Northwest Sportsman Mag - December 2023 by Media Index Publishing Group

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Volume 16 • Issue 3 PUBLISHER James R. Baker

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EDITOR Andy “Living Rent-free Inside Not Just One But Two Commissioners’ Heads” Walgamott THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Dave Anderson, Scott Haugen, Jeff Holmes, MD Johnson, Randy King, Sara Potter, Britnè Prosser, Buzz Ramsey, Amanda Wiles, Dave Workman, Mark Yuasa ON THE MEND Jason Brooks GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Guy Ricciardulli, Zachary Wheeler DESIGNER Lesley-Anne Slisko-Cooper PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker OFFICE MANAGER/COPY EDITOR Katie Aumann INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER Lois Sanborn WEBMASTER/DIGITAL STRATEGIST Jon Hines ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@nwsportsmanmag.com CORRESPONDENCE Email letters, articles/queries, photos, etc., to awalgamott@media-inc.com, or to the mailing address below. ON THE COVER Sara Potter smiles over a wild North Umpqua steelhead, one of 112 winter- and summer-runs she’s caught in her years chasing her favorite species on Western Oregon rivers. (SARA POTTER)

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CONTENTS

14th ANNUAL 14th

REAL WOMEN

VOLUME 16 • ISSUE 3

e wrap up 2023 with the Real Women of Northwest Fishing, our annual feature that shows off gals’ and girls’ great catches from our region’s waters and beyond, as well as shares stories about being part of this great outdoor community! 29 37 43 46

Northwest

FISHING

Bryanna Zimmerman, Outdoor Woman/Mother, by Buzz Ramsey For The Love Of The Tug: The Year Without And Within, by Sara Potter Amanda Wiles: Women Take On Westport Britnè Prosser: Solo Into The Outdoors

ALSO INSIDE 73

A GRANDE TIME Concerned by poor ocean conditions and a string of bad returns, Jeff Holmes had stayed away from his home steelhead stream, the Grande Ronde River in Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon, for far too long, but with 110,000 fish over Bonneville Dam this year and perfect late fall water conditions, he made the run. Hop aboard Holmes’ drift boat for the scenic, wildlife-rich float from Boggan’s to Shumaker, as well as a plug-pulling tutorial.

THE 12 TRIPS OF CHRISTMAS “ … Twelve clammers digging, 11 squiders jigging, 10 …” OK, so we won’t be writing Christmas jingles anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean we can’t fill your December days with a dozen of Washington’s best winter fishing and shellfishing opportunities – “fa-la-la-laing” along the way optional!

116 TRY COMBO SPREADS FOR LATE-SEASON WATERFOWL Fight the power! Instead of massive single-species decoy spreads, go small and mix ’n match greenheads and wigeons with pintails and Canadas. MD Johnson down on the Lower Columbia shares why and how this more realistic and easier-to-adjust setup will convince even pressured ducks and geese to wing on in.

(KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Go to nwsportsmanmag.com for details. NORTHWEST SPORTSMAN is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057. Periodical Postage Paid at Portland, OR and at additional mail offices. (USPS 025-251) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Northwest Sportsman, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057. Annual subscriptions are $39.95 (12 issues), 2-year subscription are $59.95 (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 © 2023 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. nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023

Northwest Sportsman 15

COLUMNS 127 GUN DOG Holiday Presents For Your Pooch (And You) Scott asks a lot of his hunting dogs (and knows that you do too), so when the holiday season arrives, he likes to spoil his four-legged friends. He shares a bunch of field-tested gift ideas that make the grade. 133 ON TARGET Enjoy Some Holiday Cheer, Plus ’Yotes, Birds And More “December isn’t just a month of special holidays; it’s the best four weeks of the year for people who like hunting away from the crowds.” So notes Dave W., who loves yuletide for its late grouse, rabbit and songdog hunting opportunities, but he also has some advice on who to keep in your thoughts at Christmas. 139 BECOMING A HUNTER Why To Consider A Cow Hunt Dave A. feels no shame about being a successful cow elk hunter, nor in hiring an outfitter to help him out when he heads out of state to fill his freezer. While most such hunting opportunities are done and gone this fall, there’s always 2024’s seasons to begin planning for, and Dave shares why to get started!

CHEF IN THE WILD

The ‘Wobbly Bits’

The King family of hunters makes no bones about eating more than their fair share of deer offal, what they call the “wobbly bits,” and they prize the heart most of all. If you’re unsure about eating that once-beating organ, Chef Randy’s prep tips and deer heart shawarma recipe just might change your mind!

144

(RANDY KING)

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023

Northwest Sportsman 17

DEPARTMENTS 29

THE EDITOR’S NOTE

THE BIG PIC 14th Annual Real Women of Northwest Fishing

PHOTO CONTEST WINNER Monthly Coast and Kershaw prize-winning pic

THE DISHONOR ROLL Snohomish River salmon snaggers busted with nearly 3 dozen coho, pinks; Jackass of the Month

DERBY WATCH Coquille River bass derby ‘producing amazing results’ in second year; Catches up at Mid-Columbia’s King Of The Reach live-capture derby

OUTDOOR CALENDAR Upcoming fishing and hunting openers, events, deadlines, more

2024 BOAT AND SPORTSMEN’S SHOW CALENDAR Northwest show dates, links

Mud in the eye of salmon and steelhead restoration efforts.

(BRIAN STONE PHOTOGRAPHY)

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023

Northwest Sportsman 21

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An aerial image shows the contrast between the Willamette Valley’s clear-flowing North Santiam and the muddied-up South Santiam due to a court-ordered extreme drawdown of Green Peter Reservoir this fall, meant to help downstream passage of young salmonids, but which also killed 8,000 kokanee. (BRIAN STONE PHOTOGRAPHY)

he yin and aye-yi-yi of restoring salmon and steelhead passage in a big Northwest watershed was on full display last month. Bright idea: An Oregon Public Broadcasting/Pro Publica story scrutinizing Army Corps of Engineers’ plans to build $622 million giant smolt collectors at a pair of the agency’s Willamette Valley dams argued that instead the facilities’ lower gates should just be opened, “letting salmon ride the current as they would a wild river.” Messy blowback: Doing just that at two nearby reservoirs let fly silt bombs. It left mud in the eye of that far cheaper and much “simpler way” to help young spring Chinook and winter-runs migrate from waters in the Cascades their wild parents had been trucked up to, not to mention saw residents’ wells go dry and left nearby towns fearing it may cost millions to keep their water drinkable – after they’d been assured the drawdown wouldn’t impact quality. Face, meet Palm.

A LITTLE BACK story here in case you haven’t been following the loooooong legal battle to get the Corps to improve passage for the two Endangered Species Act-listed stocks at their Willamette dams, built to control flooding but which blocked off a ton of fish habitat. Things came to a head in 2021 when U.S. District Court Judge Marco Hernandez in Portland essentially ordered that Lookout Point and Green Peter Reservoirs, located southeast and northeast of Eugene, be drawn down to very low levels from late summer through fall to help the surface-oriented salmonids find their way past the dams. That has worked at Fall Creek Reservoir, just north of Lookout Point. This year’s drawdowns weren’t really noticeable in terms of water quality until the rains hit the mountains and exposed lakebeds, but a harbinger that things might not be as straightforward as hoped was seen in October when a large number of kokanee died from barotrauma after being sucked out of Green Peter. Some loss was expected, but not 8,000 fish. Palm, I believe you’ve met Face, yes? Between the loss of fish, fishing and tourism dollars, as well as the water supply issues, locals aren’t too happy, as shown in coverage by Salem Statesman-Journal outdoor reporter Zach Urness. Disabled vet Larry Nelson, whose well dried up this fall and was looking at a $25,000 to $30,000 bill to drill a deeper one, told him, “I want to save the fish, but at what cost?” Urness reported that the Native Fish Society, whose lawsuit led to the drawdown, said the Corps should cover the cost; the Corps said that would require an act of Congress; and local U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R) asked the federal court to revisit the injunction because it was “causing more harm than good.” nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023

Northwest Sportsman 23

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Hands are frustratingly tied. Kokanee Power of Oregon’s board told me it is following things closely and that it understood the reasons behind the Corps’ drawdowns. It said that Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists told them the damage to Green Peter’s popular kokanee fishery is unclear at the moment. “The turbidity of the water will, in fact, hamper their ability to breathe and feed, but whether it’s fatal will not be known until the spring,” the board said. “One of our big questions is, ‘Will the massive amounts of silt destroy the current salmon redds?’ Unfortunately, our ability as an organization to have any influence on this is pretty moot because this was a federal injunction, and even ODFW has no power in changing this. Write to your Congressmen and -women and make your voice heard.”

YOU KNOW ME, I’m a glass-half-full kind of guy, even if the water in that glass is on the murkier side. If there are bright spots, it’s that all that mud should be less of a factor if the deep drawdowns continue. Some lessons have hopefully been learned as the Corps and Congress consider the long-term future of the fed’s Willamette system in terms of hydropower generation, recreation and how best to achieve fish recovery and the price tag of that. There’s probably also food for thought in there as negotiations about the four lower Snake River dams potentially come to a head in another courtroom this month. And while you know I’ll always advocate for fish and wildlife habitat, and migratory corridors and passage, this is a good reminder that there can be unintended consequences as we try to move fast to restore the natural world and that we have to be cognizant of pratfalls, especially those that might make our ultimate goals harder and may affect local and wider buy-in. I can’t take too many more forehead slaps. I’m on the concussion protocol as it is. –Andy Walgamott

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Northwest Sportsman 25

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Bryanna Zimmerman, Outdoor Woman/Mother

hen it comes to fishing and hunting, Bryanna Zimmerman is the real deal, as she is into the outdoor experience, which includes preparing all of her own fishing and hunting gear and intimate knowledge of her quarry, and she has as much of the what-it-takesto-be -successful determination as any outdoor person I know of. BUZZ In preparation RAMSEY for this article (and to get perspectives beyond my interview with Bryanna), I chatted with well-known Mid-Columbia fishing guides Shane Magnuson (509-630-5433), Cody Luft (509-853-5338) and Chris Turvey (509-5716198) about her. Here are some of the comments I heard: “Although not a fishing guide, Bryanna knows what she is doing. She can prepare gear, bait lines and run their boat as good as anyone out there, even fishing guides. Unlike many women, she prepares her own tackle and hunting gear. Bryanna cares about the fishery and the future of salmon. She is my favorite woman to watch fight and land a fish. Their boat catches a lot of salmon. They (her and husband Jeff) are always respectful of others. There is never any drama with Bryanna. She is super fishy and gets along with everyone. Her internet posts are always worth reading.” Bryanna is so well thought of that Sportco and Outdoor Emporium (sister sporting goods stores in the Tacoma and Seattle area, respectively) have Bryanna as part of their pro team. According to Sportco’s Tony Kawamoto, “Bryanna is an ambassador for the stores, which is visible at both in banners and signage – all to inspire other women to get involved in

14th ANNUAL 14th

REAL WOMEN

Northwest

FISHING

Having little ones Lincoln and Saige in tow has only slowed down Bryanna Zimmerman and husband Jeff a little in their outdoor pursuits of salmon and big game. (BRYANNA ZIMMERMAN)

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023 Northwest Sportsman

Zimmerman counts an 18-pound Olympic Peninsula winter-run as her largest steelhead to date. (BRYANNA ZIMMERMAN) outdoor pursuits.” Not only is Bryanna an accomplished angler, but she hunts big game too, as evident by her harvesting of an eight-point bull elk in Washington with her bow in 2018. Beating the odds, she has harvested six elk in the last nine years – not bad for a mother raising two children. In fact, she was preparing for her next elk hunting adventure in Montana when I interviewed her in September for this article.

Buzz Ramsey Who introduced you to fishing and hunting? Bryanna Zimmerman My now husband Jeff introduced me to fishing when we were in high school, as I was a few years older and had a car that could transport us around. It was later that Jeff and I decided to get into

30 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

hunting, as we had friends who did it and we wanted to give it a try. This will be our 10th year chasing big game. While I mostly chase elk with my bow, I do rifle hunt on some years, as it allows me to extend my season.

BR What is your favorite fishery? BZ Hands down, our favorite fishery is chasing spring Chinook at Drano Lake. This was our 13th season fishing there. Yes, it can be crowded, but the closeness of it all and the fact that we fish there a lot has allowed us to forge numerous friendships with fellow anglers, many of whom have become close friends. My husband Jeff guides part time, mostly at Drano. We love the eating quality of the spring salmon that we catch there.

BR What is your most memorable fishing or hunting trip? BZ My most memorable trip happened in 2018 when I shot an eight-by-eight, oncein-a-lifetime bull elk in Eastern Washington with my bow out of a tree stand at 15 yards. What allowed me to harvest the bull was that I’d drawn a special quality bull elk tag for a unit we knew well, as we had hunted cow elk there many times before. I shoot a Bowtech Realm with a 49-pound draw. My hunting rifle is a Sako in 6.5. BR What is the largest salmon you have caught? BZ The Queets River is where I caught my largest salmon to date, a fall Chinook that we guessed at 35 pounds, as we had to release it because it didn’t have

the needed-to-keep adipose fin clip. The fishing was so red hot that day that I lost count of how many we landed and mostly released.

BR How about steelhead? BZ Jeff and I live in the Tacoma area, so steelhead fishing is somewhat limited near us, but we make occasional trips to the Olympic Peninsula – Grays Harbor rivers like the Wynoochee and Humptulips – and south to fish the Cowlitz. My most memorable trip was fishing with guide Mike Zavadlov (360-640-8109) on the Sol Duc River in 2013 when I caught and released a winter steelhead that we guessed at a solid 18 pounds while bobber fishing. Since Jeff and I have a jet and drift boat of our own, the methods we use these days are mostly bobber doggin’ and side drifting.

BR What advice would you give to women who want to get involved in fishing and/ or hunting? BZ Learning how and where to fish and/or hunt is pretty intimidating for women who may not know where to start. One could always book a trip with a reputable fishing or hunting guide, but I’d recommend first doing a little research to make sure you choose the experience you have in mind, as there are many different opportunities out there. One way to meet up with women who fish is on Facebook via the Washington State Women Anglers group – it’s my favorite – or by signing up to fish in a tournament like the Lipstick Salmon Slayers tournament at Buoy 10 in August. BR Has being a mom slowed down your outdoor activities? BZ Yes, a little, as we are now more fairweather fishermen, as our boats are open. And while open boats are great for fishing on nice days, you can get real cold and wet when an unexpected downpour hits, which is no fun when we have our two children along. Because of having to tend to our kids, I spend more time trolling than drift

32 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Zimmerman and her 2023 Montana archery bull. (BRYANNA ZIMMERMAN)

BRY’S LATEST BULL

s I was putting the final edits on this article, Bryanna sent me a photo from her successful 2023 Montana elk hunt. Here is what she said: “About my latest bull elk, on the second day of the hunt Jeff and I took a break to discuss better communication between us in regards to call setups, just to make sure we were on the same page. Knowing there were bulls in the area – we’d heard them bugling all morning – I started pushing forward when, just then, I heard elk walking less than 50 yards away. We both froze. I watched a calf pop out and walk down a game trail right past me. A cow followed after that.” “It was just then that I spotted white-tipped antlers through the trees ahead of me and decided right there I was going to shoot that bull. Once I decide I’m going to shoot an animal, I ignore everything else but the vitals, so I didn’t actually know how big he was – just that he had white tips off the back. I watched him come straight at me through a bunch of trees and I drew back as soon as he started moving down the same game trail as the others. He bugled while I was at full draw and I followed him with my sight as he came closer down the trail towards us. When he was 20 yards perfectly broadside, I released my arrow and we watched them all bust. We heard his last moan shortly after that and started the work to quarter him up for the pack out. It was a 3-mile pack and we had our friend Jason there with us as well, but we only made it 2 miles before dark.” “At that point I was really struggling, with the antlers getting hung up on everything. We hung our packs and finished our last mile, crossing a creek to end up at a campground hoping someone there would give us a ride to our truck (which would have been another 3 miles uphill from where I shot the bull). We were welcomed with beer and a ride to our truck. All five members of our group went in the next morning to collect the meat and finish the pack out. This was our second year hunting Montana. Neither of us shot anything last year, as the weather had been really hot but allowed us to get familiar with much of the terrain.” –BR

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023 Northwest Sportsman

fishing or other methods where you have to hold your rod all the time. We haven’t taken them in our drift boat as of yet.

Zimmerman’s outdoor accomplishments are the subject of banners at Sportco and Outdoor Emporium. This animal, her 2018 Washington eight-point elk, was also featured in our February 2019 Big Game Yearbook. (BRYANNA ZIMMERMAN)

34 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

BR From your perspective, what is the most frustrating thing about fishing and/ or hunting? BZ Our inability to control factors like an unexpected weather change or having to deal with equipment failures. Dealing with things of this nature can be so frustrating, especially given the time we put into preparation in advance of the season. On the hunting side, because we hunt public ground, we know we may have other hunters in the same area as us. And while they have that right to be there just like we do, it can be frustrating if too many flood into the area we have hunted for many years and invested a lot of time scouting in advance of the season. If too many show up in the same place, your hunt is basically over, as the wildlife, especially elk, will quickly leave. This is why we always have a backup plan. NS

The Year Without And Within

hen considering the depths of a woman’s heart and soul, I sometimes wonder why I refer to the rivers as a her and consider our ocean a him. In many ways these correlations fit, but not so much when it comes to depths. What dynamic creatures women are! So beautiful and intriguing. Raw, yet FOR THE LOVE optimistic. Soft and OF THE TUG sensitive. Passionate By Sara Potter and deep. Fierce, yet fragile. There is an undying strength within a woman that has nothing to do with muscles. Mentally strong, we can carry quite the load. Capable of constantly giving and nurturing, we naturally put others’ needs and wants before our own. Good-hearted women provide! 14th ANNUAL 14th What they provide to their family is essential and of is something money could never buy. A heart Northwest able to carry around so very much is pretty remarkable, yet terrifying at the same time. A flaw in a good-hearted woman is just that, though. They are givers; that’s what they do and sometimes they accidentally let their own needs and desires settle beneath the needs of those they love. Time flies and in doing what your heart feels is right for everyone else, a passionate 2023 will be remembered by Sara Potter as her first person can find themselves penniless, in year without a steelhead since taking up the fishery, a sense, if not careful. Even though the but she’s confident she can reconnect with the fish and ones around you are doing amazing, you the river in the future. (SARA POTTER)

REAL WOMEN

FISHING

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023 Northwest Sportsman

say that fishing for steelhead a handful of times a run will cut it. It won’t. It takes more than that for me to be my best self on the river. I never caught these fish for anyone but myself, nor did I compete with anyone but myself. But now here I am, truly needing to compete for myself! I must find the girl I was proud of when no one was looking and give her a presence in my life once more. She is still very much here; she’s just got to remember that nothing she has ever done in her life that was worth doing has come easily. She has had to work hard for it. The fisherman in me can look at my waters, closed or open, and know where those beauties lie. That helps me hold onto hope, as I know I can reconnect with the things I have somehow learned over this past year to live without. I remember when it was all an incredible curiosity and intrigue. Could I actually learn to fish? The rivers flooded my mind constantly as I waited that first year for somebody, anybody, to take me fishing. I eventually realized I didn’t need anybody to take me and because of that, I gained self confidence as I embraced the rivers. I feel like that could be why I selfishly miss these fish so much. This was my thing and I honestly liked it – a lot. It was the first intrigue I ever felt that was so strong that it pushed my acute fear of failure so far to the back of the bus that I couldn’t hear it from the driver’s seat for nothing! I was diving in and nobody or nothing could stop me. Native Douglas spirea blooms along the wildfire-scorched North Umpqua, one of the author’s favorite rivers and one whose waters, fish and woods she’s expressed deep concern about. (SARA POTTER) somehow forgot how amazing you are when you pursue a passion that is yours. Not anybody else’s; rather, something you do exclusively for yourself. When you connect with that level of self, everyone gets the very best version of you, but remembering that, acting upon it and finding that balance proves difficult. But I must find it. Seeing my family thriving as we begin to give 2023 well wishes goodbye reminds me that my lack of steelhead this year hasn’t been for not. In my time on the river, this must be the only year for me without a single one. I can’t honestly believe it

38 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

happened, but it did. I have to just accept it and move forward.

I KNOW WHAT it takes to be successful with these fish and never was one of the top anglers on my rivers. I did do one thing right, though: I gave it my time. God knows I won’t be fishing daily like I once was, but I know I have it in me to still find some time. To find some balance. To find some fish! The pursuit of steelhead, both summers and winters, is my personal joy, and in that joy I found so very much. Most of all, I found a Sara I was wholeheartedly proud of. I can’t

THE DIFFERENCE IN where I find myself now is that I already know. I know I can do it. I know how absolutely amazing those fish are. I know I can reach out and connect with them. I faced those fears and pretty much killed it, catching 112 steelhead since I stepped foot on the banks of the rivers. I know how it made me feel. I know what it taught my children. I know the beautiful badass it brought out in me, so why struggle to make that time for myself? I do not honestly know that answer. I do know my heart hasn’t ever left the river – and it would have by now if it wasn’t truly a part of me, a part of my soul. I trust in my journey and believe this chapter was necessary. My family is thriving now and I know that the time and devotion I have given

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them was crucial to who they are meant to be and become. The time for true life balance is upon me, because this is it. There are no retakes in life, so you must learn lessons, grow and go. Otherwise you might know regret, and I don’t want to know regret all that well. Just enough to learn from it, not live in it. I never really know if the depths to my heart, my worries and my dreams come from being a passionate fisherman or from being a strong-hearted woman. I sometimes wonder, how can a selfish steelhead fisherman live in a stronghearted woman’s body? My dreams say they can coexist in one incredible package, so it is time to prove it to myself. It’s time to realign some dreams into goals. Lord knows I’m capable of that. My heart is on the river and I couldn’t change it, even if I tried. NS

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“There are no retakes in life, so you must learn lessons, grow and go. Otherwise you might know regret, and I don’t want to know regret all that well. Just enough to learn from it, not live in it,” Potter writes. (SARA POTTER)

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“

Amanda Wiles (far left) and nine other lady anglers enjoyed some pretty good Chinook and coho fishing out of Washington’s salmon capital, Westport, on back to back to back days last summer. (AMANDA WILES)

Women Of The Outdoors Take On Westport

14th ANNUAL 14th

BY AMANDA WILES

he bite is hot, and the fish are big.” I kept hearing those statements week after week in the leadup to an amazing three-day adventure I had in store for myself and nine other ladies in mid-July at Westport. This would be a fishing trip for the books, one to fondly look back on. Not only for the amazing quality fish we caught, but the connections and bonding that took place over that weekend. The fishing was just a bonus part of this epic adventure with the ladies. Weather conditions and fishing were at their peak the moment our weekend started.

REAL WOMEN

The ladies were as we got to know pumped, our captain, one another. This is Northwest Tyler Jackson with always my favorite part Jackson Outdoors LLC, was and what I was most looking pumped, all the other boats forward to. A boat full of likein Westport were pumped – it minded females is a dream to was game time! The work of gathering all me. As soon as the conversations started, these ladies for these three days was about rods were going off – rockfish, coho and to pay off for everyone involved. kings for days. As we basked in the amazing fishing, we also connected within our outdoors interests. This first day brought WE STARTED DAY one with four ladies on amazing hunters. Their knowledge, skills the boat, one of whom had never caught and stories are what these fishing trips are an ocean salmon before. Once the lines about. We ended the day with limits and were in the water, conversations started

FISHING

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Northwest Sportsman 43

the most amazing high to carry on to the next day. Just like day one, day two saw no shortage of laughs, stories and glorious fish to be caught. We had a gal who had never been fishing on a boat in the ocean. This trip was also a birthday gift to herself. Well, you better believe we got that girl on a fish! The first time the rod went off, we had her up there fighting her birthday fish! At this stage in my fishing adventures and given all the fish I have caught, there has been a shift in what absolutely captures my heart. There is nothing better than watching someone catch their first big king – such joy, and almost disbelief that they have just brought in this monster fish. It is a special moment, and I was so happy to have witnessed it two days in a row with the ladies. After that first fish, it was just constant fish after fish after fish. It was an amazing day, and what a group of ladies to share it with. Amy Spoon shows off a nice hatchery king. “Trips like this only strengthen our community and help us grow together,” says Wiles. (AMANDA WILES)

44 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

“There is nothing better than watching someone catch their first big king,” Wiles writes. “Such joy, and almost disbelief that they have just brought in this monster fish.” (AMANDA WILES) I thought for sure that by day three I would be absolutely exhausted from fishing and human interaction (I work from home; give me a break). But no! I was ready to slay with our final group of ladies. Day three brought quite the coho rodeo, specifically for one special lady in our group. She was the coho master, but finally was able to land her king. We all were able to land our kings and coho on this final day. Just like the previous two days, the conversations, laughs and connections

were not unnoticed. Our captain worked so hard during these three days, and it was truly appreciated and met with happy clients.

THE IDEA OF this trip was to create a safe, intimate place for these ladies to learn and share experiences. We have all been on the big boats and while they do provide fish, the personal connection can be lacking, as well as getting lost in the crowd. I wanted to have a space where these ladies would feel comfortable asking questions and could learn about this fishery and what it has to offer us. Jackson Outdoors LLC was perfect for this unique request, thanks to an open six-seat sled that allows for conversations to really get to know the person next to you. It is amazing what happens when you get a group of outdoorsy women together. The hunting, fishing and hiking stories are amazing to hear. This is not a typical boat full of women trying to catch a fish. These are women who have put in the work to own a spot in the hunting and fishing community. It was a privilege to fish with these incredible women. This community is ever growing and is completely different than it was eight or so years ago when I really started getting involved. Trips like this only strengthen our community and help us grow together. I left Westport that weekend with a cooler full of fish, but even more importantly, amazing memories to look back on with new friends. Westport was kind to us ladies this year; here’s to next year when the outdoors ladies come back to take on Westport. NS

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“True, when venturing out and exploring, it is more comfortable having a partner in crime, but when my heart, soul and deep-seated primal nature kept knocking at my door, I couldn’t say no,” writes author Britnè Prosser. (BRITNÈ PROSSER)

46 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Solo Into The Wild BY BRITNÈ PROSSER “This has the power to fill you up, if you let it.” –Wild (2014)

am in awe of women and the strength they carry. The outgoing mindset, the true grit that seems to have been hiding for however many eons. Between balancing work, kids, family and carrying the world with such grace, women are refinding and redefining ourselves and our place in the outdoors, becoming in a sense “equals” in the hunting world and beyond. In the beginning of my solo journey in the outdoors, it took working up the mindset and strengthening my courage to venture out on my own. It made waves of wide-eyed disbelief and was viewed as a huge feat or massive accomplishment compared to (and in most cases) something that was an “easy” and “normal” thing for men to do. 14th ANNUAL 14th True, when venturing out and exploring, it of is more comfortable having a partner in Northwest crime, but when my heart, soul and deep-seated primal nature kept knocking at my door, I couldn’t say no. Which brings me to my decision to go solo. I enjoy sharing my passions for nature and inspiring folks to get outdoors. But to be blunt, I was discouraged in the beginning and became fed up with all the excuses – the false, elaborate reasons why nobody could come adventuring with me. A few times, friends would help me plan every detail of a hike and then bail at the Being able to overcome her friends’ excuses to last minute. One excuse that was always back out of hiking trips – which then became her upsetting: “The weather is too awful; I am own excuses – was a big obstacle that opened a lot of trails for Prosser. (BRITNÈ PROSSER) not going to make it.” It left me pissed and

REAL WOMEN

FISHING

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Northwest Sportsman 47

Along with Northwest rainbows, rockfish, steelhead and bass, Prosser enjoys fishing for sharks. (BRITNÈ PROSSER) extremely disappointed. “How dare they ruin my hiking plans!” I would think. But I am far from perfect. I would then use their excuse as my own not to go. In how upset I would get, I realized I was mostly upset with myself. I was a giant hypocrite. When I realized I was hindering myself from everything that fills me up the most, I knew I had to make a change. I’d had enough of my own sh*t! The change began.

ENCOURAGEMENT One of the top questions I get is, “What if you get hurt?” Yes, that is always a possibility and as thoughtful and sweet as their concern might be, I secretly roll my eyes. I feel it sets a tone that because I’m a woman going solo in the outdoors, I might not be capable of dealing with an injury or an animal on the trail. A story that sticks out in my mind is a very silly one. I wanted to go on a sunrise hike, which had been on my bucket list for a while. I picked a shorter trail that I was familiar with and had a great view. I checked the weather, set my alarm for the buttcrack of dawn and set off on my adventure that dark morning. Putting miles on the pavement, I grinned ear to ear

48 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

all the way to the trailhead. I knew the short route to the top but thought of taking the easier but somewhat longer route to take my time. I grabbed my flashlight, hit the brokendown, stinky Porta Potty and then started down the trail. Still grinning and breathing in mostly fresh, cold air, I suddenly paused in fright: There was a huge noise. With my heart thumping fast, eyes wide trying to see everything all at once, I shined my dim light at random bushes and trees all around me. I couldn’t tell what the noise was, but knew mine was the only car parked in the lot. I had my handgun holstered on my front hip and my now sweaty palm was ready to pull it out quickly if needed. I am not sure what I saw in that mediumto large-sized figure, but I slowly backed towards my car. Shaking and highly alert, my sh*t-eating grin was now a melted blob of worry. I sat in my car, frantically calling a girlfriend for support. I was in tears and not because of whatever was outside, but because I was on a time limit to get to the top of the mountain by or before sunrise. I felt stuck. Every excuse ran through my head and I almost started my car to leave. But I eventually

calmed down and faced my worries and overactive stress. I told myself I was more than capable of protecting myself: I am strong! I can do this! Stop being a p*ssy! That noise was probably just a rabbit! Breathe! You can do this! I got out of the car, slamming the door to scare off anything that might be out there. With half a smile and a little caution, I marched to the harder side of the trail. Just then, another car pulled up in a hurry and two young women got out, rushing to see the sunrise as well. So we joined together and as soon as I crested over the top, words cannot describe that view. I gasped in awe! As I tried to catch my breath and soak it all in, I cried a little. The beauty of it all. The time it took me to get there. The sleepless night before filled with excitement. The courage and strength I felt within myself. All the worry melted away. I will always remember that hike because of the fears I faced and that I didn’t give up just because something scary came along. My first sunrise hike was my first time sharing a summit with my mom over Facetime. We both cried together in a heartfelt, grateful way. Every summit I conquer, I call and share it with her. I have now summited bigger mountains, like

FINDING YOURSELF

Prosser has felt welcomed and an equal in the hunting community. “I feel they see the same familiar fire in me that is burning in them,” she writes. Here she is with Mark, Ralph and Jake during an Eastern Oregon elk hunt. (BRITNÈ PROSSER) South Sister, Mount St. Helens, Mount Thielsen and many others, and more are on my list.

BREAKING OPEN The thing I see most after I post about my adventures is a flood of messages from single stay-at-home moms who daydream of doing something big in life. As a single, working mom with two small kids and a small business myself, I can honestly say that I crave to do something for myself. To show my kids that life is worth living. To stay after my goals and put effort into the things I love and enjoy. I know guilt comes along with doing things for yourself, but it is necessary to go after your adventures and fill your wild soul. With other women from all walks of life asking me how I do it, how to get started and what to do first, I have a wonderful obligation to be that stepping stone for these wild and amazing women.

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I have deep conversations, encourage them, support them and tend to all of their questions. They light up brighter than the sun! They have this undeniable excitement and drive wanting to break open. They speak from their own wild untamed hearts, of their dreams and ideas, strengths and courage. They radiate with desire. Then something switches. I sit and watch them slowly talk themselves out of it: “I can’t do it without my husband.” “I don’t have the right shoes.” “The trails you do are too far.” “I have kids.” The list goes on. My heart breaks seeing and hearing this. All I can think about is, what if they would just take that first step! That first step to the summit. That first big breath of forest air. It would make all the difference in the world. These excuses – just as mine did – hinder them from experiencing the raw connection with this earth that we all long for.

There are moments in one’s life that knock you on your ass. Things that shake you to your core, that wake you up. These empowering moments make you feel stronger and help you realize more about the deeper bits and pieces of yourself that you have unintentionally ignored. I had one of those moments. I have always had a thirst for everything outdoors. It runs through my veins thicker than my own blood. As I went through life and creating a family, holding down jobs, bad relationships and much more, I lost my way. I lost my true self, losing sight of my passions and the drive to keep going. At the time, though, I didn’t realize exactly what part of me was missing. I was standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes one morning and as I stared out the small window, a poem began to emerge in my head. I compared the outdoors to my life and where it was going at the time. As I kept staring out the small, confining window with only a view of blacktop, with suds on my hands and the sound of the washer slushing, the sounds of order and comfort started to disgust me. I drowned out the redundant, stagnant noise and dreamed of the forest: the smells, the vibrant colors of all the flowers and the bushy ferns I love so much. The dirt trails and the silly bugs that dance in the sunbeams. All the warm feelings of being free. I came to and just began to cry. As everything suddenly flooded into me, I couldn’t help but break down and give way to a freeing moment, showing me what I needed to do to change. Although this moment wasn’t where my love for nature came from, it was profound for the fact that it was a restart, an undeniable moment of clarity about who I wanted to be and where I wanted to go. In a sense, I was starved for what I needed most to fill me up again: The outdoors is where I wanted to be and where I was choosing to go. When your true self starts to break out of hiding, it is such a surreal feeling. There’s a wave of emotions and a clearer vision, a small glimpse that feels enormous as it reveals what your path has in store. I

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knew I was meant to be in the outdoors, working or leading others into nature as much as I do. And looking back at where I was, I could never have imagined a future with where I am now. So much has happened since I began writing this. Everything still holds true and my passion for the outdoors and hunting has only gotten deeper.

THE TRANSITION I’ll admit that in the beginning becoming a hunter hadn’t crossed my mind. At one point I’d thought about becoming a vegan. I believe the transition was when I started to look further into hunting and found hunters to follow on social

Prosser’s new year’s resolution is to jump head-first into all the hunting, fishing and crabbing she can, and to get her trapper’s license as well. (BRITNÈ PROSSER)

52 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

media so as to truly get both sides of the story. Regardless of what food you eat, I feel it is important to gain knowledge about it and where it comes from. To be connected to your food. To understand the fuel you are putting into your body. To be self-sufficient. To know your plant and animal identification and anatomy. As I dove deeper into hunters’ lives, listened to podcasts, read many books and found there are so many like-minded and amazing people, one thing that stood out was seeing other females like me getting out there! Getting dirty, knowing their weapons, taking down big game. Moms, single moms, moms with many kids, camping on their own, knowing the gear, knowing direction in thick, trailless forests. Strong, independent women dragging out an elk to feed their family and being self-sufficient. Joining a

hugely male-dominated community and bringing a female touch to the hunting world. I felt empowered as a woman. I had to get out there and experience it for myself. That was when I joined my cousin and uncle on my first hunt almost six seasons ago now. Yes, there can be a lot of show and flash and “too much makeup” with some, but that didn’t stop me from following them because most knew their stuff. I felt welcomed, at home and accepted into the hunting world. I asked questions or messaged hunters about animals, hunts, weapons – the list is endless – and they always greeted me with information or connected me to another hunter who might be more insightful. I was always so grateful for this as a newcomer. There was a strong pull and I knew I needed to grab hold and hang

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Northwest Sportsman 53

on for dear life. Male or female, they have all looked at me as a newbie but never less than them. I feel they see the same familiar fire in me that is burning in them. Friends and hunters encourage me and are always willing to give advice. But they also make you work for it, giving you bread crumbs to search on your own, strengthening your awareness, abilities and hunting skills in the process. A couple years into hunting with my cousin and uncle came my last visit with my aunt, who passed away shortly before our hunting trip. That visit and that specific moment meant the world to me. It just solidified even further how I felt and where my path was going. “I always knew you would go one way or the other,” my aunt said. I asked her what she meant and she replied, “You have always loved the outdoors and animals. I thought you

would either become vegan or a hunter.” I felt my smile grow. I continue to hike solo or with others. I hunt, fish and have had many wonderful opportunities to travel and be in the outdoors. Since the beginning I have hunted every year and I have gained so much more than just knowledge. The deep connection with so many others and the confidence I’ve gained within myself – there is no comparison.

THE CONCLUSION There is a bond and depth we share. A drive, a strong burning desire within us that we can’t seem to contain or put words to. We let out our wild, our raw primal instinct, and we feel free. Taking the life of an animal is never easy; you question whether you are worthy enough to make that call. As you hone all of your practice into a tiny millisecond – your heart racing, breath calm, hands steady and an animal in your sights – the challenges strengthen you. As much as the mountains beat us up,

we crave her harshness. We encourage it. We push our limits; we are addicted to our inner strength and the humbling insight to our deepest selves that only seems to sustain us for a short time. As it fades on the drive home, we yearn for the hunt and constantly look in our rearview mirror, aching for the next chance to step foot in the outdoors, for that heart-racing hunt, that perfect flying arrow or shot. The emotions and responsibilities that come along with taking an animal’s life to feed our family. The sunrises and sunsets, the crackling of the campfire, the smell of whiskey on our breath, the immense, infinite sky. We hold onto every second of the hunt and the memories made. There is no comparison to being on the hunt for your own food, to have the freedom and to honor the animal you are after. Hunter or not, we are all connected to the life around us. I am and always will be an outdoors woman and hunter. NS

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Danika Campos shows off a nice fall Chinook she caught while drifting the Klickitat, one of several kings she, family members and a friend caught this season on the Columbia Gorge river.

The rugged North Jetty at the mouth of the mighty Columbia is one of Julie Johnson’s favorite places to fish. She caught this coho there in late August. (MD

(KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

JOHNSON)

14th ANNUAL 14th

REAL WOMEN

Jessica Faris has Waitts Lake brown trout dialed in! This one bit for the Northeast Washington angler in spring. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

Northwest

FISHING

If it’s reachable by an Oregon highway and has a boat ramp, you can bet Rhonna Schnell will fish it! Here she is with a Columbia Gorge Chinook and Wallowa Mountains and Newberrry Caldera kokanee. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST) For your shot at winning great fishing and hunting knives from Coast and Kershaw in our Knife Photo Contest, send your full-resolution, original images with all the pertinent details – who’s in the pic; when and where they were; what they caught their fish on/weapon they used to bag the game; and any other details you’d like to reveal (the more, the merrier!) – to awalgamott@media-inc.com or Northwest Sportsman, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057. By sending us photos, you affirm you have the right to distribute them for use in our print and Internet publications. nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023

Northwest Sportsman 57

Cherish McAbee was all over the Northwest fishing map this season – Lower Columbia for springers, and deckhanding at Drano Lake with her son on a veterans trip, on Hood Canal for spot shrimp and out on the briny blue off Westport for Chinook! (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

14th ANNUAL 14th

REAL WOMEN

Northwest

FISHING

Maralee Moore and hubster Terry made quite a haul at Rufus Woods Lake one day last spring, picking up this very nice walleye among a number of stout triploids as well. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

58 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

It just would not be Real Women of Northwest Fishing without a pic from Toni Pollock-Bozarth! She’s been in most of our annual features over the years, and here she is in 2023 with a nice South Sound wild coho, caught off legendary Point Defiance. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

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Northwest Sportsman 59

Drano Lake is Coleen Goulet’s playground. She and her husband enjoyed a few great weeks there this spring for hatchery Chinook. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

Nikki Servatius hoists her first salmon ever, a nice bright fall king caught off Long Beach in early August. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

Nothing nothing but but double doubles for Jamie McLeod this summer! She did well in July and September for coho off the mouth of the Columbia. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

14th ANNUAL 14th

REAL WOMEN

Northwest

FISHING A trip to Northeast Oregon served up some good rainbow trout fishing for Leslie Hernandez this fall. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

From the Kenai to the Washington Coast, Linda Smith enjoyed good success this year, putting together a solid stringer of sockeye on the Alaska river and near-limits of razor clams on a date night last month. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

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Northwest Sportsman 61

PHOTO CONTEST MONTHLY

Zoe Ross and her father Jacob’s fiancé Cat teamed up for a fast limit of rainbows last summer. Zoe’s “been fishing since she could walk,” while “Cat is a new fisherwomen as of this year and has landed a handful of salmon to trout and bass,” Jacob reports. “I’m extremely proud of them both and how far they have come in such a short time. I can’t forget – they are already outfishing their teacher!”

Winner!

Eden Burt might just have stumbled onto a secret way to catch big cutthroat on Lake Washington. She hooked this nice one while trolling for kokanee with corn. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

(KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

14th ANNUAL 14th

REAL WOMEN

Northwest

FISHING

First one to read each new issue of Northwest Sportsman at the Homola household? That would be Deanna! Here she is with her first North Fork Lewis River coho, caught hover fishing with eggs. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

Corrin Campion has long enjoyed fishing with her dad, and last summer’s Bellingham Bay Chinook opener was no exception! (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

After helping make sure her grandparents were comfortably set up on a family ice fishing outing last January on Curlew Lake, Lexi Han hooked this pretty nice yellow perch. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023

Northwest Sportsman 63

MIXED BAG

Snaggers Busted With Nearly 3 Dozen Salmon

By Andy Walgamott

Nearly three dozen Snohomish River coho and pink salmon were seized from snaggers who used what appear to be specially designed cannonball weights attached to barbed treble hooks to illegally hook the fish in October. (WDFW)

our salmon snaggers went to extremes to hide their dark arts – but not far enough. They were discovered by two intrepid game wardens late on a rainy October evening on the Snohomish River in Bob Heirman Wildlife Park at Thomas’ Eddy, a mile down a trail from the nearest parking lot, which was empty at the time. In their possession were 35 pinks and coho, according to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police, well in excess of the daily limit of four. Officers Stephanie Tank and Cara Wicklein were on foot patrol when they found the quartet “in the act of snagging salmon” with “giant treble hooks equipped with large lead weights.” Fish were strewn across the bank and stuffed into their backpacks. The alleged poaching occurred during a season that saw law-abiding salmon

fishermen have to wait on the banks longer than usual to access Snohomish pinks and coho because of restrictions meant to help rebuild struggling wild Chinook stocks. “These individuals were conducting their unlawful recreational fishing in the first degree by snagging these fish,” WDFW Police stated on Facebook. “Snagging is defined as any attempt to hook a fish so the fish does not voluntarily take the hook into its mouth. Additionally, they were over the four-fish limit per person per day and attempting to evade detection by committing these acts under cover of darkness, leaving no trace of a vehicle in the parking lot to alert officers, and being a mile down a muddy trail during adverse weather conditions.” Left unstated in the post was how exactly Tank and Wicklein happened to

detect the incident. Was it one of those tiny motion-activated cameras that can stream video and alert officers to a poaching in progress? Nearly 40 of the devices were gifted to WDFW in 2021 by the Wild Steelhead Coalition for duty on North Sound waterways, as well as Hood Canal and the Chehalis Basin. “Officer Wicklein stated she wished she had cameras, but what it came down to was knowledge of the local area, some intuition and ‘good old game warden luck,” WDFW Police spokeswoman Becky Elder told me. “If any group or organization is interested in donating camera equipment, it would be a welcome addition in our efforts to catch poachers.” Officers recommended that Snohomish County prosecutors file criminal first-degree unlawful fishing charges on the four.

JACKASS OF THE MONTH

t’s the story that keeps on giving and giving and giving and … Remember last year’s Ohio walleye tournament cheaters who got caught stuffing weights in their catch? Well, one of the dynamic duo, Chase E. Cominsky, will be arraigned in Pennsylvania in January on a raft of big game hunting violations. According to news reports, Cominsky

allegedly killed a number of whitetails outside of his home state’s seasons or during closed hours, put his wife’s tag on at least three trophy bucks that he also had mounted, and hunted without a license from 2013 through 2021. Oh, the reason he didn’t have a license? It had been suspended starting in 2008 for “multiple” wildlife violations. Cominsky is also in trouble for allegedly giving his son fake $100 bills to spend at a local bowling alley, and was briefly charged

with stalking and harassing a woman before the charges were withdrawn. For stuffing 10 12- and 8-ounce weights in walleye during that September 2022 tournament on Lake Erie with fishing partner Jake Runyan, Cominsky was sentenced to 10 days in jail, a year and a half of probation, $2,500 fine payable to a charity that works with kids via fishing, and forfeiture of his $130,000 boat. Stay tuned in 2024 for the next chapter(s) in this one!

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023 Northwest Sportsman

Coquille Bass Derby ‘Producing Amazing Results’ In 2nd Year

By Andy Walgamott

he $10,000 bass got away, but the same can’t be said for thousands of other invasive smallmouth caught during a summerlong derby on the Oregon Coast’s Coquille River, results lauded as “nothing short of spectacular” by a local tribe. More than 8,600 bass were removed during the second annual Port of Coquille River Bass Derby, which ran from June to October, including around 2,000 by fisherman Kerry Johnson alone. Eighty of the fish were microchipped for the derby and Johnson caught $700 worth of them, the most of any participant. His secret appears to have been kayak fishing with worms. He was trailed by Lucas Lively, who scored $500. “These bass are invasive species, and they prey on the salmon smolts, and that is doing incredible damage to the salmon runs,” said Coquille Indian Tribe Chair Brenda Meade in a tribal press release. “It is so important to continue to help salmon recovery in any way we can. It is important culturally, ecologically, economically, and this kind of event is producing amazing results in just its second year.” Bucket biologists illegally brought smallmouth to the Coquille, possibly from the nearby Umpqua, sometime in the early 2000s (see “The Big Pic,” Northwest Sportsman, July 2022, for more). No doubt smallies are a prized game fish, but they are utterly unwanted in the Coquille, a system unlike others in the Northwest where bass and salmonids exist. Recent years have seen the rain-fed coastal river’s Chinook struggle and biologists pin the blame largely on the explosion of smallmouth. Other predators include largemouth and striped bass. Last year saw 3,000 smallies caught by anglers, but the derby is just one prong in a multifaceted reduction effort that includes electrofishing. Wild Steelheaders United reported that this past summer they and a number of agencies and volunteer groups helped shock 2,567 bass out of the river during a four-day blitz. Three-quarters of the fish were young-of-the-year bass, which suggested to the organization that the past few years’ work is “starting to pay dividends,” as remaining juvenile fish aren’t big enough to prey on young salmon and steelhead like larger ones are. The fishing derby was sponsored by the tribe, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and 3J Ranches. Entry was $20. See thepocrd.com for more info.

Between an angler derby and electroshocking efforts on Oregon’s Coquille River, the number of mature bass capable of gobbling young Chinook, coho and steelhead is way down, giving fishery managers, conservationists and others hope that the multipronged removal effort is working to reduce predation on salmonids. (ODFW)

Catches Up At King Of The Reach

ith one of the highest fall Chinook catches in its 12-year history, late October’s King of the Reach livecapture derby was a “resounding success,” according to Coastal Conservation Association Washington. A total of 829 upriver brights were delivered to bankside collection points by almost 200 participating anglers for eventual spawning at the Grant County Public Utility District’s Priest Rapids Hatchery, part of an effort to keep the facility’s kings as genetically close to the strong wild stock in the MidColumbia’s Hanford Reach as possible. Travis Street won the King of the Reach title for the 71 fish he and his crew brought in, followed by Bill Tierney with 43 and

KOTR cofounder Don McBride with 42. The derby is a joint effort between CCA, the utility and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to meet required genetic benchmarks for hatchery production. If those marks are missed, it could impact smolt releases and affect fisheries from Alaska to Eastern Washington. If anglers didn’t help, commercial or contract fishermen would be used. The derby occurs after the fishing season and participation is limited to 80 boats. In recent years the event has come under fire due to slower fall fishing on the Hanford Reach and a sense that the derby might be removing too many spawners. Our September 2023 “The Big Pic” feature

responded to those concerns. The 829 kings collected this past October was the fourth highest tally and most since 2020’s 1,098. Overall mortality rates are very low; just under 1 percent of the 7,453 collected from 2012 through 2022 died before arriving at the hatchery. Volunteer anglers contributed 3,800 hours to this year’s three-day event, CCA Washington reported. “Thank you to everyone who participated and made this event a success,” the organization posted. “What sets this derby apart is its remarkable blend of thrilling fishing and conservation efforts.” Plans are already in the works for the 2024 edition. nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023 Northwest Sportsman

OUTDOOR

CALENDAR

DECEMBER

General Eastern Oregon fall turkey hunting season in the Desolation, Murderers Creek and Northside Units and the southeastern corner of Heppner Unit switches to only open on private lands with permission (closed in rest of region); Last day of Oregon Coast bull elk second season 1-15 Extended pheasant season at select Western Washington release sites (no birds stocked) 2 ODFW Introducción a Cazar en Oregon (Introduction to Hunting in Oregon; $, register), Helensview School, Portland – info: myodfw.com/ workshopsand-events 7 Oregon Zone 2 duck and scaup seasons resume 8 Last day of many Washington bow and muzzleloader deer and elk seasons 9 Washington Goose Management Area 1 reopener 10 Last day of late bow deer season in select Southwest Oregon units; Last day of Oregon brant goose season 12 Oregon High Desert and Blue Mountains Zone Canada goose season resumes 13-17 Tentative razor clam digs scheduled on select Washington Coast beaches, dependent on marine toxin levels – info: wdfw.wa.gov 15 Last day of more Washington late bow and muzzleloader deer and elk seasons 17 Last day of late bow deer season in select Northwest Oregon units 23 Oregon South Coast Zone goose season resumes 26-29 Tentative razor clam digs scheduled on select Washington Coast beaches, dependent on marine toxin levels – info above 31 Last day to hunt pheasants in Oregon; Last day of Eastern Washington general fall turkey hunting season; Last day of Western Washington late bow blacktail season; End of Oregon and Idaho 2023 fishing and hunting license years

JANUARY 1 6 10 15 17 19 20 28 31

2024 Oregon and Idaho fishing and hunting licenses required; Washington late cougar season opens – quota info: wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/ big-game/cougar First of 14 brant goose hunting days in Pacific County (others: January 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 28) Deadline to file Washington big game report for incentive permit eligibility; Last day to hunt scaup in Oregon Zone 2 Last day to hunt Hungarian partridge, quail and pheasant in Eastern Washington Oregon High Desert and Blue Mountains Zone late white and white-fronted goose opener Last day to hunt ducks and geese in Idaho Area 3 First of three brant goose hunting days in Clallam and Whatcom Counties (others: January 24, 27) Last day to hunt ducks in Oregon Zones 1 and 2 and scaup in Zone 1; Last day to hunt Canada geese in Southwest, High Desert and Blue Mountains, and Mid-Columbia Zones Deadline to file mandatory hunter reports in Washington and Oregon; Last day to hunt upland birds in Oregon and Idaho; Last day to hunt ducks and geese in Idaho Area 1; Last day to hunt turkeys in Oregon; Last day to hunt chukar in Eastern Washington; Last day to fish for trout, salmon and/or steelhead on many Western Washington river systems

FEBRUARY 3 3 10

Oregon and Washington statewide veterans and active military waterfowl hunting day; Washington statewide youth waterfowl hunting day Mid-Columbia Zone white and white-fronted goose late season opener Oregon Northwest Permit Zone late goose season opener

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Northwest Sportsman 69

2024 BOAT AND SPORTSMEN’S SHOW

CALENDAR

Boat buyers and salesmen kick the tires at the huge Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show in Portland last February. The 2024 show season kicks off next month and runs into May. (ANDY WALGAMOTT)

JANUARY 10-14 Portland Boat Show, Expo Center, Portland; otshows.com 18-21 Tacoma RV Show, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma; otshows.com 19-21 The Great Rockies Sport Show, MetraPark Expo Center, Billings; greatrockiesshow.com

23-25 Jackson County Sportsmen’s & Outdoor Recreation Show, Jackson County Expo, Medford; exposureshows.com

24-25 Saltwater Sportsmen’s Show, Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem; saltwatersportsmensshow.com

29-March 3 The Idaho Sportsman Show, Expo Idaho, Boise; idahosportsmanshow.com

26-28 Tri-Cities Sportsmen Show, HAPO Center, Pasco; shuylerproductions.com 31-Feb. 4 Vancouver International Boat Show, BC Place and Granville Island,

Vancouver, BC; vancouverboatshow.ca 31-Feb. 4 Washington Sportsmen’s Show, Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup; otshows.com

MARCH 1-3 7-10

FEBRUARY

8-9

Eugene Boat & Sportsmen’s Show, Lane Events Center, Eugene; exposureshows.com 2-10 Seattle Boat Show, Lumen Field Event Center and Bell Harbor Marina, Seattle; seattleboatshow.com 9-11 Douglas County Sportsmen’s & Outdoor Recreation Show, Douglas County Fairgrounds, Roseburg; exposureshows.com 9-11 Willamette Sportsman Show, Linn County Expo Center, Albany; willamettesportsmanshow.com 14-18 Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show, Expo Center, Portland; otshows.com 23-25 Central Washington Sportsmen Show, Yakima Valley Sundome, Yakima; jlmproductionsllc.com

8-10

2-4

14-17

BC Sportsmen’s Show, Tradex, Abbotsford, BC; bcsportsmenshow.ca Central Oregon Sportsmen’s Show, Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, Redmond; otshows.com Northwest Fly Tyer & Fly Fishing Expo, Linn County Fairgrounds, Albany; nwexpo.com Victoria Boat and Fishing Show, Pearkes Recreation Centre, Victoria, BC; victoriaboatshow.com Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show, Spokane Fair & Expo Center, Spokane; bighornshow.com

MAY 4

Fly Casting Fair, Ballinger Park, Mountlake Terrace, Washington; flyfishersinternational.org 16-18 Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show, Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes; anacortesboatandyachtshow.com nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023

Northwest Sportsman 71

72 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

On a day that would yield seven Grande Ronde River steelhead landed, this was our only hatchery fish. This little beauty crushed a blue Hot Shot as it wiggled and hunted its way down a sun-drenched run that usually provides at least a takedown. (JEFF HOLMES)

Steelhead Cathedral Story and captions by Jeff Holmes

fter an unimaginable eight years away from my home steelhead stream, I returned to Southeast Washington’s Grande Ronde River this November, a week after the first big spike of water of the fall. Eight hundred cubic feet per second bumped up to 2,600 cfs in a

matter of hours, and I knew this water event would bring steelhead out of the Snake into the Ronde and shuffle around the fish already in the river. I couldn’t resist. With the extended forecast drying out, it looked to me like the river would settle around 1,200 to 1,400 cfs by the time the next weekend rolled around: perfect for my passion of pulling my proven

A midfall float finds the Grande Ronde in prime shape for backtrolling plugs and its canyon walls host to spectacular wildlife viewing. set of steelhead plugs. I’d stayed away from steelheading and the Grande Ronde largely out of guilt due to poor runs due to gruesome ocean conditions and also because a torn bicep I didn’t repair kept me out of commission briefly. But with this year’s unexpected 110,000 summer steelhead over Bonneville, I couldn’t resist the draw of perfect water at the

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023 Northwest Sportsman

FISHING

Our float from Highway 129 at Boggan’s Oasis to the lower takeout at the bottom of Shumaker Grade started in beautiful fashion when we slipped a net under this beauty despite a reel failure. We cut the embattled Hot Shot 35 off of this specialized plugging rod-reel combo and hastily tied it to a spinning combo, which would prove to be the day’s workhorse, thanks to the reliability of my beloved plug. (JEFF HOLMES)

most perfect time of year. I’d ruined relationships, exhausted my bank account, and nearly lived part time in the LC Valley and on the banks of the river for 15 years as I learned to steelhead and especially to pull plugs in a drift boat on the river’s famed roadless stretch below Highway 129 and Boggan’s Oasis. Despite poor creel reports from the Oregon and Washington stretches of the river, I was confident I could still elicit the handful of plug-rod takedowns I craved. Little did I know how special my day on the water would be. 74 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

I WATCHED THE U.S. Geological Survey gauge obsessively throughout the week as I awaited my fishing day, and I replaced all of the split rings, bead chains, and single siwash hooks on all of my best swimming steelhead plugs. Mag Lip 3.5s and 3.0s, Heddon Tadpollies and Clatter Tads, Wiggle Warts and Brad’s Wigglers, Kwikfish and FlatFish, and Hot Shot 70s, 30s, and 35s all stood ready for battle with sharp-ass hooks and proven rigging. I have a bit of a problem with collecting steelhead plugs and have several hundred, but only my box of

“swimmers” and a few backups see the water. Out of this set of roughly 40 plugs, typically no more than three ever get wet unless I’m fishing coastal streams where preferences differ. Here on the Ronde I am a diehard devotee to the Hot Shot 35 with a single size 1 siwash hook, and in particular my devotion extends to a few plugs partly devoid of paint. These plugs used to be metallic blue, green, and purple, and still mostly are, minus scarring from tooth marks and rock strikes. My friend Jay Grate and I left our rooms at the Clarkston Motel 6 at 4:40 in the morning with my Clackacraft drift boat and that box of plugs in tow. We were scheduled to meet my friend Jerry Yokel at 6 a.m. on the downstream side of the Highway 129 bridge where we would dump the boat and walk up to Boggan’s Oasis for coffee and to drop off my key for the long, spendy shuttle. In the hour that elapsed between our departure from Motel 6 and our arrival at Boggan’s, we did not pass a single soul on the road to Anatone, home of fewer than 100 people. On the descent of Rattlesnake Grade and its famed 110 curves in 11 miles, I tried to describe to Jay – a national lab scientist and an avid photographer and birdwatcher – the majesty of canyonlands and deer and elk that existed below us, obscured only by darkness. Later, on the float, he’d experience near grandeur overload. We met Jerry, an extraordinary musician and member of Walla Walla’s Frog Hollow Band, where he had been sleeping in his tiny Toyota Yaris. He and his bandmates had played a show from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. in Walla Walla, and he had driven straight to the river where he’d slept fitfully for an hour or two. Two days prior he and his grandson, Isaiah, had been a mile up the road, where they climbed over 1,000 vertical feet to chase chukars, downing several and a handful of Hungarian partridge. You’d never guess Jerry was 71, nor that Jay was 68, nor that I am 47

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nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023 Northwest Sportsman

FISHING

It’s amazing I still have this highly effective Hot Shot 35, since I run it solely on 8- or 10-pound monofilament and have been since 2008. I suspect it has accounted for more than 50 steelhead by itself and produced five steelies and a moldy spring Chinook on this day. Although the plug started the day with a brand-new Gamakatsu size 1 siwash, note the superficial rust from having been put away wet and sitting for just a week before this picture. I did not ask my crewmate to snip it off the line, or it would still have its lucky duolock affixed, which I have since remedied. (JEFF HOLMES)

until you watch my fat ass walk up a chukar hill. Our crew of a combined 186 years of age felt the pull of the Ronde as I edged us forward from shore and the current grabbed ahold and we started to slip downriver into the deep basalt canyon. The heft of the oars and ripple of the river under the hull felt familiar and good, and the smells of fall decay and sounds of canyon wrens calmed my nerves. Until we have a fish in the boat, I am always a maniac, and my mania was fueled on this morning with apprehension: Could I still deftly backtroll us down 14 miles of river, fighting the current to guide our plugs through the many runs that reliably hold steelhead?

AS WE ROUNDED the first bend in the river and lost sight of the highway, I pulled us over, dropped anchor in some soft water and tied on three “swimmer” plugs, all Hot Shot 35s in blue, green, and purple chrome. In a trade with my other buddy named Jerry, Pasco’s Jerry Reyes, I had secured some 60-year-old Fenwick fiberglass fly rod blanks I’d had tied up this past summer as steelhead plug rods. I handed the rods to Jay and Jerry and gave a quick tutorial on how to deploy their plugs. I pulled 76 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

the anchor, ferried us across the river, and positioned us in fast water above an epic, 100-plus-yard-long run where I’d caught many steelhead in years past. Our program was sloppy at first, but the guys got the plugs in the water, and I quickly stopped overrowing and felt that familiar groove with the oars. As I guided the three Hot Shots downstream through the meat of the run, watching them encounter known boulders and then return to hunting, I spotted a small group of bighorn ewes and lambs on the freshly sundrenched hillside on river left. I noted for the crew that this float can at times yield wildlife viewing spectacles, and as I spoke we noticed several groups of mule deer in and around the bighorns, all of them chowing down on green grass and feeling frisky in the warmth of sunlight. We watched the antics of the lambs and fawns of the year while we kept an eye on the electric wiggle of the fiberglass plug rod tips. After 100 yards of backtrolling with 30 yards of potential water left to row, I got anxious and considered having the crew reel up to plunge further downriver, but I steadied myself and kept rowing. Jerry has played the plug game with me before on the Ronde,

but Jay had not. I told him how our wall of annoying plugs may be pushing steelhead downstream into the tailout where, with nowhere else to go but leave the hole and descend into rapids, they’d be likely to bite. A few minutes later, Jay’s rod bearing the embattled metallic blue Hot Shot buckled on the strike and hookup of a steelhead. After an excellent fight and yet another failed Ambassadeur reel and their antiquated gears and craftmanship, we were very lucky to net a perfect 6-pound hen just before we ran out of water and entered a small rapid. We took fast pictures of the fish in the net and let her go. I grabbed the sticks, navigated us through a swift channel, and dropped anchor a few hundred yards downstream above another famed run, one where I have taken many large wild fish over the years. Once anchored, I snipped the blue Hot Shot off of the 10-pound monofilament line and tied it onto a new rodreel combo, a spinning rod no less. Plugging purists would scoff at such gear, but tell that to all the steelhead I’ve caught plugging with spinning rods and the several we would go on to catch that day. I asked the guys to deploy our three plugs while still on anchor and then pulled the anchor

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nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023 Northwest Sportsman

FISHING

This is my beloved box of “swimmer” plugs I run in Eastern Washington and Oregon streams. Not all of these plugs have seen the water yet, nor caught fish – some are backups – but many have. These plugs represent my preferred colors and styles for plugging our upriver summer steelhead, and all are retrofitted with single siwash Gamakatsus. Some of these plugs stay in the box when I venture west of the Cascades, but many are replaced by colors more amenable to fish straight out of the salt. All of my swimmer Hot Shots stay on the Eastside, lest a giant coastal fish wrap them around a tree or otherwise break them off. (JEFF HOLMES)

and started backtrolling. Within seconds, Jay’s spinning rod went off, and we brought a nearly identical, perhaps thicker, hen to the rubberized Frabill catch-and-release net. Rio Grande turkeys looked on from the shore as we redeployed plugs, and I gobbled at them like a psycho as Jay snapped photos with his $4,000 camera setup. As we neared the tailout of that run, the blue Hot Shot got smacked hard yet again, but the fish did not hook itself. Hookup and landing rates with single, barbless siwash hooks are excellent, but in all plug fishing, as in Tacoma, drivebys occur. On the Ronde, however, one can be assured that Shawn Kemp will not be allegedly responsible. Reign Man, why?!

WE REELED UP our gear and ferried 78 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

across the stream to avoid extremely shallow water and shot through a swift stretch, cruising past two juvenile river otters that bailed off their rock and into the rapid. Where our channel came together with another on river left is heavy water where a rower must pull hard while the rodhandling crew deploys quickly. This run has accounted for many, many fish in my boat, but today it was not to be. We did, however, pull over to let Jerry wander around at the base of a cliff bearing caves with significant evidence of use by Native Americans. In 2012, after landing two nice fish, one wild 32-inch hen for my friend Teddy Schmitt and a 27-inch hatchery fish for Jerry, we had gotten out at this very spot to look at the cave entrances and the springs that trickled down

near them. That day we watched three full-curl bighorn rams plunge powerfully across the river toward us through the top of the rapid, exiting to shake off violently just yards away. There were no rams in the run this November, but it’s unlikely we’d have seen mature rams together anyway. This year we were a couple weeks later in November, smackdab in the bighorn fighting and breeding season. After switching seats, Jerry now up front and Jay in the back, I negotiated a big sweeping bend in the river that can send a boat into a cliff on river right if not careful, and we deployed plugs into a deep, swift portion of river where I often tie on a Mag Lip 3.5 or a Wiggle Wart to achieve slightly greater depth, but I let the Hot Shots ride. As I pulled against the current with the oars, I noticed another group of bighorns on the slope above us on river left. This was a large group of perhaps 15 sheep, including a mature ram tending them. Jay pulled his fancy camera out of its waterproof box and started snapping photos. Meanwhile Jerry’s new rod, the spinning rod with the blue Hot Shot, buckled under the tug of a leaping 4-pound wild steelhead that identified for us a forgotten hole in my net. We managed to release the fish without damage, and Jay put away his camera and took a long strip of rag from me and tied up the net for future fish. We rowed back upstream in an eddy to plug the hole again, but to no avail. Jay did notice a natural arch I had forgotten about, and we all marveled at the grandeur of the landscape and at how awesome the day was, not even a quarter of the way through the float.

IT’S A BATTLE for me on the Grande Ronde not to regale my crew with every crazy or amazing story earned over the years, and with so few people and so much wildlife, the Grande Ronde inspires true crazy stories galore. In this particular stretch with the 15 bighorns still visible as we rounded a severe bend in the stream, I told them about a huge

FISHING black widow under a rock in January, fresh bear tracks around our camp and tent in January (Hells Canyon country bears do winter walkabouts), a conflict with a pipsqueak fly fishing guide that got ugly, a sack of drowned puppies we sadly found, and the time the river rose from 1,200 cfs overnight to 3,500. Full of beef and venison steak and drunk on whiskey, we listened in the dark that night, helpless as my boat took a trip on its own downriver, coming to rest on the opposite side. Thanks to the help of Washington State University students that next morning who floated the river despite it turning chocolate, we recovered the boat and learned a major lesson. Today’s float through this stretch was much more peaceful. Over the next few miles we saw three more good-sized groups of bighorns, each tended by large rams, and we hooked and landed a large spring Chinook zombie in heavy water. That fish, despite fertilizing eggs a month ago or longer, still had plenty of fight as it hung out on its redds, waiting to die and provide sustenance for its progeny. The number of spawning springers in this stretch of river and the number of places where they can be observed has increased dramatically over the last 15 to 20 years. That said, this fish was gross and had yellow rot spots on it such that I washed my net over and over before bringing it back aboard. Like our three steelhead so far, that zombie Chinook bit the old blue Hot Shot. More than halfway through our float, Jay pointed skyward to the canyon rim at a mature golden eagle with a minimum 7-foot wingspan. It dwarfed the bald eagles we had seen so far on the float. Goldens, like balds, will scavenge plenty, but they are far superior hunters to bald eagles. In places where they are common, falconers get uneasy because golden eagles can see the weakness of domestic falcons wearing gear and seek to kill them, as many species of birds are apt to do when they see weakness among 80 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

All of Hells Canyon country is beautiful and bears similarities in rock formations and vegetation, but each stream – Snake, Salmon, Grande Ronde, Imnaha and Wallowa – has its own look and feel. I couldn’t pick a favorite run on the Grande Ronde, but this one has accounted for many fish over the years, some awesome wildlife viewing, and a glimpse into the lives of the Nez Perce Tribe, or Nimiipuu people, from days of yore. Springs and caves at the base of the hill behind the angler and anchored drift boat were used long before early European settlers built the rock fences still in existence. These fences once constrained the movement of domestic sheep and today provide a haven for rattlesnakes. (JEFF HOLMES) nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023 Northwest Sportsman

FISHING their ranks. Jay spotted the golden eagle close to a place where 12 Junes ago I had gotten to meet a bunch of Seahawks as they fun floated the river. One of them asked me several times breathlessly in quick succession if I had seen “that m***** f***** bear?!” A large chocolate black bear had come to the water’s edge just in time for the end of their long flotilla to see it. I had not seen the bear, but on that float as on this one, I had seen a spectacle of wildlife. That spectacle was not nearly over on this day.

WE PLUGGED A couple of runs that can produce a fish here and there, seeing yet more groups of bighorns with rams on the sunny, south-facing slopes, followed by a rutted-up spike muley that swam the river in front of us. Just below where that deer had crossed, the sun was illuminating a fabled run where I had caught many fish. We got our gear down, and I started back-rowing. I was not drinking enough water (yet I had downed most of a bottle of red wine in the morning), and my forearms started to cramp. My rowing got sloppy, and Jay and Jerry attempted to adjust rods to compensate. As any drift boat backtroller will attest, the rods need to stay in their fixed position so that the rower can get the work done, and I snapped kind of rudely at them. Thankfully, I righted the ship, and Jay’s rod went off from the rear of the boat. He brought a leaping 5-ish-pound hatchery fish to the net. The fish had bitten another seasoned blue Hot Shot, but not the one that would account for six of the seven fish brought to the net that day. I dispatched that fat little fish with a mountain maple bonker I made many years ago and that bore more than 50 check marks from where I had nerdily made a mark for every hatchery fish it killed on the Ronde. I made no such mark this time and bled the 24-inch steelhead. It would make a great meal for Jay and his wife. Upriver summer steelhead in November still drip tons 82 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

These two bighorns put on a spectacular breeding display for us as we plugged a run two-thirds of the way through our 14-mile float. The ram and ewe raced across a sunny slope, stopping occasionally for foreplay. Meanwhile, high on a hill in the background, another ram stalked the hillside seeking a fight – or a friend. (JAY GRATE)

of fat when barbecued and offer excellent table fare. These are different from coastal summer steelhead; they are a superior strain that spends as many as nine months in freshwater before spawning and heading back downstream several hundred miles to try to make yet another spawning run. The next pluggable hole was scarcely 100 yards below the one that produced the hatchery fish, and it too was one of legend for me. I have taken many people here to pull the boat over and sit atop a short cliff overlooking a run that always harbors fish. The run is especially good for floats and jigs and drift fishing, but it’s tough to backtroll due to its short length, swirling currents and underwater ledges. Luckily, the guys deployed their plugs just right, and I didn’t screw up the rowing, having downed three bottles of water in a row and eliminating my cramps. We swiftly came to the tailout of the short run without a bump when Jerry’s rod doubled over at the last possible moment, and an

extremely fat and chrome steelhead leapt over 2 feet out of the water. Jerry grabbed his rod, and the fight was on. The fish made seven total acrobatic jumps, tail-slapped the water a couple more times, ran to the top of the rapid below, and mercifully reentered the hole where we were finally able to net the approximately 32-incher. As I removed the small siwash hook, I saw why the fish had been so angry, other than being an exceptionally fat and fine specimen early in the season. It was hooked through the cheek, and we released it with a small wound it would probably recover from. Steelhead are tough unless you nick their tongue or gills or grossly mistreat them, and we landed and released this one as quickly as possible, as we do each precious wild fish in this steelhead cathedral. Jerry did a remarkable job of landing that fish despite my harassment and overexcitement.

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Of the roughly 90 bighorns we saw on this epic float, this bedded bruiser and his four ewes and lambs were the only sheep favoring the shaded north-facing side of the river. Along with a spectacle of sheep, we saw river otters, mule deer, whitetails, bald and golden eagles, turkeys galore, and a bunch of other birds. As always, the sounds of canyon wrens provided a soundtrack through the entirety of the float. (JAY GRATE)

bend in the river, and I was not close to far enough to the right. In a particularly gradient spot, a minefield of mostly submerged and quite sharp boulders lay below us. I was briefly scared, but thanks to many years of rowing and maneuvering here and elsewhere, along with many years of playing Frogger before that, I avoided major collision and slid through skinny water into the run below, which was shaded and cold. I asked the guys to redeploy the plugs, and as they did I spotted a distant bighorn ram, noticing quickly that there were two sheep much, much closer on the sundrenched slope on river 86 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

left. A mature ram and ewe were locked down breeding, cavorting like juveniles, licking and sniffing each other, and racing hundreds of yards together, only to turn around and race back from where they had come. We watched this spectacle for a while even after we exhausted the pluggable water, and Jay took amazing pictures. A short distance below the sexedup sheep, I pointed up to a northfacing cliff that still held a huge golden eagle aerie, or nest. Just downstream of the aerie, a dramatically white patch stood out, which was the face of a grizzled old ram lying down on

a shaded ledge, flanked by several feeding ewes and lambs. They were the only sheep of the roughly 90 we’d see that day that were not feeding and hanging out on sunny southfacing slopes. These Grande Ronde sheep are the healthiest bighorn herd in Washington right now, and they were easily five times more numerous than on any of the many, many floats I’ve done through this stretch. Throughout the remaining few miles – including the roaded stretch at Shumaker – we would learn there were many more yet to be viewed and photographed. As we neared Hole-in-the-Wall, the end of both our roadless float and of Shumaker Road, we saw our first sign of human life other than the delightful Tia at Boggan’s Oasis who helped with our shuttle. These guys looked beaten down and altered. We had seen their still-burning abandoned campfire many miles above this encounter, and here they were. We greeted them cheerfully, and they reported in droll fashion that they had caught nothing as they sat with bait divers working in an area that would seldom ever hold a fish. We wished them luck and skipped the vast prime water that stretched for 150 yards below them. On this day, even fishing near someone at all felt like low-holing, bad etiquette, which technically it wouldn’t have been. I power-rowed through some notgreat runs and anticipated some very scratchy water and collisions where the Grande Ronde historically split into two channels, one unrunnable at this flow of 1,280, and the other just crummy and bad on fiberglass. However, I was surprised to see that the river right channel was no longer a channel at all except in very high water, and what had been the river left channel was now the only channel. We hit no rocks whereas in the past it was a certainty. Because the Grande Ronde is incising into ancient basalt layers and strictly channelized by the geology of the region, it’s rare to see a major change

FISHING in the river’s course. As such, once a person knows the river’s best fishing spots, they tend to stay great spots. This stretch had never been good holding or traveling water to fish, so the change was most welcome.

WE NEARED THE first Shumaker takeout, the one I most often use, but we had arranged to float another couple miles to the Shumaker Habitat Management Unit below the peacock

farm. As we plugged the run above the first takeout to no avail, we spotted another large group of ewes and lambs and a tuckered-out bedded ram, watching them nervously. My amazement grew as our sheep count continued to climb. We also saw groups of whitetails here, a spectacle of birds, and many zombie spring Chinook that were zooming over their swift-water redds waiting to die. I noticed a major dip in energy

and enthusiasm from the crew after 12 miles of floating and Jerry being a rockstar who had gotten almost no sleep. So, I rowed through some highly desirable plugging water to hasten our exit from the river and the steep canyon above us to the north called Shumaker Grade. As we rowed, we saw a rutted-up ram almost running on the hill above us, seeking easy ewes or a fight for another ram’s harem. Then we saw

Hooked in the cheek and luckily not the eye, this big, beautiful wild fish put on an aerial display for Jerry Yokel of Walla Walla, jumping clear of the water seven times and nearly leaving the hole for a long, sweeping rapid. Note that my giant hand slightly obscures the size of this lovely 32-inch steelhead that likely entered freshwater in July and won’t spawn until March or even April. Grande Ronde fish travel over 500 miles to reach their hatcheries and spawning gravels in extreme Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon. (JEFF HOLMES) 88 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

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FISHING yet another large group of bighorns, our final for the day. I asked Jay and Jerry to muster one last bit of energy for the fishy and seldom-fished cliff hole above the takeout, which is all but inaccessible to shorebound anglers and where drift boats seldom pass due to the popularity of the upstream takeout we’d passed 2 miles prior. I was also getting tired but still had energy and obsession for many more runs, but I knew this was our last chance. As we slid down through that slightly faster than walking speed slot along the cliff, all three of our Hot Shots were working and screaming out their effectiveness through both fiberglass and graphite. Jerry’s spinning rod with the old blue Hot Shot buckled yet again, but then went slack. As we looked for the plug floating on the surface below, experience told me to ask Jerry to reel quickly, and when he had maybe 6 to 8 feet of line between

his rod tip and the plug, a roughly 7-pound wild steelhead rocked feet into the air just off my oar blade! The fish had bit the plug moving upstream in fast water and came to sit under the drift boat, which happens maybe every 50 fish. Jerry deftly fought the fish, and we released it unharmed as a huge flock of Rio Grande turkeys across the stream scratched the ground and ate the driest, worst berries out of the tops of hackberry trees.

CREEL REPORTS FROM October 29 through November 9 in both the Washington and Oregon stretches of the Grande Ronde showed anglers were fishing a little over 20 hours for every fish landed, which included released wild and hatchery fish. We had clobbered the average with our six fish landed, but the day would have been amazing if we’d landed one or even zero fish.

The greatest lesson I learned on the float, among many, was to never stay away from the Grande Ronde again. WDFW and ODFW responsibly manage the fishery and restrict fishing as needed. In the future I will not pay my self-applied penance and will instead drink in the natural beauty and wildness that only the Grande Ronde River can offer. After years of steelheading the Westside and many points in between in Oregon and Washington, I am confident there is no place like the Grande Ronde for the overall experience. No, you won’t catch a 42-inch fish with sea lice here, but what you will catch is a fish that has traveled 500 miles upstream over eight dams and which has a fighting chance to spawn, return to the salt, and make its return to the Grande Ronde. My challenges are not nearly so great, and I will also return … probably next week. NS

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FISHING

The 12 Trips Of Christmas Fill your December days with these great Washington fishing and shellfishing opportunities. By Mark Yuasa

his month, shrug off the “bah, humbug” spirit and instead take in all the merriment that’ll have you “fa-la-la-ing” from the coast to Puget Sound and across the mountains into Eastern Washington! In line with the “12 Days of Christmas” – sorry, no partridge in a pear tree in these fisheries or outdoor activities – and in no chronological order, here are my top choices to break away from the holiday dinner table and the dreaded ugly-sweater work party.

1) RAZOR CLAM DIGS ON COASTAL BEACHES Many are digging the decent success since the 2023-24 season opened in late September. The season average is 14.8 clams per digger (the daily limit is 15 clams per person) at Long Beach and Twin Harbors, 15.0 at Copalis and 14.5 at Mocrocks. There’ll likely be plenty of holiday cheer with tentative dates on December 13, 15, 17, 27 and 29 at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks; and December 14, 16, 26 and 28 at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Copalis. Digging is allowed from 12 p.m. to midnight only. Not all beaches are open for every dig, so make sure to check before venturing out. Openers

True, there’s not a lot of daylight this time of year in the Evergreen State, but that’s no excuse to stay inside and sing holiday songs when there are fish to be caught and razor clams to dig! (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST) nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023 Northwest Sportsman

FISHING gear closures.

3) RAINBOW TROUT IN YEAR-ROUND LAKES If you missed out on the Black Friday trout fishing event, you still have time for holiday cheer to catch more than 60,000 fish averaging 1 to 2 pounds apiece, holed up in 24 lakes around Clark, Cowlitz, Island, King, Klickitat, Lewis, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston and Yakima Counties. In October, many year-round lakes were also planted with trout. Simple fishing gear will do the trick. Use a lightweight, limber rod with a medium-sized spinning reel, and for bait try the soft, moldable dough baits that come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Others will use worms, maggots, salmon eggs, scented marshmallows or small spinners, jigs and spoons. For weekly trout plants, go to wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/reports/ stocking/trout-plants.

4) KOKANEE IN LAKE ROOSEVELT

December weather might make Santa’s naughty list, but bundling up in some warm clothes and heading out to yearround lakes can yield some nice rainbows. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

are dependent on marine toxin levels staying under the threshold of 20 parts per million. Final approval usually occurs about a week or less – sometimes two to three days – prior to the start of each digging series. For details, go to wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/ shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams.

2) DUNGENESS CRABBING IN OPEN AREAS OF PUGET SOUND Winter crabbing tends to be quite productive and unlike summer, you’ll likely find fewer crab pots in the water to compete with your own! Crabbing is open daily through December 31 in the waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line (Marine Area 4), 94 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Sekiu-Pillar Point (5), eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (6), San Juan Islands (7), eastern side of Whidbey Island (8-1 and 8-2), northern Puget Sound/Admiralty Inlet (9) and Hood Canal north of a line projected true east from Ayock Point (12). In Puget Sound areas, crabbers are reminded that setting or pulling traps from a vessel is only allowed from one hour before official sunrise through one hour after official sunset. For details, go to wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/ shellfishing-regulations/crab. Coastal areas are also open yearround for crabbing, but be sure to check on seasonal gear restrictions, such as the ban on hoop nets – also known as cone nets or dome pots – during fall pot

This huge 77,684-acre impoundment of the Upper Columbia in Northeast Washington is open year-round and known in winter to generate largesized kokanee. As reservoir levels drop this month, fishing should improve and remain productive well into April. The kokanee average 13 to 17 inches, with some weighing 3 to 5 pounds. Kokanee have thrived thanks to an abundant biomass of daphnia and other zooplankton that boosts growth rates and fills out their bodies with tasty reddish-orange-fleshed meat. The daily limit is six, but only two with an adipose fin. Rainbow trout can also be found in this fishery. The lower third of the reservoir is best, from Grand Coulee Dam to above the Sanpoil River Arm at Clark Point.

5) SALMON AND STEELHEAD IN STATEWIDE RIVERS AND STREAMS Despite colder temperatures and unpredictable flooding in December, there are options to catch salmon or early winter steelhead. While some rivers closed as of November 30, the Humptulips, Hoquiam, Chehalis,

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FISHING open year-round for salmon fishing.

7) SQUID JIGGING IN PUGET SOUND Many had a good chuckle about my November Northwest Sportsman column and suffering from “squid life crisis,” but the situation is true, and your immediate cure is to drop a jig off a pier. Accessibility works into everyone’s playbook, whether you hit a pier or fish from a boat. The peak of the squid migration is now through the end of January. Try along the entire Seattle waterfront from Pier 70 to the Big Wheel, including the Seattle Aquarium Pier; across the water at the Seacrest (Marination) Boathouse Pier in West Seattle; elsewhere on the east side of Puget Sound off the Edmonds and Des Moines Piers, A-Dock and Shilshole Pier, Fauntleroy ferry dock, and Point Defiance Park Boathouse and Les Davis Piers in Tacoma; and on the Kitsap County side, the Illahee State Park, Waterman and Indianola Piers. Like any other fishery, if the “bite” isn’t happening along one pier, pack up and move to another.

8) RAINBOW TROUT IN RUFUS WOODS RESERVOIR

Even as Scrooge has played havoc with Washington’s once plentiful winter steelhead fisheries, there are still streams that see early-timed hatchery fish, such as the Bogachiel. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

Wishkah, Wynoochee, Satsop and Skookumchuck remain open for coho (be sure to check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website for what rivers are open and what fish species you can or can’t keep). The Cowlitz is popular for hatchery steelhead and hatchery coho. A new fishery for late-returning coho is also open in the lower Hanford Reach with a daily limit of two. In Western Washington rivers, including coastal seasons that were announced in late November, fishing for early-returning hatchery winter steelhead should improve, typically peaking between Christmas and New Year’s Day. 96 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

6) CHINOOK IN DEEP SOUTH PUGET SOUND One of the only shows in town for winter hatchery Chinook is Marine Area 13. Many peg this area as a ghost town for salmon, which is a myth and anglers are quietly waxing those lowly expectations by catching a fair number of fish on waters relatively protected from winter’s ever-present blustery weather and rough seas. Try along Fox Island off Point Gibson near the Big Rock, Fox Point, Fox Island public fishing pier on the eastern shore, Point Fosdick, Anderson Island, Lyle Point, Budd Inlet, Devils Head and Johnson Point. There’s also several Puget Sound piers

This 51-mile-long reservoir between Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams is a winter fishery where rainbow trout average 2 to 6 pounds, with some exceeding the 20-pound mark. The Colville Confederated Tribes, in cooperation with WDFW, produce and annually release about 14 million pounds of hatchery-raised rainbows from three net pens. Fish are attracted to hatchery pellets leaking out of the commercial net pen operations. This popular winter fishery is where the state record rainbow was caught, a 29.60-pound fish landed by Norm Woods on November 11, 2002. An interesting fact is that that record has been broken four times at Rufus Woods, three times in February and the other during the last week of January.

9) LAKE WHITEFISH AT BANKS AND OTHER COLUMBIA BASIN LOCATIONS A lake whitefish could very well be

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FISHING 10) ICE FISHING IN EASTERN WASHINGTON Knowing when to start ice fishing on Eastside lakes is based on how cold the weather gets in December. In recent years, safe ice has come later than sooner (more like January or early February), but it’s worth tracking starting now. Use extreme caution and keep in mind that ice can be very hard to read. If ice can’t be confirmed to be 4 or more inches thick, don’t trek out. Popular ice fisheries include Sprague, Fish (Chelan County), Roses, Curlew, Banks, Moses, Sidley, Bonaparte, Leader, Molson, Palmer, Patterson, Fourth of July and Williams (Stevens County) Lakes and Potholes Reservoir.

11) MIXED FISH SPECIES IN MOSES AND POTHOLES

It’s not all coal for blackmouth anglers these days – the far southern end of Puget Sound is still open for Chinook. (MARK YUASA)

part of a Rodney Dangerfield “I get no respect” joke, but don’t underestimate giving this hard-fighting fish some love. In recent years, anglers have taken notice of this abundant species in Eastern Washington waterways. Expectations are high for another stellar winter fishery at Banks Lake, a large reservoir that stretches along Highway 155 between Coulee City on the south end and Electric City on the north end with about 91 miles of accessible shoreline, mainly on the eastern side. The best fishing areas are the northernmost points across from 98 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

North Dam Park and by the dike at the Coulee City Marina. From a boat, try off the red buoys or anywhere along the riprap. In early winter, fish will move into shallower waters and reservoir inlets to spawn, usually around cobbled, sandy flat areas. The average size of lake whitefish is 18 to 24 inches, with some up to 31 inches. Lake whitefish can also be found at the Eastside’s Lake Roosevelt and its lower Spokane River Arm; Soda, Billy Clapp and Moses Lakes; and Potholes, Rufus Woods and Scooteney Reservoirs.

These two major year-round fisheries in Grant County are worth a visit to catch a variety of fish. Moses Lake is usually a good choice in December for yellow perch (which are schooling fish and tend to be found in deeper water) and rainbow trout. It also has fair opportunities for walleye, lake whitefish, bluegill and black crappie. In some winters, it’ll freeze over and produce decent ice fishing near Blue Heron Park. About 7 miles south of Moses Lake is the Potholes Reservoir, which generates rainbow trout and yellow perch during the winter and is fair for walleye. MarDon Resort (mardonresort.com) and Medicare Beach are popular fishing areas. In certain winters, ice begins to form in December and January, and is worth a try, especially in the reservoir’s Lind Coulee Arm around the smaller ponds and on the shallower locations in the sand dunes area.

12) SEA-RUN CUTTHROAT IN PUGET SOUND AND HOOD CANAL You’re missing out if you don’t take advantage of winter opportunities to catch and release sea-run cutthroat trout averaging 10 to 20 inches. This fishery is accessible to both bank and boat anglers. The best chances occur before or right after flood tide change, and you can find fish

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FISHING

The scenery might more closely resemble the North Pole and while this month certainly feels as busy as a certain well-known toy workshop there, getting outside and fishing can provide relaxation at a stressful time of year. (KNIFE PHOTO CONTEST)

100 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

close to shoreline as shallow as 12 inches deep to depths of five to 20 feet. Most anglers are very secretive about their spots, but some wellknown locations include the Tacoma Narrows Bridges, Redondo Beach, Lincoln Park to the Fauntleroy Ferry in West Seattle, Golden Gardens, Carkeek Park/Richmond Beach, Meadowdale Beach, and Picnic Point Park near Edmonds. Since this is a sight fishery, a good pair of polarized sunglasses are high on the must-have list. Sometimes you’ll even hook a feisty resident coho or other species. Most anglers will cast flies or poppers, but spoons and spinners also work. Match them up with forage like zooplankton, salmon fry, herring, candlefish, sand shrimp and worms. NS Editor’s note: Mark Yuasa is a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife communications manager and longtime local fishing and outdoor writer.

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BECOME A BETTER ANGLER BY KNOWING THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS BY LAEL PAUL JOHNSON

ind two anglers; one is a fly fisherman, and the other uses conventional gear. Right here, we usually have a problem: The two anglers believe they are different due to how a fish is hooked and because what they are casting is either made out of metal

or feathers. In most instances, this difference in opinion on how we catch fish inhibits the conversation on how the different techniques relate and how combining the best of both worlds can make for one incredible angler. An angler like this isn’t an anomaly

and this isn’t a far-fetched story about someone who doesn’t exist, because they are out there; it’s just not the norm, but it should be. When these anglers understand fly and gear techniques, they can adapt to any situation and use the best tool for the job, or for how they want to have fun. nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023 Northwest Sportsman

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Northwest Fly Fishing I’m not trying to lead you away from spey fishing; it’s one of the most exciting fishing techniques available and absolutely my favorite if I had to pick one. But I am offering another technique to assist you in your journey as a spey angler, even if you only swing flies after a certain period. Now, let’s discuss how one relates to another! A FLY ANGLER uses weight the same way a conventional angler does, but rather than having all the weight in the body of a spinner, it’s spread out over 8, 10, 12 or 15 feet of a sink-tip line. We will only refer to 10-foot sink tips here to understand fly compared to gear so we don’t toss out too many options. The question we are trying to answer as fast as possible to save our season for spey fishing is: Which sink tip do we need to use? If you know anything about spinner fishing, you are closer to the answer than you think; you just need a little help. For the gearheads, this also is where you need to start so you can get into the swing of things, and this conversion chart will help you speak the language of sink-tip materials compared to the weight in the body of a spinner. Coming to understand spey and spinner fishing opens up the opportunity to adapt to any river situation and use the gear that best suits the water or how you want to fish. (FLY GYDE) TO SEE WHERE we are going with this and how it applies to you, let’s pick one technique from fly fishing and one from conventional fishing, spey versus spinners. Spey: This technique involves long rods, lines, sink tips and different flies – some weighted and some unweighted. Putting all of these together with the right cast or mend will make your line come tight to a fish. Spinners: This technique involves relatively short- to medium-length rods, various blade sizes and styles, and different lure body weights. Casting up- or downstream and how fast or slow the lure is retrieved can have you hooked up all day. We can go on and on about the options available for either style you choose, but let’s discuss where we can find a similarity 104 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

between the two techniques. With your sink-tip choice and the angle of your cast, you can figure out if you are too light or heavy after your first cast if you know what you are looking for. If you don’t, this can be a long season of guessing where your fly is and hoping a fish will strike. It can be a long road to reach that answer until you know what’s up, and there is a much quicker way to figure out what you need to do. The answer is to put away the spey rod and grab a gear rod. Why? Because the conventional technique allows you to learn more about your fishing environment much faster by tossing in some lead and then returning to the spey rod to apply what you have learned. It’s a much faster and more efficient way to catch fish while determining depth and speed.

Sink Tip Type 3 = 1/16-ounce spinner Sink Tip Type 6 = 1/8-ounce spinner Sink Tip T7 or -8 = ¼-ounce spinner Sink Tip T10 or -11 (the most commonly used) = ½-ounce spinner Sink Tip T14 = ¾-ounce spinner Sink Tip T17 = 1-ounce spinner Sink Tip T20 = 1 ¼-ounce spinner Knowing what weight sink tip equals what weight of spinner, we can now use either technique with the applicable weight in the same location in the river. If you understand one, you can understand both. NOW, LET’S PRESENT three situations that can be useful to get a better understanding of how knowing something about both fishing techniques will make you a better angler. 1) A walking speed, mostly flat run 4 to 6 feet in depth. For this situation, everything from a T11

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Northwest Fly Fishing to a Type 2 or 3 sink tip can be helpful when applying the proper casting angle and fly selection. With that wide range of possibilities, you still have a lot of room for success if you don’t pick the perfect weight because in 4- to 6-foot-deep water, most of the fish will see whatever you present. Also, if you choose something on the conventional side of fishing from a 1/16-ounce up to a ½-ounce spinner, you can succeed here as well with the proper angle of cast or speed of your retrieve because most of the fish will see it. That is different from our other situations, and for those, you must be more specific about your sink tip or spinner selection. A quick note: With anything we cover here, this is only for appropriate weight selection, not how you present whatever you are casting. Learning the proper presentation with either technique will take time, but if you know what to do with one, you can quickly learn what to do with the other. 2) A swift run with small- to medium-sized boulders and 6 to 10 feet in depth. In this situation, we can rule out a lot of options from our chart because in this type of water, we need to get down. This eliminates sink tips from Type 3 to Type 7 or 8, as well as spinners that are ¼ ounce or less. We require sink tips and spinners that can get below the faster currents near the surface and reach the slower-moving water near the bottom where the fish hold. The correct choice will be anything from a T11 to T20 sink tip or a ½- to 1¼-ounce spinner. In water 6 to 10 feet deep, getting down near the bottom is the name of the game to be able to come in contact with fish, and if you are continually fishing with something that won’t get you where you need to be, it can be a long day of just casting with nothing to show for it.

Just as the depth of a river’s run varies, so too does the best sink tip or spinner weight for reaching the fish hunkered within it. (FLY GYDE) 106 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

3) Shallow tailout of 2 to 4 feet in depth. In our last scenario, we are looking to find fish resting in shallow water and where the further you move downstream, the shallower it gets as the stream transitions from one run to the next. To get to where the tailout begins, you have most likely fished in water similar to scenario No. 1. If you started at the heavier end of the

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Northwest Fly Fishing sink tip or spinner choices, such as a T11 tip or ½-ounce spinner, you must change your gear to fish all the way through without dragging your spinner or fly on the bottom. Here is where a T7 or 8, Type 6 or Type 3 sink tip comes into play, along with a 1/16-, 1/8- or ¼-ounce spinner. Any of these options will keep you away from the bottom, which is what we are looking for with water at this depth.

“There is a world of possibilities when diving into how the two angling styles connect,” writes author Lael Paul Johnson. (FLY GYDE)

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NOW THAT WE know what weight spinner or sink tip to use in similar fishing situations, we can look for what else is comparable between the techniques to make us better all-around anglers for any situation we are presented with. There is a world of possibilities when diving into how the two angling styles connect, and if you do not know what is right but want to learn more, don’t hesitate to ask another angler what’s up. Even if his or her technique is not the same as yours, there is always a connection; we just have to look for it! Good luck out there!

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Small mixed-species setups present the ultimate in realism, are easy to change and can help

Wigeon wing into a decoy setup combining multiple species of waterfowl. Longtime duck and goose hunter and author MD Johnson uses mixed spreads in part because they’re more realistic as the hunting season advances. Add a jerk cord and it can be a powerful attractant to birds. (DIVE BOMB INDUSTRIES) 116 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

HUNTING

eads n Waterfowl

an help convince even pressured ducks and geese to wing into your decoys.

By MD Johnson

t was shaping up to be the kind of hunt you often only see in the picture books. A 10-foot Aquapod skiff. Black dog. Shotgun. Blind bag. Thermos of coffee. Eight inches of sheet water. Clouds, but no rain, and a good east wind. While Sadie Mae, the aforementioned black dog, ran off her prehunt energy, I beached the ’Pod on a soggy section of pasture and set to rigging my meager spread. Four Canada floaters to the left

at 20 yards. Eight ducks widely spaced to the right; again, roughly 20 steps. Jerk cord with a pair of water-keeled greenwing teal decoys in the hole. Three minutes – four, tops – is all it took. Back at the skiff, I got Sadie settled into her dog blind, crawled into the ’Pod, and poured myself coffee number one. It wasn’t a long wait. Five minutes after legal shooting time, a small knot of wigeon whistled over my right shoulder. Scrambling, I slid below the skiff’s camo cockpit, gave the cord a sharp tug, and watched as the birds

turned on their wingtips. At 15 yards, I sat up, mounted the Versa Max and sent the first of three loads of HeviBismuth No. 5s downrange. A whitecapped drake crumpled. Then a second. As for the third, neither I nor the pup could figure where that one went. Birds came and went throughout the morning. Around about 10 o’clock, a distant honk caught the two of us half-napping. Turning, I spied a trio of western Canadas making their way across the far levee. I played it cool; no calling, just a tug or two on nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023 Northwest Sportsman

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HUNTING

Small spreads won’t work in every situation, but they have the advantage of being lighter to carry, easier to reposition and suitable for bringing in different species of birds. (DIVE BOMB INDUSTRIES)

the string. As three sets of big black feet dropped, I sat, shouldered the Remington, and splashed a staggered left/right double. “That’s enough,” I told the pup, already on her way to the first honker.

THIS WASN’T ALWAYS the case with me, having been raised as either a duck hunter or a goose hunter, but never both simultaneously. Today, I find myself not only a fan of mixed duck/ goose spreads, but small spreads as well. The dozenish aforementioned duck and goose decoys? A typical rig for me. But why so few, and why do they seem to work so well more times 118 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

than not? When I’m readying to set a small mixed spread, these are the things I consider: It won’t work everywhere: Some situations, e.g. big open water, call for bigger spreads – a bigger footprint, per se, that’s visible at longer distances. Mixed spreads can certainly work well under such circumstances; it’s just a case of bigger is sometimes better. A one-man show: Nine days out of 10, I hunt alone. And as a soloist, it’s just easier to pack, set and retrieve a small spread. It’s a matter of logistics. Be where the birds want to be: I work hard to find “the X,” that little piece of water where the birds really want

to be. If the birds – ducks and geese both – already like the spot, then my theory is they won’t need a whole lot of convincing to stop and visit. But this takes a commitment to scouting and locating said X. Quick and easy: I want to hunt; I don’t want to spend a lot of time setting up or retrieving a spread. Small rigs, then, let me get in, get set and get down to business, while still being an effective spread, if all of these elements are in place. Easy to move: Every waterfowler has found himself 150 yards off the mark. You’re here, but the birds want to be over there. A small spread? Pick it up,

HUNTING

It might stand to reason that with smaller setups, one has to crank on the call, but Johnson says that if you’re in the right spot, the spread is convincing and you are blinded up well, it won’t require much work to bring in ducks and geese. (JULIE JOHNSON)

move it, set it and you’re back in the saddle in minutes. The decoy anchor system known as Texas rigs, like those offered by Rig ’Em Right (rigemright .com) make this process even easier. Geese = visibility and security: Goose decoys are big and highly visible, much more so than duck decoys. Add a lone snow – something I see often here in Western Washington – amongst the Canadas or Canada/ specklebelly decoys, and that longdistance visibility increases without sacrificing realism. Do something different: Two dozen mallards. Three dozen mallards. Four dozen, all mallards. It’s what ducks see from Canada down to the southern 120 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

tip of the Pacific Flyway. And sooner or later, many grow wary of the same old rig. A small mixed spread, especially a small mixed-species rig, provides something different and sets your spread apart from the other guy. It’s only natural: Mixed spreads just look good. They look natural, and as the season progresses, every bit of realism in the rig can help. Throw in a jerk cord – I’m a huge fan of jerk cords, and would rather pull a cord than blow a call in most cases – and chances are you’ll have a winner.

WHEN IT COMES to species represented in my spread, it is always based on what my scouting tells me is using the

area, and that is seldom exclusively mallards. That said, I do run a couple mallards – drake and a hen – somewhat off to themselves. Pintails, too, should they be in the day’s mix, can be a solitary sort, so I’ll separate them. Wigeon, common in the Pacific Flyway, often are closer to the geese, as the so-called “robbers” take advantage of the longer-necked Canadas’ ability to reach deeper vegetation, and aren’t too proud to dabble the floating scraps. Prone to land frustratingly wide of a spread, any gadwalls will be positioned out and away, but still within 25 to 30 yards. Teal? Truthfully, I don’t throw teal decoys. They’re small, and can easily get visually lost on the

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Q&A WITH AARON PETERSON OF PETERSON’S NORTHWEST GUIDE

hy did you decide to open up Peterson’s Northwest Guide, and how long have you been guiding in Western Washington? Growing up fishing and hunting with my dad is where the passion started. From pheasants over a pointing dog to running downriggers when I was 9 years old on the Puget Sound out of a 17-foot Glasply. As I got older, I commercial fished out of Alaska for about 8 years, where I ended up having quite a bit of time in the off-seasons. That’s where I really started fishing all over Washington and enjoying all the different runs of fish. We opened

up PNW Guide Service about 8 years ago for guided fishing trips. Then we started the waterfowl guiding about 6 years ago. How has PNW Guide Service’s hunting operation grown over the years? We started with three pieces of property and one guide, who is now our lead guide with over 25 years of experience, Logan Swank. Now we consist of four guides and over 30 leased fields from Snohomish to Whatcom Counties. We are excited about the young guides we have working up north in Whatcom. Gage Bates and Luke Carson bring local

knowledge and youth, which provides drive to be the best at what they do. From hunting in open layouts in a field of 1,500 snow decoys to small ponds with hard blinds, we provide vast opportunities for geese and ducks in the Pacific Flyway. We typically hunt 4 to 5 days a week and are always scouting and putting in the miles to find the next great hunting opportunity. What can people expect from a waterfowl trip with you this winter? Hunting snow geese from open layout blinds in the spread of 1,500 decoys wearing whites and spinning the sky will get your blood flowing. Hard blinds over ponds or panels overlooking sheet water is where we will provide a professional experience and lasting memories of a lifetime. The Pacific Flyway provides vast hunting styles and many different species of waterfowl. From snow geese, wigeon, mallards, pintails, teal and Canadian geese, there’s something for everyone. What do you think your customers enjoy most about a hunt with your company? I believe our customers enjoy the effort we put into every hunt, from the scouting to the quality of hunts we provide. Being personable and having some fun in the blind is a must. www.petersonsnorthwest.com

122 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

HUNTING water. Plus, they take up space in the Aquapod that could be used for two or three bigger puddlers. As for the spread, I don’t subscribe to a formal setting; that is, no “C” or “L” or “X.” Rather, as both puddlers and geese at rest are wont to do, I prefer what I call “The Random Placement Theory of Decoy Arrangement.” I stand where the jerk cord will be set, throw goose decoys to the left and duck decoys to the front and right until I don’t have any more to throw. Spacing is important, though there’s no 4-, 6- or 8-foot rule. Tightly bunched ducks and geese are alarmed birds; conversely, contented birds space themselves here and there. Such a look is realistic, and realism is the goal.

MY GO-TO MIXED small spread is as simple as it gets. Typically, I’ll set a dozen decoys total, plus the aforementioned jerk cord. For the geese, I’m using six to eight Dakota

124 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Decoy (dakotadecoy.com) floaters on Rig ’Em Right Texas rigs. Why Dakotas? Again, I’m looking for realism, and the different head positions and body postures of the Dakotas, along with the natural paint scheme, are what I want. With those, I’m running eight puddlers made up of a hodge-podge of Final Approach (fabrand.com) flocked-head mallards, along with wigeon and gadwall, and a single drake pintail, as the sprig’s white chest helps make the spread stand out at a distance. Lastly but perhaps most importantly, I’ll use a Rig ’Em Right jerk cord strung with two lightweight greenwing teal for that vital on-thewater motion. If I’m where the birds want to be, I’m hidden well, I’ve set a convincing spread and I have that all-important jerk cord, calling is often a moot point. That said, at those times when I do a bit of calling, I opt for low-key

goose sounds. It’s a natural sound, one that both ducks and geese might expect to hear given the scenario I’ve presented. And the sound carries well, especially over water. I don’t do much, though. A honk or two to grab the birds’ attention. Soft murmurs and clucks to hold their attention, with a sharper cluck now and again to redirect, if necessary. The key, I believe, is to be subtle and realistic. And if you really want to get real, throw in a series of quacks and wigeon whistles; not a cacophony of noise, but the sounds of multiple contented species at rest. No, duck/goose combo spreads aren’t magic, the Harry Potter’s wand of waterfowl hunting tricks and tips. However, such rigs can truly turn the proverbial tables when it comes to fooling “seen it all” late-season ducks and geese, and help you, Mister Frustrated ’Fowler, put more birds on that lately light duck strap. NS

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COLUMN

Among Scott Haugen’s Christmas gift ideas for gun dog owners is the MTM Mule, a lightweight, durable storage crate that has many uses, especially when it comes to training and hauling gear during hunting season. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

Holiday Presents For Your Pooch (And You) I

t’s that time of year when you get to spoil your hunting companion even more! If you’re looking for some holiday gift GUN DOGGIN’ 101 ideas for your gun By Scott Haugen dog, try these; I did, and I liked them a lot.

GUNNER DOG BOWL The Gunner Dog Bowl is one of those specialized items I found an immediate use for. I hunt a lot with my dogs year-round. I never feed them before a hunt for fear of stomach issues. Before these bowls I used to scoop their food into a sealable plastic bag, then empty it into a bowl for each dog once the hunt was over, back at the

truck. With the Gunner Dog Bowl I simply fill Echo and Kona’s bowls the night before a hunt, seal the lid and they’re ready to eat the next day. As advertised, the punch-seal lid does hold water, even when turned upside down. But I add water to the bowl once the dogs are done eating. Fast, efficient, easy to clean and the rubber feet keep the nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023

Northwest Sportsman 127

COLUMN NUTRISOURCE FREEZE-DRIED TREATS Used as a treat, topper, even a complete meal, this high-protein option is available in bite sizes or sliders. I’ve been a fan of NutriSource Pet Foods Element Series of dog food since it first came out because it’s very high in protein, which is ideal for my two lean and very active gun dogs. When NutriSource offered the formula in a freeze-dried option, I was excited. It’s so lean; animal ingredients provide at least 90 percent of the protein ingredients in the freeze-dried bites and sliders. High in nutrients and flavor, my dogs love all three options: beef and lamb, chicken and duck, and turkey and venison. If providing the freeze-dried option as a complete meal, I like adding bone broth, goat milk or water to it to soften it up and add further health benefits. It’s supplemented with NVGEN, which is designed to optimize the microbiome necessary for full utilization of a high-animal-protein diet. No matter when I feed it to my dogs, they think it’s the best treat ever. And like all NutriSource dog foods I feed, it’s high protein so you actually can feed less, meaning meal for meal, you save money. Info: nutrisourcepetfoods.com.

WILEY X DETECTION GLASSES Wiley X Detection glasses, with their five large interchangeable lenses, are ideal when it comes to training sessions and hunts where eye contact is crucial. (SCOTT HAUGEN) bowls in place in the back of my truck. You can even have them personalized with your pup’s name, or do it yourself, like I did. Info: $50; gunner.com.

MOMARSH VERSA-VEST I’ll be honest, I almost threw this vest in the trash before I even got it on my dog. Then I took a deep breath, read the directions, watched a YouTube video on how to customize the Momarsh Versa-Vest and the rest is history. I got this vest for Kona, my big male pudelpointer, who tips the scales at 63 pounds. He’s long-legged, deep-chested and narrow at the waist. He’s thin-skinned and muscular, too, which means it’s a challenge to find a dog vest that truly fits him. With its six points of multidirectional 128 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

Velcro fastening points, I was able to adjust the vest to securely fit Kona’s unique build. It took a while but once I got it figured out and put it on Kona, he took off running through the field and I knew we had a good thing. We’ve hunted in it and there’s been no rubbing under the legs, chest or neck. The rubberized chest panel is sturdy and does its job protecting against thick brush, submerged sticks and more. The paracord handle and metal leash loop are sturdy and well-placed. The 5mm rubberized Neoprene and water-repellent-coated poly fabric keeps your dog warm and helps them float in water. The best thing is that it can be adjusted anytime to fit your dog’s body, even as it ages over the years. Info: $100; momarsh.com.

The last two items on my list serve you as much as your dog, making them great options for both of you. I never wear sunglasses when training dogs because I want my dogs to see and be able to read my eyes. Then Wiley X came out with their Detection glasses and that all changed. With its five interchangeable, large lenses, your field of view is wide-open, meaning you can easily see your dog and they can see your eyes. Simply pick one of the shades that blocks glare when training on sunny days, and get to work. If lighting changes, change lenses on the spot. These glasses have no bulky frame, just two flexible extensions on each side that the lenses quickly snap into. Wrap the extensions around your temple, over the ears, and you’re set. They’re so comfortable you’ll honestly forget you have them on. I use mine when training on sunny days, as well as when the wind, pollens and bugs are bad. I’ve worn them on several hunts, as they’re the perfect

shooting glasses, and yes, the dogs can still see my eyes. I also wear them when doing yard work, mowing fields and cutting wood. They’re some of the best all-around glasses I’ve ever worn. Info: $210; wileyx.com.

MTM MULE MOBILE GEAR CRATE I’m always looking for the most sensible option to store and carry all my dog training gear. The MTM Mule is an affordable, midrange gear box that’s durable, functional and easy to handle. The Mule is MTM’s largest crate, handling everything from big bumpers to bird launchers, vests to first aid kits, even water bottles, dog food bowls and treats. Efficient handles and recessed wheels make it easy to maneuver around the shop. The Mule is divided into three compartments of various sizes and heights. The roomy lift-out tray rides at either end of the crate, with additional space below for shallow items. Tie-down points, four no-break snap latches, padlock tabs and a water-resistant O-ring seal keep gear safe, dry and ready to go. Constructed of high-impact polypropylene in the USA, the box measures 43.5 inches by 14.7 inches by 11.5 inches and holds 75 pounds worth of gear. Info: $120; mtmcase-gard.com. NS Editor’s note: Scott Haugen is a full-time writer. See his basic puppy training videos and learn more about his many books at scotthaugen .com. Follow his adventures on Instagram and Facebook.

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CUMBERLAND’S NORTHWEST TRAPPERS SUPPLY Hide Tan Formula has been used successfully by thousands of hunters and trappers across the U.S. and Canada. No more waiting several months for tanning. Now, you can tan your own hides and furs at home in less than a week, at a fraction of the normal cost. Our Hide Formula tans deer hides either hair-on for a rug or mount, or hair-off for buckskin leather. Tans all fur skins – muskrat, mink, beaver, fox, coyote, raccoon, squirrel, rabbit, etc. It also applies to bear, elk, moose, cowhide, sheep and even snakeskin. Hide Tan Formula is premixed and ready to use and produces a soft, supple Indian-style tan in five to seven days. One 8-ounce bottle will tan one deer hide in two medium-sized fur skins. Bear, elk, moose and caribou require three to six bottles. Complete instructions are included. You’ll be amazed how easy it is! Tanned hides and furs are great to decorate your home or camp and also to sell for extra income. Tanned hides and furs are in demand by black powder enthusiasts, American Indian traders, fly tyers, country trading posts and many crafters. Our products are proudly produced and bottled in the U.S. for over 20 years. Available at Cumberland’s Northwest Trappers Supply in Owatonna, Minnesota. Call (507) 451-7607 or email trapper@nwtrappers.com. nwtrappers.com

Cumberland’s Northwest Trappers Supply, Inc. Cumberland’s Northwest Trappers Supply is your one-stop trapping supply headquarters, featuring one of the largest inventories in the U.S. We are factory direct distributors on all brands of traps and equipment which allows us to offer competitive prices. Give us a try. Our fast, friendly service will keep you coming back. Over 50 Years Of Service To The Trap & Fur Industry

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P.O. Box 408, Owatonna, Minnesota 55060 • (507) 451-7607 trapper@nwtrappers.com • www.nwtrappers.com nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023

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Dave Workman stuck a high-power scope on his .257 Roberts in preparation for winter coyote hunting. (DAVE WORKMAN)

Enjoy Some Holiday Cheer, Plus ’Yotes, Birds And More

ecember isn’t just a month of special holidays; it’s the best four weeks of the year for people who like hunting away ON TARGET from the crowds. By Dave Workman True, deer and elk seasons are mostly finished, but this month you can expect the following: Late-season grouse gunners will be out, with or without dogs, taking advantage of the absence of those annoying dirt bikes that spook all the game. Waterfowlers will likely be enjoying the continued arrival of northern ducks and geese, with top hunting opportunities out in the Columbia Basin around Potholes and Moses Lake, down in the Seep Lakes,

farther south in the Tri-Cities area down to Umatilla, as well as on the Lower Columbia, Willamette Valley and coastal bays. Mountain lion hunters with patience might find a big cat, especially if snow falls and allows for following tracks. Washington’s early season ends December 31, but the late season begins the following day. Oregon’s hunt is open year-round, but there are zonal quotas to keep an eye on (myodfw.com/cougar-quota-zone).

AND NOW’S THE time to start hunting coyotes seriously. Northwest deer herds need all the help they can get, and popping predators through the winter is an activity that can pay off in the future with calf and fawn survival in the spring, and reduced predation on wintering deer

in the meantime. A few years ago, I swapped out the scope on my .257 Roberts from a 3-9x40mm to a 4-12x with an adjustable objective, and my handloads shoot tight little groups. I can slap on a bipod quickly and set up in the dunes over by Potholes, or anywhere in the Basin where it’s possible to see songdogs coming from a long way off. While I prefer the .257 Roberts, there are a handful of superb coyote-killers, including the .204 Ruger, .222 Remington, .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington, .220 Swift, .243 Winchester and 6mm Remington, all of which are flat-shooting sizzlers. Good manners compel me to also mention the .22 Creedmoor and 6mm Creedmoor, though I suspect you could

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COLUMN to work for your birds, but when you can put some in the bag, the effort will have been worthwhile. Be sure to wear good warm socks, and dress in layers with an outer garment capable of shedding water. Regardless of whether it is raining at the moment, the woods are going to be damp, maybe even have some snow on the ground. Every Christmas somebody buys me a new pair of thick wool socks, and I put them to very good use! Speaking of, here’s a gift hint: Be sure there’s a 100-round box of .22 rimfires under the tree for either your youngster or the adult hunter who may enjoy shooting a grouse off a tree limb. Some folks frown on this – the people who hunt with dogs and shotguns only – and call it “ground swatting.” I call it shooting dinner.

AND DON’T OVERLOOK bunny hunting. For

Workman bonked this blue grouse on the opener in September, but he left a bunch of its pals still in the high country. December will give him a chance to go after ’em! (DAVE WORKMAN) add the “Creedmoor” label to a pellet gun and some people would stand in line to buy one. Coyotes don’t take that much killing; that is, a light bullet in the 50- to 60-grain arena will do them in rather abruptly. Learn to call them in and just wait.

IT’S WIDELY KNOWN that I’m a fool hen fanatic, and I’ve been waiting for December to haul out the 20-gauge, load up with No. 6s and work those now-quiet logging roads where grouse are feeling a little more comfortable to be out from 134 Northwest Sportsman DECEMBER 2023 | nwsportsmanmag.com

cover without somebody popping rounds at them. This is also where a good Ruger 10/22 or Marlin Model 60 or similar rimfire topped with a good scope can put late-season birds in the cooler. While some folks will be eating ham or turkey later this month, I’m hoping to have some roasted or grilled grouse breasts prepared with some spuds, onions and green beans, the latter three items out of my vegetable garden. Washington’s season runs through January 15, Oregon’s through the end of next month, and from now on you’ll have

the past couple of years, I’ve had a string of cottontail rabbits – a couple of generations, anyway – living under my workshop or woodshed and it makes me crazy. It also gives me a hint that bunnies may be at the top end of their cycle because if they’re hopping around the neighborhood, chances are I might find them along some of the lowland roads and trails. These are good places for a late fall and early winter stroll, and you can bet there will be a .22-caliber Ruger semiauto pistol in a holster on my belt, and a spare magazine or two in my pocket. The daily bag limit in Washington is five rabbits (there is no limit in Oregon), and if you’re at higher elevations, keep an eye peeled for snowshoe hares. I’ve seen them during the winter against evergreens because they’ve turned white for winter camouflage. If there’s not much snow on the ground, they stick out like neon signs. A 36-grain hollowpoint or 40-grain RNL bullet is strong rabbit medicine, whether fired from a rifle or pistol. I’ve known some folks who wait the whole year to hunt winter rabbits and they always seem to do OK. Look for cottontails around wild blackberry patches and briar tangles, old, abandoned structures (I find them now and then in the forest) where they might find shelter, and rocky areas where they can also dodge predators.

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December is the month to start chasing bunnies big time. A .22 in the noggin puts them down for the count. (DAVE WORKMAN) Watch for bunny tracks in the snow, and keep in mind that a single rabbit can make a lot of tracks!

DECEMBER ISN’T ALL about late-season hunting, I must admit. It’s about family and friends – especially hunting partners and maybe the private landowners who graciously allow you to hunt their property – and you should remember these folks during the holidays. Break out the rimfires this month, or buy some hunter in the family a box or two of ammunition to hide under the Christmas tree. (DAVE WORKMAN)

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For the last-minute Santa, I already mentioned buying a box of rimfires for someone, but don’t stop there. A box or two of centerfire rifle or handgun ammunition is always a welcome gift, and if you have a reloader in the family, some new brass from Starline, Winchester, Hornady, Remington, Federal or Nosler can really sparkle as a gift. And don’t forget a gift subscription to Northwest Sportsman!

I’ve never seen any hunter disappointed at a new outdoor knife, insulated gloves, new pair of binoculars, camp lantern or outdoor stove. Past Christmases have produced cannisters of propane for my future hunting treks, and among the stocking stuffers that have landed in my lap have been lantern mantles, and I’ve managed to need them on many occasions. Christmas is my birthday. This month will mark my 74th trip around the sun, and I’m hoping for a few more before I’m assigned to a rocking chair by the wood stove. There are guns that need shooting, deer and elk in need of my attention, grouse I need to invite to dinner and so forth. I’ve lived long enough to have lost a few hunting buddies over the years. I wish I’d been more careful to give them a call or send them a card, invite them over for a libation or just hook up for a morning or afternoon hunt or range session to plan for next year’s adventures. December is a magical time, and I wish all of the Northwest Sportsman family the very best. Remember to share your photos and success stories. Just over the horizon is 2024, and it could shape up to be a wild ride with the elections and gun control politics. We’ll be there right along with you. NS

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Author Dave Anderson feels no shame about being a successful cow elk hunter, nor in hiring an outfitter. He considers all of it money well spent to fill his growing family’s freezer for the winter. (DAVE ANDERSON)

Why To Consider A Cow Hunt M

ost people consider trophy hunts to be about pursuing mature bulls, bucks or other large-antlered BECOMING A HUNTER animals. However, there By Dave Anderson are several trophy cow elk hunting opportunities that are often

overlooked. The word trophy can be defined as many things, but for me, it is the reward or prize provided to you by attaining victory or success. To be successful when it comes to hunting so you can obtain the “trophy,” you need to make opportunities for yourself to practice and better understand what it takes to follow through with harvesting an elk. When I was younger and working as a

hunting guide, I never had the time to hunt for myself during the bull elk seasons. While I have only harvested one bull in my personal hunting career, I have guided many successful bull hunts. The time I had available to hunt for myself was always after the general season ended, when late cow hunts were open. Needless to say, I got to be pretty dang familiar with these late-season op-

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Cow elk hunts are often used to control herd numbers, with more opportunities available when the animals are overshooting the range’s carrying capacity or there is a need to reduce agricultural damage, and tags are dialed back to rebuild populations when a herd is below management objectives. (ODFW) portunities – as well as successful when it came to these types of hunts. One of the things I enjoyed the most was the fact that a close friend of mine, who is also an outfitter in Idaho, would always put in for cow hunts, so I would apply for the same hunts during the same time. This gave us the opportunity to have time to hunt with each other after the bull season. What I discovered over the years is that cow elk provide you a semi-stressfree hunt, one where you have a lot more opportunities than you do for a bull. I am a meat hunter first and foremost, so in my opinion it is hard to beat cow elk when it comes to excellent table fare. These hunts also take place late in the year, typically November and December when the weather turns colder and snowier, so you don’t have flies and yellowjackets all over you and your harvest, or the risk of spoiled meat, which are big pluses in my book.

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will most likely have to research the different cow hunting opportunities available. They’re not as plentiful as they have been in the past, especially in Washington. Some units have gone from offering 300 special tags to 30. It may take a few years or more to get back the opportunities that normally only took a year or two to draw into. One general hunt I always looked forward to the most was late-season archery cow elk in some Eastern Washington units. Year after year I could consistently harvest a cow, but when state wildlife managers made those hunts spike-only, I no longer participated in them. It was at that point that I started looking at out-of-state opportunities for cow-only hunts. In Idaho, a cow elk hunt will cost you the same as a bull elk hunt. This may deter some from wanting to fork out a big chunk of change to hunt a cow elk. Typically, these hunts are after the general season has already taken place in states like Washington and Oregon. For me, I look at it as

an additional chance to hunt and I honestly feel the juice is worth the squeeze to put extra elk backstrap and burger in the freezer. But these hunts are not always guaranteed and will take some hard work and research to be successful. Some occur in places that are steep, rugged and just hell to access. Or they may occur on or near private agricultural land requiring permission to access. Therefore, these hunts will take some research and planning to bring home the trophy. Wyoming is another state to consider when looking at different cow elk opportunities. It has a cheaper price tag for outof-state antlerless elk hunts compared to other states. A reduced nonresident cow/ calf tag is less than $300, half the price of a bull tag. When hunting in Wyoming, I have tried both the self-guided route and going with an outfitter. In my experience, using an outfitter has way more pros than cons. Outfitter hunts for cow elk are drastically cheaper than going after a trophy bull. By going

COLUMN with an outfitter, it takes a lot of stress away and provides convenience to the hunter. Some outfitters provide a lodge to stay in and hunt out of, while others will have you stay in a hotel and they provide transportation to and from your hunt. These hunts cost a lot less and average around $1,500, from my experience. I have also booked a VRBO with a group of guys so we could all stay together and have a place to cook and save money. The typical cost per person was less than $300 for lodging.

I KNOW MANY of you are thinking, “What a waste of money to use an outfitter for a cow elk hunt,” but hear me out. When you plan any hunt out of state, particularly if you are applying for an area where you have never had boots on the ground or eyes behind the glass, having an outfitter who knows these areas better than anyone is worth its weight in gold. Tapping into local knowledge is important when it comes to these hunts. But if you can afford the time to give it a week or two, it may be

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worth it to go the self-guided route. Just do your due diligence and research. I have a demanding job that requires a lot of my time and I want to give every second I can to my young boys and lovely wife, so I will gladly pay the price to go with someone who knows the area. In the end, I want to be successful or at least be put in a situation where I have a chance to pull the trigger. From that point on, the opportunity to be successful is all on me. There is no shame in hiring someone to take you into an area and help you have the best opportunity and less stress. These opportunities will also help you make that shot of a lifetime when it counts. In my opinion, you will have the best chance possible by hunting with someone with knowledge of an area. The year we tried to go the self-guided route, it definitely didn’t go as planned. We all had side-by-sides, but when we arrived, we realized we couldn’t get to where we needed to hunt unless we had tracks. Buying tracks was not going to be

easy, nor was it in our budget, so we did our best with what we had. In the end, we were unable to get near the cow herds, so we all came home with zero tags notched for the six that we had. We quickly learned that had we just booked with an outfitter – like we’d done in the years past – we would’ve been able to have opportunities to fill our tags. We also had the extra expense of pulling trailers and machines across multiple states to get to where we hunted with nothing to show for it.

THERE ARE MANY opportunities to harvest a trophy, but in the end, don’t overlook these late-season cow hunts as another chance to fill your freezer. Also, do not be afraid to look to other states for some of these opportunities; you may be surprised at how affordable some of these hunts can be. Do your research, practice, and do not hesitate to apply for these often-overlooked hunts that can prove to be just as successful, if not more so, than your general-season buck and bull hunts. NS

The ‘Wobbly Bits’ “Get right to the heart of matters, it’s the heart that matters more.” –Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

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oe after doe after doe wanted to get shot. They would all stand there, 100 yards away, broadside. I would consider shooting one for a moment, as my either-sex tag provided the opportunity, just not the desire. I wanted a bigger buck, but had yet to see one. CHEF IN THE WILD Then the rain came. Instead of hunting, I soon By Randy King found myself hunkered under a couple of pine trees starting a fire. The fall rainstorm was cold and I had no idea if or when it would let up. Hell, the storm wasn’t even supposed to be in the area. I always check the weather and rain was supposed to miss my location by a wide margin. Alas, meteorologists can be wrong, it turns out.

’

AFTER A COUPLE hours of waiting, the clouds lifted and the sun came out for a beautiful, if also slippery afternoon. Soon I was glassing and finding doe after doe feeding after a morning of hiding, like me. They were taking advantage of the sun, just like I was. Eventually I climbed to the top of the hill I was hunting and started methodically searching the nearby finger draws. I knew that a buck was in one; it just had to be. Eventually, several miles, several hours and several thousand feet of elevation change later, I found him. Looking right back at me from his bed. I was busted. I only had one real play: wait and hope the wind didn’t change. So I waited for what seemed like an eternity. I think it was 10 minutes, maybe 12.

I WAITED FOR the buck’s head to move, for it to stop looking right at me.

Sunlight breaks over rugged mule deer country. (RANDY KING)

When it shuffled and looked away, I disappeared under the sage and began my crawl. Luckily, it was only a few yards until the contours of the hill allowed me to drop a little elevation and stay out of sight. Soon I was close to the buck. Really close. But I still could not see him. Slow-crawling up the hill and poking my head over a rocky outcropping, I caught sight of the deer. He was looking right at me again, his torso obscured by the rabbitbrush and sage. The shaking in my hands was involuntary at this point – buck fever was striking. My desire to get a buck was affecting my ability to complete the task. I picked up my range finder and saw the buck was at 91 yards. A chip shot. But I could not see a body – just neck, head and horns. I was at a loss for what to do next. Whistle at the buck in hopes he’d expose more of his body? Take a headshot? I decided to see if I could thread the needle. I was going to shoot him in the top of the front shoulder, right on the neck. To hit this 4-inch-by-4-inch target, I needed to be still, to be calm. I needed to not be shaking. I used a trick I sometimes do when hunting with my kids: I grabbed my gun and took four dry-fire shots while aiming at the buck’s neck. Each one gave me hope and let me know I was going to be able to make a good shot. Prone, with my pack on the ground as my rest, I killed that nice three-point. True, I was way too far back in the woods, way too far away from the truck, but I was totally OK with it. I work out all year long for moments just like this one. I made meat, piling all the quarters, the backstraps, neck meat and the heart into the pack I then strapped on my back. Time to go home. NS nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023 Northwest Sportsman

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Deer heart shawarma with tzatziki sauce and thin slices of red onion and pickles. (RANDY KING)

HAVE A HEART

ating the offal of a critter can be a daunting task. The idea of consuming internal organs is concerning to some. For others, like my family, we have a tradition of eating a fair portion of the “wobbly bits.” The internal organs of an animal are often referred to as the “fifth quarter” because between the liver, heart, tongue and kidneys, a hunter gets an enormous amount of “extra” meat. All too often these insides are left in a pile on the ground for the coyotes. I do understand that a coyote’s got to eat too and I don’t judge those who leave the wobbly bits behind. I don’t always take them all either, but I do bring out every single deer heart that does not have a bullet hole in it. Simply put, they are the best and most easily accessible offal on an animal. They are tender and delicious if processed and cooked correctly. When processing a deer heart, it is imperative not to think too much about what you are doing. At this point, what more harm can you do to a critter if you are literally holding its heart in your hands? The symbolism is still striking, however. Holding a deer heart, still warm – and

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beating just moments ago – is something else. It changes you. It confirms that you are in a blood sport, and that the game you play is for keeps. Never forget that. Never.

AS YOU REMOVE the heart from the deer, a few best practices will help create the best possible food. When gutting a deer and wanting to keep the heart, I find it is easiest to grab the ticker with my nondominant hand and pull towards me. Damage around the lungs or good shot placement can often make removing the heart easy. Just pull on it and see if it comes out. Sometimes it will. But if a forceful tug towards me does not get the heart dislodged from its moorings, I then move to the knife. Keeping the pressure up – still pulling on the heart – I will slide my knife blade across the top of the heart, disconnecting it from the thick arteries and veins that connect to it. Just be careful not to cut yourself! This process is often done “blind” – as in, you’re elbow-deep in a deer cavity and slick with blood. Free of the gut cavity, the heart will come out encased in a thin film. Remove

this film carefully, since the heart will be slippery as all get out. Basically, don’t drop the heart in the dirt. I then usually “pump” the heart a few times while holding it inverted. This will allow any blood clots that might be still inside to get pushed out. If your deer/elk has been dead a while, it will undoubtedly have a blood clot in the heart. This must be removed and sometimes pumping does not work, so you’ve got to go in with a finger and scrape the blood out of the chambers. It sucks and it is best not to think about it while in the moment. After the blood is out and the lining is gone, I add the heart to the game bags with all my other meat. At this point it’s just another big hunk of meat you don’t need to worry about, unlike, say, a liver that can get crushed and ruined by a hind leg. However, I do not allow the heart to age along with my other meat. No letting the heart hang with the quarters outside or in the fridge. Organs turn quicker than on-the-bone muscle. I’m not sure why, but they do, so freeze or eat the heart as soon as you can.

WHEN IT’S TIME to prep the ticker for eating, proper trimming is vital. A heart is a working muscle, after all, and as such needs to be cleaned up. With a sharp knife, take off the white outer lining that all hearts have. Slide the blade under the white tissue and gently trim it away. Next, follow the contours of the heart Eating a deer heart isn’t for everyone, but properly preparing it for cooking is the key. (ANDY WALGAMOTT)

COLUMN itself to figure out how to unroll it. While cutting you will notice seams, basically attachment points for the different chambers of the heart. Take a knife and follow one of those seams and “open” the heart up. Inside the heart will be more connective tissue that needs to be removed. Each chamber is also lined with a thick tendon-like material that needs to be trimmed off. Quick note: The heart will have little tendon-looking segments inside it. Those are called “heartstrings.” They can break in times of great strife in life, so yes, you can die of heartbreak. Clean off all the heartstrings. No strings attached for you, you heart-eater! But seriously, the meat and eating experience will be better if you trim the heart well.

SPEAKING OF EATING, this issue’s recipe – deer heart shawarma – comes from a Middle Eastern dish that is two parts delicious and one part craveable. I don’t think about Middle Eastern food, or write about it, much and I regret that. The seasoning profile for shawarma is incredible – “warm” with a hint

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of spice that is cooled down with creamy tzatziki sauce. Just grubbin’. Traditionally, shawarma is a dish with thin slices of meat that are stacked and roasted. Clearly you would need a large number of deer hearts to do that. Because I usually cook one heart at a time, I slice the meat thin and pan-fry it with the shawarma seasoning on it. This makes a delicious and fragrant meat filling for a pita! Below is my son Noah’s go-to shawarma seasoning. (Recipe inspiration from the website thegoldenbalance.com.)

SHAWARMA SPICE BLEND 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon coriander 1 teaspoon allspice 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon cardamon ½ teaspoon ground clove ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon sugar 1½ teaspoons kosher salt 1 deer heart 1 tablespoon canola oil 2 pitas, warmed up Tzatziki sauce Red onion, sliced thin Sliced pickles Combine all the seasonings together. Cut the cleaned deer heart (see above) into ¼-inch slices. Using about 1½ tablespoons of seasoning per deer heart, season the sliced meat. Heat a heavy-bottomed pan on medium for three minutes. Add the oil. When almost smoking, add the deer heart and cook very quickly, about two minutes. Medium-rare to medium is just fine. This will be very fragrant and make your mouth water. Add the cooked deer heart slices onto the two pitas. Add as much tzatziki, onion and pickles as you desire and enjoy! –RK

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Silver Horde

silverhorde.com The KatchKooler Deluxe “keeps your catch fresher.” The compact design makes it easy to stow and a high-density closed-cell foam layer insulates the fish to keep it extra cold on the boat. Made with durable waterproof outer fabric and equipped with a strong handle. Silver Horde suggests reusable ice packs to protect your catch from bacterial degradation and prevent leakage. Great to transport fish home or to a derby weigh-in. It’s the perfect gift for the angler in your family.

Black Hills Ammunition

black-hills.com The 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge) from Black Hills Ammunition pushes modern 6.5 high-BC projectiles another 250 feet per second faster than the 6.5 Creedmoor and with comparable accuracy. Ballistics with these calibers were similar, but the 6.5 PRC has advantages over all of them. For Black Hills’ first loading, they chose to load this cartridge with the Hornady 143-grain ELD-X.

Holiday Gift Guide

Finn Bay Lodge

finnbaylodge.com Give the gift of a oncein-a-lifetime adventure by purchasing a partial fishing trip up to an entire fishing trip for a loved one! Reach out to mallory@finnbaylodge. com to discuss pricing and options.

Bullard Leather

Exquisiteknives.com

exquisiteknives.com Exquisiteknives.com has been offering some of the finest custom knives for over 20 years, including this knife by Lloyd Hale. Dave Ellis, American bladesmith mastersmith (retired), has been a knife collector for most of his life. His worldwide clientele includes many celebrities as well as everyday knife users. Being a collector, dealer and maker, Mr. Ellis has a well-rounded education and many of the top makers are close friends.

bullardleather.com The bodyguard holster is perfect and comfortable for easy concealment with an untucked shirt! Handmade in Texas from premium Hermann Oak Leather, this pancake holster is made standard with the sweat shield and fully covers to the end of the barrel with an open muzzle. Double stitched to provide stability, the design of the 25-degree forward cant fits snug up against the body, providing effortless reholstering. Holsters are molded and boned specifically to the gun for that “snap” fit. Made to be worn in the 4 to 5 o’clock position just above your back pocket, the belt-carry design facilitates retention from your belt, without requiring an additional tension mechanism. The above holster is shown with brown shark and thumb break snap. nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023

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Holiday Gift Guide

Hi-Point Firearms

hi-pointfirearms.com The YC9 is the next generation of Hi-Point Firearms C9. It is loaded with features such as Glock-compatible front sights, front and rear cocking serrations, optic-ready, 1913 rail, grip safety, new grip design, and the YC9 comes with a 10-round magazine standard.

Davis Tent

davistent.com The sleeping bag cover from Davis Tent is a great way to protect your sleeping bag and add a little warmth. You can even sleep under the stars on a starry night! Roll your sleeping bag, pillow and sleeping pad up and it’s a perfect bedroll to keep all your sleeping gear organized.

Nomar Michlitch Co.

spokanespice.com Shopping for a unique, useful gift has never been easier. The Michlitch Co. has five options of spice gift boxes to choose from. Each box contains a locally produced sauce and three bottles of their own blends. Prices range from $25 to $30.

nomaralaska.com Made in Alaska, the waterproof gun cases from Nomar feature padded protection for your great adventure off the beaten path. This scabbard holds a scoped rifle that is up to 47 inches long. The top rolls down and cinches closed to protect your gun. Visit the website to purchase.

Anglers Edge Sportfishing

anglersedgesportfishing.com At Anglers Edge Sportfishing, a six-person fishing charter out of Westport, Washington, they are passionate about fishing and providing their clients with the best experience possible. If you’re ready to have a great time and make some unforgettable memories, contact them today. Gift certificates are available and make a great Christmas present. 152 Northwest Sportsman

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Holiday Gift Guide

Sportco & Outdoor Emporium

sportco.com Sportco & Outdoor Emporium is the number one retailer of sporting goods in the Northwest. Fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, watersports and more. Family-owned and -operated since 1975. Your journey begins here.

Patrick’s Fly Shop

patricksflyshop.com Patrick’s Fly Shop offers fly casting and fly-tying classes for all experience levels. Fly-tying class schedules are listed on the website and casting lessons are scheduled by appointment. Gift cards for classes or products can be purchased instore or online!

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All Rivers & Saltwater Charters allwashingtonfishing.com All Rivers & Saltwater Charters has been in service for nearly two decades but they still consider themselves the “new school” type of Seattle fishing charter, specializing in hands-on techniques and the latest in boats and equipment!

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Northwest Sportsman Magazine

nwsportsmanmag.com The premier source for actionable fishing and hunting opportunities in the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. With input from top guides and expert sportsmen, each issue aims to give readers intelligent advice on how to harvest more fish and game that month, provide insight into major issues affecting fish and wildlife, and profile interesting sportsmen. No other magazine in the region can match the breadth of coverage nor the respect Northwest Sportsman has earned. A one-year subscription is $39.95 for 12 issues. Call 800-332-1736 or go online to subscribe. nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023

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Holiday Gift Guide

Alaska Family Motorhomes

alaskafamilymotorhomes.com Alaska Family Motorhomes is offering a free bedding package on any motorhome or camper van rental booked prior to January 15, 2024. Just email afmotorhomes@gmail.com with the subject “Holiday Free Bedding” and make your reservation on their website and they will do the rest.

Eastern Washington Guides

easternwashingtonguides.com The perfect gift: a waterfowl facial! The folks at Eastern Washington Guides love landing birds in your face! They offer fully guided hunting and fishing trips around the greater Columbia Basin, Moses Lake and the Potholes Reservoir. Waterfowl trips target Canada geese, snows and ducks with hunts available throughout the holiday season. Give the one you love the perfect gift, a waterfowl facial from Eastern Washington Guides. Happy holidays! To get $50 off your booked trip, use code NWSGIFT at checkout.

BEDLINERS | ACCESSORIES PROTECTIVE COATINGS

WHEN PROTECTION MATTERS MOST, LINE-X IT.

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Washington Line-X Plus 3508 C St NE Auburn, WA 98002 (253) 735-1220 www.linexofauburn.com

Holiday Gift Guide Pelagic Pursuits Costa Rica

catchfishcostarica.com The Central Pacific region offers the best offshore and inshore fishing throughout the entire year. Billfish are the favored target of most visiting anglers, and they are seldom disappointed with a short run to blue water on flat seas and an abundance of fish.

Fish Hunters Guide Service

fishhuntersguideservice.com Contact Fish Hunters Guide Service to find out how you can get $50 off a full-day guided fishing trip. Offer not valid on half-days, or per person pricing. Discount is valid off of the total price of your trip. Booking the boat for a private rental includes a free Fish Hunters Guide Service T-shirt or hat.

Diversified Innovative Products

diproductsinc.com Not content with the cheap plastic parts that many firearms companies produce to cut production costs for rimfire firearms, DIP Inc., makes drop-in metal replacement parts and accessories that are both high quality and affordable. All products are made in the U.S.A. They manufacture parts for the following brands: CZ, Marlin, Savage, Ruger, Remington, Tikka, Steyr, S&W, Howa, Marlin, Sako, Anschutz, Henry and others.

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LeeLock

leelock.com Drastically improve performance and steering of bow-mounted electric trolling motors with the LeeLock Magnum Skeg. The use of bow-mounted electric trolling motors for salmon trolling is a game changer. Not only does this skeg improve performance, it makes bow-mounted electric trolling motors much more efficient. Your batteries will run longer on a charge. The LeeLock Magnum Skeg can be a vital part of your trolling motor system! The LeeLock Magnum Skeg is available to fit most Minn Kota and MotorGuide (pictured) motors. It comes with clear PVC-coated stainless steel hose clamps.

Boat Insurance Agency

boatinsurance.net The Boat Insurance Agency is an independent agency representing the best marine insurance companies. They carefully compare a number of policies to find the lowest premiums and best values for your boat insurance needs. Boat Insurance Agency is owned and operated by Northwest boaters. They have the local knowledge needed to understand boating in the West, along with your special needs. Contact them for an insurance quote and to learn more about the value and service they can offer.

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023

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Holiday Gift Guide

Vortex

vortexoptics.com/apparelmens-vortex-heavyweighthoodie-223-02+swatch_ color-Black The heavyweight champion of your hoodie collection. It all starts with the Heavyweight Hoodie, a thick-cut frost-buster that takes a cold-weather mainstay and adds heavyduty stitching for added durability. Its thicker weaves means more warmth when you’re checking trail cams or tailgating before the big game. With a relaxed fit for superior comfort, you’ll also enjoy the broken-in feeling of your favorite sweatshirt. It’s the perfect outer layer for an active day outdoors.

Verle’s

Puget Sound Fly Shop

pugetsoundflyshop.com Christmas is right around the corner. Puget Sound Fly Shop offers gift cards and many items that would make the perfect gift for the avid fly fisherman.

Lazy Bear Outfitters

lazybearoutfitters.com/ products/lazy-bear-gift-card Make gift-giving fun and easy with a Lazy Bear Gift Card! Perfect for friends, family or special occasions, the card never expires and will fund an unforgettable experience! Treat your loved ones to a unique and memorable gift – they’ll be thrilled (and may even owe you one!). 160 Northwest Sportsman

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verles.com Verle’s has the Little Chief front-loading package for you. Smoking is made simple with the Little Chief, as all you have to do is plug it into a standard household outlet. Just place your food (after brining or preparation) on one of the four racks that sit over the top of the drip pan. The smoker’s capacity is 25 pounds of meat or fish! Includes: smoker, four easy-slide chrome-plated grills, electric cord, drip pan, free bag of Smokehouse Alder Wood Chips, and recipe booklet. MSRP: $179. Verle’s 75th Anniversary Special – $75 (while supplies last). Manufacturer seconds. Product #9908-000-0000.

California Wild Sheep Foundation

cawsf.org California Chapter of Wild Sheep Foundation, formed in 2001, has worked with agencies and other conservation groups to combat disease and provide habitat enhancements for the iconic desert sheep in California. CAWSF encourages all who are interested in putting and keeping sheep on the mountains to join them.

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Holiday Gift Guide

Cut Plug Charter seattlesalmonfishing.com Cut Plug Charter offers Puget Sound fishing trips for salmon and lingcod. Hands-on fishing experience with light tackle is what they specialize in!

Carefree Boat Club of Seattle

seattle.carefreeboats.com This holiday season give the gift of boating! Being a boat club member allows you to experience fun times with family and friends without the additional work of boat ownership. No maintenance, cleaning, moorage, trailering or insurance fees! You simply book, show up and go boating!

Westview Marina westviewmarina.com/ m3dia/promo-video-2021 Drive or fly in, four nights lodging, three full days of guided fishing/catching salmon, halibut, lingcod and much more, with all of your meals off a large restaurant menu. $2,100 USD each for a crew of four to six people.

Fly Gyde

Pacific Calls

pacificcustomcalls.com The Deuces double-reed duck call is the most popular duck call that Pacific Calls produces. This is the double reed for hunters who like the sound of the single reed but enjoy the user-friendly double-reed style. From top to bottom, this call’s range has it all. 162 Northwest Sportsman

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flygyde.com Give a gift that can never be wrong and will surely thrill the fisherman in your life! Fly Gyde’s Gift Card can be redeemed for fishing trip options and any products from their online fly shop. Happy holidays!

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.

CONNECTICUT Connor’s and O’Brien Marina Pawcatuck, CT connorsandobrien.com Defender Industries Inc. Waterford, CT defender.com O’Hara’s Landing Salisbury, CT oharaslanding.com

Captain Bub’s Marine Inc. Lakeville, MA captainbubsmarine.com

Obsession Boats East Falmouth, MA capecodboatcenter.com

Doug Russell Marine Worcester, MA WorcesterBoating.com

Portside Marine Danvers, MA portsidemarine.us

Everett Bayside Marine

1111 Craftsman Way Essex Marina LLC. Essex, MA98201 Everett, WA essexmarinallc.com (425) 252-3088 McLellan Brothers Inc. www.baysidemarine.com Everett, MA

NEW HAMPSHIRE Dover Marine Dover, NH dovermarine.com

Master Marine Boat Center, Inc. Winnisquam Marine

Belmont, NH 503 Jacks Lane winnisquammarine.com Mt Vernon, WA 98273 RHODE ISLAND (360) 336-2176 South Attleboro Marine Billington Cove Marina Inc. www.mastermarine.com North Attleboro, MA Wakefield, RI Riverfront Marine Sports Inc. Salisbury, MA riverfrontmarine.com

M A S S AC H U S E T T S

mclellanbrosinc.com

www.sammarine.com

bcoveyc.com

Action Marine & Watersports Inc. Holyoke, MA actionmarineholyoke.com

Merrimac Marine Supply Methuen, MA merrimacmarine.com

Wareham Boat Yard W. Wareham, MA wareham-boatyard-marina.com

Jamestown Distributors Bristol, RI jamestowndistributors.com

Bill’s Outboard Motor Service Hingham, MA billsoutboard.com

Nauset Marine-Orleans Orleans, MA nausetmarine.com

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Holiday Gift Guide

Elk Mountain Tents

elkmountaintents.com For your outdoor adventures, Elk Mountain Tents offers quality canvas tents in a variety of types and sizes.

Flash Sport Fishing

flashfishing.net Join Captain Steve Talmadge and his crew for a safe and exhilarating time shark and deep sea fishing out on the San Francisco Bay waters. Flash Sport Fishing Charters is one of the top fishing charters in San Francisco, offering exceptional fishing trips and tours to anglers of all skill levels. They offer several half-day and full-day guided charter and trip options. Just bring your fishing license and a meal – everything else is included! Fully insured in California and equipped with a U.S. Coast Guard Masters License. Check out their rates and charter availability on their website.

North River Outfitting

northriveroutfitting.com Hunt stone sheep, moose, mountain caribou and mountain goat with North River Outfitting in a very remote area of Canada that has no road access – fly-in only.

Skinner Sights

skinnersights.com What do you get the person with everything? Something to put it in! Looking for a great way to conceal a rifle or shotgun (up to 40 inches in length), a couple handguns and magazines, accessories, tactical flashlight, etc., where they can be hidden in plain sight? The Skinner Sights Concealed Carry Garment bag will hold all that and more. Constructed of heavy-duty Cordura, premium stitching and using the world’s strongest hanger, this bag can be hung in a closet along with clothes for excellent concealment. Available in tactical black or inconspicuous olive. The hanger is removable, allowing the bag to be folded into an easily carried case. Made in Montana, this is a great gift for those who want to be prepared. $189 164 Northwest Sportsman

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Fireweed Lodge

fireweedlodge.com Book an adventure with a premier luxury Alaska fishing destination. Visit Fireweed Lodge’s website for details.

nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2023

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OREGON MEDFORD CRATER CHAINSAW 1321 North Riverside (541) 772-7538 www.craterchainsaw.net

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