Skagit County Area Report

[House]

PRESERVE YOUR CATCH—CANNING—VACUUM PACKING

Open spaces still available! Saturday June 18 at 10:00AM. Here at Holiday Sports there will be a free canning class presented by Vivian Smallwood from WSU Extension Office followed by a presentation on how to use a Foodsaver by Sales Rep Eugene Woo. Don’t let them go to waste, find ways to put them to use. If you learned to can from your neighbor or grandma or your grandma’s neighbor, you may want to take this class to ensure you are following current recommended safety procedures for home canning. If you have never canned but want to start, this is the class for you! Free, but with limited seating pre-register in person or by calling 360-757-4361.

FRESHWATER

The Skagit has still been putting out some good numbers of wild steelhead. One fisherman noted that he landed a fourteen pound hatchery steelhead that was chrome bright a couple of days ago. There have been a few hatchery chinook but fishing has been a little tough. A few fishermen in the lower river have been sturgeon fishing and there have been a few around.

Lake Samish has been productive for kokanee. Fish are still running in the 40 foot range. The best time is very early in the morning. Expect it to get a little tougher as temperatures warm.

SALTWATER

Local waters close for lingcod today, 6/15. Fishing has been a little tough over the past few days due to the big tides. A few people have been taking advantage of the big minus tides by going clam digging.

Looking ahead, July 1 marks the opener for salmon in the San Juans. The chinook fishing is usually very good in the beginning of July. The Bellingham PSA Derby tickets are available. It is taking place on July 8, 9, and 10 with a $5000 first prize, $2500 for second, and $1000 for third. There are lots of merchandise prizes as well. This is a limited entry derby so come by and grab your ticket before they run out! Check out all the details at http://www.bellinghampsa.com/derby.htm .

A few reports have been coming from the Tulalip Bubble. One customer reported that he caught a 25 pound chinook on a recent outing on a flasher/squid combo. This is about the only local saltwater opportunity to target salmon in June.

Anthon Steen, Holiday Sports Center, Burlington, Washington

SPECIAL HUNT RESULTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. As usual, I didn't get drawn!

Recreational spot shrimp fishing season reopening for additional days in marine areas 7 and 9
Action: Recreational spot shrimp fishing will reopen for additional days in marine areas 7 and 9.
Effective dates: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 - Marine Area 7 is open, and Marine Area 9 is open from 7: 00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, 2011 - Marine Area 7 south is open (the north/central portion of Marine Area 7 will remain closed on these days).
Species affected: Spot shrimp.
Location: Marine areas 7 and 9. Please note that on Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, only the southern portion of Marine Area 7 is open. This is the portion of Marine Area 7 south of a line from the Initiative 77 marker on Fidalgo Island (which is the eastern boundary between marine areas 6 and 7) to Point Colville on Lopez Island, then south of a line from Davis Point on Lopez Island to Cattle Point on San Juan Island, then south of a line due west from Lime Kiln Point light on San Juan Island to the international boundary. This area includes the Iceberg Point, Salmon Bank and McArthur Bank shrimp fishing grounds.
Reason for action: Sufficient recreational spot shrimp quota remains in these areas for more days of fishing.
Other information: The Hood Canal Shrimp District will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, 2011.
Contact: Mark O?Toole, La Conner, (360) 466-4345 ext. 241.