Seems like our finned and scaly friends have misplaced their migration calendars as for the past few seasons the runs have been getting later and later. The springers showed up late, possibly hindered by the torrid Columbia, but they did arrive as predicted in size and quantity.

Hopefully, the sturgeon just have their clocks set back, but fishermen are beginning to wonder. There are only two and a half weeks left in the revised season and we are not even close to the quota. Even if the catch rate does not pick up dramatically, it will end on July 31 and not reopen. Are we paying the price for allowing the sea lions to ravage sturgeon population to a point of no return? Whats happening?

In the lower estuary to Buoy 10, WDFW reports that 143 white sturgeon were kept, 26 were oversize, five were green and 624 sub-legal sturgeon were released for 189 boats and 601 anglers.

  In the ocean last week out of Ilwaco, 993 anglers had 739 coho and 164 Chinook, with a combined catch of 0.19 fish per rod. This past weekend showed a definite improvement, with charter boats reporting limits of salmon, although they could use a few more customers.

    Bottom fishing (north) out of Ilwaco remains the brightest star of the season.

 

Fourth state wolf pack confirmed

    DNA testing of a captured wolf confirmed that the animal is a wild gray wolf. The discovery of another resident wolf pack clearly indicates that wolves are returning to Washington state naturally, so says Phil Anderson, WDFW director. 

The wolf that was caught, collared and released, was lactating, indicating she was nursing pups. The new wolf pack is known as the Teanaway Pack. The Lookout Pack, confirmed in Okanogan and Chelan counties in 2008, was Washingtons first documented pack. A second pack, known as the Diamond Pack, was documented in Pend Oreille County.

    A pup from the third pack, known as the Salmo Pack, was radio-collared in 2010 in Pend Oreille County, where the pack territory ranges into British Columbia. Wolves from the Cutoff Peak Pack, with a den site in Idaho, range into Pend Oreille County in northeast Washington. Before the Teanaway Pack was confirmed, WDFW estimated a total of about 25 resident wolves in the state.

 

Cruise-in coming up

The ever-popular cruise-in benefit, Hot July Nights at the Peninsula Moose Lodge, will be held on July 16. The benefit this year will raise funds for the Pacific County K-9 unit, the Boys & Girls Club and the animal shelter in Long Beach. It will host vintage and custom cars with raffles, prizes, music, dancing and a barbecue. Admission is free.

 

Pursuit channel explores local fishing 

Fishing in the Pacific Ocean, Columbia River, and other local lakes and rivers will take center stage on the Pursuit television channel beginning next fall as Fishing Pacific Northwest will air 13 episodes of fishing excitement and general information about the Peninsula.

Stephen Allen was filming Shelly Pollock and the Grass Roots Garbage Gang efforts July 5 to cleanup the beach as a supplement to the show and has already filmed a segment on the Blessing of the Fleet. He will be going out on local charter boats during the next several weeks. The stars of the show will be everyday people caught out fishing, he said. The show will be by everyday people for everyday people and you might even see someone kissing a sturgeon.

For more information about the program go online to www.sundogfilmproductions.com. The Pursuit channel is 608 on DirectTV and 240 on Dish Network. Allen can be reached by calling 360-606-2585.