JUNE 29, 2007—There’s not only a change in sea conditions going on off Washington’s shore, but also a transformation in what saltwater anglers are pursuing out on the Pacific.
It’s out with the moochers and in with Zukers.
Last year, more tuna were brought back to Westport than salmon, coastwide the albacore catch doubled and 75 percent more anglers went out for the highly migratory species than the year before.
Not only that, but right now, albies are already offshore — as close as 40 miles — way early, thanks to warm waters close in.
And Westport and Ilwaco charters are gearing up for a gang-busters season. Vesta Rockey at Ocean Charters (800-562-0105) says they’re heading out after tuna starting July 13 and Milt Gudgell at Pacific Salmon Charters (800-831-2695) says he’s running four boats for albies this year.
“We can’t depend on salmon any more,” Gudgell adds.
There’s also a sea change going on in our trout stream thinking. We’ve been hammering on the Yakima, Kettle and Rocky Ford for years, but another trio of streams have gone overlooked.
No mas, muchachos.
In our July 12 issue, we mapped the Deschutes — Washington’s Deschutes — and Naches rivers for the first time ever. Both have good populations of rainbows and cutts, and both feature trout that can get on the big size. Throw in the Methow in this issue, and there’s some damn fine trout fishing.
We also mapped the brand-new hatchery summer Chinook fishery in central Puget Sound. Areas 9 and 10 open up July 16 and we got the scoop on where and how from old hands Tony Floor and Gary Krein.
The issue also features a mess of Okanogan and East Cascades trout, kokanee and spinyray lakes, as well as a very, very, very unusual place to find yellow perch. Think tidewater.
It’s all there, and more, MUCH more in our July 12 issue. It prints July 2 and will be out to subscribers just after the Fourth!
http://www.gosalmonfishing.com
http://www.rifles-n-rods.com
It’s out with the moochers and in with Zukers.
Last year, more tuna were brought back to Westport than salmon, coastwide the albacore catch doubled and 75 percent more anglers went out for the highly migratory species than the year before.
Not only that, but right now, albies are already offshore — as close as 40 miles — way early, thanks to warm waters close in.
And Westport and Ilwaco charters are gearing up for a gang-busters season. Vesta Rockey at Ocean Charters (800-562-0105) says they’re heading out after tuna starting July 13 and Milt Gudgell at Pacific Salmon Charters (800-831-2695) says he’s running four boats for albies this year.
“We can’t depend on salmon any more,” Gudgell adds.
There’s also a sea change going on in our trout stream thinking. We’ve been hammering on the Yakima, Kettle and Rocky Ford for years, but another trio of streams have gone overlooked.
No mas, muchachos.
In our July 12 issue, we mapped the Deschutes — Washington’s Deschutes — and Naches rivers for the first time ever. Both have good populations of rainbows and cutts, and both feature trout that can get on the big size. Throw in the Methow in this issue, and there’s some damn fine trout fishing.
We also mapped the brand-new hatchery summer Chinook fishery in central Puget Sound. Areas 9 and 10 open up July 16 and we got the scoop on where and how from old hands Tony Floor and Gary Krein.
The issue also features a mess of Okanogan and East Cascades trout, kokanee and spinyray lakes, as well as a very, very, very unusual place to find yellow perch. Think tidewater.
It’s all there, and more, MUCH more in our July 12 issue. It prints July 2 and will be out to subscribers just after the Fourth!
http://www.gosalmonfishing.com
http://www.rifles-n-rods.com