Fish & Feathers Tuna Club says it’s here to stay

Published 9:13 am Tuesday, September 15, 2015

The Ilwaco Tuna Club was founded several years ago when friends from the outer coast ports of Ilwaco, Westport and Garibaldi decided to get together and share their passion, albacore stories, technology and methods of catching the West Coast’s supreme fighting fish.

“Core” members number 20 individuals and “social” members total about 50. There are no plans to expand membership until next season. It took several years to find a common ground for the club to call home, but eventually Ilwaco was selected because of its proximity to the albacore-fishing grounds. Other considerations included availability of live bait, numerous boat berths, a haul-out boatyard and numerous marine-related industries.

The Tuna Club says it does not compete with charter boat operators, as it does not offer charter tuna boats for hire. The club strives to support the local community while working with fish processors, motels and restaurants to provide its membership with local services.

Members purchased a building in Ilwaco on Howerton Avenue and remodeled it, featuring a large-screen TV, wet bar, comfortable seating, six bedrooms and a kitchen. A spacious outside deck facing the harbor features seating and a barbecue. The north end of the building is set up with fish-cleaning facilities and refrigeration.

Three-fin Foods is a group of local fishermen providing fresh, sustainably caught albacore tuna to consumers within 48 hours of being caught. They are a consortium of offshore fishermen working out of Ilwaco.

Tuna are caught using rod-and-reel techniques. Fish are quickly landed and handled to maintain the highest-quality meat. Fish are immediately bled and cooled using the chilled-seawater method

Three–Fin Foods guarantees their albacore will never be frozen and will be delivered within 48 hours of being caught.

They are a dealer-certified processor. Their 48-hour fish are available July through September. The Opportunaty is a 36-foot boat owned by Mike Domeyer, Arron Walker and David Shurtleaf. It is extremely fast, used commercially and for their personal use.

If you are interested in learning more about setting up an account with Tri-Fin Foods, contact Domeyer at 503-799-1341.

If you are a tuna fisherman and need some numbers to direct you to the latest fishing location, feel free to contact Michael at 503-799-1341 — there are no secrets.

Ron Malast can be reached at 665-3573 or raiders7777@centurylink.net.