HOOK AND FUR By Bob Brown The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced razor clam digging will remain closed for the remainder of the season because of elevated toxin levels. Dan Ayers, coastal shellfish manager for the department, said that "based on the most recent test results that showed increased levels of demonic acid, razor clams will not be safe to eat for the remained of this month. The clam season was scheduled to end after the May 22 dig.GÇ¥ Since 1991, when toxin was first detected on the Pacific coast, outbreaks of domical acid have prompted the cancellation of three entire razor clam seasons in Washington, the last one in 2002-03. Kalaloch Beach, jointly managed by WDFW and Olympic National Park, also was closed for much of the 2004 season due to high toxin levels. In 2005, WDFW closed Long Beach for two days due to elevated toxin levels. The department will continue to monitor toxin levels and conduct razor clam stock assessments as usual this summer. Ayers added it is hoped toxin levels will drop and razor clam digging can begin again this fall.
Hunter education -á Registration for the free Hunter Education Jamboree to be held in Yakima County June 6-7 has been extended through May 25. The jamboree will take place at the Boy Scouts of America's Camp Fife near Goose Prairie, south of Bumping Lake, and offers prospective hunters who have completed online hunter education coursework an opportunity to complete field skill requirements. Those requirements include a review of the online course content, including safety, firearms, first-aid and conservation topics, as well as hands-on firearm handling and live fire practice. The jamboree will be conducted by WDFW hunter education coordinators and over 30 volunteer instructors. For more information and to register, contact WDFW's hunter education office at 360-902- 8111.
Fishing news
" 2015 ocean salmon fishing seasons have been announced: Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco), May 30 through June 12. Open seven days a week, two-salmon daily limit, release wild chinook and all coho. Minimum size for chinook is 24 inches. Marine Area 2 (Westport/Ocean Shores). Sames rules as Area 1. Note: June 13 until further notice, daily limit of two salmon, of which not more than one may be a chinook salmon. Wild coho must be released. Marine Area 2-1 (Willapa Bay) and Marine Area 2-2 west of the Buoy 13 line (Grays Harbor), open concurrent with Area 2 when-áArea 2 is open for salmon angling. Area 2 rules apply. " Marine Areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay), May 15-16, May 22-23, and May 30 through June 12. Open seven days per week, two-salmon daily limit plus two additional pink salmon. Release wild chinook and all coho. Minimum size for chinook is 24 inches. Area 4, closed east of a true north/south line running through Sal Rock. Closed to salmon angling inside the area bounded by a line from Kydaka Point to Shipwreck Point. " Last week, Tacoma Power recovered 4,101 chinook, 599 lacks, 265 winter steelhead, 21 summer steelhead and two cutthroat trout at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. As of May 9, 7,122 winter steelhead had returned 8,688 sprig chinook. Samplings take on the Cowlitz May 4-10 of 83 bank anglers tallied 47 chinook and eight jacks kept. Three steelhead were also kept. Twenty boat anglers kept seven chinook " Washington anglers need to be aware the fishing rules pamphlet will not be available until July, and the current pamphlet is not totally in effect through June. Many rules will change before the new pamphlet is available. It might be a good idea before going fishing to check the WDFW website or its Fishing Hotline at 360-902-2500. -á Bob Brown lives in Roy and is a freelance outdoors writer. He can be contacted at robertb1285@centurylink.net
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