Skagit Count Report

[House]

Holiday Sports Center
Burlington, Washington
360-757-4361

UPCOMING EVENTS
The Washington Waterfowl Association will be hosting a duck calling seminar and calling contest here at Holiday Sports/Skagit Arms on Saturday, November 12. State champion caller Shane Rossen will be here to give tips and judge the contests. There will be a youth division, a meat calling division, and a contest calling division. The events start here at noon! There will be plenty of prizes. Either sign up for the competition here at Holiday Sports prior to the competition or sign up in person. All proceeds will go to the Washington Waterfowl Association. They do alot of work getting access for hunters in local areas. Currently, they are working hard to keep Leque Island open to hunters. This is the hunting area located at the entrance to Camano Island.

FRESHWATER
The Skagit River has been running low and clear for a few days now. Great Dick Nite water or maybe small spinners. A few fishermen have noted that they have done well on the upper river on silvers. The Cascade River Hatchery has gotten plenty of fish. Some fishermen in the lower river are reporting that although fishing isn't red hot, they are still locating a few bright silvers. The cool temps are keeping the water conditions good so get out while it is fishable before the November rains catch up to us.

A few customers have been out catching good numbers of perch in a few of the local lakes. Samish, Clear, and Big Lake would be good bets around here. Down at Lake Washington, a few customers have been able to catch bucket fulls. It's alot of filleting but the meat is great.

SALTWATER
Marine Area 7 is now closed for salmon but will reopen on December 1. We have Resurrection Derby tickets available here at the store (December 1-3). This Derby was a huge success last year. It is $400 per boat.

Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 have been putting out a few winter blackmouth. One customer noted that he's been consistently doing well in Elger Bay which is where the Bayside Derby winning fish was reportedly caught. Standard blackmouth gear such as spoons, squid, plugs, or cutplug herring would all be a good bet.

HERRING
This year's herring supply is shaping up to be a little tough. We just got a good shot of winter caught "Puget Sound Herring Sales" green labels but fishing has reportedly been tough. There is also a possibility that the importation of Canadian bait could be restricted due to a virus found in pen starved herring. This could further complicate things. It would be a good idea to grab some of these starved winter greens if you plan to use them next spring/summer. Blues have been even tougher to get.


Anthon Steen