Be sure to check out John Kruse on the radio. Some great local and regional information every Saturday on select radio stations! http://northwesternoutdoors.com/

Visits: 371
Today: 0
Total: 73602
Posted on Leave a comment

Spring Fishing in the Pacific Northwest

Hello this just in,
WDFW suspends fishing limits for bass, walleye, channel catfish on Columbia River
OLYMPIA – Starting March 3, anglers can fish for bass, walleye and channel catfish without daily catch or size limits from the mouth of the Columbia River 545 miles upstream to Chief Joseph Dam.
Wow just in time for some great spring fishing. I do plan on learning to catch Walleye this year. We have a ton of them in the Columbia river and some great guides that will give me information and hopefully get myself a freezer full of good eating fish.
I am seeing Walleyes starting to pop up on facebook and I caught just a short bit of a siminar put on by someone at the show in Wenatchee. Bottom bouncers for Banks lake not sure about the river but I know they are bottom feeders so sill use downriggers to get to them I suppose.
Last fall before Mom died I had Bob Feil boats in Wenatchee instal the TR1 on my boat… It is the supreme trolling tool that alot of guides and local people are using. That is the hardest part of trolling alone is boat control and this will take it out of my hands pretty much
I cannot wait to get out and dial it in. That along with the Lowrance gen2 depth finder chartplotter, I installed last summer and the new Cannon digi troll 10, I should have no trouble fishing the rivers and lakes as I want.
I also just picked up a Truck camper this winter so I can tow the boat to these launches stay overnight and get early starts on the fishing and in the heat of the day lay in the camper and fish the evening bite. Since I do have 2 cats at home I cannot stay gone more than a couple of days at a time and I do have this business that when I do get orders folks will not want to wait too long to get their merchandise.
So if you see me on the water or towing down the hiways be sure to honk and say Hi.
I will try to keep this up dated!

Visits: 552
Today: 0
Total: 73602
Posted on Leave a comment

Summer Fishing 2016

Well it is summer 2016 and I am ready!!
Seems the winters are too long and the summers to short, same as when I was a kid going to school and now that I am an adult- yep I said it “adult”, reminds me of something I just saw from someone on Facebook about how am I even allowed to be an adult.. I mostly do not do adult things!
Guess now that both my parents have passed on it leaves me to be responsible.
Anyway the fishing season is here and big runs of King Salmon are expected as well as Sockeye salmon. The season opens July 1st for Kings no word yet if they are opening sockeye.
But BIG NEWS is they are opening Sturgeon Season on the Columbia River on Wanapum pool and Priest Rapids pool that is from below Wenatchee at Rock Island Dam to the top of Priest Rapids Dam, here is the official news release:
WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/

June 21, 2016
Contacts: Chad Jackson, (509) 754-4624, x250;
Jeff Korth, (509) 754-4624, x224
Anglers will be able to harvest hatchery sturgeon starting July 1 in the upper Columbia River
OLYMPIA Beginning July 1, recreational anglers will have the opportunity to harvest hatchery sturgeon from Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs, state fishery managers announced today.
This is the first time in two decades that anglers will be allowed to retain sturgeon in this section of the Columbia River, said Chad Jackson, district fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
Several thousand juvenile sturgeon were released into the upper Columbia River in 2003. Recent surveys indicate many of these hatchery fish have grown to harvestable size. About 4,000 hatchery sturgeon are estimated to reside in Wanapum Reservoir and roughly 2,000 in Priest Rapids Reservoir.
“We believe reducing the number of hatchery fish in these reservoirs will help regional conservation efforts to recover wild sturgeon populations,” Jackson said. “We’re hoping to remove as many of these hatchery sturgeon as possible.”
As part the plan to recover the white sturgeon populations, state fish managers approved this fishery to reduce interaction between wild fish and hatchery sturgeon. WDFW is implementing a size restriction for this fishery that is designed to target hatchery sturgeon while protecting larger wild fish, Jackson said.
Between July 1 and Sept. 30, anglers will be allowed to retain two hatchery sturgeon daily that are between 38 and 72 inches (fork-length) from Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs. Sturgeon caught in these reservoirs will not count toward an angler’s annual limit for sturgeon. Anglers will not be required to record sturgeon harvested from the two reservoirs on their catch record cards.
Angler participation and success will determine whether WDFW will reopen the fishery after its scheduled closing date of Sept. 30, Jackson said. WDFW will monitor angler catch and compliance closely.
“We know there are thousands of these hatchery fish residing in Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs,” he said. “We don’t know whether this will be a onetime opening or if there will be future fishing opportunities.”
More details about this fishery can be found on WDFW’s webpage at https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/
So very cool and great timing for me as I was gearing up before this came out to maybe try some catch and release Sturgeon fishing below Rock Island Dam just to try it.
I had to start with an anchoring system, apparently you just can’t throw a coffee can filled with concrete tied to the front of the boat, it is the river and the sturgeon hang in high current just below the dams. Well fortunately for me and the rest of us they have been doing this for many years and also Salmon fish with the same system down in the lower Columbia.
Well, there are a few people that make systems and one is EZMarine out of Oregon another is Leelock out of Ferndale, WA, also Motion Marine and others.
It is funny Sportsman Warehouse in Wenatchee carries EZMarine products and not Leelock and Hooked on Toys carries Leelock and not EZMarine.
So after much thinking I have gone with the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq9RsTy7E8I
Leelock system. Check out this video it helped me so much I must say that you should watch the instruction videos on both and EZMarine definitely has the best videos I recommend you check them out, I will have the links below.
Leelock looks like a great product. I have not used it yet but am in the process of installing it and hope to try it out soon. Check out this video it is very cool!!
It is quite spendy but figure if you fish the Rivers it is safe to have an anchor that will hold the boat in place. If you go to the Leelock web site that is almost exactly what I am using. I added the link to the Fishing magician’s site check the Fishing TV page to see the video of him and Austin Moser sturgeon fishing they are below Rock Island Dam and show catching and releasing huge fish.
It will be the first for me really anchoring so hope it goes well. My good friend Al is going to come practice with me.
So this summer it is Salmon fishing and now sturgeon fishing.
I did do some walleye fishing this spring at Banks Lake which was fun, different for me cuz I never have fished using bottom bouncers, but for some reason it is exciting. Unfortunately, Banks Lake is over an hour drive, but worth it when you get there. And I want to thank Brian from BJ Guide Service out of Moses Lake for taking me fishing on banks.. Great fun.
I did have a few experiences there that I will talk about some time later. I did see a black bear about 10 miles out of Grand Coulee one after noon which surprised the crap out of me. It was nowhere near the woods where I thought bears hung out. This was close to wheat fields and not far from Barker Canyon turn off.
So just a word of caution no matter where you are camping this year take bear spray and use all you learned or you need to learn about camping in bear country, like don’t leave food out and things like that because I am here to tell you bear do not always stay in the woods!!
So I will try to get some good pictures and videos of my adventures this summer. So stay tuned!
Also I need to give a shout out and a big thank you to Rick Graybill at HOOKED ON TOYS for all the help and assistance with getting my tackle and all ready for the Sturgeon!! They also have a great selection of frozen and fresh bait.
Hope you all have a nice summer..thanks for taking the time to read my blog,
Mike
Links:
http://www.motionmarine.com/
http://www.leelock.com/
http://ezmarine.com/

Visits: 381
Today: 0
Total: 73602
Posted on Leave a comment

Sturgeon Harvest Rules

Sturgeon harvest allowed in Wanapum and Priest Rapids Reservoirs
Action: Allow harvest of sturgeon
Effective Dates: July 1 through Sept. 30, 2016
Species affected: White sturgeon between 38 and 72 inches fork length
Location: Priest Rapids Reservoir (from Priest Rapids Dam to Wanapum Dam) and Wanapum Reservoir (from Wanapum Dam to Rock Island Dam)
Reason for action: Hatchery-origin white sturgeon residing in Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs since the early 2000’s are abundant and have grown to a harvestable size. Removal of these hatchery-origin fish is consistent with ongoing actions to rebuild depressed populations of wild-origin White Sturgeon in Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs.
Other information:
Daily limit of two (2) sturgeon between 38 and 72 inches fork length may be harvested from Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs only.
No annual harvest limit of sturgeon between 38 and 72 inches fork length from Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs only.
Anglers are not required to record sturgeon harvested from Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs on a Catch Record Card.
Catch-and-release fishing is allowed in Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs after the daily limit is harvested.
Any sturgeon not to be harvested must be released immediately. Oversized sturgeon cannot be removed totally or in part from the water.
Night fishing for sturgeon is prohibited.
Only one single-point barbless hook and bait is allowed while fishing for sturgeon.
Anglers may fish with two poles with the purchase of a Two-Pole Endorsement license.
In the field, anglers must retain eggs with intact carcass of fish from which they came.
All closed water areas in and around Wanapum, Priest Rapids, and Rock Island dams are still in effect. Check the current sport fishing rules pamphlet for complete details (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/).
Daily and annual limits, harvestable slot length limits, Catch Record Card recording requirements, and all other sport fishing rules governing sturgeon harvest in all other legally open fisheries still apply.
Information Contact: Chad Jackson, District Fish Biologist, (509) 754-4624, ext. 250 or Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, (509) 754-4624, ext. 224
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360) 796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.

Visits: 361
Today: 0
Total: 73602
Posted on Leave a comment

1st Sturgeon

Hello, Well as I said I geared up to sturgeon fish and finally got the chance

The first trip was just a practice run of sorts. When we arrived at the YoYo Launch below Rock Island Dam the first one we ran across was Stuart Hurd of Hurds guide services, and he gave us a quick run down of the dos and don’t especially low spots in the river and also how deep he has been catching fish..We also got to meet the Travis Maitland of the Fish and Game who was there with his partner checking fish and the fishery.

We boated around checking water depths and checking other boats and places. We did anchor up and did get a few bites that first time, but no fish, we managed to lose some bait and tackle but nothing serious. We scouted and saw where Hurd anchored and made a note of it and would try there when we came back.
Everyone we talked to that day was very nice and very informative. all in all it was a nice first day.
So I had the itch to try again soon as I thought we were on the verge of catching fish.. So the next available day Ernie could go we took the opportunity and started earlier this time. We were on the water before 8:00

There were a handful of boats around but no one where we wanted to try first. So we anchored up and altho it was deeper than we were told the fish may be we tried it anyway.
Well within 10 minutes or so I got a bite and hooked a fish! I could feel it was big but then it wasn’t making a big run so I horsed it close but then it took off and I figured it was bigger than first thought . I fought it for 1/2 hour then gave the pole to Ernie, I could tell it was going to be a fight, and Ernie wanted to fish so he got the chance. He fought it for about an hour, finally giving the pole back to me and I fought it, the fish did not want to come in it was a lot of fun but very tiring. Finally after almost 90 minutes I got the fish in close to the boat and we saw how big it was. Since the limit is 72 inches we thought it looked bigger, so we measured and it was about 83 or so, so after pictures we released him. Ernie wanted to go again so we did but after a few times just checking the bait I realized if we were to catch another I would not be able to bring it in Ernie agreed and we pulled anchor and headed in. I did have my Mobius camera on my cap and it was recording so here is the link to the video here, check it out!! Now I am concentrating on Salmon fishing as the Brewster Derby is not far off and Ernie and I are going to fish that!! fun fun fun.. until next time.. go catch a fish!

 

 

Visits: 313
Today: 0
Total: 73602