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Had it with
the political ads for state and national offices? Me too! He said,
she said and on it goes. Makes you wonder who is lying and who is
not. Doesn’t matter as campaign staffs in all incumbent and
challenging political offices scratch and claw at the opportunity
to gouge the competition. With that said, I would not miss the
chance to cast my vote for our elected officials.
The theme this
fall, seems to have a strong aroma of change. Nationally and
locally, people seem to be embracing the flavor of a new
direction.
If you are a
follower of this column since its inception, 3 ½ years ago, I have
written a great deal about sport salmon fishing, selective fishing
for salmon, and the possibility to hook a few salmon in our state,
at different times and places of the year.
Today, on this
eve of our elections, I wish I could vote for candidates seeking
to lead and direct our Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
into the next four years. Clearly, as many salmon anglers
understand, the current administration at the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife is content with the status quo and
quick to educate those that would listen, with reasons why they
can’t do what needs to be done. Selective fishing is a prime
example. The current director, Jeff Koenings, has been at the helm
for the last 10 years, longer than any director in the last half
century. It is time for change. If you believe in the economic
value of the importance of sport fishing to Washington’s economy,
and how that value is recognized and implemented, baby, I need not
say more... it is time for change. I am completely convinced, we
cannot get there from here with the current leadership, or lack of
leadership, in place.
Okay, onward
and upward. Blackmouth (resident chinook salmon) fishing opened on
Saturday, November 1 in Puget Sound from Olympia north to Port
Townsend. November can be tough, especially from a weather
perspective as wind can hamper saltwater anglers attempting to
drift or troll a contour where blackmouth are often found. I
prefer fishing in north Sound, from Kingston to Port Townsend on
outgoing tides, particularly in 100-120 feet of water immediately
north of the Kingston ferry terminal through the ebb. I have also
had good results fishing the south end of Oak Bay, also in 100-120
feet of water, trolling five feet off the deck, with a plug-cut
herring south to the entrance of Mats Mats Bay.
Finally, Port
Townsend’s MidChannel Bank can be very good in November, on both
tides at similar depths. Find the baitfish and you’ll find the
blackmouth. From my perspective, blackmouth fishing in November
can be very scratchy during the month. Sure, February and March
are more productive statistically, and abundances are typically
higher in most areas. Regardless, if you feel the need for speed,
with a hard fighting 6-12 pound chinook salmon, then blackmouth is
your answer in November.
I like to
spend some time during this month taking care of my equipment too.
My boat trailer has been dipped into the saltwaters of the Pacific
Northwest a lot during the past six months and this is a great
month to get maintenance on the trailer’s wheel bearings, lights
and brakes. Typically, since my 250 h.p. and 9.9 Suzuki engines
are racking up the hours from February until now, this is a great
time to get your motors serviced. I crossed that task off my list
last week. Predictably, by putting it off until spring, the
trailer and outboard engines are dormant. Saltwater is very tough
on metal, including electronics, battery connections, etc. Get ‘er
done now, baby.
Goodbye
October and hello November. We’ve had a spectacular fall, from a
weather standpoint and life is good in Washington. I’m looking
forward to some fresh air following the election and some good
blackmouth fishing on Puget Sound. See you on the water and good
luck. |
