By Bob Brown The squid fishery doesn't get a lot of attention from outdoor writers, probably because squid don't have the razzle-dazzle reputation steelhead and salmon and other aquatic species have. But squid fishing can be just as rewarding and exciting as the more well-known fisheries, and on top of that, it doesn't require a suitcase full of expensive lures and tackle. All that is needed is a valid fishing or shellfish license, a spinning rod and a couple of squid jigs, plus a five-quart bucket (the legal limit) and optional items such as a head lamp or a LED light for night squidding. Squid feed mainly at night and are attracted to light, which is why public piers are good locations for anglers. Hungry squid lurk in the dark fringes of lighted water and then prey on young herring and other small fish. Some decent catches of squid, called Market Squid by locals, are being caught off Les Davis, Dash Point and the Point Defiance Pier. Best times to fish for squid are high tides just before dark, but can be fished throughout the day. It should be noted Point Defiance Pier closes when the tackle shop closes at 6:30 p.m. Squid fishing classes will be held at the Point Defiance Marina for individuals ages 8 years old-plus on Dec. 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. Learn the regulations and how to jig squid and prepare them for cooking. To sign up for the class, call 253-591-5328.
Fishing report
The Skookumchuck is open to hatchery coho fishing from the first Skookumchuck Road Souheast Bridge downstream of the hatchery to 100 feet below the outlet of the PP&L/WDFW steelhead rearing pond. The daily limit is two coho. All other salmon must be released. Hatchery manager James Dills reported water conditions are fair and so has the catching. Dills also said coho returns have been better than forecasted. Some portions of the Satsop and Humptulips rivers are also open to salmon fishing. Gamefish regulations in the open areas are listed in the Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet. " During the first week of November, 1,131 coho adults, 1,103 jacks, 98 chinook, 20 jacks, 309 summer steelhead and 41 cutthroat were recovered at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. Of the 3,300 summer steelhead recycled during the 2015 season, a total of 1,653 have been accounted for through Nov. 6. Joe Hymer of the Washngiton Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reported that in 2014 through the first week of November, 64,250 adult hatchery coho had returned to the Cowlitz hatchery. This year, only 3,300 had returned to the hatchery. Also, the first winter-run steelhead of the season has returned to the Lewis and Kalama rivers. Last week, one hatchery steelhead and four wild fish returned to the Kalama Falls Hatchery and one hatchery steelhead to the Merwin Dam trap. Chinook and coho are still being caught at barrier dam and summer-run steelhead and sea-run cutthroat near the trout hatchery. However, most of the chinook being caught have been dark or wild and are being released as have the coho jacks. " North Fork Lewis River anglers are catching some fall chinook, coho and summer steelhead. The most of the chinook are dark and being released. " Stacie Kelsey of the WDFW reported a Kalama creel check last week counted 41 bank anglers with four hatchery coho and one hatchery steelhead kept and one wild steelhead released. There were no boats. On the East Fork Lewis six anglers sampled had no fish. " In preparation for the Nov. 27 Black Friday opener, the following west side lakes GÇô Ohop and American in Pierce County, Spencer in Mason County, and Offut and Long in Thurston County GÇô have been planted with hundreds of trout averaging 15 to 16 inches in length and 1.25 pounds. Current stocking information is available on WDFW's website.
Bob Brown is a freelance outdoors writer and lives in Roy. He can be contacted at robertb1285@centurylink.net
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