NS Dec 2018 by Media Index Publishing Group

2019 CALENDAR INSIDE! NWSPORTSMANMAG.COM

Sportsman Northwest

Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource

Volume 11 • Issue 3

Your Complete Hunting, Boating, Fishing and Repair Destination Since 1948.

SEE MORE AT VE RLES.COM!

70th

ANNIVERSARY

PUBLISHER James R. Baker EDITOR Andy Walgamott THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Randall Bonner, Scott Brenneman, Jason Brooks, Randy Castello, Gretchen Dearden, Stephanie Hanussak, Scott Haugen, Jesse Hopkins, Sara Ichtertz, Tobey Ishii-Anderson, Randy King, Bill Monroe Jr., Buzz Ramsey, Tom Schnell, Jodi Settles, Amanda Wiles, Dave Workman, Mark Yuasa EDITORIAL FIELD SUPPORT Jason Brooks GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak SALES MANAGER Katie Higgins ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Grifﬁn, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold

ALUMAWELD BLACK HAWK

DESIGNERS Kayla Mehring, Jake Weipert PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker OFFICE MANAGER Katie Aumann INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER Lois Sanborn WEBMASTER/DIGITAL STRATEGIST Jon Hines ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@nwsportsmanmag.com

SMOKERCRAFT OSPREY

CORRESPONDENCE Email letters, articles/queries, photos, etc., to awalgamott@media-inc.com, or to the mailing address below. ON THE COVER “I’m so passionate about winter steelhead ﬁshing that I go all the time,” cover gal Alison Chenoweth, also known as “Outdoor Ali,” tells Buzz Ramsey in a Q&A for our 9th Annual Real Women of Northwest Fishing feature. “It may be so bitter cold or stormy that no one else is on the river but it doesn’t matter to me because I’m going to try my luck anyway.” (ALISON CHENOWETH) DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and get daily updates at nwsportsmanmag.com.

HEWES CRAFT WE OFFER A LARGE INVENTORY OF QUALITY BRANDS ALUMAWELD • SMOKERCRAFT • HEWES CRAFT SUN CHASER PONTOONS • YAMAHA • SUZUKI • MERCURY

1-877-426-0933 8 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

www.verles.com

MEDIA INDEX PUBLISHING GROUP WASHINGTON OFFICE P.O. Box 24365 • Seattle, WA 98124-0365 14240 Interurban Ave. S., Suite 190 Tukwila, WA 98168 (206) 382-9220 • (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com; mediaindexpublishing.com

CONTENTS TH

VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 3

Annual

Real OF

No rthw est FISHING

The species are different from her native Florida, but Sabrina Rowat is getting a good handle on the ﬁsh of the Northwest, from spring Chinook and winter steelhead to summer albacore tuna. (SABRINA ROWAT)

22 T

he fishing gals and girls are back, and the 2018 edition of our popular feature shares stories about important mentors – from brothers, fathers and fishing guides to longtime lady anglers themselves – how angling led to hunting for one woman (and vice versa for another), personal struggles and the flat-out sheer joy of the catch. And as always, there are dozens of pics of women and girls and their great catches on Northwest waters!

22 33 45 50 50 50 53 58 58 61 71

Tobey Ishii-Anderson: Fishing For Mentors Sara Ichtertz: My Inspiration Alison Chenoweth: Buzz Ramsey’s Q&A With Cover Gal ‘Outdoor Ali’ Karen Castello’s Passion From An Early Age Carmen Curtz ‘Caught The Salmon Fishing Bug’ Rhonna Schnell’s An All-around Angler Stephanie Hanussak: Girl Meets Boy Meets Hunting Meets Fishing Amanda Wiles’ Tough But Rewarding Year Noel Hopkins Is Counting The Days Till The Next Trip Jodi Settles: ‘Once You Feel That Bite, You’ll Be Hooked Too!’ Gretchen Dearden: Starting To Live Her Best Life

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Go to nwsportsmanmag.com for details. NORTHWEST SPORTSMAN is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Avenue South, Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Periodical Postage Paid at Seattle, WA and at additional mail ofﬁces. (USPS 025-251) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Northwest Sportsman, 14240 Interurban Ave South, Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 (12 issues), 2-year subscription are $39.95 (24 issues). Send check or money order to Media Index Publishing Group, or call (206) 382-9220 with VISA or M/C. Back issues may be ordered at Media Index Publishing Group ofﬁces at the cost of $5 plus shipping. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2018 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A.

10 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

“BEST KEPT SECRET ON THE WEST COAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND”

2019 Charter All-Inclusive Drive-In Pkg. Special “Bring Your Large Coolers. You Will Need Them When You FISH With US” 4 person Drive-In Fishing/Catching $1600 ea. CA $$ | $1200 ea. US $$ • 4 Nights Lodging • 3 Full days of Guided Fishing / Catching Salmon, Halibut, Ling Cod & MORE • Includes All your meals from our restaurants menu while you are with us. *Limited time offer must be BOOKED by February 18, 2019 *US $$ at today’s exchange rate

(250) 934-7672 | info@westviewmarina.com | www.westviewmarina.com

149

GUN DOG GUN DOG 101 101

Heads He ads ad ds up p – got got o a gun gun u dog dog g that tha hatt wo w won’t n t lo n’ look ookk tto o th the he sk sky ky to m mark arkk birds? ar bird bi ds? s? Scott Sco ott t Haugen Hau a ge g n has has “fun, ha “ffun, un n, in nte tere re rest est s in ing and ing and motivating” mo oti tivaati ting g” ways w ys wa y tto o re etr t ai ain in th hem m interesting retrain them to lock loc ockk onto onto to ffowl owll wi ow w winging ing gin ing to towa towards ward rds ds th the he de d dek dekes. eke kes. s

(SCOTT HAUGEN)

COLUMNS 121 THE KAYAK GUYS Jet sleds and drift boats aren’t the only ways to get after winter steelhead – kayaks can also be used to fish good runs. Scott Brenneman shares his tactics and gear for working two of the most popular rivers, the Cowlitz and Wynoochee. 129 SOUTH SOUND Jason Brooks takes a look back at the year that kind of just was, spotlighting the few highlights and several lows of 2018 for South Sound sportsmen, and offers a bit of a peek ahead to 2019’s battles. 139 ON TARGET December marks a good time to head afield for critters such as coyotes and rabbits, which often occur in the same territory. Dave Workman lines up a good selection of rifles and loads for your winter outings, as well as shares his thoughts on Washington’s passage of I-639, headed to court. 153 CHEF IN THE WILD Every so often Randy King likes to get medieval with his recipe, and this month it’s “spatchcocked,”“bricked” Hungarian partridge. He claims he learned the basics in an early 2000s fusion restaurant, but either way, you’ll enjoy this tasty way to cook entire birds more evenly!

12 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

ALSEA RIVER STEELHEAD With several boat launches, plentiful highwayside access and miles of water, Oregon’s central Coast Range river is a good one to work for steelhead. Randall Bonner details where to go for its hatchery and wild winters.

113

(ANDY WALGAMOTT)

FEATURES 103 PUGET SOUND BLACKMOUTH Winter’s treats don’t all lie under a tree, counsels Mark Yuasa. The opening of blackmouth season in Puget Sound waters provides opportunities to catch tasty fish in Admiralty Inlet, the San Juan Islands, off Seattle and elsewhere, and Mark has where to go and how to fish. 159 WINTER MUSHROOM HUNTING What’s the moral of Randall Bonner’s mushroom story? It’s that edible forest delights grow in winter too! With chanterelles fading fast and morels still months away, he details three other kinds you can forage for now!

DEPARTMENTS 17

THE EDITOR’S NOTE Yin and yang of federal permits

SOCIAL SCENE Reader reactions to recent news

PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS Browning, Yo-Zuri monthly prizes

THE DISHONOR ROLL Southwest Washington poaching ringleaders head to trial; Preference points now available for turning in Oregon poachers; Kudos; Jackass of the Month

DERBY WATCH King Of The Reach results; Tengu Derby dates set; Upcoming events

OUTDOOR CALENDAR 2019 Northwest boat and sportsmen’s show schedule

127 RIG OF THE MONTH From the Vault: Beginner’s Drift Fishing Set-up 14 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

THEEDITOR’SNOTE

he yin and yang of the times was on full display last month. As federal ﬁshery overseers issued Oregon a permit to remove California sea lions to protect Endangered Species Act-listed steelhead, Idaho had to cancel its steelhead season for lack of one allowing ﬁshing over an ESA-listed stock. Let’s unpack both.

THE “GOOD NEWS,” in the words of Liz Hamilton of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, is that the National Marine Fisheries Service went above what was in the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s application to reduce numbers of CSLs that gather at Willamette Falls to feast. “Hopefully these actions are not too late for wild winter steelhead,” Hamilton said, adding that it would also be nice to legislatively amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act “to deal with seals and sea lions before we are this close to extinction.” After CSLs ate 25 percent of the very low 2017 return, ODFW models suggested there was a 90 percent chance that one Willamette run would disappear if nothing was done. Under the permit, the state can annually kill up to 93 CSLs observed for two days between the falls and mouth of the Clackamas or spotted eating salmon or steelhead there. A dozen were in the area when the permit was OKed. EVEN AS NMFS should be applauded for getting out that pinniped permit, its heavy workload led the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to have to put steelheading on pause after Dec. 7. IDFG’s federal fisheries permit ran out in 2010 and the lack of ESA coverage to incidentally harm wild steelhead provided a prime chance for the Wild Fish Conservancy and five other groups to threaten a lawsuit. Sounds familiar? In 2014, WFC and others took the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to federal court over its lack of a permit for Puget Sound winter steelhead hatchery operations. That sparked a big push to get more plans approved, but IDFG’s authorization was unfortunately down the priority list – for fairly good reason, speaking broadly, but at the local level (think in Riggins, Orofino, at Black Sheep in Lewiston) it’s a harsh economic hit. “We had confidence Idaho was managing the fishery effectively, but basically, we didn’t get to it as soon as we would have liked,” NMFS spokesman Michael Milstein told Idaho County Free Press reporter Andrew Ottoson. They’re hustling to get a new authorization out. Absent a conservation concern, one observer was left wondering what WFC et al’s aim is. “How many more wild fish does this create when we have so many hydropower, habitat and hatchery issues to overcome?” wondered WDFW’s Chris Donley. (Washington-licensed anglers can still fish the shared Snake, he said.) For disruptive forces like the Wild Fish Conservancy it’s like shooting fish in a barrel and a barrel full of laughs all at once. They can be assured that we anglers and guides will point fingers the whole way around, and for added laughs they troll everybody with a proposed deal appearing to favor one group – in this case, boat and bait bans and gear restrictions they asked IDFG to accept to not sue. Any fly guys whose tires got slashed on the Clearwater should send the bill to WFC. They aren’t doing anybody, the fish or the process any favors with their stupid administrative lawsuit scam. –Andy Walgamott

SAILFISH MARLIN YELLOWFIN TUNA WAHOO DORADO ROOSTER FISH Family-Friendly Travel & Vacationing!

31’ LUHRS “GO FISH,” LOS SUENOS MARINA 10 minutes north of JACO, COSTA RICA

Mark & Merry Coleman US 425-736-8920 CR 506-4001-8430

WWW.CATCHFISHCOSTARICA.COM

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 17

SOCIAL

SCENE

Comment from the www

By Andy Walgamott

FINALLY, SOME SEA LION RELIEF!

Closest seaport to Portland, OR!

Mid-November saw long-awaited “good news for the native runs of salmon and steelhead” returning to the Willamette, in the words of an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife press release we posted. The nut: the National Marine Fisheries Service OKed removing California sea lions seen between the falls and Clackamas mouth for two days or are observed preying on Chinook, winter-runs and other key stocks, with a limit of 93 a year. “Incredible, never thought I’d see the day that happened!” reacted Tony Limon, while Don McEldowney gave it extra exclamation marks he was so stoked: “Outstanding!!!!”

LAWSUIT THREAT PUTS IDAHO STEELHEAD SEASON ON PAUSE The Wild Fish Conservancy and its ilk were up to their old tricks again this fall, identifying a missing federal fisheries permit and threatening to sue. In the bull’s-eye this time, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game as it waited ... and waited ... and waited for NMFS to give a management plan Endangered Species Act coverage. Even as Jess Robinson urged on our Facebook page, “Fight back, Idaho, don’t let them kill your steelhead season like they did to us in Washington,” IDFG was forced to close angling for A- and B-runs this month. We can’t even print Jeff Olsen’s reaction to WFC et al, while a veteran of that organization’s attack on a Puget Sound fishery, Debi Sanchez, said, “OMG, did WFC not learn a thing from our winter steelhead closure! I can – must – bite my tongue or I just may explode!” With their offer that if IDFG banned steelhead fishing by boats and with bait it would keep the lawsuit out of federal court, Rory O’Connor saw them for what they are: “WFC are trolls.”

The Port of Garibaldi encompasses three coastal towns, including Bay City, Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach. Besides housing RV parks and lodging, restaurants, seafood processing, a lumber mill, and commercial and charter ﬁshing, the Port’s harbor has moorage for 277 vessels. The Port’s property also features the Lion’s Club Lumbermen’s Park and an antique train display. A walking path is also a popular draw for locals as well as visitors to Garibaldi.

KEEP ’EM CLOSED? Low fall flows and even lower returns of fall Chinook to Oregon’s North and Central Coast rivers saw ODFW close fishing last month, but as the situation eased the agency was able to open parts of three streams back up. While the news on our page garnered mostly thumbs up, not everyone agreed, with Abe Allison and Mike Fisenko advising the state to have kept the Siletz closed and Lucas Holmgren fretting about all the pressure it might see. When the Alsea and Yaquina were reopened, Richard Kennedy was aghast: “Ninety percent of the Chinooks in those rivers are in spawning stages! Leave the rivers closed and let the fish spawn! The river water levels are extremely low!”

MOST LIKED READER PIC WE HUNG UP ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE DURING THIS ISSUE’S PRODUCTION CYCLE Ray Cooper’s big Southwest Washington bull elk got about 13 likes per point – six a side. He bagged it during last month’s riﬂe hunt. (BROWNING PHOTO CONTEST)

Premier Salmon,, Steelhead d and Sturgeon on Fishing in Oregon on Four Directions Guide Service specializes in providing professional salmon, steelhead and sturgeon ﬁshing guide services to amateurs and professionals alike on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers and their tributaries.

40 years of Experience

Call Billy Fisher at 503-807-9467 to book your seat today! FourDirectionsGuideService.com nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 19

20 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

FISHING FOR MENTORS

By Tobey Ishii-Anderson

he sign on the classroom door read “Gone fishing.” That was my farewell present when I left teaching at the American International School of Budapest – and I meant to follow it. My fascination TH with fishing began as a young girl when I fished in a stocked trout pond in the cool highlands of Karuizawa, Japan. The trout farmer gave me a skinny bamboo pole with a rusty hook OF and tired-out worm. When I dipped the sun-bleached line into the pond, the water exploded! Suddenly I was struggling with a huge rainbow trout that nearly dragged me into the water. We both were hooked! But my desire to fish was difficult to pursue as a youngster because my parents were not fishers. Outdoor adventure was something they read about in National Geographic magazines.

me my first fly fishing set-up: Sage Launch rod with Loomis reel. It was a beauty! Peach-colored line on a gold reel. Although it wasn’t a Daisy Red Rider BB gun with a compass on the stock, it looked great. “Go fish!” he encouraged. Paul offered my first Annual casting instruction on how to load the rod. I followed his shadow and did exactly as he said. My rod went behind me and so did yards of line. “OK, now let the rod load and cast forward,” he said calmly. I imagined invisible fingers from the sky holding onto my line, giving it some magic pixie dust and whoosh – the line would shoot forward like the tongue of a butterfly! Instead the line landed on my feet like a wet noodle. Paul bent down and patiently untangled the mess while his steady voice encouraged me to cast again and again and again. He shared that it takes years to acquire this skill. Of course, he was right. After years, I finally understand the feeling when the rod transforms from potential to kinetic energy. My brother and I have become fishing buddies. He has passed on a piece of valuable advice: “You need to fish more.”

Real

No rthw est FISHING

AFTER 35 YEARS of international teaching, my husband and I made the move back to the U.S. We retired into the community of Olympia. I wanted to spend time learning to fish in the most beautiful part of the world. Having grandkids in the area made the choice easier. My brother Paul Ishii, who also lives in Washington, filled my head with appetizing stories about jumping salmon in pristine rivers and sea-run cutthroat in Puget Sound. My search for fishing mentors was about to begin. Paul, the fisher in the Ishii family, handed 22 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

MY NEXT SOURCE of wisdom was Joe Willauer, my first fishing guide. While floating the Yakima River, I watched this 6-foot-7 fellow delicately tie on a colorful fly with his nimble fingers. As the warm day continued on the river, he kept on repeating, “Mend the line!”

PICTURE

It’s a long way between ﬁshing as a kid in Japan, a teaching career in Budapest and elsewhere, and the steelhead-rich rivers of the Olympic Peninsula, but Tobey Ishii-Anderson has had great mentors along her journey, including guide Mike Zavadlov. (PAUL ISHII)

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 23

PICTURE

Mend? What’s torn? After floundering around with slack line, I dropped my shyness and asked for the meaning of “mend.” The explanation followed with demonstrations. As a visual learner, this started to make sense. I also realized the importance of asking questions and having guides share their vast knowledge. I had so much to learn about fishing. I received a call from Sarah, a good friend from Peace Corps days. “I’m dating a guy who fly fishes. He said he can take you to the river.” For Sarah, the notion of touching a fly rod or anything to do with fishing is like doing your income taxes. “His name is Mike Kinney.” “You’re dating Mike Kinney? He is the master of spey fly casting technique!” She made a comment along the lines of “What’s that?” Sarah asked Mike to take me out on the water where she lives and in his quiet way he taught me the value of the roll cast. 24 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Tobey says brother and fishing buddy Paul Ishii, here standing behind her on Idaho’s Lochsa, offered some great advice as she first got into the sport: “You need to fish more.” (PAUL ISHII)

I watched this gentle mountain man cast as the line gracefully made a loop before hitting the water. He assured me that this particular cast would be beneficial throughout my fishing journey. Sarah has since often invited me to her home by the Stillaguamish River. While I wade in the river maneuvering that roll cast, Sarah sits perched on a boulder reading a travel book or taking pictures. We both enjoy the river in different ways.

I DECIDED THAT joining a club of anglers would be a good way to increase my ﬁshing know-how. Since the South Sound Fly Fishers met in Olympia, I joined them and started reaping knowledge from the members about the lakes and rivers in the surrounding area. An important tip I got from the club was to keep in touch with the local ﬁshing store. They would have the latest news regarding water conditions. The club also made me aware of

conservation groups such as Project Healing Waters, Coastal Cutthroat Coalition and Casting for Recovery. The SSFF sponsors the Northwest Youth Conservation Fly Fishing Academy, which encourages young people to become stewards of our natural resources. I was at a fishing shop in Gig Harbor when I mentioned that I was looking for a group of women who fish. They immediately said in unison, “Contact Robbi and the Reel Fly Girls.” Robbi is an amazing fisher with a generous heart who wants to encourage this sport to everyone. Robbi’s experience with fishing has taken her around the globe – to the tropics of Christmas Island and the icebergs of Greenland. She introduced me to the Reel Fly Girls. These women welcomed a newcomer enthusiastically. They sponsor casting clinics and gear exchanges, and organize trips. RFG members get together for potlucks at homes and restaurants to

Along with a ﬂy rod, Tobey likes to use spinning gear, all part of “learning to ﬁsh in the most beautiful part of the world,” as she calls the Northwest. (PAUL ISHII)

PICTURE discuss future trips. We have fished the clear rivers of Crowsnest, Alberta, Stehekin on Lake Chelan, and secret hidey holes by Olympia. It was through RFG that I met fishing buddy Claudia, who introduced me to the double haul. “It’s the rhythm,” she said in her Minnesota accent. She stood by me going through hundreds of casts, determined for me to feel that rhythm. Gena, another experienced RFG member, gave a workshop on casting for distance. It has been beneficial to be part of this supportive group of women who like to fish and enjoy the social aspect of this sport too. I was fortunate enough to be invited on a day trip with guide Karlie Roland from Emerald Water Anglers. She has hosted several events for women on fishing. It was

a clear blue-sky day on the Snoqualmie. When I had to cross the river, Karlie showed me how to place my feet and to gain more confidence using the wading staff. It is smart to fear being carried off by the current. There is nothing like the

FIDELITY

AUTO CENTER

PHONE: (503) 777-AUTO (2886) TEXT: (503) 966-3045 WWW.FIDELITYPDX.COM

200 used cars, trucks, vans and SUV’s to choose from. Ãèè åêïìáßðáà Þõ ßáîðåğ áà ðáßäêåßåÝêï

We simply care!

Still growing, largest independent dealer in the area looking for hard working individuals in search of work. We are hiring for all positions, please apply on our website. 26 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

experience of getting soaked to the innards by the constant pelting of a Paciﬁc Northwest rainstorm during the winter. The learning continues as I realize how important appropriate clothing can be. You need to keep warm and dry! Good waders,

We are proud of our selection of Trucks and SUV’s. All makes and models, diesel or gas, lifted or not, ëĞ îëÝà îáÝàõ ëî ïðëßç

11880 SW Paciﬁc Hwy Tigard, Oregon, 97223

70th

ANNIVERSARY! Your Complete Hunting, Boating, \Fishing and Repair Destination Since 1948.

UP TO

$2,500! DISCOUNT ON SELECT BOATS!

2018 CLOSE-OUT UP TO $2,500 DISCOUNT ON IN STOCK MODELS ONLY, *SEE STORE FOR DETAILS*

MENTION THIS AD & GET A FREE GIFT WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! WE OFFER A LARGE INVENTORY OF QUALITY BRANDS ALUMAWELD • SMOKERCRAFT • HEWESCRAFT SUN CHASER PONTOONS • YAMAHA • SUZUKI • MERCURY

1-877-426-0933 www.verles.com ART FOR ILLUSTRATION ONLY, DISCOUNT LIMITED TO SELECT MODELS IN STOCK

PICTURE boots, and rain jackets are a necessity. Don’t forget the wide-brimmed hat, so the rain won’t go down your neck. Luckily, clothing for women who ﬁsh has improved over the years, with several companies providing the right size and features that make ﬁshing so much more comfortable.

“NOW YOU ARE ready for the big stuﬀ!” was what my brother said. Time to go to the Olympic Peninsula to ﬁsh for steelhead. We entered into the gray, overcast town of Forks. According to the Twilight book series, this is the area best loved by vampires. Our guide, Mike Z of Mike Zavadlov Guide Service (mikezsguideservice.com), steadied the drift boat as I hopped into the front. As we glided in silence, I sat spellbound by the early-morning beauty of the Sol Duc River. Mike’s agile frame pulled the oars to

28 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

maneuver the boat around protruding boulders as white water gushed between them. He would point out various wildlife – soaring eagles and elk tracks – as he shared his vast knowledge of the biology in the area. We drifted by damp moss-covered rocks, surrounded by dark green ferns. Mike showed me how to cast using a spinning reel and heavier rod. He coached me on where to put the line and how to look at the drift. He knew exactly when I should cast and where every sunken log would be. “Tighten up the line,” he would say. “There is a snag in that area. Watch out for boulders and look for the soft spots.” As a master teacher, Mike Z showed me certain casts that would improve my technique to get the line across the water. Knowing how to read the water was another lesson. I made that cast into the soft seam, where the rough water slowed. Wham! The rod bent down – ﬁsh on! The reel sang as I let the steelhead take the line. Reel! Breathe! Reel! Keep the tension!

Mike’s calm voice encouraged me on. My heart was racing! My brain was coming alive with synapses transmitting stored fishing tips into my hands. Rod up, tension, let the fish take the line, reel in! The gorgeous silver creature finally came to the net. It was a 15-pound beautiful wild steelhead. Remembering to enjoy the scenery was one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned from my guides and fishing buddies who have been the mentors who taught me to fish. Patience has become an underlying mantra as I deal with the chaos of tangled lines and hooks that pierced my fingers. The sign “Gone fishing” remains ingrained in my mind as I continue with this retirement adventure. NS Editor’s note: Tobey Ishii-Anderson is a retired teacher who has a passion for fishing, climbing and story telling. She reports that the fishing bug has bitten the next generation, as two grandsons have since picked up their rods and headed to the water.

PICTURE

MY INSPIRATION

By Sara Ichtertz

he runs fly by faster and faster, it seems. As this year’s fishing winds down, I eagerly find myself daydreaming of the fish that had such an instant, enormous pull on my heart, and on her heart as well – the majestic winter fish that keep their fire no matter the temperature are not for everyone. We share a true, never-ending romance this time of year for the streams of Southern Oregon. With 2018 showing signs of coming to a close, I pondered what I should write about for this year’s Real Women of Northwest Fishing. The truth is, so often when I daydream of those fish and dropping rivers, one woman very much floods my mind as well! So my heart felt I should share with you something a little different than what I did last December, something I didn’t go searching for but rather was beautifully placed before me – a story where nothing other than fate stepped in TH Annual and brought her into my life. Having me step foot next to this incredible, fishy woman nearly six winter runs ago has helped me on levels I’m not even sure Barbara truly realizes. OF

Real

AN OPEN HEART

No rthw est FISHING

is easily inspired, it is true, but no one has inspired me in such a positive, lifechanging as she. While I hung rather close to my husband LeRoy on day one, there she was, drift ﬁshing along like she had done so very many times before, doing what she loves. Feeling the beautiful bounce of the bottom she felt happiness. I only know that for certain because of the happiness I too feel with each bounce that comes from drift ﬁshing.

Author Sara Ichtertz (left) says she owes so much to her friend Barbara, who she met nearly six years ago on the banks of a Southern Oregon steelhead river and serendipitously recently called up on the longtime angler’s 80th birthday. (SARA ICHTERTZ)

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 33

“Back when ﬁshing was ﬁshing!” Barb and Sara share passions for winter steelhead and high mountain trout, as these photos from the former’s photo albums and the latter’s many columns in this magazine illustrate. (SARA ICHTERTZ)

PICTURE As the day went on, I moved me and my little pack closer to Barb. Not only did she look like exactly the type of human I would hope to possibly learn something from, but I liked the looks of the water she was fishing and the floatless rigging she was casting across the river. I am going to be completely honest when I say this: Five years ago, Sara didn’t have a clue! I knew I liked the looks of jigs, so I thought I would fish one in the same manner Barb was. I started fumbling around in my little pack trying to accomplish that ridiculousness when Gary, her fisherman husband of 62 years, took a gander at what I was up to. “Kiddo, that will never work,” he said. “It is weighted, and it will snag up instantly on the bottom! Try it, you will see.” Now I crack up about the situation – of course it would snag! – but hey, we all must start somewhere, and I am not ashamed that at that time I knew absolutely nothing! But I am thankful to have started there. I believe I better appreciate where I am now because of it. Semi-embarrassed yet listening 100 percent I looked to the tailout in hopes Roy would come rig me up so I could try to fish. Giggling at what I was up to – but also knowing how stubborn I am – he set me up while I picked out a Lil’ Corky and yarn. I was feeling pretty good, and as I made my way back to Barb she encouraged me. “Alright! That looks like it will work. Now you go ahead and cast before me because you are downriver and I will follow you.” I did what Barb said and because I’d watched her, I knew when to reel in. Soon we were fishing right along. She began to talk a little bit about herself and her fisherman, reminiscing about some of the systems and the fish. She said they had been fishing that river since the mid-’60s, making 50 years of memories with those who matter most to her. I could feel her 34 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

love for her fisherman, her friends and her family. And I could absolutely feel her love for the fish as she spoke. Fire was in her eyes as she talked about the day she dragged eight winter-runs out of one hole for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to use for their hatchery program. “Back when fishing was fishing!” she exclaimed.

“I USED TO wait for Gary to tie my knots too,” Barb said, “though I got tired of waiting and so I learned my own.” I will never ever forget that. It hit me like a tidal wave even though it was the simplest of statements. She was absolutely right. Why did I need to wait for Roy? Or head downriver 40 yards just to stop him from his fishing when I was 100 percent willing and able? I needed to learn. Barb’s influence on me that day was beautiful and is forever with me, no matter the time of year. I still see day one as if it were yesterday. Getting to know Barbara better and better over the years I’ve realized she didn’t just influence me. Anyone and everyone who has been blessed enough to share the water with her will never forget her. You do not meet very many ladies who have just as much class as true grit, but she is loaded with both. Her girls, granddaughters, grandson, nephews, sisters, mother-in-law, river mates (some who are no longer with her) – she made time for them all. She and Gary were the source of so many incredible fish tales for family and friends. Sharing the fish brought them joy, and together they were good at making everyone’s fish dreams come true. Barb rocked the beautiful balance that is needed to be a reel mom and is an inspiration. She is the rare type of lady who has a heart big enough to love all these people. If I were to speak to her granddaughter Amy, her buddy Bob, or any of the people who matter to her, I have a feeling they would all believe they are her favorite simply because she has a way of making each feel so special. She takes the time to listen, to be present, and no matter how addicted

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 35

PICTURE to the fish Barbara would become, her children and her family always come first. As the years standing beside her on the bank flew by, I listened to what this wise woman had to say and my soul connected with hers. She would get down and dirty embracing her babes by joining them in the dunes, roll right down the hills of sand as if she was a carefree child as well. She loved her mother-in-law so much – which can be rare nowadays – that she and Gary shared the river with her and made a mighty fine steeheader out of her. Not everyone is able to express their love through actions, but Barb wholeheartedly does. I know without a doubt there are some who are truly better people because this hardcore yet ever sweet steelheading woman with a heart of gold raised them. Barbara began fishing in an era nothing like today’s booming growth in lady anglers. She was the only woman on

36 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

the water back then, a true river hunting pioneer of Southern Oregon. She often spoke of how supportive her fisherman was. Gary’s support helped her keep her footing to stand her ground no matter the weather. She did run into cruel men, but they would not stop her. She very much had men ridicule her for being her. Just like me, she too believes there is nothing wrong with allowing others’ doubt to fuel your fires in life. Besides Gary, she had other great supporters whose influence far outweighed the pricks, so Barb fished on. Chasing the fish brings her great joy and no one could take that from her. She also had her spaniels, a boy and a girl, who would accompany her on the bank and to fish camps chasing halfpounders on the Rogue with her sister and mother-in-law. She fully tended the boat back then and was never scared, not only because she is rather rugged but because her four-legged friends were always with her. They loved their mom, and any man who wanted to come too close or go off

Not unlike the day that the two met, Barb shares the river with the author’s young children, Ava and Nate. “I will never forget that cold yet gorgeous December day when Barb was there with my family and I.” (SARA ICHTERTZ)

“Your Complete Marine Parts & Service Center”

Boats • Motors Service • Boat Storage

MAIN (425) 252-3088 | LAUNCH (425) 339-8330 | 1111 Craftsman Way, Everett, WA 98201

PICTURE on her on the river probably wished they hadn’t after her dogs let them know she was not to be talked to in such a way.

ALL BARB’S STORIES help me as a woman. They helped me then and they continue to help me now. With not a single ounce of threat, competition or underlying agenda, Barbara at 80 years old is everything any fisherlady should ever hope to be. She fishes for exactly the right reasons and I respect her deeply. Because of her I was not so scared that I didn’t just go for it. I believed in her instantly, and in the course of the year ahead I started to believe in myself as well. I independently went after it! Eventually I hooked and landed steelhead without a soul in sight because of her inspiration. I would love to think that one day I will be a Barbara-type figure to the right woman. Have her walk up with nothing but her ambition. See if I can’t help her in ways

only Barb could help me. Pay it forward though fate, through the love that is found on the rivers, and nothing more than that. Barb’s first steelhead came from the very river that I experienced my first on as well. That first headshake, such an amazing display of power! Never have you had a fish try to elude you in the cold of winter quite like these fired-up winters. I absolutely love that our firsts both came from a river that not everyone is blessed enough to know. The high mountain lakes that mean so much to me are hers as well. “My” summer steelhead, so full of fire and will it’s ridiculous, were hers when hatchery runs were thriving! The little winter jewel on which we met (and happens to be our favorite) are our home. I can relate with her love and desire to be in these places as much as possible, simply because they tend to bring out the best in you. It makes me smile as she speaks of the fish, all the species. I know she is that yearround, all-around angler. But I can see it in her eyes that steelhead stole her heart.

All the salmon caught trolling over all the years – and I mean some fish! She shared photos with me that were out of this world! – were nothing compared to drift fishing a dropping river in the heart of winter. Her greatest fishing joy is found in pursuit of the most magical fish of all, steelhead. Those beautiful symmetries in our souls leave me believing that a part of her will live on in me my entire life. She loves her girls to no end, though none of them are fishermen. I can’t help but believe Barb was meant to mentor me so her passion and love for the rivers would be truly appreciated by a woman worthy of it, that it will not be lost but live on inside of me. She was meant to inspire me, and she did. Her passion is strong and true, something I feel honored to know and understand. Though I will never be her, I hope to always make her proud in a drift-fishing, steelhead-slaying, fisherlady type of way.

WHEN I CALLED Barbara in late September to mention the thought of this

www.TopperEZLift.com (651) 207-5634 Mendota, MN

Raise and lower your topper with a push of a button! Topper EZ Lift allows you to get large loads in your pickup without removing your topper and also turns your truck into a pop-up camper! 38 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

PICTURE article to her, I was relieved to also hear she was feeling better. She was quite ill last winter. As our conversation went on, I learned that that day, out of all those in the year I could have called, was Barb’s 80th birthday. The odds seem slim to none, but I can’t help but feel like that it was fate. Though I have developed many beautiful friendships on the banks, none compare to my river mentor Barb. If I ever did have a true river sister who was brought to me by nothing aside from fate, it would be her. I have ﬁshed with Barb and Gary every single run, though we never once call up to make plans to ﬁsh. We just know when it is time. I will never forget that cold yet gorgeous December day when Barb was there with my family and I. Together we turned my Southern Oregon December steelhead dream into a reality. I hooked myself a hottie and loved having Barb there for guidance as that hen

worked me over. We loved it! As I had my moment in the river with that wild fish Barb’s happiness was clear. Looking up at her from the river, seeing her so happy, so proud, it was like Christmas morning to me. If only everyone was able to feel that joy, to be happy for others’ success, we would be a lot better off. As we shared time together this fall in her home going through her photo albums, she reminisced about the good ol’ days. I could see the emotion in her eyes. Sadly, so many of her river mates have moved on to fishier waters and I could see how much they meant to her as she went through the pages. My strong and wise friend knows she’s lived a great life. It’s been full of adventure. Full of love and loss that has made her the lady that she is today. She told me she believes she has one run left. As goosebumps covered my body and a lump developed in my throat, she let me know that even though she tires easily now, she hopes that we will be fishing again soon. There are some things in life one

cannot put a price tag on simply because its value is priceless. Falling hard for the rivers and what lies beneath their surface forever changed me for the better, I wholeheartedly believe, stimulating tremendous personal growth that I wouldn’t have been capable of accomplishing had I not met Barbara that beautiful January morning. She was part of my day one for a reason. When I recently read my fishing log for that first year, it was quite comical, really. But the words I wrote of my new friend Barb had me feeling a little emotional, but more than anything grateful. The parallels between fishing and life have never ceased to amaze me. You can have those glorious days where you catch the river when she’s dropping. Those beautiful, aggressive, lights-out bites! Winters hammering your riggings with conviction! Hooksets and headshakes! Stunning creatures so very mad leaping out of that winter river! Life is good. And there are those other days you fight a

TRUCK CAMPERS / TOY HAULERS TRAVEL TRAILERS / 5TH WHEELS CUSTOMER FRIENDLY PRICING!

www.UNEEKRV.com 1-5 Exit 36 • Kelso, WA Right on the Freeway – Right on the Price 800-248-6335 40 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Bubba Blades

HOLIDAY PRODUCT FEATURES

Crab Kit

Silver Horde Lures

13 Fishing Rods & Reels

2HJOLTHR 0UÅH[HISL )VH[

Big Eye Spoons by Lighthouse Lures

Xtratuf 15” Boots

Xtratuf Ankle Boots

Our employees are passionate about fishing. They will help you find the right gear to catch trophy fish in puget sound and Western Washington rivers. Call and ask for our fishing experts; Jeff, Lee or Max (pictured) to get a live fishing update Monday–Saturday, 8am–5pm. Join us from Jan 25–Feb 02, 2018

Scotty 1106 Downrigger

Shimano Rods & Reels

www.lfsmarineoutdoor.com 851 Coho Way, Bellingham Join us from m Jan 23–27 7, 2019

800-426-8860

“I believed in her instantly, and in the course of the year ahead I started to believe in myself as well. I independently went after it! Eventually I hooked and landed steelhead without a soul in sight because of her inspiration,” Sara writes. (SARA ICHTERTZ)

ton F

CAM

ashing Forks, W

NT I NG

HUCKLEBERRY LODGE

Enjoy quality

TO BOOK YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE CONTACT US: HUCKLEBERRY LODGE 1171 BIG PINE WAY FORKS, WA 98331 1-360-477-1675 WWW.HUCKLEBERRYFORKS.COM 42 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

river on the rise and ask yourself, Why? Fishing in a pouring rain that can’t make up its mind if it really wants to snow. If you could get just one bite it would be worth it, but no! The misery can be hard to bear, especially when you envisioned the day going very differently. In the end there are no guarantees when fishing the rivers for salmon and steelhead, just like there are no guarantees in life. Our days on earth, they are numbered. Barbara believes that each of us stay here until our journey is complete. She believes we are each put here for a reason, with purpose, and that we will not leave this earth until we have seen that purpose through. I absolutely agree with her, always believing that my days are counted, but it is up to me as to what I do with them. Through Barbara’s inspiration and purpose, as a whole I am far greater than the girl she met on the bank five years ago. I hope she realizes that. No matter where my journey of life may take me, because of her, my heart is on the river and I couldn’t change it, even if I tried. NS Editor’s note: For more on Sara’s adventures, see For The Love Of The Tug on Facebook.

HUGE INVENTORY IN STOCK Parts Department Now Open On Saturdays!

CALL 360-466-9955 www.tomnjerrys.net

Call now for Special Winter Pricing! 11071 Josh Green Lane Mount Vernon, WA 98273 At Twin Bridges Marina

All Boats Powered By Outboard Motors

WINTER

BLACKMOUTH SPECIALS!

All boats p A powered by y

Outboard Motors ALL NON-CURRENT BOATS AND MOTORS GREATLY REDUCED IN PRICE. MANY ONE ONLY ITEMS AND SUBJECT TO STOCK ON HAND.

MASTER MARINE BOAT CENTER • 506 JACKS LANE • MOUNT VERNON, WA 98273

MASTERMARINE.COM • 360-336-2176

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 43

MAXXUM MARINE

Built for Adventure!

Parker, Thunder Jet, Boulton, Fish-Rite We now have Parker pilothouse models in stock.

With our factory-trained technicians for Yamaha, Suzuki, Mercury, Tohatsu and Honda motors, we can handle any project from electronic installs to complete boat and motor overhauls. Need a new motor for your current boat? Best prices around on Repowers!

MAXXUM MARINE 1700 Hwy 99 N, Eugene, OR

NEW LARGER LOCATION!

Toll Free 877-4-Maxxum (877-462-9986) Local 541-686-3572

PICTURE

Annual

Real OF

No rthw est FISHING

MEET OUTDOOR ALI Alison Chenoweth, here with a bull trout, has fished since a young age and says one of her first memories was outfishing her brothers and dad on a trout stream and how proud her father was. He would go on to take her salmon and steelhead fishing as well as hunting, cementing her love of the outdoors. (ALI CHENOWETH)

ishing and hunting are popular sports, and thanks to the internet and magazines like BUZZ this one, women RAMSEY who ﬁsh and hunt seem more visible than ever before. This is a good thing because images of women enjoying outdoor adventures fosters even more participation by other females who might have been reluctant to get

involved due to the overwhelming male dominance of the fields and intimidation of being a female walking into an outdoor store by herself. But all that is changing. Consider the explosion of outdoor-related products targeting women who fish and hunt. It is safe to say that the industry has identified females as a consumer base who must be addressed with products and supporting promotion. In addition, the internet has fostered groups like Fish Like a Girl and Northwest Girls Gone Fishing, where any

woman interested in the outdoors can meet others and learn how to ﬁnd success via communication and relationships. Yes, I hear chatter that while many women are as avid and devoted to outdoor adventures as any male counterpart, a few are just window dressing in that they are just in it for the attention their sometimes good looks provide. I can tell you, based on my interview and having ﬁshed with her that Alison Chenoweth is the real deal. No, she is not a guide, but when it comes to desire, passion and doing it herself Outdoor Ali, as

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 45

PICTURE

she is known, has all the above and more.

Buzz Ramsey Share with me one of your first fishing memories. Alison Chenoweth I was probably 6 years old and friends had property down near Lincoln City, Oregon, where we went creek fishing for trout. My dad and brothers weren’t catching anything but I caught three and was so excited. I remember Dad telling me how proud he was of me.

BR What got you interested in fishing? AC My dad started me fishing when I was very young. I idolized him and followed his every move. My early trips were chasing trout and kokanee. We also went salmon fishing, but it wasn’t until I was in high school that he took me for steelhead. I was immediately hooked and when he couldn’t go, I’d fish on my own.

BR What is the biggest steelhead you’ve caught? AC A 26-pound native winter steelhead I caught and released from the Queets River on the Olympic Peninsula. Before releasing it, we weighed it in a cradle and it was the coolest ﬁshing moment ever – it seems like my whole body was shaking with excitement. I try to ﬁsh the Peninsula for steelhead two or three times each year.

BR Your most memorable fishing trip? AC Actually some of my most memorable trips have been while fishing with family and friends and helping them catch fish or their first fish. It’s so much fun showing them how and sharing in the excitement of them experiencing success.

BR What is your favorite fish/fishery? AC I like exploring new rivers, with my favorite fish being winter steelhead. I’ve fished all over the Washington coast from as far north as Quinault and the Oregon Coast all the way down to the Rogue River, where we caught summer steelhead. Ali says pursuing winter steelhead is her favorite – “It may be so bitter cold or stormy that no one else is on the river but it doesn’t matter to me because I’m going to try my luck anyway” – but it’s also nice to fish under the summer sun, as at Buoy 10 for coho with author Buzz Ramsey’s son Wade. (ALI CHENOWETH) 46 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

BR What’s the hardest thing about fishing? AC Fishing for me is an educational thing in that I’m always trying to figure it out and improve my fishing skills as related to the many different fishing methods.

PICTURE

because I’m going to try my luck anyway.

BR Describe how your handle “Outdoor_ For winter steelhead, it’s dealing with the ever-changing water conditions and determining – discovering, really – where the ﬁsh might be. They are always moving, you know. Figuring all of that out and conﬁrming my correct strategy by catching one is just so rewarding – it’s just the greatest feeling.

BR Where do you chase steelhead most often? AC My home river is the Kalama, since I live within 10 minutes of it. I often ﬁsh before and after work and mostly go by myself. Connecting on a steelhead is a challenge every time, which I like, but being on the river is so therapeutic and calming – I just can’t get enough of it. I’m so passionate about winter steelhead ﬁshing that I go all the time. It may be so bitter cold or stormy that no one else is on the river, but it doesn’t matter to me

48 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Ali” has helped you connect with other woman interested in the sport. AC There are a lo t of women interested in fishing who want to learn more about it and I’m always happy to help them. I’ve developed a lot of friendships because of these encounters. I’ve gotten involved with Northwest Girls Gone Fishing, which is a group where everyone is welcome and can learn how to fish and the safe way for women to go fishing.

BR Do you hunt? AC My dad first took me hunting for deer when I was probably 12 or 13. It took me two or three seasons before I shot my first buck. I mostly hunt blacktail deer in Southwest Washington, although I made one trip up to Winthrop, Washington, but wasn’t successful. So far I’ve only hunted with a rifle but want to try bowhunting. I haven’t got an

elk yet but there is so much fishing going on in the fall I sometimes have a hard time choosing whether to go fishing or hunting. I shoot a .270 for deer and carry a .300 Winchester for elk. That .300 Win. is difficult for me to shoot; it kicks hard, which is why I’m interested in trying, learning really, to hunt for elk with a bow.

BR What’s your favorite hunting memory? AC I was hunting with my dad and after hiking to the bottom of this huge canyon, he suddenly stopped, turned to me and asked, “Where is my rifle?” I had no idea, as he was carrying it, not me. We hiked back up the trail and realized his rifle had gotten caught on a tree branch, which pulled it off his shoulder and, evidently, he just kept walking. His rifle was just hanging there, waiting for us when we hiked back toward the trailhead. We both laughed hysterically. NS Editor’s note: The author is a brand manager and part of the management team at Yakima Bait. Like Buzz on Facebook.

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 49

‘CAUGHT THE SALMON FISHING BUG’

PICTURE

PASSION FROM AN EARLY AGE

aren Castello was destined to be a Real Woman of Northwest Fishing. Her mother gave birth to her in a room overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca at the hospital in Port Angeles. Growing up in a humble home on Bullman Beach just east of Neah Bay, as a toddler she learned to appreciate her aquatic wonderland and spent many days chasing Chinook salmon with her father and her uncle. Both are gone now but her love of the sea continues as she passes her passion for the sea and ﬁshing to her OF grandkids. Although she has been photographed with many of her aquatic adversaries, these two pictures represent her competence as a Real Woman of Northwest Fishing. –Randy Castello

(FAACEBOOK (FA (FACEBOOK.COM/BILLMONROEOUTDOORS) CEBBOOK OO .COOM/B M ILL ILLMON MONROE MON ROEOUT RO ROE OUTDOO OU OUT DOORS) DOO R ) RS RS)

armen Curtz had never had caught a spring Chinook before 2018. I met her in the beginning of the year and she told me she had fished with her father for trout when she was young, but had never fished for salmon before and wanted to try it. Well, once she caught her first spring Chinook with me in March and then another in April, she caught the salmon fishing bug bad! Since then she’s blossomed into an excellent fisherwoman, and has really taken to the outdoors and salmon fishing here in the Northwest. From spring Chinook to fall Chinook, coho and even sturgeon, she’s made it a part of her life now. She cares deeply about the local fisheries and everything that encompasses them – she’s grown very passionate about salmon fishing and it’s become part of her soul, she says. It TH Annual brings her such peace and reward in life. –Bill Monroe Jr.

Real

No rthw est FISHING

Karen Castello’s 2018 successes include landing a 20-plus-pound hatchery Chinook caught in Washington’s Marine Area 6 and helping a “somewhat reluctant grandkid appreciate the bounty of the sea,” like her dad and uncle did for her as a young girl. (KAREN CASTELLO) 50 Northwest Sportsman

“I jjust ustt have us haave ve ttoo say say that sa thhat a I llove ovve sh ove show showing owiin ow ing Ca Carmen arm rmen en tthis en his hi type ooff experience ty type exppeeriien ex ence ce aand nd w watching atch at chin ch ingg he in her er gr ggrow ow w iinto ntoo itt nt bein be being ingg a big in big part bi part r ooff he herr life liife nnow, ow ow, w,” ssays ayys gu gguide ide Bi id BBill illllll M nr Mo Monroe n oe JJr.rr.. aabout b ut CCarmen bo arme ar menn Cu me Curtz urt rtzz wh w who ho cca caught augght ht sspring p inng pr and fall an and faallll CChinook, hino hi nook ok, k, coho coohoo aand nd ssturgeon tuurggeo eonn th this his i yyear. earrr.. ea

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

AN ALL-AROUND ANGLER

rom crab to crappie, kings to kokanee, Rhonna Schnell can catch them all. She is hands-down one of the best fisherwomen I have ever seen. She was not afraid to stay out all day looking for that elusive Columbia River salmon. In four days of fishing, she was the only one to limit out all four days trolling a 360 flasher with a Brad’s Cut Plug. She hammered the crappie this spring at Prineville Reservoir and went on to catch her share of kokanee using homemade gear on several Western and Central Oregon lakes, including Green Peter. She finished the season with a limit of crabs off the Oregon Coast. She is an amazing woman who would rather be in the outdoors fishing than almost anything else. She is also a wonderful wife and my best fishing and Rhonna Schnell limited four days in a row on hunting partner! –Tom Schnell Columbia fall salmon, a highlight in a very fishy year for her. (RHONNA SCHNELL)

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 51

PICTURE

GIRL MEETS BOY MEETS HUNTING MEETS FISHING By Stephanie Hanussak

didn’t discover my love for hunting until I was 30. I guess you could call it a classic girl-meets-boy scenario. Girl meets boy. Boy takes girl hunting. Girl becomes a fool for hunting. It’s kind of funny in hindsight. Growing up in a small rural community meant entire weeks in high school when the student body was oﬀ hunting with their families. Gun racks in the backs of pickups. Antlers peeking over the tops of tailgates. I guess at the time it seemed a little

strange. My only real experience with hunting as a child was a single trip with my dad and older brother at the age of 10 for deer. I don’t remember much other than the fact that I was the loudest thing in the forest and despite that it was still a successful hunt.

FAST

FORWARD 20 years, and here comes the boy. I remember being impressed by his love of the outdoors. But when he encouraged me to take up hunting with him, I think my initial response was a bit of shock. Much of my exposure to women and their roles in hunting had been a bit skewed. I knew that families went hunting together but the perception was always that men went hunting for “dude time,” leaving the ladies as hunting widows

Stephanie Hanussak came to ﬁshing via a different route – hunting. Her and her signiﬁcant other Clint’s search for offseason outdoor pursuits led them to cross the bar earlier this year during one of Oregon’s nonselective coho openers. (STEPHANIE HANUSSAK)

Annual

Real OF

No rthw est FISHING

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 53

PICTURE

54 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

If Stephanie’s drive and success hunting is any indication – here’s her ﬁrst bull elk – she’s well on her way to becoming a topnotch angler. (STEPHANIE HANUSSAK)

for weeks or even months out of the year. It was exciting to learn. He taught me everything from the ground up – the mechanics of guns and bullets, how to reload ammo, how to build a gun (he builds long-range rifles), how to shoot and be comfortable with your equipment, the anatomy of wild game and how to make ethical shots, and finally how to harvest an animal. It’s such an amazing thing to live in a place where you can drive 30 minutes in practically any direction and find yourself in woods among wildlife. Needless to say, I was hooked. Being in the woods scouting for animals, hiking new timber stands and discovering new terrain became our normal routine and how we decompress. Even though we can and do scout and go for mountain drives regularly, there are still distinct hunting seasons with substantial spans of time between them, leaving time to get listless and miss the thrill and the therapy that the mountains and the hunt provide. So in our “hunt” for outdoor activities and

to not slip into oﬀ-season depression, we decided to turn to the waters. We live in a place that is punctuated by water sources – rivers, lakes and streams in seemingly every direction – so it seemed like the best possible hobby to expand into.

LAST MAY, CLINT and I bought

FROM DOCKSIDE TO BEACHSIDE WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT, THE C-DORY IS BUILT FOR ANY ADVENTURE.

22’ CRUISER

25’ CRUISER

LOCATE A DEALER TODAY

(360) 389-5351 @CDORYBOATS

7 SERIES, 12 BOAT MODELS AND A VARIETY OF

Since

1955 AF

IONA

CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO MAKE THEM YOUR OWN.

TSM

WWW.C-DORY.COM/DEALERS

FISH, BE WARNED.

HANDMADE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, THESE BOATS CAN BE CUSTOMIZED TO FIT YOUR LIFESTYLE.

3000 SERIES

30’ OFFSHORE

2600 SERIES KODIAK

LOCATE A DEALER TODAY

6 SERIES, 11 BOAT MODELS AND A VARIETY OF

CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO MAKE THEM YOUR OWN.

56 Northwest Sportsman

23’ VENTURE

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

2400 SERIES XL

(360) 389-5351 @SEASPORTBOATSNW

WWW.SEASPORTBOATS.COM/DEALERS

me my first fishing pole for my birthday, a little trout rod so we could drop a line in at one of the local lakes. Trout fishing got us hooked! We experimented with depths and times of day, different bait, and it wasn’t long before we started looking at other fishing opportunities in this great place that we live. We went on a boating trip upriver and since our trip coincided with a fish run, we stopped at the local bait shop and bought our first salmon poles. We did it wrong for probably a year (only three fishing trips) before we dialed in our trolling speed, depth, weight, bait set-up, rigging, etc. I caught more birds and the bottom in that first year than anything! This year we took the boat out past the bar on our first ocean fishing trip and, lo and behold, caught our first coho and Chinook in the ocean in July. It was all over after that. Now we get home from work and exchange YouTube videos and fish stories from friends and local experts, and dream up our next trip on the water. We’ve started exploring the different rivers and have caught quite a few beautiful coho, including the biggest coho I’ve ever seen. They’ve all been natives that we had to give back to the river but that’s half the experience – never knowing what will be at the end of that line when you bring it in; being able to give it back and try again. It’s been a fun adventure too, learning to fish together. Learning to hunt still at times makes me feel like that little girl who manages to step on every single dry leaf and pinecone in the woods. The water seems to level the playing field. I would encourage women to get more involved in hunting and fishing. It doesn’t matter who you go with, just learn as much as you can. Try new things and find your own systems. It’s such a thrill and parallels our love of the outdoors and the quality time that we have in the mountains together. I’m hooked. NS

63(&,$/ $'9(5725,$/ 35(3$5(' %<

BOAT REVIEW

2800 COMMANDER Sea Sport Boats are a time tested custom boat manufacturer located in beautiful Bellingham, Washington. Sea Sport has been producing boats built to handle the rugged waters of Alaska and WKH 3DFLĂ&#x20AC; F 1RUWKZHVW IRU RYHU \HDUV Sea Sport offers boats from 22â&#x20AC;&#x2122; to 32â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, with our 28â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Commander being WKH XOWLPDWH FXOPLQDWLRQ RI OX[XU\ DQG performance. 7KH &RPPDQGHU HQMR\V D IXOO walk-around with a giant self-bailing

DIW GHFN RIIHULQJ SOHQW\ RI VWRUDJH DQG DPHQLW\ RSWLRQV 7ZLQ 2XW board engines is the power platform RI FKRLFH DQG ZH DUH RSHQ WR DQ\ manufacturer desired, rigging at the IDFWRU\ :H ORYH ZRUNLQJ ZLWK QHZ RZQHUV $ IDFWRU\ WRXU FRXSOHG ZLWK D PHHWLQJ LQ our â&#x20AC;&#x153;Choosing Roomâ&#x20AC;? allows us to walk WKURXJK HYHU\ LQFK RI WKH ERDW PDNH decisions on colors and materials, and SUHS IRU WKH ERDW RI \RXU GUHDPV You can trust that the Sea Sport IDPLO\ ZLOO DOZD\V ORRN DIWHU \RXU EHVW LQWHUHVW 2XU FXVWRPHU VHUYLFH LV XQSDUDOOHOHG 2XU TXDOLW\ SHUIRUPDQFH DQG VDIHW\ UHFRUG VSHDNV IRU LWVHOI 7KDW LV ZK\ 6HD 6SRUW KDV KDG VXFK D ULFK IDPLO\ WUDGLWLRQ VLQFH *LYH XV D call or look us up online.

63(&,),&$7,216 /2$ %HDP 'UDIW PRWRUV XS 'UDIW PRWRUV GRZQ $SSUR[LPDWH 'U\ :HLJKW +ROGLQJ 7DQN &DSDFLW\ :DWHU &DSDFLW\ )XHO &DSDFLW\ 6OHHSLQJ &DSDFLW\ 'HDGULVH

28â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Âˇ Âľ 22â&#x20AC;? Âľ OEV 86 JDO 86 JDO 86 JDO Ă&#x153;

WWW.SEASPORTBOATS.COM

‘COUNTING DAYS UNTIL THE NEXT TRIP’

PICTURE

n Sept. 8 I had the wonderful opportunity to take my daughter fishing for the first time. I recently had gotten into bass fishing and bought myself all the highend product thinking that would help me catch fish. Little did I know that was not the case. In fact, I have yet to catch a bass. My daughter Noel, who is currently 4 years old, asked if I could take her the next time I went fishing. Of course, I said enthusiastically, but I had yet to buy her a fishing pole. On the way to the local lake at the Oregon Coast we stopped at a Fred Meyer so I could buy her a cheap trout fishing pole. They had a combo set on sale for $9.99. Score. We got to the lake and started fishing. She kept casting but was very discouraged because it wouldn’t go far. I told her, “Why don’t you just stand by the dock and keep

flicking the pole lightly with the line and hook in the water?” She was happy to do just that. Keep in mind, all she had was a small trout hook with a plastic green worm on it. After 10 minutes or so and multiple lost lures from my poor casting ability she yelled, “I have something on!” I looked over and couldn’t believe she was able to hold on to the rod. It was whipping around like she was fighting a monster. She reeled it in and was so proud. She had caught in our eyes, a trophy bass. My 4-year-old daughter now has caught more bass than me. After several photos with the fish we were able to place it back in the lake to be caught by another fisher. She was the happiest I have ever seen her and very proud of herself. Now she is counting the days until the next fishing trip. –Jesse Hopkins

Jesse Hopkins had bass ﬁshing aspirations this year, but his daughter Noel, 4, was the ﬁrst in the family to catch a largemouth. “She was the happiest I have ever seen her and very proud of herself,” says the very proud dad. (YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST)

Annual

Real OF

No rthw est FISHING

A TOUGH BUT REWARDING YEAR

his year was a tough one for my team at the Buoy 10 Fish Like A Girl Derby. We all managed one entry each throughout the three-day tournament. With dedication and long days on the boat I managed one, which was a success in my books after the lack of fish. On the last day our boat was able to reel in the winning fish of the tournament as well! I’d like to give thanks to our wonderful guide Joel Henley with Anvil Outdoors (anviloutdoors.com). I also went fishing for sea bass out of La Push, Washington, with Capt. John Theil of Alpha Angler (alphaanglercharters.com). It was the day before a lingcod derby for Mission Outdoors that my husband and I were volunteering to help with. Mission Outdoors is a nonprofit organization that offers veterans a day of adventure, be it fishing, hiking, or hunting, to help restore hope and get them outside enjoying life. It was a wonderful experience to be around so many of our veteran heros, as well as an honor to volunteer to this nonprofit. We look forward to next year’s derby! –Amanda Wiles Between landing just one fish at a Buoy 10 derby but also helping veterans enjoy an outdoor adventure at sea, 2018 was a tough but rewarding year for Amanda Wiles. (AMANDA WILES)

58 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

PICTURE

‘YOU GOT THIS, GIRL, YOU ARE STRONG’ By Jodi Settles

“I challenge you ladies to get out there and put i! My name is Jodi Settles, your lil’ ticker to the test!” writes Jodi Settles, and I love catching big Pacific here with a big ling. “I Northwest fish! I grew up in guarantee, once you feel Southwest Washington in an average that bite, you’ll be hooked too!” (JODI SETTLES) “outdoorsy” family. We camped and fished every year. Dad took us out on the boat in the summer and we fished the salmon run. Sometimes we fished stocked lakes for trout. Overall, I didn’t take a huge interest in fishing until I got older. As a young adult, I moved to the Midwest where the fishing game changed quite a bit from my Northwest roots. Here, I learned to fish crappie, bass, and catfish. I even got to try my hand at spoonbill fishing a time or two. Have you seen a TH Annual spoonbill? Google it, they are incredible! and catfish here and I returned to the there, but was focused Northwest a few years more on hunting with back and went back to my best girlfriend. Then I puttering around for trout met and fell in love with “My Fish.” You know that OF ol’ saying, “There are a million fish in the sea.” Well, this fish was My Fish. He is my one in a million. And this man doesn’t just love to fish; he eats/breathes/sleeps/ lives for fishing! Well, you know I had to get out there and prove myself worthy if I was going to hook this guy!

Real

No rthw est FISHING

OUR FIRST TRIP together was Valentine’s Day 2016. He dragged me out to the Grays River just oﬀ Washington’s South Coast in February! I was in a man’s

pair of XXL waders that absolutely did not fit, in mediocre rain gear, hiking and wading in pouring-down rain without a clue as to what I was doing! Let me tell you, crossing a river in the dead of winter in gear that does not fit, on slippery rocks with your hair in your face, carrying a pole and backpack and being a natural clutz is no easy feat for the average gal! I panicked half the time crossing the river, yelling at Matt, “I’m not gonna make it! I can’t do this! I’m going to fall and you’re going to have to save me!” “You got this!” he responded. “Don’t be a wimp, let’s go, we’ve got fish to catch!” From day one, he has pushed me way outside my comfort zone and made me believe I can do far more than I normally set myself out to do. So we powered on. Finally, at one of

Jodi did some salmon and trout ﬁshing out of a boat growing up in Southwest Washington, and when she returned from the Midwest and met her boyfriend Matt – “My Fish” – she really began to expand her boundaries. Here she shows off a fall Chinook she caught in 2017. (JODI SETTLES)

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 61

PICTURE the last holes a steelhead hit my offering and took off with it, peeling line like crazy and I was totally unprepared! Matt coached me on how to fight the fish properly – and I whined the whole time: “It’s too big; my arm is getting tired; I’m going to lose it!” He was like, “Nope! If I help you, you’ll never forgive yourself! You got this, girl, you are strong! Just keep fighting!” I fought in my very first winter steelhead that day all by myself. It was such an amazing feeling! I felt so proud! Not just because I landed the fish, but because I’d worked damn hard just to get to that hole in the river in the first place! I kept up with the guys and I knew I had really accomplished something special. The fish was a native, so we snapped a quick photo and released him. From that day on, I knew I loved fishing the rivers for those big fish just like my man.

62 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

“Just keep ﬁghting!” Matt urged Jodi as she struggled with a wild Grays River steelhead on a nasty February day, a victory that gave her a feeling of accomplishment and desire to catch more. (JODI SETTLES)

OVER THE LAST three years, Matt has coached me and taught me so much about fishing. I still struggle with my confidence standing on a rock next to 15 guys during fall combat fishing. I’m not competitive, and I don’t love fishing in a crowd. But I sure love getting out there

with a group of guys and standing toe to toe with them. I have had the pleasure of fighting some really beautiful salmon and rockfish the last couple of years. That steelhead is still my one and only, but this winter is a new season and you never know when your chance will come along. You just have to be persistent. I struggle a great deal with being motivated against the weather and early mornings. And I lack the commitment and “obsession” that My Fish and a lot of the other guys have. But as a woman, when I’m the only female on the boat, or I’m the only woman when I count 30 to 40 people at the river, I’m sure proud to be out there giving it my best. And it warms my heart to see My Fish beam with pride for his girl catching the big one of the day. It is a great adrenaline rush to reel in a big fish. I challenge you ladies to get out there and put your lil’ ticker to the test! I guarantee, once you feel that bite, you’ll be hooked too! NS

Destination Alaska

PICTURE

With Remington Wiebe having figured out Lake Roosevelt, she moved on to fishing Rufus Woods Lake last winter. “She got her two-fish limit in less than an hour from shore and did it all on her own,” her very proud grandpa Hank reports. (YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST)

The Wooldridge girls – Anna, Lily, Avey and Kirsten – were all in and then some during an annual spring fishing derby held on a lake near Sea-Tac Airport. Avey, Anna and Kirsten placed 1-2-3 in the under-8 category, while Lily had to be fished out of the lake after she fell in. (GRANT WOOLDRIDGE) “I have never met more enthusiastic fishing person,” says Israel Esquivel about daughter Isabella, here hugging a Multnomah Channel bass. “Anything she could get her hands on.” (YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST)

It just wouldn’t be a Real Girls of Northwest Fishing without at least one ﬁsh-kissing pic. On a dare, Riley Eaton, 8, smooched this North-central Washington bluegill. Family friend Greg James sent the image in. (YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST) With catches like this, it won’t be long before Jessica Schreiber’s the expert behind the ﬁshing counter at Verle’s Sports Center, where her mom works. She had a great summer silver and Chinook season off Westport and Olympia.

Annual

(MICHELLE SCHREIBER)

Corrin Campion knows her way around her dad’s boats and the San Juan Islands. She caught this blackmouth on this year’s opener – “Brought it right to the net,” reports proud father, Mike. (YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST)

Real OF

No rthw est FISHING

Savannah McKinnon models the face you make when you wake up at 4 a.m. to go ﬁshing with your dad on the Central Sound Chinook opener and end up doing arm curls with 20-plus-pound salmon. Next summer, 30-pounders! (GEORGE MCKINNON)

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 65

Destination Alaska

YAKUTAT LODGE

The Yakutat Lodge is a fisherperson’s paradise. The lodge opens in April and we fish through September. The Situk River sits right in our backyard and gets one of the best steelhead runs in North America. The Situk also blesses us with four different varieties of salmon plus Dolly Varden through the season. The Yakutat Lodge is a full-service lodge providing both freshwater and saltwater sportfishing. Our accommodations include deluxe hotel rooms with two queen beds, or you might prefer your own cabin on the ocean.

The Yakutat Lodge also provides deluxe accommodations in what’s known as the “Big House.” The Big House is a (ﬁve bedrooms, seven baths) log home, and comes with its own chef! The home can easily handle 10 to 16 guests. The Big House is the perfect setting for corporate or large family groups.

1-800-925-8828 • ﬁsh@yakutatlodge.com • www.Yakutatlodge.com

Destination Alaska

ALL TRIPS

EXCLUSIVE!

TWO PERSON MINIMUM!

FISHING SPECIALIZING IN WALLEYE MARCH - EARLY SEPTEMBER HANFORD REACH FALL CHINOOK SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER HANFORD REACH TRIPS SOLD BY THE BOAT ONLY

Over 250 miles of excellent SNOWMOBILE TRAILS!

Nestled Ne sttle led in led in tthe he C he Colville ollvi vil illlle lle National Nati Na tion ti on nall Forest For ores e t on es on beau beau be beautiful auti tifu ti full Lake fu Lake La ke Gillette. Gillle letttee..

Colville, W Colville, WA! A!

OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND! Winter Cabins & Fishing!

CHINOOK & SOCKEYE SALMON WHEN AVAILABLE SMALL MOUTH BASS SPRING & EARLY SUMMER STURGEON - ANY TIME WITH 40 YEARS OF LOCAL EXPERIENCE, JEFF PROVIDES AN ENJOYABLE DAY ON THE WATER WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE OF CATCHING YOUR TARGETED SPECIES.

WASHINGTON & OREGON LICENSED GUIDE!

WANAPUM TO BOARDMAN ON THE COLUMBIA ICE HARBOR TO THE MOUTH OF THE SNAKE!

CALL 509-366-4052 FOR INFORMATION AND AVAILABILITY.

JBGUIDES.COM 70 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Cabins, RV and Camp Sites For more information, call or click today!

509-684-5657 â&#x20AC;¢ www.beaverlodgeresort.org

Find us on Facebook!

PICTURE

STARTING TO LIVE HER BEST LIFE By Gretchen Dearden

ake a girl who is truly not healing like she thought she was, not appreciated nor valued at her job, and TH receiving yet another call to make her way to an HR meeting. This led to the perfect storm that in the end would bring color to my world after being in a pretty dark place for quite OF some time. After nearly 11 years working at a clinic, through changes in ownership the place became a living hell, and if you were vocal about the injustices you were surely going to be a target. I became one. I am not afraid to speak my mind and stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone. The call at noon on a May Monday gave me a feeling this was the beginning of the end. What I did not realize is how it would actually be the first step in the direction that would change me forever and breathe life back into my existence. I was going to have a new sense of purpose. I sat at one end of the table, “them” at the other, and with the ridiculousness they brought to me I let them know, with many not so professional words, what I thought of them, how poorly they were treating us and how sad it was our patients had to suffer for it. They looked at me with contempt and said it was time to part ways. And just like that, all in one meeting, I told my job off and got fired. A little in shock, I left the meeting, grabbed my purse, keys, and dignity with no goodbyes or explanations

Annual

Real No rthw est FISHING

A chance to deckhand for friend and Puget Sound saltwater charter captain Nick Kester (above left) has led to many early wakeups for Gretchen Dearden but also a lot of fun moments helping clients from all over the world ﬁsh for Chinook, coho, lingcod and other species on the inland sea. (GRETCHEN DEARDEN)

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 71

PICTURE

“I’M FISHING ON a Wednesday!” I

“When Captain yells out, ‘You have littles today!’ he knows it’s my favorite kind of trip. My heart can not get enough ﬁshing with children ... They bring out my childlike heart and love for the sport.” (GRETCHEN DEARDEN) to the people I had worked with and considered family for so many years. I was gone. I drove in a daze to the closest mini mart, grabbed a six-pack, went home and sat on my back deck experiencing every emotion, and of course mom guilt kicked in full force. As I tried to process everything that just happened I was terriﬁed of the new unknowns.

Adding to the day’s drama calls kept coming with concern, along with tears for me, even some just wanting the gossip. But one call changed my path. With a “Cheer up, kid, things happen for a reason, you will be just ﬁne. Do you want to go ﬁshing?” I traded in my heels for my Grunden boots, and my dresses for raingear and have never looked back.

Careful, Cap’n Kester, you just might be on the receiving end of Gretchen’s ﬁsh thumper! (GRETCHEN DEARDEN)

72 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

was bottomfishing in the sunshine with a huge smile and beautiful mountains all around me. I had to post that, almost like a “take that!” jab at my former company. I showed everyone I was just happy and fine. Matter of fact I was better than fine; I felt incredible, and for a few hours, stress free. After that day, Capt. Nick Kester of AllStar Charters (allstarfishing.com) offered to let me come on any trip I wanted so I could learn until I decided what I wanted to do. At the start of June king season, he asked if I’d like to deckhand for him to continue my fishing education and earn some money. Truth be told, he didn’t need a deckhand. He could do this in his sleep, as he’s done it with great success for many years, but he was doing his friend a favor. Sometimes life is funny in that we don’t often realize doing kind things for others really enriches our own lives. I don’t think either of us knew what this dynamic would bring to his clients’ fishing experiences, his daily routine or the great reviews we would receive. A bit terrified I decided to go for it. Getting to fish every day and getting paid for it is my kind of heaven. I honestly thought it would only continue a short while, but with each trip and excited client I was more hooked and addicted to the feeling of creating and being part of memories for others.

I EMBRACE OUR morning routine. Alarm going off too early, most of the time three in the morning, when I lay there for 30 minutes questioning my life choices. Yep, I really am a “bucket washer,” a nickname given to me affectionately by Mr. John Keizer. I get ready and then it’s off to Captain Nick’s house to carpool, Starbucks where they always make us feel like rock stars, then the commute filled with laughter and occasional debating to Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle. The characters we see on Seattle streets that early are part of our mornings too. Never knowing what we may witness, I’m always intrigued and observant. It’s part of the excitement. Walking down the boat ramp in the dark, brisk mornings, greeting my favorite captains, Dale, Tom, Len and occasionally Gary. I have a little too much energy for

LIGHTWEIGHT. The lightest 200-hp four stroke on the market

POWERFUL.

2.8L displacement and Variable Camshaft Timing give it the best power-to-weight ratio of any 200-hp four stroke

COMPACT.

Nearly 120 pounds lighter than our four-stroke V6 F200

THE ALL-NEW F200 IN-LINE FOUR.

FORWARD THINKING. Show the water who’s boss with the new F200 In-Line Four. Incredibly light, responsive and fuel efficient, it serves up plenty of muscle to handily propel a variety of boats. On top of that, its 50-amp alternator offers the power to add a range of electronics, and its 26-inch mounting centers and compatibility with either mechanical or digital controls give you the flexibility to easily upgrade your outboard or rigging. Experience legendary Yamaha reliability and the freedom of forward thinking, with the all-new F200 In-Line Four. ALASKA

OREGON

WASHINGTON

KETCHIKAN Alaska Outboard (907) 225-4980

COOS BAY Y Marina (541) 888-5501 www.ymarinaboats.com

AUBURN Auburn Sports & Marine Inc. (253) 833-1440 www.auburnsportsmarineinc.com

MOUNT VERNON Master Marine (360) 336-2176 www.mastermarine.com

SHELTON Verle’s Sports Center (877) 426-0933 www.verles.com

IDAHO

EUGENE Maxxum Marine (541) 686-3572 www.maxxummarine.com

CHINOOK Chinook Marine Repair, Inc. (800) 457-9459 www.chinookmarinerepair.com

MOUNT VERNON Tom-n-Jerry’s (360) 466-9955 www.tomnjerrys.net

SPOKANE Spokane Valley Marine (509) 926-9513 www.spokanevalleymarine.com

MADRAS Madras Marine (541) 475-2476 www.madrasmarine.com

EDMONDS Jacobsen’s Marine (206) 789-7474 www.jacobsensmarine.com

OLYMPIA US Marine Sales & Service (800) 455-0818 www.usmarinesales.com

TACOMA King Salmon Marine, Inc. (253) 830-2962 www.kingsalmonsales.com

EVERETT Bayside Marine (425) 252-3088 www.baysidemarine.com

PASCO Northwest Marine and Sport (509) 545-5586 www.nwmarineandsport.com

HAYDEN Mark’s Marine, Inc. (888) 821-2200 www.marksmarineinc.com

YamahaOutboards.com/F200InLine

Follow Yamaha on Facebook® and Twitter™

REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal intended to be an endorsement. © 2013 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 73

PICTURE them, but they tolerate me regardless, and once they realized I was going to keep showing up, I like to think they’ve started to look forward to it as well. One morning in the beginning of my deckhand journey, I was greeted with a “Wipe that smile off your face, kid, you won’t have it by the end of the season” from that somewhat gruff yet jokester voice of Mr. Jim Windham, the deckhand on our other All-Star Charter boat. Responding with certainty, I told him, “Oh yes, I will, I love fishing too much, you’re wrong!” “We’ll see,” he replied. Let’s not tell him, but I think as this season ended, I may have gotten a little “salty” and lost a bit of that smile. But just a bit.

TIME TO MAKE sure everything is rigged up and ready to go for the day’s trip. Nick deﬁnitely has his routine down. For me, anticipation sets in, waiting to see who

74 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

is coming from where, what personalities, who has never fished, would we have females, children, veterans, all of whom are my favorites. You never know what the energy of the boat is going to be like, so I always make sure to create an environment full of excitement. With welcoming smiles and engaging questions, I want them to feel comfortable and to know we are honored they chose to spend their fishing experience with us. Fun and a good attitude are guaranteed when fishing with us. But you better leave your bananas at home. A “No banana” policy is strictly enforced on this boat, a story everyone gets to hear each trip. I think I can recite it in my sleep now. Almost every trip I am pleasantly surprised to be greeted by wide eyes filled with anticipation no matter how early it is. Most clients are out-of-town visitors, people from across the country and world. I thoroughly enjoy each person’s unique story, and it’s quite something to watch those from diverse backgrounds come

together to enjoy their fishing adventure. For a brief time, they are all seeking the same thrill, almost as a team and cheering each other on. We help create that, our little part of bringing people in the world together through fishing. What an honor to show off some of the beauty of the Puget Sound, our home waters – the dolphins, whales, mountains, fish and so much more! With the same safety speech, same jokes about him being the only captain with a make-up bag on board and every color of raingear possible depending on the mood of his deckhand, and the licenses all filled out, we are ready to chase fish with our eager visitors.

THE RIDE TO the captain’s ﬁshing spot of the day is some of my favorite learning time. I always stand to his left watching the Lowrance screen while he double checks the tides and teaches me to read the water and utilize the marine electronic device properly. I soak it in. He’s always looking around for our other favorite boats, which

LLC

GREAT SELECTION OF NORTHWEST BOATS IN STOCK â&#x20AC;¢ ON SALE NOW SAVE $$$$

:LQQHU RI 6X]XNLÂ·V 7RS 6HUYLFH $ZDUG <HDUV ,Q $ 5RZ 6DOHV 6HUYLFHV 2Q 7KH :DWHU Â&#x2021; :DOQXW 5RDG 1( Â&#x2021; 2O\PSLD :$

Â&#x2021; SXJHWPDULQD FRP

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 75

PICTURE he will be in contact with throughout the trip for the usual questions – how many in the box, what speed, what are you using at what depth? They all do it. One of the things I genuinely admire about our fishery is how they all help each other, almost like a team out there. Mind you, they still want to be top boat with the most fish, but there is no hiding location or what the fish want that day. We arrive. Although I work all the gear, my side is the right side of the boat, his the left. Gear down, check the screen for solid marks and/or bait while Captain has the boat at optimal speed. I take a breath and turn around to look at our fishing friends with a huge smile and say, “We are set up for success. Who’s ready to fish, who’s up first?” Now the wait. Constant looking at the fishing rods, waiting for one to bury or shoot straight up off the downrigger clip. If this happens, you know you have a fighter

or a ﬁsh that just hit that lure hard; it makes my heart race. I begin to ask questions and start conversations. I want to get to know our guests, as it’s important to me that we create a fun adventure for them. What follows next has become the favorite of our clients – the banter between Nick and myself. Captain is always right, of course, a rule I’ve had a hard time adapting to at times. We spend so much time together and both are quite stubborn. We go back and forth on how to do things. Often we get the question “Are you two married?” and almost in sync, we emphatically reply, “No!” We are just best friends; the timing is always perfect. The laughter, though, is infectious. We love what we do; people leave the boat knowing that and feel it. They want to come back, they want to ﬁsh again, something I am so proud of.

“FISH ON! WHO’S up?” Often everyone tries to be polite, looking at each other, and we will start to yell for someone to take the rod or it’s Gretchen’s ﬁsh! I love

the look on their faces and the stances while reeling and taking directions. Captain will usually do the direct orders and watch for other boats while I grab the net, move bodies where I want them and give constant encouragement, perhaps a bit of teasing if I want them to smile and relax more. You see we forget: We are so blessed to do this almost daily, but it’s new, exhilarating and sometimes unnatural for others. They don’t want to lose the fish or disappoint. I see the mono, I begin to see the flasher and then the movement of the fight coming at me. “You only get one chance” echoes over and over behind me. To be honest I must have fishing angels because I usually get two chances and it makes him crazy. I feel the newness every time with them. I get to relive that feeling, the shake, the joy, and thanks to them I am always reminded of why I love fishing so much. The sheer passion and adrenaline makes one feel alive. The majority of our clients have never caught a fish before, much less a salmon.

Inland Boats & Motors SERVING YOU SINCE 1975

111 N. Kittitas St. Ellensburg, WA • 509-925-1758 • www.inland-boats.com HOURS: M-F 9-5:30pm • Sat 9-2pm 76 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Thomayer’s Warm Spring’s Landing LLC Price Reduced $900,000.00 laurieann@live.com Call: 503-572-8291 / 503-680-7224

– 3 bedroom, loft, 1 bath home on 4+ acres in Hells Canyon on the Snake River. – All appliances and furnishings included. – Also included: John Deere tractor, Kawasaki “Mule” ATV, backup 7000 watt diesel generator and 7x10 steel storage building. – Solar power, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, phone and docking station. – There are 5 Warm Springs, 12.5 gallons per minute of 89 degree spring water. ¶ 0U HKKP[PVU [V YLSH_PUN PU [OL ZVHRPUN [\IZ [OLYL PZ IVH[PUN ÄZOPUN hunting, hiking and swimming from your own private beach.

PICTURE I remember my first fish in the boat each time. How great is it that I get to relive that moment so often? Fish-bonking time is therapy for me. We jokingly tell clients I pretend it’s one of my previous boyfriends and they laugh so hard, and usually will start to do the same by their second or third catch. I hold up the fish and, in that moment, they wait, the infamous fish picture they can show their friends. I can never get enough of the ear-to-ear prideful smiles. It really makes it all worth it for me.

THERE IS SOMETHING special within each trip and I choose to embrace it, which makes me a better person and mother. If it’s veterans, I get to hear their stories, whether it be old military stories or old ﬁshing ones. They are so happy to be out with other veterans sharing quality time. They feel a sense of joy for a

few hours; they teach me honor and how important it is to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. Then there are couples’ trips. It’s great to watch them encourage each other or to witness one of them fishing not because they like to fish but simply because their loved one does. This shows me selflessness. On family trips I watch parents’ eyes light up with pride, enjoying quality time in the outdoors away from the busy world with so many distractions, especially electronics. It’s all about how important it is for us to connect with each other. When Captain yells out, “You have littles today!” he knows it’s my favorite kind of trip. My heart can not get enough fishing with children. Creating that lifelong memory with them, seeing the energy within their eyes – they bring out my childlike heart and love for the sport.

THE BACK DECK of the Duckworth has become almost like my second home, the other local ﬁshermen and charter

boats like my family. I have grown and learned so much there, and I am proud and honored to learn from the best. I have learned to tie so many knots, rig gear, read water, why we use certain color flashers or lures versus hoochies, plugs or live bait. Still it does not come natural for me and I have so much more to learn. I can do more blooper videos on the what not to do’s – broken rods, bent spoons, netting acrobats, etc. But each morning when that alarm goes off way too early, I am filled with gratitude and a childlike elation – I get to do what I love! I get to give back and make a difference in other people’s lives through fishing, whether it be through the daily bookings or the volunteering with such organizations like Salmon for Soldiers that are helping our veterans. It’s not about being the best; it’s about living the best version of your life possible, finding your purpose and giving back along your journey. Deckhanding has taught me that. Bring on Season 3, this girl is ready. NS

YOUR BOATING PLEASURE LEA ASURE IS OUR BUSINESS!! Hew See 2019

escraft b st o ck, incl oats in udin new 250 A g the laskan HT ET

Email: service@vulcanmarineservice.com • Call: 503-635-3626

Hewescraft Boats • Lowe Boats • Trailers Accessories • Fuel At The Dock! Factory Trained, Certiﬁed Technicians

MOORAGE • STORAGE • BOAT SALES

Vulcan Marine Service is located in Lake Oswego, OR – just East ½ mile off I-5 exit 290. Vulcan Marine offers full service boat and motor repair, maintenance and service. Our goal is to provide Quality Service at a Fair Price. Vulcan Marine services all varieties of motors, engines & drive types with particular expertise in early model I/O’s Vulcan Marine is an authorized Tohatsu sales & service dealer. 78 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

FALL / WINTER HOURS TUESDAY – FRIDAY 928 Front St. Klamath Falls, OR 8:00 am – 5:30 pm 888-882-5834 • 541-882-5834 SATURDAY pelicanmarinallc@gmail.com 8:00 am – 4:00 pm www.pelicanmarinaoregon.com SUNDAY – MONDAY Closed

All boats powered by Honda Marine engines. Always wear a personal ﬂoatation device while boating and read your owner’s manual.

DESIGNED OTALLY RE SEE THE T DE G2’S AT THESE EVINRU EALERS PREMIER D

OREGON KLAMATH FALLS Pelican Marina (541) 882-5834 www.pelicanmarinaoregon.com

WASHINGTON

JOY STICK STEERING AVAILABLE NOW!

Good Used Boats • Repair Parts, Quality Service • Knowlegeable Staff

GETTING YOU THE RIGHT PART THE FIRST TIME

SALES • SERVICE • ENGINES No Sales tax in Oregon!

EDMONDS Jacobsen’s Marine (206) 789-7474 www.jacobsensmarine.com EVERETT Everett Bayside Marine (425) 252-3088 www.baysidemarine.com OLYMPIA Tom’s Outboard, Inc. (360) 754-3882 www.tomsoutboard.com

Docking and manurving your boat in high winds has never been so easy. Let the Joy Stick do it for you. GPS position hold and heading hold is included.

Seastar Solutions Optimus EPS steering 25hp & under • Must meet program requirements • Call now!

503-255-8487 • www.cascademarinecenter.com 14900 SE Stark St. • Portland, OR 97233 Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm • Sat 9am-3pm Motors must be capable of accepting joystick application. Certain limitations apply.

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 79

Best of British Columbia

$AVE HUNDRED$ ALL-INCLUSIVE SPORTFISHING PACKAGES INCLUDES: Airfare from Vancouver, BC, semi-guided Salmon and +DOLEXW Â¿ VKLQJ DOO PHDOV ZLWK ZLQH DW GLQQHU DFFRPPRGDWLRQV DQG SURFHVVLQJ RI \RXU FDWFK

Book your Canadian adventure today! 1-800-663-2370 fish@shearwater.ca www.shearwater.ca

YOUR DOLLAR GOES FURTHER IN CANADA!

FROM JUST $2,350 USD!

Best of British Columbia

Help Us Celebrate Our 36th Season in Hakai Pass, BC! JOE’S “CENTRAL COAST FISHING ADVENTURES” INCLUDE: • • • • • •

Round-trip airfare from Vancouver, BC Unlimited use of 17-foot Boston Whalers and unlimited ﬁshing time Delicious home cooked meals Box lunches, beverages and bait A beautiful lounge and sun deck Heavy-duty Wetskin rain gear and boots

• • • •

Complete fish care: filleted, vacuum sealed, flash frozen and boxed to be flown back with you Rods and reels all in A-1 condition Complete boat care: boats are cleaned and fueled every time you come in Bait and tackle for both salmon and bottom fishing th

2019 SEASON: June 20 – September 8 5 DAY TRIP SPECIAL! June 20th – June 24th Regular price: $3,200 | Sale price: $2,100 U.S.

CALL TOLL FREE

1-888-452-8822

email: doug@joessalmonlodge.com

g 49 pound sprin

Annual

Real

PICTURE

No rthw est FISHING “I am originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and my family can not understand how I can deal with the grey skies and rain,” writes Myra Miller, who shared pics of several big steelhead and walleye she caught last winter. “Well, ﬁsh like these make it worth it!” Indeed! (YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST)

Cheney’s Rock Lake is known for two things: big brown trout that are tough to catch, but Misty Craig got the better of this dandy. She was running a 3.5 Mag Lip in midsummer. (YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST)

Paula Corcoran had hubby Kelly running for the net on more than one occasion this year. Here she holds her biggest rainbow yet, caught on the trout opener while trolling a Hyper-Vis+-taped old school black K-5 FlatFish. (YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST)

A long road trip to the Strait of Juan de Fuca paid off well for Andie Holmberg of the Blue Mountains foothills town of Dayton. She’s all smiles with her ﬁrst-ever halibut, and did pretty well on rockﬁsh too.

Whether trolling in summer or banking it in winter, Shayla Toutloff found success on Lake Roosevelt this year. She caught this rainbow plunking worms and marshmallows.

(YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST)

(MIKE TOUTLOFF)

Alicia Slattery smoked the Lahontan cutts at Omak Lake in late summer. She was fishing with guide Jeff Witkowski, who confirms that, yep, Alicia also smokes cigars while fishin’.

When it comes to entries on the Passmores’ sturgeon catch cards, there’s a certain family member who has more listed than the other, husband Michael reports about his diamondside dean of a wife, Elise. She hooked this one below Cathlamet during this year’s season. (YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST)

Janielle Paul catches big Washington walleye. Here’s a near-31-inch hen she put back into Banks Lake in early spring after it bit her nightcrawler on a Slow Death Hook behind red beads and a Smile Blade in green sparkle.

(JEFF WITKOWSKI)

(YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST)

Jessica Hughes and Buoy 10 are going to get along just fine, it looks like. She holds a nice king caught while on her first fishing trip to the mouth of the Columbia. (JESSICA HUGHES)

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 83

The ladies of the Craig family – Reese and her mom Katie and grandma Karen – enjoyed success at Buoy 10 and beyond in 2018, with the youngster chasing more species than she’s got years, 5! “Reese ﬁshed razor clams, spot prawns, Dungeness crab, trout, shad, sturgeon, walleye and salmon this year,” says dad, Nathan. (NATHAN CRAIG)

PICTURE

Mother and daughter Derksma hit the daily double in da islands! Mellissa, co-owner of San Juan Island Fishing Charters, and Isabelle show off their blackmouth. (ANDY DERKSMA) You may remember her as Teresa Schmeck, and since marrying sweetheart Andrew Templeton after her last appearance in these pages, she’s only become a better angler. Here’s Teresa with a nice stringer of McNary walleye caught last year. (ANDREW TEMPLETON)

Annual

Real OF

No rthw est FISHING For a ﬁrst-time bottomﬁsher, we’d say Jan Koegler has it down! Here she is with one of two very nice black rocks caught between the jetties. “You can tell from her smile she had a very good time,” reports husband Gary. (GARY KOEGLER) 86 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Longview’s Tammy Binion hauled nearly 100 inches worth of halibut from the depths of the Strait of Juan de Fuca this season, including this 42-incher. (YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST)

)S\L 4VVU -PZOPUN (K]LU[\YLZ WE FISH THE COLUMBIA, WILL AMET TE E , A N D TH E TILL AM MOOK A R E A Don’t forget 10 ROCKFISH LIMITS!

DON’T WAIT, BOOK ALL YOUR 2019 TRIPS NOW ! Captain Marty Lyngheim

(360) 521-0273

C RIIST CH STMA M S GIIF FT T CER RTI TIFI TIFI FICA CA ATE TES TES AV A VAI AILA L ABL LE NO NOW W!! W

FO OLL L OW OW US ON N FAC A EB EBOO O K OO K!!

^^^ IS\LTVVUÄZOPUNHK]LU[\YLZ JVT

ADVENTURE IS WAITING JUST OFFSHORE Booking now FOR 2019!!

We Are The Most Fun Operation On The Water! Westport’s only Veteran owned and operated fast boat charter! • One Day “Run & Gun” Tuna Charters: Catch Tuna ‘til Your Arms Fall Off & Home By Five • Faster, More Fuel-Efficient Boat: We Spend Less Time Running & More Time Fishing • Northwest made Thrasher Rods: We Have The Best Equipment In The Business!

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 87

Annual

Real

PICTURE

No rthw est FISHING

Her husband’s nickname is Fishman, but Ashley Stanley more than holds her own on the waters of the Inland Northwest. She hooked this 26-pound Mackinaw on North Idaho’s Priest Lake in early May. (YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST)

88 Northwest Sportsman

Tesia Forbes did well ﬁshing for Chinook out of her kayak on the west coast of Vancouver Island this season, landing this very nice one and others. (MATT KUHARIC)

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

If the boys are gonna long-arm all their ﬁsh, no reason the girls can’t shotgun theirs! Cigi Gilcrease does the honors. (CIGI GILCREASE)

Early Winter Steelhead

Rama Inn R Located in the heart of th the Columbia Basin

Fly Fishing Indoor Pool Spa and Sauna Deluxe Free Hot Breakfast Free WiFi in Every Room Recently Renovated Free Truck & Boat Parking

1818 Basin St. SW Ephrata, Off I-90 On Hwy 28

Call Today! Ask for ‘Special Fishing Rate’!

While the rest of the Pacific Northwest goes into a rain-induced hibernation, crazed steelheaders begin prepping their figurative winter coats for the main event of the year, first-of-the-season, ocean-bright winter steelhead! While a few over-eager fish will show up by Thanksgiving, December is the most important month to mark on your calendar for chasing the bulk of the freshest fish. With a statewide smolt stocking of over 3.4 million, there will be plenty of opportunity to get in on the action!

“Danny Cook from Wooldridge Boats with some early steel.”

www.bestwesternwashington.com/hotels/best-western-rama-inn

509-754-7111 / 800-WESTERN / 509-754-7171 FAX

Popular rivers that receive larger portions of these plants are the Lewis, Chehalis and Skykomish. While these rivers are larger systems, effectively covering water is important in the quest to find fish. For that reason, sidedrifting out of jet boats has become popular for this very reason. Multiple anglers at a time drifting thru a run systematically covers the area before drifting into the next. Fishing from a well-tracking and balanced boat improves an angler’s ability to drift lines at the proper speed and presentation while keeping the boat straight with the use of a kicker motor. The Wooldridge Boat line-up of jet boats are designed specifically to optimize the angler’s efficiency in all aspects of jet boat angling techniques, including side-drifting. So, whether side-drifting, pulling plugs, fishing on anchor or even exploring new and remote fly-fishing grounds, Wooldridge boats will haul more weight, run shallower and maneuver better than any other. Wooldridge makes all types of fishing from a boat easy and effective! For Washington state winter steelhead fishing this year, consider spending your day on a Wooldridge Boat. Many guides as well as do-ityourselfers have trusted us for over 102 years. Have fun and be safe out there. Always check the WDFW website for rules and regulations.

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 89

Cam pion Now Dea a ler ! Like L Li iik ke Us ke Us On On Facebook! Fac aceb eb boo ook! o oo o ok k! k!

GRADY-WHITE CAMPION

ng and thiin G et ou t c a t c h s o m e

206.789.7474 | 345 Admiral Way | Edmonds, WA 98020 | jacobsensmarine.com

90 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

PHOTO

CONTEST

WINNERS!

Brett Bingham’s picture of the moment of truth for his son Charlie in his battle with a Whidbey Island coho is the winner of our monthly Yo-Zuri Photo Contest. It wins him gear from the company that makes some of the world’s best ﬁshing lures and lines!

Troy Osborn is our monthly Browning Photo Contest winner, thanks to this fantastic image of son Dayn and his Douglas County, Washington, mule deer buck, his ﬁrst. It wins him a Browning hat!

Sportsman Northwest

Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource

For your shot at winning Browning and ﬁshing products, send your photos and pertinent (who, what, when, where) details to awalgamott@media-inc.com or Northwest Sportsman, PO Box 24365, Seattle, WA 98124-0365. By sending us photos, you aﬃrm you have the right to distribute them for our print or Internet publications. nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 91

MIXED BAG

Poaching Ring Leaders On Trial

he wheels of justice are finally beginning to turn for the four main players in the massive Southwest Washington poaching ring. Earlier this fall, Joseph A. Dills, 31, pleaded guilty in Skamania County to four charges, including illegal big game hunting, hunting with dogs and wastage, according to his hometown newspaper, The Daily News of Longview. Another 52 charges were dropped against Dills, who will be sentenced in February, reported Alex Bruell. Dills’ father, Eddy Dills, 58, was on trial in Skamania County at press time last month, while two other men, William J. Haynes, 24, and Erik C. Martin, also 24, are set to go before a jury in Stevenson this month. The case began two years ago when Oregon State Police wildlife troopers investigating a string of headless bucks shot and left on winter range near Mt. Hood matched a trail cam photo of a truck with one spotted in The Dalles and pulled it over. Inside were Haynes and Martin and a mountain of evidence was ultimately found on their phones and homes. Charges against the four and/or their acquaintances have also been filed in Washington’s Cowlitz, Jefferson, Lewis and Pacific Counties and Oregon’s Clackamas, Clatsop, Lincoln and Wasco Counties. Many involve illegally chasing bears with dogs but also poaching deer and elk. Bruell reported that Aaron B. Hendricks, 35, of Woodland was convicted on a single count of hound hunting and received a suspended sentence of a year in jail, while David R. McLeskey, 59, also of Woodland, was convicted of hound hunting in Skamania and Lewis Counties.

JACKASS OF THE MONTH JOTM keeps its eyes wide open to spotlight all kinds of natural resource poachers, and this month our glare settles on a duo caught in the act of stealing firewood from state timberlands east of Everett. When a forest officer found them, the pair were in the process of cutting up 18 live Doug firs and hemlocks valued at $12,000, according to reports. One’s excuse? He had a Discover Pass, so … Officials say the $30 pass to access state lands and pay for maintenance of recreational facilities includes no such authorization. And he didn’t even actually have one, per The Herald. The firewood was seized and donated to a local food bank and meanwhile the other suspect is headed for the woodshed. He’s logged himself quite a little rap sheet over the years, and onto it county prosecutors dropped a charge of first-degree theft. Timber!

By Andy Walgamott

Money Talks; So Do Preference Points Now

regon is now offering big game preference points instead of just cold, hard cash for those who help state troopers arrest or cite fish and wildlife poachers. The new either-or option in the Turn In a Poacher program awards five points for cases involving bighorns, mountain goats, moose and wolves, and four for elk, deer, antelope, mountain lions and bears. While the points all have to go to either elk-, buck deer-, antlerless deer-, pronghorn- or spring bear-series hunts, it significantly raises the odds of being drawn for coveted controlled permits. It’s all due to a bill that was passed by state legislators in 2017 and adopted by the Fish and Wildlife Commission earlier this fall. Point rewards are retroactive back to Jan. 1 of this year. “Poaching is a serious problem for Oregon’s wildlife,” said Travis Schultz, ODFW’s Access and Habitat coordinator, in a press release. “It can have significant longterm impacts on our wildlife populations.” There are five places to report violations: email TIP@state.or.us or call *OSP, (800) 4527888 or local OSP or ODFW offices.

KUDOS

(WDFW)

A Washington game warden was honored with the Department of Fish and Wildlife Police’s Distinguished Service Award for his efforts to save the lives of two people who were in a contractor’s helicopter that crashed during a state mule deer capture project outside Pomeroy last January. Sgt. Ryan John (center) as well as WDFW District Wildlife Biologist Paul Wik were the first to reach the scene after a tracking system showed the aircraft wasn’t moving anymore. “Without his prompt response, knowledge of the area, and ability to provide critical medical care, all three of the crew members would likely not have survived the incident,” WDFW Police posted on Facebook of John, who was presented the award last month by Capt. Dan Chadwick (left) and Deputy Chief Paul Golden. “Although one of the crew members unfortunately did not survive the crash, the other two crew members survived, thanks in large part to the actions of Officer Ryan John and Biologist Wik.” nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 93

94 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Big Catch, Turnout At 6th King Of The Reach Derby

t took five years for King of the Reach live-capture derby anglers to tally 10 million fertilized salmon eggs collected for a fall Chinook broodstock hatchery program on the mid-Columbia. The sixth edition could yield that many and change alone, thanks to the “biggest turnout ever for volunteers and fish.” WDFW fisheries biologist Paul Hoffarth says the 648 bucks and 562 hens caught on the Hanford Reach in late October by 277 fishermen in 77 boats and delivered to Grant County’s Priest Rapids Hatchery have the potential to produce 12,616,000 fertilized eggs, if all the male and female fish mixing is done just right. “Basically 100 percent of the Priest Rapids and Ringold Springs Hatchery production for next year’s release would have a wild parent,” Hoffarth says. “Real life, with holding mortality and other factors WDFW might be able to reach 70 percent of production, which is huge.” He says that not too long ago, just 10 percent of the hatchery kings had at least one wild parent. The derby is a joint state-utility-Coastal Conservation Association of Washington project that uses anglers and guides to collect wild upriver brights in the Reach to improve the stock’s fitness and ensure that hatchery fish remain genetically similar to the natives in the free-flowing stretch of the Columbia. It occurs after the fall fishing season is closed. Participants are required to register

By Andy Walgamott

Oldest Puget Sound Salmon Derby Gets Underway Soon

A helper at the 6th Annual King of the Reach holds a nice wild fall Chinook buck brought in by anglers during late October’s live-capture derby. (VIA PAUL HOFFARTH, WDFW)

as volunteers, and boat captains need fish transporting permits and a way to haul the salmon to collection points, either in a livewell or a big cooler with a pump. The previous five derbies saw a total of 2,111 fall kings brought in. Before this year, the most brought in was in 2015 when 510 were taken to the hatchery, according to Hoffarth. As for the title King of the Reach, that’s guide Tyler Stahl who brought in 76 kings. Fellow guides TJ Hester and John Plugoff turned over 66 and 59, respectively. On Facebook, CCA Washington called the derby “nothing short of extraordinary. Loads of fish, tons of people, and fun all around.”

here is a small group of anglers who brave the elements every winter during the Tengu Blackmouth Derby – an event that began shortly after World War II in 1946 – that is held on Elliott Bay.

MORE UPCOMING EVENTS Dec. 15, Perch Assault, Smith Lake, Kila, Montana; info: facebook.com/PerchAssault Jan. 19, NW Ice Fishing Festival, Sidley and Molson Lakes, Molson, Wash.

2019 Northwest Salmon Derby Series Jan. 4-6: Resurrection Salmon Derby (Anacortes) Jan. 17-19: Roche Harbor Salmon Classic Feb. 7-9: Friday Harbor Salmon Classic March 8-10: Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby March 16-17: Everett Blackmouth Derby For more info on 2019’s full derby schedule, see nwsalmonderbyseries.com.

Guy Mamiya shows off last year’s Tengu Derby winner, a near-10-pound blackmouth. (TENGU BLACKMOUTH DERBY CLUB)

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 95

Your #1 source for BAMF Boats, Wooldridge Boats, Marlon Boats, Evinrude, Honda, Yamaha and EZ-Loader!

360-676-8020 www.wcmarine.us 96 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

1200 C St Bellingham, WA 98225

Normally the derby (the oldest Puget Sound) starts in October when Marine Area 10 opens for winter hatchery Chinook. However, this year’s nonretention rules delayed the event to coincide with the Jan. 1 keeper reopener. Doug Hanada, the Tengu Derby president, received a verbal final approval by board members for the derby to be tentatively held on Sundays from Jan. 6 through Feb. 24 at the Seacrest Boathouse (now known as Marination) in West Seattle. “We’re trying to figure out specifics related to the derby like costs, logistics and if Outdoor Emporium can sell our derby tickets for us,” Hanada said of what will be the 73rd year of the derby. “Sounds like a definite go since I’ve talked to all board members individually.” The derby is named after Tengu, a fabled Japanese character who stretched the truth, and just like Pinocchio, Tengu’s nose grew with every lie. Besides the unpredictable winter weather what makes the derby so challenging is the simple fact that blackmouth are scarce in the inner bay during the winter. In a typical derby season, the catch ranges from 20 to 23 legal-size Chinook and has reached as high as 50 to 100 fish, although catches have dipped dramatically since 2009. The record-low catch was four fish in 2010, and all-time high was 234 in 1979. Last year, a total of 18 blackmouth were caught, the winning fish of 9 pounds, 15 ounces by Guy Mamiya. Justin Wong had the most fish with a total of five and he was followed by John Mirante with four. It has been a while since a truly big fish was caught in the derby. In 1958 Tom Osaki landed a 25-3. In the past decade, the largest has been a 15-5 caught by Marcus Nitta during the 2008 derby. To further test your skills, only mooching is allowed in the derby. No artificial lures, flashers, hoochies or other gear like downriggers are permitted. In past years, the derby has run from 6 until 11 a.m. Hanada was checking to see if rental boats and motors will be available this season. Last year, the membership fee was $15 and $5 for children age 12 and under. –Mark Yuasa

SALTWATER SPORTSMeN’S SHOW 2019 Presented by OCEAN - Oregon Coalition for Educating ANglers

Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem Oregon February 23rd and 24th, 2019

• TRADE SHOW • SEMINARS • DEMONSTRATIONS visit our website: www.saltwatersportsmensshow.com for updated information

OUTDOOR

Brought to you by:

CALENDAR

Get out your phone calendar, Northwest hunters, anglers, ﬁshing guides, jet sled dealers, backcountry outﬁtters, lodges, and scone merchants, the 2019 sportsmen’s and boat show season is just around the corner. (SEATTLE BOAT SHOW)

2019 NORTHWEST BOAT & SPORTSMEN’S SHOWS JANUARY 9-13 Portland Boat Show, Expo Center, Portland; otshows.com 11-13 Great Rockies Sport Show, Gallatin County Fairgrounds, Bozeman; greatrockiesshow.com 17-20 Tacoma RV Show, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma; otshows.com 18-20 Great Rockies Sport Show, MetraPark ExpoCenter, Billings; greatrockiesshow.com 18-20 Tri-Cities Sportsmen Show, TRAC Center, Pasco; shuylerproductions.com 23-27 Washington Sportsmen’s Show, Washington State Fair & Events Center, Puyallup; otshows.com 25-Feb. 2 Seattle Boat Show, CenturyLink Field Event Center, South Lake Union, Bell Harbor, Seattle; seattleboatshow.com 26-Feb. 16 Spokane Valley Boat Show at Elephant Boys 2019, Elephant Boys, Spokane Valley; spokanevalleyboatshow.com

6-10

FEBRUARY 1-3 Eugene Boat & Sportsmen’s Show, Lane Events Center, Eugene; exposureshows.com

22-24

6-10 15-17 15-17 15-17 22-24 22-24 22-24

Paciﬁc Northwest Sportsmen’s Show, Expo Center, Portland; otshows.com Vancouver International Boat Show, BC Place, Granville Island; vancouverboatshow.ca Central Washington Sportsmen Show, SunDome, Yakima; shuylerproductions.com Douglas County Sportsmen’s & Outdoor Recreation Show, Douglas County Fairgrounds, Roseburg; exposureshows.com Willamette Sportsman Show, Linn County Expo Center, Albany; willamettesportsmanshow.com Great Rockies Sport Show, Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds, Helena; greatrockiesshow.com Jackson County Sportsmen’s & Outdoor Recreation Show, Jackson County Expo, Medford; exposureshows.com The Wenatchee Valley Sportsmen Show, Town Toyota Center, Wenatchee; shuylerproductions.com Victoria Boat and Fishing Show, Eagle Ridge Arena, Victoria, British Columbia; victoriaboatshow.com

23-24 Saltwater Sportsmen’s Show, Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem; saltwatersportsmensshow.com 28-March 3 Central Oregon Sportsmen’s Show, Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, Redmond; otshows.com 28-March 3 The Idaho Sportsman Show, Expo Idaho, Boise; idahosportsmanshow.com MARCH 1-3 BC Sportsmen’s Show, TRADEX, Abbotsford; bcboatandsportsmenshow.ca 8-9 Northwest Fly Tyer & Fly Fishing Expo, Linn County Expo Center, Albany; nwexpo.com 21-24 Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show, Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds, Spokane; bighornshow.com MAY 2-5 Mid-Columbia Boat Show, Columbia Point Park & Marina, Richland, Washington; midcolumbiaboatshow.com 16-19 Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show, Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes; anacortesboatandyachtshow.com nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 99

102 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

FISHING Winter’s treats don’t all lie under a tree or fit in stockings hung by the fireplace. The opening of blackmouth season in Puget Sound waters provides opportunities to catch tasty fish in Admiralty Inlet, the San Juan Islands, off Seattle and elsewhere. Reel Class Charters guide Derek Floyd and the author’s son Tegan Yuasa hold a winter Chinook caught in the islands. (MARK YUASA)

Blackmouth Season Arrives Hungry resident Chinook will be attacking anglers’ lures in Puget Sound this winter. By Mark Yuasa

he holidays are coming up soon and the gift many salmon anglers are waiting to unwrap doesn’t happen until New Year’s. On that day three highly-popular marine ﬁshing grounds – northern and central Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands (Marine Areas 7, 9 and 10) – reopen for winter hatchery Chinook ﬁshing. But if you can’t wait that long,

you can peek under the tree starting Dec. 1 in Areas 8-1 and 8-2, or head out now on Areas 11 and 12, which opened Oct. 1, or Area 13, open 12 months a year. “We are lucky to live in a place where someone can go out yearround and ﬁnd a place to catch a Chinook,” said Derek Floyd, owner of Reel Class Charters (reelclasscharters .com) in Anacortes. “When it comes to salmon ﬁshing what a lot of people don’t realize is winter can be just as

good or sometimes better than spring, summer and fall.” “Winter Chinook are some of the best eating salmon available,” Floyd added. “Even if you don’t catch a ﬁsh, the islands and Puget Sound are a gorgeous place to be in the winter, with very little ﬁshing pressure.”

WHILE THE SCENERY may be one of a kind, Puget Sound and the surrounding waterways can be a merciless place to ﬁsh, with numerous nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 103

FISHING windy and rainy days, freezing, bonechilling temperatures or in some cases snowfall. However, there are times when flat, calm seas can be had along with the reward of a feisty blackmouth – a term used for a Chinook’s dark gumline – gobbling your presentation, and angrily diving toward the bottom of the inland sea. Justin Wong, owner of Cut Plug Charter (seattlesalmonfishing.com) in Seattle and who grew up with a salmon rod and reel in hand, says one of the biggest differences between a migrating summer Chinook and their winter brothers and sisters is the latter are hard wired to constantly feed on herring and candlefish. “Finding schools of bait (on your

fish-finder) is the sure way to catching blackmouth and once you locate the bait, stay on top of them as long as you can,” Wong said. “Another tip I tell people is look towards the bottom for fish in the winter. Don’t look at the surface or midwater column depths like you often would in the summer. The fish tend to hang right off the bottom, digging their noses in the sand for bait like candlefish or picking off schools of herring.” Knowing a winter blackmouth’s habit during tidal movements is more important than being out at the crack of dawn as you would during the summer. They tend to more predictable, so if the bite occurred at a certain time of the day, it’s most likely they’ll do the same the following day,

only an hour later. Understanding their tendencies and where ﬁsh are hanging out on certain tides will lead to better success.

LOOKING BACK AT the history of sport salmon ﬁshing, the hunt for winter blackmouth in Puget Sound dates back to the mid-1800s. During the 1960s and ’70s, one of the agencies that became the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife annually raised millions of young Chinook and kept them in hatcheries for one year before releasing them. This “delayed” release kept many of the young ﬁsh milling, feeding and growing for two to three more years in local marine waterways instead of migrating to sea, which termed them

Mark Yuasa ﬁghts a Chinook off the south side of Possession Bar last winter. Along with trolling on bottom with downriggers, mooching herring is a favorite way to hook these salmon. (MARK YUASA)

104 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Con t ac t Joe ( 253 ) 297- 0334 www ww w ww ww w.ba .ba barr b ba arr rrettm rre r ettm re tmar tm ari rin ine nec neco n e ecco.com com inf in nfo n o@b o@ @b barr arrr ett ar t mar tt marine marine ineco co.com

Top 3 Tips For Protecting Your Alloy Boat

A Ocean 2585 Barrett LC2895

Landing Crafts 23 - 34 + Ocean 22- 37 Inspected & Documented

properly built aluminum vessel can provide a lifetime of enjoyment provided a few often overlooked items are addressed. 1. Your alloy boat needs anodes! A majority of production boats are sent out with inadequate protection from galvanic corrosion in the form of improper zinc or aluminum anodes. Anodes are essential on any metal hull for galvanic protection of the underwater metals (protection against galvanic attack of a less noble metal by a more noble metal) as well, as for protection against stray current corrosion. Proper anode selection and installation is important to be eﬀective at protecting your vessel. Tip on outboard-powered boat: Use anodes with the same material as your engine MFG, usually aluminum. 2. Copper is your boat’s enemy! Copper-based bottom paint is not recommended for aluminum boats. In extreme cases the damage caused by antifouling paints with copper content can be extensive and destroy a vessel in short order. Also copper wire strands left over from sloppy electrical installations should be removed, as local corrosion can result. 3. Improper electrical installation Electrical equipment installed with improper grounds/returns, can range from an outboard motor installed with a loose ground or improper installation of a VHF radios. In laymen’s terms the goal for any electrical equipment install is to provide a path to (+) and from (-) the battery without using the boat’s metal hull as a path for the electrical current. Contact Barrett Marine for further information or help p selectingg the p proper p anod an odes des forr you ourr ve vess sssel el.l.

253-297-0334 www.barrettmarineco.com info@barrettmarineco.com nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 105

OFF THE CHARTS RUGGED BE WHERE THE FISH ARE

-- ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.

30’ LONG CABIN

28’ LONG CABIN

LOCATE A DEALER TODAY 4 SERIES, 6 BOAT MODELS AND A VARIETY OF

CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO MAKE THEM YOUR OWN.

24’ FISHERMAN (360) 389-5351 @OSPREYPILOTHOUSEBOATS

WWW.OSPREYPILOTHOUSE.COM/DEALERS

Call them blackmouth or resident Chinook, one thing is for sure, they are hungry. These herring and shrimp came out of one caught in the San Juans. (YO-ZURI PHOTO CONTEST)

as “resident Chinook.” In March 1999, 22 Puget Sound Chinook stocks were listed on the Endangered Species Act, prompting a search for ways to catch hatcheryproduced fish in order to protect wild stocks of concern. Prior to that state legislators in 1995 had already passed a mandate requiring all hatchery Chinook and coho be fin-clipped. Finally, after getting past some issues the U.S. Congress passed a law in 2003 to mass mark the millions of hatchery-raised salmon annually by clipping their adipose fin. By the late-2000s, WDFW began expanding winter mark-selective fishing opportunities in Puget Sound, and in February 2008 implemented one in the San Juan Islands. The pilot program was deemed a success and in subsequent years had grown in length of fishing time on the water. The first time a winter markselective fishery occurred in northern 106 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Bring your board. Bring your bike. Bring your skis. Bring your kayak. Bring your canoe. Bring your love. Bring your passion. Bring your dreams. Whether you’re camping, hunting, fishing, or tailgating,

let us help make your experience a great one. • Custom Racks, Auto Accessories, Vehicle Wraps

• ORCA Coolers and Accessories

• Tepui Roof Top Tents and Accessories • Yakima and Thule Rack Systems facebook.com/OnTheGoRacks

www.OnTheGoRacks.com 503.432.8730 • INFO@ONTHEGORACKS.COM Visit Our Indoor Showroom At: 2380 NW Roosevelt St, Portland, OR, 97210

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 107

Puget Sound’s Area 9 was Jan. 16 through April 15, 2008. State and tribal agreements that spring expanded the fishery in subsequent years to include November, although in recent seasons the area has seen a reduction in time on the water. In central Puget Sound’s Area 10, a pilot mark-selective Chinook fishery was held from December 2007 through January 2008. In spring 2009, it was expanded to include October and November, although from year to year it has seen closures or shortened seasons. Now virtually all local marine sport salmon fisheries target only adclipped Chinook.

ADMIRALTY INLET AND the rest of Area 9, which opens Jan. 1 through April 15, is one of my top choices for pursuing winter Chinook, with many options depending on the tide. Look for ﬁsh on both sides of Possession Bar, as well as Pilot Point, Point No Point, Midchannel Bank off Port Townsend, Double Bluff off the southwest side of Whidbey Island, Foulweather Bluff and Marrowstone Island. To the south and located within sight of the Seattle skyline, Area 10 is a good choice from Jan. 1 through March 30. Hit Jefferson Head, West Point, Point Monroe, Elliott Bay, Fourmile Rock, Point Monroe, Rich Passage, Southworth, Manchester and Allen Bank off Blake Island’s southeastern corner. The islands, which open Jan. 1 through April 15, are on the radar of many and known to produce some hefty hatchery Chinook into the 20-plus-pound range every winter. Depending on tides look for ﬁsh around Waldron Island, Parker Reef, the north side of Orcas Island, Rosario Pass, Tide Point, Obstruction Pass, Salmon Bank, Point Lawrence and Thatcher Pass. Keep in mind that closing dates could hinge on catch guidelines or encounter limits for sublegal and legal-size Chinook (the minimum 108 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

There are two ways to do your Alaskan Adventure. The other guy’s way, or... THE LOCAL GUY’S WAY!!! Trips are customized to make your adventure last a lifetime.

• Salmon Fishing • Halibut Fishing • Combination Salmon & Halibut • Whale Watching Tours • Tracy Arm Fjord Photography Trips We are a locally owned operation, one of the few remaining Alaskan born and raised Captains with real local knowledge and experience.

localguycharters.com

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 109

size limit is 22 inches), according to David Stormer, WDFW’s Puget Sound recreational ﬁsheries manager. In the San Juans, WDFW will ensure the winter ﬁshery doesn’t exceed 3,176 total unmarked encounters and/ or exceed 11,867 total encounters. Inseason catch estimates are expected to begin Jan. 11. In Area 9, the encounter ceiling prediction is 10,004, and in 10 it is 3,596. WDFW will provide in-season catch estimates for 9 and 10 around Jan. 18. “It looks like we are going to go with a daily limit of one hatchery Chinook in these areas, at least to start the season,” Stormer said. On that note, my word of advice is to go sooner than later, which will likely guarantee you more time on the water.

THERE’S A VARIETY of ways to catch blackmouth, and Elliott Bay became the starting point of a winter fishery in the early 1900s and a technique known as “mooching.” It is a pretty basic way to catch fish in which the gear consists of just a 2- to 5-ounce banana-shaped lead weight attached to a tandem two-hook leader with a cut-plug or whole herring. But there is nothing basic about mooching in terms of catching fish, as an angler will work their bait up and down the entire water column. This is where your ability to know when to set the hook while waiting for the subtle “tap-tap” bite and then reeling up all the slack line from depths of 100 to 200-plus feet comes into play. Downriggers also take a good share of fish. Best bet is trolling within 5 to 10 feet of the bottom with a flasher trailed by a spoon, plug, plastic squid or frozen herring. A Silver Horde Ace High Fly or LuhrJensen Coyote Spoon are two of the top lures. Remember you aren’t fishing for coho, so slow down your speed to between 2 and 3 miles per hour. Speed is also dependent on the tidal movement and current. NS

110 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Catch More Fish! • Salmon • Sturgeon • Bass • Walleye • Steelhead • Shad

FISH WITH ONE OF THE TOP COLUMBIA RIVER GUIDES Rates from $150 to $175 full day trip • Our new 26ft covered boats can accomodate groups of 1 person to BOOK NOW FOR BEST DATES! Keeper Sturgeon, Trophy Walleye and Salmon trips NOW BOOKING KEEPER STURGEON: JAN 1ST

www.midcolumbiariver.com • Elmer Hill / (541) 969-2537

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 111

The Salmon & Steelhead spinners & spoons that Fisherman can rely on every time for KLJK TXDOLW\ DQG GHSHQGDELOLW\ <RX FDQ Ã&#x20AC;QG these incredible American made lures at your local Sporting Goods Store or at

mcomiescustomlures.com

mcomiescustomlures.com | 971-271-3860 112 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

With several boat launches and plentiful highwayside access, the Alsea on Oregon’s Central Coast is a good river to work for steelhead. It hosts both hatchery and wild runs through the winter. (ANDY WALGAMOTT)

Head High For Alsea Steelhead

The Central Coast river is among the few with early hatchery winter-runs, but don’t overlook release sites and wild ﬁsh in its lower end. By Randall Bonner

he past few years, the Alsea has had a slow start to its winter steelhead season. However, things can swing into action faster than you can call in sick to work on a rainy day. Indeed, a great deal of my time online in December and January is spent hitting the refresh button on

the water level gauge for the river on Oregon’s Central Coast, waiting for that bump and the ﬁrst group of ﬁsh to ride the wave in from tidewater.

EARLY STEELHEAD TEND to also move quickly. Some of the lower river spots that are popular with salmon anglers can be productive, but overall hatchery harvest numbers have

drastically increased on the North Fork Alsea compared to the mainstem in the past 10 years. The data doesn’t do justice to the fact that the earliest winter-runs are typically caught by plunkers targeting fall Chinook. During high-water events, steelhead will travel closer to the shoreline than salmon in the same areas. The Mike Bauer Boat Launch nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 113

FISHING

Author Randall Bonner shows off a winter-run caught on a spinner in the upper end of the Alsea system last season. Clipped steelhead primarily return to the North Fork. (WADE WHITAKER) 114 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

has the Cadillac of plunking shacks, complete with a handicapped access fishing platform, a woodburning stove, and a nearby restroom with a flushing toilet. If the water is high and muddy, don’t rule out an opportunity to stay warm and dry while waiting for the bell on your rod tip to ring. Cured prawns or eggs with a SpinN-Glo plunked in the travel lanes closer to shore are a healthy snack for fish on the move. Regardless of water level, there are a couple areas in the lower river where hatchery fish tend to congregate before moving upstream. Blackberry Campground and the Five Rivers Boat Launch have been two remote release sites for annual releases of 20,000 traditional broodstock hatcheryraised smolts since 2012. Most clipped fish tend to jet straight to the hatchery, with the ones that bite commonly put on the table by the anglers who catch them rather than used for spawning at the facility. This is somewhat problematic, as it tends to breed genetics that create hatchery fish that are more successful at reaching the trap than the dinner plate. While wild broodstock smolts produce an increased harvest of hatchery adults, these 40,000 traditional hatchery broodstock are released in the lower river with the intention that they slow down their upriver journey at the locations where they were released as smolts, presenting more angler opportunity for harvest. Unfortunately, harvest data has been inconclusive whether these remote releases have actually improved lower river harvest opportunity. The Alsea Sportsman’s Association has (unsuccessfully so far) requested that the regional state fish biologist plant 40,000 wild broodstock smolts in the lower river instead of the hatchery

WASHINGTON

OREGON

CHINOOK Chinook Marine Repair, Inc. (800) 457-9459 • (360) 777-8361 www.chinookmarinerepair.com

OLYMPIA Tom’s Outboard, Inc. (360)-754-3882 www.tomsoutboard.com

TACOMA Tacoma Boat Sales & Service (253) 301-4013 www.tacomaboatsales.com

BEND Central Lakes Marine (541) 385-7791 www.clmarine.com

EVERETT Boat Country (800) 697-4252 www.boatcountry.com

PASCO Northwest Marine and Sport (509) 545-5586 www.nwmarineandsport.com

TACOMA King Salmon Marine, Inc. (253) 830-2962 www.kingsalmonmarine.com

CULVER Culver Marine (541) 546-3354 www.culvermarine.com

MOUNT VERNON Tom-n-Jerry’s (360) 466-9955 www.tomnjerrys.net

SPOKANE Spokane Valley Marine (509) 926-9513 www.spokanevalleymarine.com

PORTLAND Sportcraft Marina, Inc. (503) 656-6484 www.sportcraftmarina.com

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 115

FISHING Broodstock collection efforts for the Alsea hatchery program have been challenging of late, according to Bonner, who says last year the program primarily used wild ﬁsh caught by anglers near the facility and from its trap. State hatchery worker Eric Hammonds looks on as an angler brings him a collection tube. (RANDALL BONNER)

ﬁsh in an effort for this practice to better serve its intended purpose of increased harvest opportunity.

PRIOR TO THE introduction of the wild broodstock program in 1999, 40,000 smolts were planted into Fall Creek, an Alsea basin tributary in which the Oregon Hatchery Research Center is located. And before 2006, 20,000 traditional broodstock smolts apiece were released at Five Rivers and Blackberry, as well as Mill Creek and Salmonberry Park, for a total of 80,000 steelhead set for return during different stages of the season, a practice known as “scatter planting.” When you hear old-timers talk about “the good ol’ days,” they’re likely referring to a time when they saw a return on a more calculated effort being put into smolt releases of traditional broodstock. For now, the Blackberry and Five Rivers sites (in theory) are a good option for targeting fresh chrome in the lower river. Unfortunately, many of the traditional broodstock adults still tend to race for the hatchery. It is surely not a coincidence that the North Fork opened to fishing up to the hatchery the same year that the wild broodstock program began in 1999, and that some of the largest creel check numbers occurred three and four years afterwards. Unfortunately, due to a few years of consecutive losses of wild broodstock eggs, the Alsea has been in a downswing of creel check numbers in more recent history. Lack of participation in wild broodstock collection by anglers and guides alike due to a mistrust of the program has left the fishery in a perpetual state of disrepair. Upgrades to equipment, collection practices and collection sites have all been made in an effort to prevent history from repeating itself, but with most guides directing their attention to other fisheries, collecting wild broodstock has become a challenge. Last year the program depended mostly upon 116 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

OF THE

TRI-CITIES

All your spraying needs from Truck Bedliners, Speaker Boxes, Boats, and more.

6510 W Okanogan Ave, Kennewick, WA (509) 374-4826 Open Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:30pm

Help Us Celebrate Our 36th Season in Hakai Pass, BC! JOE’S “CENTRAL COAST FISHING ADVENTURES” INCLUDE: • • • • • •

• • • •

2019 SEASON: June 20th – September 8th 5 DAY TRIP SPECIAL! June 20th – June 24th Regular price: $3,200 | Sale price: $2,100 U.S.

CALL TOLL FREE

g 49 pound sprin

1-888-452-8822

email: doug@joessalmonlodge.com

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 117

CENTRAL OREGON EXPERTS IN UPLAND BIRD HUN NTING G

ROOSTERS, HENS, CHUKARS GUIDED & NON-GUIDED TRIPS

OR CUSTOMIZE YOUR OWN TRIP! Located in Maupin, Oregon, Near the Deschutes River!

BOOK YOUR HUNT NOW! CONTACT BOB KREIN: 1-800-538-7238 kreinconsulting@yahoo.com sagecanyonoutﬁtters.com

118 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

ﬁsh caught in the hatchery trap and a handful of bank anglers who collected wild ﬁsh within sight of the facility.

THE SOUTH FORK contributes a majority

PUT SOME SAGE IN YOUR STOCKINGS THIS YEAR! GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!

of the silt and debris that tends to stain the mainstem Alsea. When the water is muddy below the confluence, fishing the North Fork is often the best option for finding visibility and staging fish that have made their way past downstream impediments. Clemens Park is a good secondary option for finding a spot away from the crowd at the hatchery. The trails at this county park with half a mile of riverfront are well kept, but access is limited to a boundary of private Weyerhauser property, and the opposite side of the river is private property occupied by local residents. Several stretches of river between Mill Creek and Clemens have been closed in recent years due to a lack of respect for private property. The confluence itself is now only accessible by purchasing an annual permit from a local fishing club. The result of the shrinking accessibility on the Alsea and a traditional broodstock steelhead that’s been bred like a hatcherybound racehorse is a perfect storm for crowded anglers near the facility. If you plan to hit that stretch, prepare for crowds you’re not likely to encounter downriver. Hate on all the anglers here all you want, they are fishing the final destination for these winter-run steelhead, so naturally the chances for success are higher, particularly when the water is higher too. If the fish are moving through, you’ll know soon enough from your own success, or that of the anglers around you. Stats showing how many fish have been collected at the trap are also posted on the bulletin boards in the parking lot here, and much like magazine articles, it’s valuable info you won’t find on the web. NS

AUTUMN SALES EVENT JUST IN TIME FOR THE FALL BOAT SHOW SEASON Your Suzuki Marine Dealer has exceptional deals in store for you when you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 350 horsepower this fall. Get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Extended Protection at no extra charge. There are Instant Savings on select models, and Low-Rate Financing is also available.

SIX YEARS OF PROTECTION

OREGON EUGENE Maxxum Marine (541) 686-3572 www.maxxummarine.com PORTLAND Sportcraft Marina (503) 656-6484 www.sportcraftmarina.com

3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection

Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.

EVERETT Performance Marine (425) 258-9292 www.perform-marine.com ISSAQUAH I-90 Marine Center (425) 392-2748 www.i-90marinecenter.com

INSTANT SAVINGS Instant Savings of up to $800 on select models. See your dealer for details.

MOUNT VERNON Master Marine (360) 336-2176 www.mastermarine.com

REPOWER FINANCE REPOWER FINANCE

WASHINGTON

Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.* [60 Months]

OLYMPIA Puget Marina (360) 491-7388 www.pugetmarina.com PORT ANGELES Port Angeles Power Equipment (360) 452-4652 www.papowerequipment.com SHELTON Verle’s Sports Center (877) 426-0933 www.verles.com

If you’re in the market to buy, we’ve got the deals! See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer today for all the details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.

Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 10/01/18 and 12/31/18 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 10/01/18 and 12/31/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.) There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 10/01/18 and 12/31/18. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 119

120 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

COLUMN

Kayak Fishing Strategies For Steelhead Jet sleds and drift boats aren’t the only ways to get after winter steelhead. Kayaks can also be used to ﬁsh good runs. (SCOTT BRENNEMAN)

hat do we want? Steelhead! When do we want them? Now! A subconscious chant THE KAYAK GUYS BByy Scott Sco cott tt Brenneman Bre renn nnem eman screams from within as our Northwest rivers begin to fall into h shape after a winter storm blows through the region. The saturated earth dries and rivers flush with soiled water transform to a steelhead fisherman’s favorite color, emerald green. The wait is over and conditions are perfect, so now what? Anyone with a drift boat has experienced the frustration of arriving at the put-in way before first light only to find 20 rigs at the launch and their occupants now racing to the prime spots on the river. The Wilson in Oregon and the Wynoochee in Washington are classic examples of this. When conditions are optimal, everyone from the I-5 corridor moves like a mob to their favorite river. There can be 100 drift boats during the day. For this reason I

try to avoid ﬁshing for steelhead in ideal conditions, but sometimes the voice in my head compels me to go, regardless of how crowded the river will be.

MY PREREQUISITES FOR a kayak drifter are that it be lightweight and fast. I am not interested in a comfortable seat or the ability to stand. I need to be able to paddle upstream against the current and for the watercraft to be easy to portage. An older Ocean Kayak Trident 11 or Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 are two really good examples of fishing kayaks for rivers. My game plan for a crowded day on a river like the ’Nooch starts with an arrival at first light. I will avoid the upper launch and put in lower at Crossover Bridge, then make my way upriver. Having a fast kayak allows me to paddle upstream to get the day’s first casts into fishy waters. There is very good water above this launch. It holds fish and I have had good luck here even in midafternoon, after many have fished the area. Being able to be there first makes a

huge difference because fish will be around and I get the first shot at them and can be long gone before the first drift boat arrives. I repeat this strategy at the other launches. After Crossover I will focus on the lower takeout followed by the upper launch last. This strategy does help to mitigate crowds and eliminates the need of a shuttle, which is good for those who like to fish alone. Note that the 7400 Line access is again open under a five-year deal.

JUST LIKE I expect Buoy 10 to be crowded during the fall salmon fishery, I expect the Cowlitz to be in winter, and that’s why I enjoy fishing the Columbia trib for steelhead. The majority of fishing is concentrated around Blue Creek, but meanwhile the drift from Barrier Dam down to the trout hatchery is pleasantly uncrowded. Putting in at Blue Creek and floating downstream is also much less crowded compared to smaller rivers. When planning to fish the Cowlitz, I look for a flow of 8,000 cubic feet per second

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 121

COLUMN Author Scott Brenneman likes paddling upstream from launches to cast for fish before the drift boat fleet floats through. (SCOTT BRENNEMAN)

or less. At this rate of flow, I can paddle upriver. This gives me the option of fishing an area more than once and provides for an important margin for safety. Drifting rivers in a kayak is the ultimate in multitasking. I have never thought of launching my drift boat and floating it solo and trying to fish, yet I do it all the time in a kayak. The Cowlitz is a big river and the drift can be rather fast at times. You have to be situationally aware of obstacles, other boats and rapids and have a plan of action for when you hook into a fish. Even if you hook into a fish at the top of the run at Blue Creek, chances are that you will not be able to land it before being swept down past the clay banks.

FOR BIGGER RIVERS like the Cowlitz, I anchor from the bow rather than the stern of the kayak. I will also drift facing into the current, as it is much easier to control speed and maintain position rather than with the bow pointed downstream. If hooked up, I can quickly maneuver close

122 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

THEY WRITE COUNTRY SONGS ABOUT MORNINGS LIKE THIS.

BUT AT 70 MPH YOU CAN’T HEAR THEM.

It’s a glorious sunrise, viewed in fast forward thanks to the power of your 250 ProXS. Because you need to get there while the ﬁsh are still eating breakfast. Learn more at mercurymarine.com or visit your local dealer, today.

Commencement Bay

Everett Bayside Marine

Marine Services 820 E D St, Tacoma, WA (253) 572-2666 www.cbmsi.com

1111 Craftsman Way Everett, WA 98201 (425) 252-3088 www.baysidemarine.com

Cascade Marina

Master Marine

8138 Scott Rd NE Moses Lake, WA (509) 765-6718 www.cascademarina.com

333 East Blackburn Road Mt Vernon, WA 98273 (360) 336-2176 www.mastermarine.com

COLUMN Brenneman’s found that a jig under a clear bobber and back-trolling a diver and bait to be the best two tactics for steelheading from a kayak. (SCOTT BRENNEMAN)

to the bank and drop anchor without drifting too far downstream. Without the keel, there is much less swaying. I use a Scotty anchor lock in the stern and Scotty crab pot puller for anchoring up front. Remove the locking mechanism from the Scotty anchor lock so that your anchor rope moves freely. Use a clamcleat to secure the anchor line. A 10-pound pyramid anchor is more than adequate to hold your position. Two rods, a conventional and a spinning set-up, are enough to cover the spectrum while drifting for steelhead. I use the spinning set-up mostly for bobber fishing. I prefer clear Drennan bobbers. I made the switch after experiencing a metalhead charging across a crystalclear river to attack my Thill balsa bobber instead of the jig underneath. While I have not had any consistent success trying to pull plugs from a kayak, back-trolling a diver with shrimp and/or eggs is very effective, and is how I fish my conventional rod most of the time. NS

BEDLINERS | ACCESSORIES PROTECTIVE COATINGS

WHEN PROTECTION MATTERS MOST, LINE-X IT.

Washington Line-X Plus 3508 C St NE Auburn, WA 98002 (253) 735-1220 www.linexofauburn.com Line-X of the Tri-Cities 6510 W Okanogan Ave Kennewick, WA 99336 (509) 374-4826 www.linexofkenewick.com

124 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

SHAWZY’S CHARTERS

/////////////// OFFERING WORLD CLASS SPORT FISHING ON THE WESTSIDE OF VANCOUVER ISLAND

TAHSIS, B.C.

/// Shawzy’s Charters Packages include Transportation / Fish processing / Fishing gear / License / Food & drinks / Accommodations /// The Lodge NEW Situated on the side of a mountain and overlooking the ocean. /// The Boat 26’ & 31’ Boston Whalers with twin 225 & 300 Suzuki 4 Strokes

www.shawzyscharters.com 250-934-6949 403-396-2027

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 125

126 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

RIG MONTH OF THE

SPONSORED BY:

FROM THEUltragreen VAULT 12-pound-test

Beginner’s Drift Fishing Set-up

/ -inch hollow-core lead

(TERRY WIEST)

3 16

Size 12 snap swivel

NOTES There are simpler steelheading set-ups – swivel, leader, spoon, for starters – and there are presentations that are all the rage today – beads; bobbers and jigs. But perhaps none has accounted for as many winterand summer-runs over the eons as the ol’ drift ﬁshing set-up. Call it a gateway rig, it’s what many of us started out casting before eventually diversifying our approaches for different waters. With a Lil’ Corky for ﬂoatation and either baited with a hank of yarn doused in scent or loaded up with sand shrimp or a thumbnail-sized chunk of cured eggs, this rig is great for working generally uniform-bottomed sections of river moving at faster than walking speed, especially near certain hatchery zones. Adjust the amount of weight until you’re ticking bottom every second or so. –NWS

24- to 48-inch 10-pound-test ﬂuorocarbon leader Pink yarn

Size 2 octopusstyle hook

Size 12 Lil’ Corky

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 127

17280 BOONES FERRY RD, LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97035

WWW.BAREWEST.COM WWW.BAREWESTRACKS.COM (503) 620-2195

CUSTOM BOAT PROJECTS!

BAREWEST HAS EXPANDED OUR CUSTOM PROJECT CAPACITY

T8 UTILITY TOWER

ASK ABOUT OUR CUSTOM TRUCK RACKS.

There’s a Tohatsu outboard that fits your needs.

4 Strokes 2.5-250 HP • TLDI 40-115 HP • New 40/50 HP • Lighter Weight • More Eﬃcient • Less Friction • 4 Trolling Speed • 21 Amp. 12 DC Alternator • Electronic Fuel Injection EVERETT, WA Cascade Marine Service, LLC ( 425) 303-0200 2925 W. Marine View Dr. tim@cascademarineservice.com www.cascademarineservice.com

EUGENE, OR Maxxum Marine (541) 686-3572 1700 State Highway 99 N www.maxxummarine.com

www.tohatsu.com 128 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

SEATTLE, WA Sorensen Marine Inc. (206) 767-4622 9808 17th Ave SW www.sorensenmarine.com

COLUMN

The Year That Just Was A SOUTH SOUND By Jason Brooks

s the last month of the year comes and goes we will celebrate the holidays with our friends and family. A few days might be spent aﬁeld trying to ﬁll ar-

chery deer tags or going on a last-chance grouse hunt. Or perhaps on the river to get an early start on winter steelheading or a favorite trout lake that received bonus plants of rainbows for the fall ﬁshery. But December is also a month of reﬂection as the year draws to an end. Looking back over 2018 I feel like I am standing in a train tunnel, with tracks running to either

side of me. There’s a bright light as we look to 2019, but the past 12 months haven’t been so radiant for Northwest sportsmen.

THE YEAR BEGAN with the resignation of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Jim Unsworth amidst controversies in several areas. North of Falcon came and went with the announcement

Even as storm clouds gathered over the Northwest’s ﬁsh and wildlife worlds, there were bright opportunities such as opening day of trout season to be had in 2018. Ryan Brooks, author Jason’s son, reels one in on a South Sound lake. (JASON BROOKS)

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 129

COLUMN cline a few years ago anglers have increasingly turned to kokanee. Other lakes such as American did produce, but the ﬁsh were large which meant there were fewer of them. My home waters, Lake Chelan in North-central Washington, produced “average” koke numbers, but the 18-inchers of a few years ago have been replaced with standard 10-inch ﬁsh.

WE ROLLED INTO summer, ready to drop

Deer season saw dry, warm conditions, making for a tough hunt, but Jason’s older son, Adam, managed to tag out with his muzzleloader. (JASON BROOKS) of restricted salmon fisheries as well as a glimpse of hope for Central Sound Chinook anglers. Those who fish the Columbia realized the spring king fishery would be dismal at best, and after some question, the Buoy 10 fall season was set with a “one and done” limit. Anglers avoided inline flasher restrictions, but in the end Endangered Species Act impacts would shut down some of fall’s most famed fisheries. 130 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

The lowland lakes opener on the last Saturday of April brought many smiles from happy South Sound anglers. That is, until kokanee anglers launched their boats. One of the best lakes in the region, Clear near Mt. Rainier, had virtually no kokanee in it. Numbers have been decreasing the past several years, but nothing was done and now they were gone. Since salmon runs began to take a serious de-

our South Sound shrimp pots, but got just one day to do so. Then the crabbing seasons were announced – or more appropriately, not announced. Season was cancelled, with good reason: the Dungies simply weren’t there. It’s another sign that we are in for a long haul to fix what we have broken. Blame was placed on user groups, with each pointing fingers at the other but nobody looking in the mirror. It’s just not fishing that took a turn and headed for self-destruction in 2018. When the hunting regulations were published I bought all of my family’s hunting licenses, tags and applications for permits. But then I noticed that permits were cut, and not to the mainstream hunters but to the future. Youth cow moose permits reduced to just one. And then WDFW announced it was going to ask the state Legislature to raise fees and increase licenses and tags. After several months of searching, the Fish and Wildlife Commission chose Kelly Susewind as the new director. I had the opportunity to interview him when I was co-hosting The Outdoor Line on ESPN Radio’s Seattle affiliate 710KIRO. He had recently been appointed and was eager to discuss his vision for WDFW. It turns out Susewind is a hunter. I asked him a simple question about the proposed fee increase: “What is your plan regarding non-consumptive users to help fund WDFW?” The director kept it simple but also vague, saying that “something” needs to be done and recognized that those who don’t buy hunting or fishing licenses but still utilize the lands need to help out. Non-consumptive uses include hiking, camping, skiing, bird watching, wildlife viewing, mushroom picking, firewood collecting, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, kayaking, beachcombing – the

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 131

COLUMN list goes on. While an acknowledgement is a start, it’s not a plan.

MOVING INTO FALL, our salmon seasons continue to be cut. Southwest Washington rivers saw reduced limits or retention closed early. Gillnets continued to choke the same streams and then Gov. Jay Inslee announced “we” need to fix Puget Sound’s orca problem. U.S. representatives introduced legislation to reduce sea lion and seal populations in the Columbia River, there was talk of increased hatchery production, and pollution clean-up. It leaves me wondering, “Who is paying for this?” and then I think back to the proposed increase on my hunting and fishing licenses. I admit I used to fish the Skokomish River and I really enjoyed it. It’s where I This year the Brooks family found themselves enjoying more non-consumptive activities such as hiking, camping and berry picking. While they also fish and hunt, a challenge for state managers is how to get the general public that doesn’t to provide more support for the management of fish and wildlife. (JASON BROOKS)

132 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

perfected floating eggs and used it to fill my freezer before other fisheries opened up. Family would visit from Eastern Washington and it was a fun time on the river. Since the Skokomish Tribe took a stance on the reservation boundary, though, non-tribal anglers have not been able to fish the lower river for Chinook raised at a state hatchery funded in part by our tax and license dollars. A decision needs to be reached here; if the boundary question is considered final, give the tribe the river, and the fish and the hatcheries. Otherwise, WDFW continues to negotiate while we pay for fish and missed opportunity. Other rivers are impacted as well. When we restrict or shut down one, those anglers simply move to another. Anglers want to fish and will find other places and species to fish for. This means overcrowding other fisheries and the issues that come with it.

TRYING TO AVOID the depression December’s cold rain and darkness bring, I look

Get a legendary chain saw

for under $300

OREGON DALLAS L&L Equipment 1145 SW Oakdale Ave (503) 623-5116 www.landlequipment.net

GRESHAM Moen Maohlnery 268 NE Hogan Dr (503) 666-9159 www.moenmachinery.com

MEDFORD Crater Chainsaw 1321 North Riverside (541) 772-7538 www.CraterChainSaw.net

WASHINGTON BELLINGHAM Hardware Sales, Inc. 2034 James St. (360) 734-6140 www.hardwaresales.net

HOQUIAM Harbor Saw & Supply 3102 Simpson Ave (360) 532 4600 www.harborsaw.com

MOUNT VERNON Brim Tractor 2500 Cedardale Rd (360) 424-1600 www.brimtractor.com

GIG HARBOR United Rentals 3302 Hunt St (253) 858-1234 www.gigharborpowertools.com

ISSAQUAH Issaquah Honda Kubota 1745 NW Mall St (425) 392-5182 www.issaquahhondakubota.com

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 133

back at the year’s various successful adventures, the backcountry hikes and fishing trips where we caught fish and didn’t stress over nets, seals, restrictions, and reductions. I too became more of a nonconsumptive user of wildlife and wild lands. Leaving the rods and guns behind, my family took more day hikes and enjoyed the beauty of our state. We spent time camping and berry picking. One thing that this past year has taught me is that our passion as Northwest sportsmen isn’t just driven by the harvest of fish and game but the desire to be outdoors. My family was fairly successful hunting this year, with both of my boys getting bucks with their muzzleloaders, albeit because I bought the expensive multi-season tags for them. Fishing was exceptionally good in the Puyallup River system this year, especially for coho. In fact, coho fishing in Puget Sound was good in most marine areas, Chinook fishing was excellent from the start of season and Point Defiance seemed to be back to its old self. Though limits were reduced and the season cut off early, that was to lessen the impact and it worked. Maybe there is some light at the end of the tunnel? October was extremely dry and warm and that led to fewer bucks being harvested. Hunters might not be happy with the fact that they didn’t get their deer, but looking ahead this might help the struggling blacktail numbers in Pierce County and other regions around the South Sound. Trying to make the best of our situation I looked to the opportunities of December and realized the famed Christmas chums of the Nisqually are a no go and once again, I find myself standing between those train tracks in the long tunnel, realizing that the bright light ahead is actually a train and it’s about to run us over. 2019 will have to be a year of establishing relationships with all user groups, getting others to step up and help fund projects and holding those responsible accountable. Tribal negotiations need to improve and attitudes by all need to change, or else we will be standing on the banks of the Puyallup and fighting over the last Chinook, which per Boldt means we each get one fillet. And that will be that. NS 134 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

@GD;GE: K E9JAF= Specializing in Outboard Jets

Dissimilar Trades Accepted

â&#x20AC;¢ 115 ELPT Jet . . . . . . . . . . â&#x20AC;¢ 8hp Hi-Thrust ELPT . . . . . . . â&#x20AC;¢ 9.9 Hi-Thrust EL . . . . . . . . â&#x20AC;¢ 25hp M Tiller . . . . . . . . .

. . . .

$5,950 $2,450 $1,650 $2,850

Example: RVs, Travel Trailers & ATVs

â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;05 50hp EL Tiller . . . . . â&#x20AC;¢ 50hp ELPT 4-Stroke . . . . â&#x20AC;¢ 8hp 4 Stroke Long . . . . . â&#x20AC;¢ 15hp Long 2 Stroke . . . . . â&#x20AC;¢ 115hp Long 2 Stroke Jet . . â&#x20AC;¢ 6hp Short . . . . . . . . . â&#x20AC;¢ 8hp ML 4-Stroke Kicker . .

. . . . . . .

$4,950 $6,950 $1,450 $1,450 $5,950 $950 $2,250

REPAIR / REPLACE Trucks & Autos Accepted

â&#x20AC;¢ 15hp Long P Trim . . . . â&#x20AC;¢ 8hp Short . . . . . . . . â&#x20AC;¢ 10hp Short . . . . . . . â&#x20AC;¢ 10hp Long . . . . . . . . â&#x20AC;¢ 8hp Long . . . . . . . .

. . . . .

$2,850 $1,850 $1,450 $1,450 $1,450

J=HGO=J=< L9C= GML EGLGJK MOST MODELS ON HAND

ON THE COWLITZ RIVER NEAR BLUE CREEK 1307 Spencer Rd, Toledo, WA 98591 (360) 864-6406

holcombmarine@msn.com www.holcombmarine.com

Custom Boat Trailers Reliable Quality Service & Craftsmanship For Over 50 Years!

Â&#x2021; 100$ &HUWLÃ&#x20AC; HG Â&#x2021; $OO 6WHHO :HOG )UDPH )HQGHUV %XQNV â&#x20AC;¢ 2 YEAR WARRANTY

343 Thain Rd., Lewiston, Idaho â&#x20AC;¢ www.gateway-materials.com â&#x20AC;¢ 208-743-0720 nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 135

SAILFISH MARLIN YELLOWFIN TUNA WAHOO DORADO ROOSTER FISH Family-Friendly Travel & Vacationing!

31’ LUHRS “GO FISH,” LOS SUENOS MARINA 10 minutes north of JACO, COSTA RICA

Mark & Merry Coleman US 425-736-8920 CR 506-4001-8430

WWW.CATCHFISHCOSTARICA.COM COLUMBIA RIVER MAP ^ĞĂƩůĞ

Spokane Wenatchee

1 Kennewick

2 Portland

COLUMBIA RIVER MAP KEY 1 CHINOOK MARINE Chinook, WA chinookmarinerepair.com 2 O’DOHERTY OUTFITTERS Boardman, OR ŽĚŽŚĞƌƚǇŽƵƞŝƩĞƌƐ͘ĐŽŵ

136 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

MARKETPLACE

Subscribe Today! nwsportsmanmag.com Welcome to

Ephrata!

7URSK\ Æ&#x201A; VK VWUDS RI GXFNV WHFKQLFDO PRXQWDLQ ELNLQJ WR EDVDOW URFN FOLPE Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all around Ephrata! Visit ephratawachamber.com and start your adventure today!

253 3 W. W. HE HERMI RMI MII S M STO ON AVE. VE HER ERMIS ER M STON MIS TON ON N, OR 9783 9783 7 38 8 (5 (54 541) 1) 567 56 67-20 2 11 1

COMP CO MP MPLE PL LE ETE E WIL ILD GAME GA G AME ME PRO ROCE CESS SSIN IN NG. G. BON B ON NELE E SS S S CU CUT C U T, DOU D OU U BLE BL LE E WR W R APP A PP AP P E ED D EXA XA ACTL C TLY TLY TO YO Y YOU OU UR SPE PEC P EC E CIFI IF FIICAT F CAT CA A IION O S S.. We also We als l o offfe ls fe er sp pec eccial ia allttyy a ssmo mo o ke ke ked ed dp prr odu od u cts c tss

MA A DE E I N HOU HO OU US SE: â&#x20AC;¢ Old Old Fa Fashi ashi sh h one one ned ed Jerr kyy â&#x20AC;¢ Sum um mm me mer er Sausa S ausage Sa usa s ge ge â&#x20AC;¢ Hun Hu H un nter ter S Sa ausa uss age e â&#x20AC;¢ P Pep epper perroni ni S Sttick icks ks â&#x20AC;¢ Teriya Ter e iya iyyya ak kii Sti Sticks St ck cks k ks

ww w w. w Ea E st s err nO Ore r go onM nMob obil illeS ileS Slaug la aug ught hter err.ccom m nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 137

Brought To You By:

KICK-EEZ

COLUMN

December marks a good time to head aﬁeld for other critters such as coyotes and rabbits, which often occur in the same territory. Jason Brooks bagged this songdog with a Winchester Model 70 Ranger .223 near Chelan as it haunted quail-rich sage country above local orchards. (JASON BROOKS)

Zero On ’Yotes, Small Game A

ccording to the 2018 edition of Hodgdon powder’s superb Annual Manual – a magazineformat publication ON TARGET with thousands of By Dave Workman load suggestions for handloaders like me – a 100-grain .257-caliber Speer boattail softpoint

bullet powered by 41.0 grains of IMR 4895 launches from a 24-inch barrel at 3,061 feet per second. That pill will cross 300 yards in a nanosecond and whatever is on the receiving end is going to be in a world of terminal hurt. Having shot deer with that particular load and bullet with devastating results, I can say without fear of contradiction that if a coyote is standing downrange from the muzzle of my .257

Roberts, it’s curtains. Coyotes are predators. They kill game, big and small, along with domestic pets and livestock. I’m not too sure what the market pays for a prime pelt these days, but the hunter looking to do game birds and animals a good turn just might think about reducing the ’yote population over the next couple of months, now that winter is looming over the Northwest. The only time I seriously ﬁred at a

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 139

COLUMN

Brought To You By:

Here are three cartridges that author Dave Workman says are “decent” for predator hunting: .257 Roberts, .243 Winchester and the .223 Remington. (DAVE WORKMAN)

140 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

KICK-EEZ

songdog with a handgun was a while back, and I was actually looking for a buck to shoot on that year’s season opener. I spotted the coyote trotting down an old skid road in Eastern Washington from my perch about 75 yards above, on a big rock. He stopped, and I’ll have to admit a 210-grain Nosler JHP out of a .41 Magnum Ruger Blackhawk probably never made a bigger, more lasting impression. Nowadays, most serious predator hunters will stick with the popular .223 Remington in either a bolt-action or semiauto (demonstrating that the badly mischaracterized “semiautomatic assault rifle” is a superb hunting rifle for predator control). But what about hunting them with deer calibers, such as the .243 Winchester or the .257 Roberts, or one of the newer short, fat magnums? I’ve always advocated shooting your rifle year-round to remain competent, and coyotes offer that opportunity. The .243 Winchester is a sizzler of a deer

round, with lots of diﬀerent available bullet weights. For example, an 80-grain Sierra boattail softpoint ahead of 38.0 grains of H4895 will rocket downrange at 3,307 fps, according to Hodgdon’s loading data. Of course, the .223 Remington is no slouch when it comes to ballistics. A 55-grain Speer softpoint pushed by 25.6 grains of Hodgdon’s Benchmark will warp out of the muzzle at better than 3,200 fps, according to the Annual Manual, and a coyote in the crosshairs will literally never hear the one that gets him.

OVER THE YEARS I’ve known a few truly devoted predator hunters who consider coyotes a real challenge. They’ll dress in full camo, of course, including snow camo for when the white stuff falls, and they use a variety of calls to bring those yodelers in close. Close, of course, may be a relative term. With a flat-shooting rifle/cartridge combination, “close” could be as far across

COLUMN

Brought To You By:

KICK-EEZ

Workman’s vintage .257 Roberts may be no show horse, but it is deadly out to beyond 300 yards for coyotes when stoked with the right loads. (DAVE WORKMAN)

the landscape as 300 to 400 yards, but on a calm winter day, sailing a bullet that far really is not as diﬃcult as it sounds. I’ve shot prairie dogs at that distance, or close to it, and a prairie dog is a heck of a lot smaller target than a coyote.

It takes some skill to get coyotes to respond to a call, and no small degree of patience to wait for a good shot. Coyotes have keen senses, and at the slightest suspicion of trouble, they’ll vanish. But for each one that bites the bullet, you may

spare some pheasants or rabbits, or newly born fawns and calves. What does someone need for this game? For openers, a good rifle with a good scope is a necessity, and I wouldn’t suggest anything over .25 caliber. A small, fast and flat-shooting bullet (I recommend boattails because of their superior ballistic coefficient) will level a coyote if placed properly. Get a bipod or shooting sticks for a steady shot. I’ve got a couple of Harris bipods and they’ve never failed me on any rifle I’ve ever used, even a borrowed No. 1 Ruger single-shot in .204 Ruger that I used on a prairie dog excursion about 10 years ago in South Dakota. Now, my .257 Roberts is nothing to write home about visually. It’s got a Douglas barrel on a Mauser 98 action, nestled into an old Ram-Line black synthetic stock. But

NEW WASHINGTON GUN CONTROL LAW ‘TRAVESTY’ Passage of Initiative 1639 in Washington is deserving of any court challenge that comes along, because constitutional rights should never be subject to the whims of a popularity vote. That’s the perspective of Second Amendment activists who fought to defeat this measure, which is variously described as “egregious” and a “travesty.” People who didn’t vote because they thought “this could never happen here” just got boiling coffee spilled in their laps because this law applies to you. Under the provisions of I-1639, no semiautomatic rifle may be purchased by anyone 18 to 20 years of age in Washington beginning Jan. 1, 2019. The full law becomes effective next July 1. The measure identifies a “semiautomatic assault rifle” as “any rifle which utilizes a portion of the energy of a firing cartridge to extract the fired cartridge case and chamber the next round, and which requires a separate pull of the trigger to fire each cartridge.” This includes the Ruger 10/22, Marlin Model 60, Browning SA-22 and the old Remington Nylon 66; all of these classic hunting and target shooting rimfire rifles are now “assault rifles.” There will be a 10-day waiting period. 142 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

A typical AR-type semiauto rifle and a scoped Ruger 10/22. Both of these popular firearms are now classified as “semiautomatic assault rifles” under the provisions of Washington’s recently passed Initiative 1639. (DAVE WORKMAN) You must show proof of taking a firearms safety course within the past five years in order to buy one. Your application to purchase “shall constitute a waiver of confidentiality and written request that the health care authority, mental health institutions, and other health care facilities release, to an inquiring court or law enforcement agency, information relevant to the applicant’s eligibility to purchase a pistol or semiautomatic assault rifle to an inquiring

court or law enforcement agency.” There is a “secure storage” requirement and a new crime called “community endangerment” that carries criminal penalties. By the time you read this, there may be one or more lawsuits ﬁled to challenge this measure. Now might be a good time to make a donation to the Bellevuebased Second Amendment Foundation, publisher of The Gun Mag, my day job, or the National Riﬂe Association. –DW

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 143

it’s accurate. Coyotes are open year-round. You need a hunting license in all three Northwest states.

AND I ADVISE taking along a .22 pistol because you just might run into a fat cottontail or snowshoe hare. Fat rabbits = good eating. Anywhere you find coyotes, the odds are fair to good you’re going to find rabbits because predators and prey go together like eggs and bacon. I know some people hunt rabbits with the aid of a beagle, but it’s been my experience that rabbits are often a game of opportunity. I suspect most are taken incidental to some other hunting enterprise, though I know some folks who live in rabbit-rich environments who spent a fair amount of time tromping around with a .22-caliber rifle or pistol specifically to put bunnies in the stew pot. They can be found around wild blackberry tangles, root wads, brush piles

144 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

– anywhere that affords cover. I’ve got cottontails in my neighborhood and the little buggers sometimes huddle within the confines of hedges. They’re thin-skinned and they succumb rather well to a .410 shotgun with No. 6 or 7½ shot, but again, I suspect most rabbits taken during a typical hunting season are tumbled with some sort of .22-caliber rimfire. Be sure to have a pair of rubber or nitrile gloves for dressing them in the field, and you do want to get them cleaned out as soon as possible. I keep a few pairs of blue nitrile gloves in my pack, along with spare shells, a sharp knife and a plastic bag in which the dead bunny can be wrapped after cleaning so as to not have rabbit blood staining the inside of the pack. Fried or roasted rabbit makes decent table fare, and I know some people smoke the haunches and having tasted some rabbit meat prepared that way, I’ll say it’s pretty good.

AND FINALLY, WITH the holidays fast approaching, now is a good time to remember your friends, with a card or small gift. It seems I make this an annual appeal because friends are special. Nobody has to be your buddy, and those who consider spending time with you in the wilds are the best of the lot. They share the adventures, celebrate the successful hunts, and the memories with each retelling. A good friend is like a good riﬂe or shotgun or handgun; they may be the most valuable things in life. They are only a phone call away. Treat them to a Northwest Sportsman subscription, or a box of shells, a bottle of ﬁne wine or spirits – anything that demonstrates their importance to you. Because they are. NS

REBATE ON BURRIS SCOPES

TIME-TESTED BOOT PROTECTION SINCE 1929

PREMIUM BEESWAX FORMULA WATERPROOFS LEATHER GEAR

• Keeps new boots in top shape. • Renews and waterproofs dried-out leather. • Gaurds against rock and brush abrasion. • Safe to stitching and rubber soles. • Helps extend the life of leather boots. Available at sporting goods stores, shoe repair shops, and wherever leather care products are sold. Or visit the website to see the entire line-up of leather care products.

www.huberds.com 146 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Burris recently announced that people who purchase an Eliminator 4-16x50 riflescope by Dec. 31 will receive a $100 rebate. My .257 Roberts is topped by a 3-9X Burris and it is a terrific scope for hunting from dawn to dusk. According to Burris, the Eliminator “is the most innovative and effective hunting riflescope in the world; combining outstanding optics, pinpoint laser ranging out to 1,200-plus yards and push-button automatic trajectory compensation across virtually all rim-fire, centerfire and muzzleloader rifles and ammunition.” Likewise, the purchaser of a Burris AR 332 or AR 536 Prism sight or a Burris Signature HD Spotting Scope by Dec. 31 will receive a free FastFireTM III 3-MOA Red Dot Reflex Sight, which can be mounted on hunting or tactical rifles, handguns and shotguns. There’s also an offer related to the Veracity scope running through the end of the year. People who buy a Veracity “are eligible to receive a free Fullfield E1 4.5-1.4x42mm Long Range MOA reticle scope.” –DW

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 147

TOUGH • DURABLE • LIGHT Easy Loader & Deuce Model • • •

Both sizes accommodate 2 dogs up to 70 lbs each Deuce fits compact pickups, UTV’s and SUVs Made from High Density Polyethylene, UV protection

• • •

Easy Loader fits full size pick up and SUVs Full one year warranty on material and workmanship Vents, cold weather door covers and insulated kennel covers also available

Coming in Spring 2018, the Easy XL. A larger version for your larger breed dogs.

EASY-LOADER Dog Kennels

w. e as

yloaderkennel

s.co

Bartlesville, OK • 800-853-2655

148 Northwest Sportsman

Call 800-853-2655 Check out our website for new accessories www.easyloaderkennels.com

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

COLUMN

Heads Up: Retraining Dogs That Won’t Mark I

recently received a call from a gun dog owner who was frustrated that he couldn’t get his 11-month-old hunting pup to look up to GUN DOGGIN’ 101 locate birds. We talked, By Scott Haugen and later that week I had him bring his pup over to my place outside Springfield. The dog was well mannered and behaved as we ran through some basic drills. It liked having his nose to the ground, and tracked and pointed well on wings we placed in the field. But when tossing a bumper, the dog seemed to lose interest. Come to find out, a bumper had been used for training and play since the pup was small, so he’d lost interest in it. I advocate only using bumpers as training tools, and do so sparingly. Some pups will be motivated to watch, or mark, then retrieve a bumper for hours, while others lose interest after only a few tosses. When using bumpers to teach a dog to mark, or locate an object, be focused and stop after a few good marks and retrieves. End on a high note and keep the pup wanting more. Do not use the bumper as a toy that lies around the house or the yard. A bumper should be something special, and as the pup matures, it associates the bumpers with business, not play.

TO RETRAIN THE gentleman’s pup to look up as well as mark an object, I grabbed a rubber throw disk. The disk I like using is made by Browning, and is designed for dog training. It’s heavy and constructed of tear-resistant material, and it’s bright yellow, which creates good contrast for a dog to see. I like this disk because it’s easy to throw in a straight line, maximizing a

If your hunting dog isn’t looking up for birds like author Scott Haugen’s Echo is here, illustrating the kind of drive you want your four-legged companion to have, there are ways of teaching them to do so that can be fun, interesting and motivating for them. (SCOTT HAUGEN) pup’s ability to acquire it in ﬂight. We started with a couple short tosses, no more than 10 feet. The pup sat and watched. He fetched the disk once it hit the ground. We then got the pup excited with the disk, letting him prance around, and then gave it another short toss. The dog marked it and started after it before it hit the ground. Bingo! We repeated the short tosses a couple

more times, then doubled the distance. The pup loved it and even tried catching it out of the air. Pups get bored doing the same thing with the same toys and training tools, and introducing a fun, new toy – in this case the rubber disk – that the pup could watch ﬂy through the air, energized him. I talked to the owner a couple weeks later, and he said he’d stopped by a

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 149

COLUMN discount store to pick up some plastic Frisbees. They served their purpose and his dog was marking and fetching like the man had always hoped. I also like Browning’s Fabric Throw Disk. Made of tear-resistant material, this disk is orange on one side, camo on the other with a reflective logo. The black edge is stitched with high-visibility orange thread, so the disk is designed to optimize a dog’s ability to locate it. Remember, contrast is key with dog training tools, since they are color blind. The Fabric Throw Disk can be thrown much further than the rubber disk, and moves more quickly through the air. It also floats in water, making it ideal for water entry training and teaching a pup to mark objects over water. When held perpendicular to the ground, the disc can be thrown in a downward motion with the flick of the wrist, allowing it to quickly roll across the ground. Dogs love marking objects as they roll on the ground, and this disk is perfect for building such skills.

AS PUPS BUILD a drive to mark and retrieve the disks, they’ll eventually want to catch it out of the air. This is the drive you want, which will transition to them watching ducks and geese as they circle into the decoys, and marking upland birds from

Training disks, or Frisbees, are great tools for teaching a pup how to locate and track flying objects. Here, a dog keeps an eye on a Browning Rubber Throw Disk as it floats through the air. (SCOTT HAUGEN) the time they’re flushed to when they’re shot and on the ground. Once your pup marks the disks with consistency and excitement, progress to smaller objects. Browning’s Disk Thrower Fetch Toy is a good next step. As an aside, I don’t like the word “Toy” in this title, as I use it only as a training tool -- toys and tools

Having the right tools for the job is a big ﬁrst step, like this line of training aids from Browning held by the author and his dogs. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

150 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

are two very different things. Just as you’d throw a clay pigeon from a hand thrower, the Browning Disk Thrower launches a plastic disk. Two disks come with the set; one is orange, the other yellow. For the best flying results, I placed the disk upside down in the thrower. My dogs also loved the hard plastic feel of the disks in their mouth, which got them excited to make the retrieves. When training with disks, avoid doing so on concrete and gravel. This is because the devices lay flat on the ground and the edge is hard for a dog to grab, which can result in greatly wearing down their teeth, even serious mouth injuries. If you have a dog that’s reluctant to look up, try these simple tools. Start with short tosses that the pup can easily see. Get them excited to mark the object, then reward them with a rub of the ears when they retrieve it. Soon your pup will be marking at greater distances, and before you know it, will be marking birds at distances that will amaze you. NS Editor’s note: To watch Scott Haugen’s series of short puppy training videos, visit scotthaugen.com. Be sure to follow Scott on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

CANINE CARGO CARRIER The Next Generation eration of Dog Transportation

Complete Dog Transport System, with our Honeycomb Dog Boxes™ COMFORT

• Controlled environment – dogs are not exposed to dust or wind tunnel effects • Self-contained power source, remote control ventilation fan and LED lights VERSATILE

Honeycomb Pods can easily come out and can be used in another vehicle

CUSTOM

• Set up for multtiple dog handling neeeds

LYRXMRK ½IPH XVMEP WPIH HSKW military, police annd rescue) • 6 to 20 dogs, or more, MR SV HSK GSR½KYVEXMSRW SAFE

Roll cage frame, heavy-duty rear bumper and tandem torsion axles

getmypointllc.com getmypointllc@live.com 920.427.7774

MADE IN THE USA

A DIVISION OF GET MY POINT LLC

TO ORDER OR FOR MORE DETAILS, CALL US AT 920-427-7774 nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 151

Also Available: Hunts in Saskatchewan, Canada! • Mallard Corn Pond Hunting on 16 Private Ponds • Freeze Up No Problem! Aerators & Springs in Most Ponds Average 6.2 Ducks Per Person in the 2016/17 Season!! Eastern Washington Tri-Cities • 509-967-2303 ZZZ SDFLÀF ZLQJV QHW See our videos on YouTube @ PaciﬁcWingsHunting and Jay Goble

152 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

COLUMN

Chef Randy King’s monthly recipe involves “spatchcocking” a Hungarian partridge, “bricking” it while cooking both sides in a sauté pan, then serving with a dollop of huckleberry honey butter. (RANDY KING)

Hun-gry For Something Different?

n ﬁrst look they seem completely empty, unless there’s a herd of antelope in the distance, but the rolling hills of blonde-colored grass hold my attention. The crisp wind clips my exposed neck and sends a chill down my spine. CHEF IN THE WILD Each blade of grass By Randy King swaying in the wind

can be the beginning of a flush. I fight to remain focused – the dog has frozen in place. The conviction of the pup clearly means that a Hun is near. She has done her job; now it is my job to shoot it. Waffles is a Brittany spaniel that is more pet than bird dog. She has developed that sausage look of an overfed and slightly lazy house pooch. But after an hour or so in the field she comes alive. Waffles’ DNA reminds her of her purpose. The puppy

disappears and the hunter locks in and that is the dog that is on point in front of me. My buddy Mac beams as we approach and she holds a firm point on the birds. “Get ’em up!” Mac yells. Waffles breaks her hold and bounds into the bunchgrass. A small flock of Huns breaks into the wind. Mac and I both trigger off a shot and a pair of the birds fall. At this point the day is a success – any more birds, rabbits or fun is just gravy.

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 153

COLUMN HUNS CAN BE a frustrating bird to hunt. Formally known by two names, Hungarian and gray partridge, they are both abundant and scarce. They ﬂush both near and far. They can be in small groups or giant ﬂocks. This is why my buddy Hank considers them his nemesis bird.

As their name implies the birds are of European origin. They were brought over to the States as early as the 1790s, according to the Audubon Society. Mostly they like agricultural ﬁelds or the ground that abuts them. However, a rolling grassland will work just ﬁne for habitat

(Northwest Sportsman, November 2017). When a Hun is in hand, the magic really begins. A single bird will be about enough for one person, two a little much. They have white meat that is akin to pheasant and chicken in the kitchen. Basically, they are culinary gold. NS

BRICK-COOKED, SPATCHCOCKED HUN

was working in a French/Latinoinspired fusion restaurant (it was the ’00s – everything was fusion) when I first learned about “spatchcocking” and “bricking” a bird. We would get in small broiler chickens and take a pair of tin snips and remove the backbone. Then we would lay the birds flat and smoke them over alder and use a jalapeño-apricot jelly on top for some sweet heat. The flavors were over the top and delicious, but I mostly remember how convenient cutting the backbone out of the bird was.

154 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

According to my massive research effort for this column – that means I Googled some stuff – spatchcocking means “an abbreviation of ‘dispatch the cock,’ a phrase used to indicate a summary way of grilling a bird after splitting it open down the back and spreading the two halves out flat.” As Alan Davidson also explains in The Oxford Companion to Food, he thinks that the term comes from Ireland but it is used all over the world. The phonetics are hard to pin down. That said, Davidson noticed the first cookbook

usage in the 18th century in Ireland. Spatchcocking is not only really cool looking, it helps make cooking quicker as well. With game birds it really helps to keep them “one pan wonders.” Basically you can cook a spatchcocked bird in one pan and it will be great. I have used this technique on quail, Huns, chukar, grouse and even a pheasant or two. It works really well when combined with a brick – no, really. “Bricking” is a real technical term for setting something heavy on top of an item in a sauté pan. Often the heavy item is a

COLUMN Spatchcocked Hun 2 each Huns 1 lemon, sliced thin 2 tablespoon butter Salt and pepper

tinfoil-wrapped brick. The idea with brick cooking is to increase the surface area of the item in the sauté pan and not let the item “shrink” into itself. Then with some careful heat control you can get super crispy skin and incredible caramelization. With this recipe I spatchcocked the Hun and then brick-cooked him on the stove top. Then I topped him with a bit of huckleberry honey butter (game meat needs fat) and served with a side salad. The result was delicious.

Pluck each Hun. Remove as many feathers and pin feathers as you can. Then, using a lighter or blow torch, burn oﬀ the pin feathers. Rinse under cold water. Next take a pair of scissors and insert them through the bird’s mono hole on one side of the backbone (picture 1). Clip upwards toward the neck (picture 2). Next cut up the other side of the spine (picture 3). No need to gut the birds, as the insides are easily removed when the backbone is gone. When the bird is split and the guts removed (save the heart, liver and gizzard if you want – they make a great dirty rice) wash the insides well. Then “keel” the bird by splitting it down the breastbone just enough to crack and allow it to go ﬂat (picture 4). Tuck the legs under themselves and then pat the bird dry (picture 5). The bird is now ready for the pan.

Huckleberry Honey Butter 1 cup butter, softened ¼ cup huckleberry preserves (storebought is fine, other flavors like blackberry are fine too) 1 tablespoon honey Pinch of salt Optional – ½ diced jalapeño When the butter is at room temperature add to a mixer. Add the preserves, honey and salt. Whip the mixture until the preserves are incorporated. Reserve and refrigerate. This will last a month in the fridge. Picture 1.

Picture 3.

156 Northwest Sportsman

Cooking The Hun Heat a heavy-bottomed sauté pan on medium low for five minutes. Add the butter to the pan. Let melt. Season the bird with salt and pepper. Place the spatchcocked Hun skin side down in the pan. It should sizzle but not loudly. Next place a slice of the lemon on the exposed side of the bird. Then place a brick on top of the bird. (Another good way to do this is to use an additional sauté pan with some canned food inside the pan for weight, but I honestly do use a foil-wrapped rock). The weight will flatten out the meat. Let cook on medium low for about 10 minutes. Don’t let it burn, but you do want a deep brown color and crispy skin. After 10 minutes flip the bird and cook for an additional three minutes without the weight. Remove the bird from the pan and let rest for two minutes, then serve with a small scoop of the huckleberry honey butter. Enjoy! For more wild game recipes, see chefrandyking.com. –RK Picture 2.

Picture 4.

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Picture 5. (RANDY KING, ALL)

.HANDY.SHARP. . . . TOOL & KNIFE SHARPENERS with FIRE STARTER

New Product announcement!

Survival Sharp-N-Fire Five features built into one easy-to-carry product: Whistle (loud & piercing) • Straight carbide sharpening piece • V-shaped carbide sharpening slot • Ferrocerium rod (strikes against carbide producing massive sparks) • Small compartment •

Ful Full u l Size Size z Sh Sharp arp N Spark

Minii Shar Min harp p N Spark

Han aandy Sh Sharp Sha rp Mi i Min ((“P Poke ker Chip hip”) ”))

L g Handle Lon

Handy Ha Han d Sha dy Sh rp p Rec Rectan angle

“Never a dull moment”

handysharp.com (208) 446-4519

BR 600 - $499.95

3102 Simpson Ave., Hoquiam, WA 98550

360-532-4600 1-800-786-6463 nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 157

HUNTING Spring and morels and fall and chanterelles are the seasons and species most people think of when it comes to mushrooms, but author Randall Bonner enjoys foraging in winter for yellowfoots and other edible varieties. (HANNAH MARKLIN)

Moral Of The Story? Edible Mushrooms Grow In Winter Too Here are three kinds you can gather west of the Cascades right now. By Randall Bonner

he typical hunter-gatherer type considers mushroom picking as primarily a spring and fall activity. However, if you learn enough about the edible varieties, the habitats they grow in, and the longevity of their seasons, you can easily make this pastime last all year.

In fact, winter is one of my favorite times to search for mushrooms. There are fewer conﬂicts with hunters, by which I mean those in search of deer and elk. While the gold rush for fall chanterelles is probably the most popular among fellow foragers, they tend to disappear once the rains and freezing weather put an end to the harvest. And best of all, it’s a great

excuse to get outside when the rivers are blown out and the weather isn’t cooperating for steelhead, or you’ve already bagged your limit of ducks in the morning.

THE PROGRESSION OF different species that fruit during this seasonal transition begins with Hydnum repandum, commonly known as nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 159

HUNTING hedgehog mushrooms, which are very similar in density, texture, and taste to chanterelles. Some species of hedgehog begin fruiting in late summer and early fall, while others continue to fruit long after chanterelles have gone past their prime. They get their name from a unique spiky pattern of spines beneath their caps where you typically see gills on most mushrooms. Their lack of imposters also makes them fairly easy to identify and distinguish as an edible. These are a great choice for savory dishes, mushroom soups, or even pickling, and will maintain their density and texture fairly well after cooking.

AS THE SEASON transitions towards temperatures that are too cold for most fall-fruiting species, another proliﬁc and unique mushroom is the Lactarius, more commonly known as candy cap for its strong maple syrup aroma. There are three subspecies

160 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

As Eric Badeau gathers mushrooms nearby, a candy cap pokes out of the forest duff. It features a strong maple syrup aroma, according to Bonner. (RANDALL BONNER)

of this mushroom in North America, with Lactarius rubidus more common west of the Cascades. This particular mushroom requires a little more advanced identiﬁcation, as it resembles a large pool of lookalikes known by the mycological community as LBMs, or

little brown mushrooms. The Galerina is one toxic lookalike that grows in the same habitat. It’s recommended to gather candy caps by hand rather than with a knife. The texture of their stem (known as a “stipe”) is fairly fragile and breaks like an old, dry twig, while

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 161

HUNTING

While edible winter-fruiting hedgehog mushrooms are said to have no imposters, it is incumbent on gatherers to conﬁrm the identity of any and all they might consume as some species are very toxic, causing symptoms from stomach issues to death. (ERIC BADEAU)

162 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

its imposters have a more flexible stipe that tends to bend and break more like a green willow branch. Another analogy to explain this would be the difference between bone and cartilage. Candy caps are pretty unique in their range of culinary applications, and are typically dried first and ground into powder. Drying them at very low temperatures is recommended to best preserve their flavor and aroma. Once they’re dried, use a coffee grinder to turn them into a fine powder. A blender or food processor would be a good substitute, though you’ll end up with a much more coarse product. You can use the powder in almost anything sweet, but some of the more common uses are adding it to homemade ice cream, pancakes, cookies, muffins and other baked goods. The maple syrup flavor and aroma becomes a dominating focus of whatever you choose to add it to.

Honda. Built to Last.

U2000i • 2000 watts (16.7 A) of Honda Inverter 120V AC Power • Eco-Throttle – Runs up to 15 hrs on 1 gallon of fuel EU3000i Handi • 3000 watts (25 A) of Honda Inverter 120V AC Power • Eco-Throttle – Runs up to 7.7 hrs on 1.56 gallons of fuel

WASHINGTON BELLINGHAM OREGON WENATCHEE Hardware Sales, Inc. HOQUIAM FERNDALE Harbor Saw & Supply Inc. Wenatchee Honda 2034 James St. Carl’s Mower & Saw 3102 Simpson Ave 3013 GS Center Rd (360) 734-6140 6209 Portal Way (360) 532-4600 (509) 663-0075 www.hardwaresales.net CENTRALIA www.doghouse-motorsports.com (360) 384-0799 www.harborsawandsupply.com The Power Shop www.carlsmower.com ISSAQUAH 3820 Harrison Ave PUYALLUP ALASKA Issaquah Honda-KubotaSumner Lawn N Saw WASHINGTON (360) 736-6340ANCHORAGE ARLINGTON 9318 SR 162 E www.powershopcentralia.com 1745 NW Mall St Alaska Mining & Diving Rex’s Rentals (253) 435-9284 3222 Commercial Dr (425) 392-5182 525 N West Ave www.sumnerlawn.com www.issaquahhondakubota.com CENTRALIA 907-277-1741 (360) 435-5553 www.akmining.com Powersports Northwest www.rexsrentals.com SPOKANE MARYSVILLE 300 S Tower Ave Spokane Power Tool CENTRALIA Pilchuck Rentals (360) 801 E Spokane Falls Blvd 736-0166 The Power Shop 9114 State (509) 489-4202 www.powersportsnorthwest.com 3820 Harrison Ave Ave (360) 659-5557 (360) 736-6340 www.spokanepowertool.com www.powershopcentralia.com www.pilchuckrents.com IDAHO ISSAQUAH Issaquah Honda-Kubota 1745 NW Mall St (425) 392-5182 www.issaquahhondakubota.com

EU3000is • 3000 watts (25 A) of Honda Inverter 120V AC Power • Eco-Throttle – Runs up to 20 hrs on 3.4 gallons of fuel EU7000is • 7000 watts, 120/240V • Fuel eﬃcient - runs up to 18 hours on 5.1 gal of fuel • Perfect for home back up power, RVs, outdoor events, and more

VASHON Vashon Ace Hardware BOISE 9715 SW 174th St Carl’s (206) 463-4019

Cycle Sales 5550 W State St www.vashontruevalue.com/ServiceCenter (208) 853-5550 www.carlscycle.com

Please read the owner’s manual before operating your Honda Power Equipment and never use in a closed or partly enclosed area where you could be exposed to carbon monoxide. Connection of a generator to house power requires a transfer device to avoid possible injury to power company personnel. Consult a qualiﬁed electrician. © 2012 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 163

Rust Protection for Firearms, Weapons, and Ammo Use Zerust20 for a 20% discount when ordering online li

If you’re looking for the ultimate solution to protect metal from harmful rust, look for Zerust. Includes a VCI Weapon Protection 9ƃǼӗ ěʍƹǉ ծ 9ƃɨɨǉȢ ČɽɨȈɥӗ latex gloves & a zip tie

ĄȈːǉ ¶Ȉɽ ĄȈːǉ ¶Ȉɽ

Gun Gu un Oil O & Gun Cleaner Clean ean ner

ř: ĄȈːǉ 9ƃǼ ř: ĄȈːǉ 9ƃǼ

ěʍƹǉ ծ 9ƃɨɨǉȢ ČɽɨȈɥ ěʍƹǉ ծ 9ƃɨɨǉȢ ČɽɨȈɥ

ř: ŚǉƃɥɁȶ ĀɨɁɽǉƺɽȈɁȶ 9ƃǼɰ ř: ŚǉƃɥɁȶ ĀɨɁɽǉƺɽȈɁȶ 9ƃǼɰ

www.zerustproducts.com customerservice@zerustproducts.com • 330-405-1965 9345 Ravenna Rd. Unit E • Twinsburg, OH 44087-2465

World Class Color-Phase Black Bear Hunts with Hounds or Bait High Success Mountain Lion Elk Rut Hunts

FINALLY, ONE OF my personal favorite mushrooms of this season is Craterellus tubaeformis, aka yellowfoot or winter chanterelle. They have a very similar gill structure like the unique key identifiers for all chanterelles, which are gills that fork or web rather than run parallel to each other, and have erratic termination points where the gills connect to the stipe. The top of the mushroom is almost brown, with a dimple in the center of the cap. Its name comes from its stipe, which is a subtle, earthy golden color. Unlike the golden chanterelles, the stipe on a yellowfoot is hollow. Yellowfoot lends itself as an easyto-forage forest product, growing in small clusters and often prolific within a small area. Whereas its gold and white cousins typically push up from the duff and come covered in pine needles and debris, yellowfoot tends to grow from the same habitat, only from the surface of the forest floor rather than just beneath the first layer of it. The fruiting bodies will easily survive freezing weather and even snow. Much like the candy caps, you won’t need a knife to harvest them. You can simply pluck them by bending them at their base until they snap. In spite of the fact that yellowfoot are hollowstemmed and significantly smaller and less dense than their chanterelle cousins, the process of harvesting them involves a lot less cleaning and is very low maintenance. Their size doesn’t require any slicing or cooking prep, so with enough care harvesting them in the field, you can simply bring them home and toss them in a skillet, or add them to your favorite savory dish.

THE DIVERSITY OF mushroom species

www.mileshighoutﬁtters.com 208-697-3521 // 208-739-0526 164 Northwest Sportsman

DECEMBER 2018 | nwsportsmanmag.com

available to pick during the winter make for a wide range of uses in a variety of meals. The versatility of their culinary value will not only expand your palate, but with very little effort you can easily stock up on side dishes for your winter meals, and enjoy a little more time in the outdoors, rain or shine. NS

Merry Christmas from

THE NORTHWEST’S LARGEST PAWN AND GUN STORE BUY•SELL•TRADE WE BUY GUN ESTATES, NO SIZE TOO LARGE.

DEER PARK Store Location 811 S Main St Deer Park, WA 99006

FRANCIS Store Location 315 E Francis Ave Spokane, WA 99208

ALL LOCATIONS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK •

SPRAGUE Store Location 3030 E Sprague Ave Spokane, WA 99202

www.doubleeaglepawn.com • (509) 487-1644 nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2018

Northwest Sportsman 165