HOOK AND FUR By Bob Brown Last Saturday, Jim Unsworth, deputy director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, was chosen as the new head of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to select Unsworth after interviewing eight candidates for the director's position in December and narrowing the field to four finalists. Unsworth, 57, has spent more than 30 years in wildlife management with the Idaho department and has served as deputy director for the agency since 2008. He previously held several management positions for the department, including wildlife chief and state big game manager. As WDFW's director, Unsworth's salary will be $146,500 annually. Unsworth holds a bachelor degree in wildlife management from the University of Idaho, a masters in fish and wildlife management from Montana State University and a doctorate in forestry, wildlife and range sciences from the University of Idaho. Unsworth, an avid hunter and fisher, said he's looking forward to taking on the many challenges that come with managing fish and wildlife in Washington. Welcome aboard, sir. And good luck, because when it comes to those challenges, there is no shortage. -á Fishing report
" The Nisqually River is closed to all fishing, effective Jan. 6 through Jan. 31. WDFW and the Nisqually Tribe have closed their respective fisheries. The closure is the result of a low chum return and concerns that escapement goals may not be met. This is not good news for local fishermen, because not only is the Nisqually a very popular river due to its proximity, it happens to be one of the state's top chum salmon waters. Also known as dog salmon, chums are the second-largest of the five Pacific salmon species and perhaps the toughest and strongest fighter of the bunch. All but ignored by recreational fishermen a decade and a half ago, huge returns of hatchery chum in recent years have been responsible for the increased interest in the so-called dog salmon. " Fishing hasn't been that great for bank anglers on the Cowlitz River because of fluctuating river flows. On Jan. 5, flows at Mayfield Dam were approximately 14,200 feet per second, and on Jan. 8 the flow was 9,000 feet per second. Fluctuating flows have not dampened fishing for boat anglers according to Joe Hymer of the WDFW, who said sampling checks conducted during Dec. 29- Jan. 4 tallied 49 boat anglers, with 31 steelhead and eight coho kept. Seven coho were released. Seventy-two bank anglers caught and kept three steelhead and three coho. During the same week Tacoma Power recovered 993 coho adults and 12 jacks, 275 winter steelhead. Also, 228 coho adults, seven jacks, two winter steelhead and two cutthroat trout into the Tilton River at Gus Backstrom Park in Morton .The Cispus River also enjoyed a plant of 61 coho, one jack and one winter steelhead. -á Watching wildlife
WDFW biologists are advising people watching wildlife to be aware that winter is the time of the year when we can most easily stress those subjects of our attention. All of us, including our feathered and furred friends in the wild, use more energy to move and function in winter's cold and snow. In those conditions, any kind of disturbance, especially unnecessary disturbances, depletes the animal's energy reserves more quickly. Minimizing the impact of disturbances during this time of the year is critical to their survival. Little things can make a difference, like approaching animals too closely, causing them to flush or flee, often times in cold temperatures or through deep snow. This can be avoided by using binoculars or scope and telephoto camera lens. Also, children need to be taught to be respectful of wildlife and their need for space. WDFW suggests it would be a good idea to leave the family dog at home when preparing for a wildlife-viewing safari. Another option would be to have the dog leashed at all times when afield or at viewing sites.-á A recommended way to watch wildlife in the winter that's less apt to cause disturbance is to use specific sites that separate viewers from wildlife by motor vehicle routes, trails, boardwalks and blinds. Details on these and other sites for winter wildlife viewing are available on the Audubon Great Washington State Birding Trail Series maps and the WDFW's' website. -á Bob Brown, a Roy resident, is a freelance outdoors writer. He can be contacted at robertb1285@fairpoint.net
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