The Eagle outdoors: February 7-14

Ah, smelt. Despite the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) best intentions to provide us with smelt dipping opportunities, the first two days were not approved. Fishery managers evaluate weekly commercial test fishery landings, or catch reports, to determine if the smelt run size is large enough to support a recreational harvest. This week’s catch reports did not provide enough information to confirm whether the run is large enough to open a recreational fishery in the Cowlitz River. Fishery managers will continue monitoring the run to determine if future dates can be approved.

So, no smelt dipping this week. However, as I sit upstairs, heater at my feet watching it snow on Groundhog Day, there’s quite a bit to do during the month of February. That is if you’re partial to the outdoors and don’t mind a pattern of rain - misty rain – snow – fog – hail – sunshine - more rain , all in the space of five minutes.

Razor clams

As of this writing, the WDFW has tentative razor clam tides on various beaches, including Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, and Copalis, posted for February 8 through 14, which, incidentally, for those who might be prone to forgetfulness, is Valentine’s Day. These are tentative dates as of this writing (February 2), but if I were a betting man, I’d say that by the time this issue of The Eagle hits the newsstands, the dates/digs will be confirmed. Low tides? The group looks fair, with a pair of -0.5 digs smack dab in the middle of that time. If you go, be careful, keep the first 15 you dig, regardless of how small they might be. I say this because it’s the law, and because razor clams with broken shells die, no matter how minor the break might be, and waste is never a good thing – and take a kid with you.

Steamer clams

I love steamer clams. And as a HUGE fan, I consider myself fortunate that I have a public stretch of tideland, albeit a bit of a drive, where I can go year-round and attempt to take my 40 Manilas. Where, you ask? Well, there’s always Long Island in the southern end of Willapa Bay; however, the island is accessible only by boat. The place I speak of is Hawks Point, a stretch of public bayfront roughly 30 minutes west of Raymond along Highway 105.

Now, before you load up the rig and make the drive, which, incidentally is about 200 miles roundtrip from Cathlamet, let me say that while there are steamer clams to be raked here, Hawks Point isn’t what she used to be. Why? Because of sand shrimp, or ghost shrimp. The population of these fantastic little baits have exploded at Hawks Point and elsewhere over the past two decades. That wouldn’t be a bad thing, except for the fact that millions of burrowing shrimp liquify the sand, causing clams, as well as oysters, to sink and suffocate. That said, you might find it necessary to rake a lot of sand at Hawks Point if you’re looking to take home a limit of these fine-eating shellfish. But they’re there.

Surf perch fishing

However, all is not lost at Hawks Point. When I go, I throw in a clam gun to siphon up a batch of these troublesome ghost shrimp. From there, I drive west of Tokeland, west of Shoalwater Bay, to the edge of North Cove. Here, I walk out on a short jetty next to a small pocket of sand known as Hidden Beach. From the jetty, I’ll cast my shrimp rigged with a slip bobber or on a traditional bottom rig into the waters of North Willapa Bay, where I hope to tangle with redtailed surf perch, which I compare, though some may say it’s a touch ‘mushy,’ to freshwater crappie in terms of the perch’s ranking on the table.

Trout

It seems like no matter the time of year, there’s always some trout fishing to do, and February is no exception. Both Snag and Western lakes, or as they’re commonly known, the Radar Lakes above and to the west of the old Naselle Youth Camp, received 40 brood stock steelhead back in mid-January. Kress Lake, too, on the east side of Interstate 5 north of Kalama was stocked by the WDFW with 3,000 catchable size rainbow trout, along with half a dozen big steelhead, in mid-January. The water’s still cold, folks, and these fish would be excellent as the culinary guest of honor at your Super Bowl party on February 9th.

Beachcombing

I’m a junkman at heart, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I love beachcoming, especially this time of year when the big winter storms deposit all sorts of wonderful treasures on our sandy coastal shorelines. No, I’ve not found one of the coveted Japanese glass fishing floats -yet - but I find plenty of flotsam including larger hard plastic floats, strange Asian product packaging, derelict crab floats, fishing gear, and, on one outing, a matching pair of brand new Croc flip-flops in my grandson’s size! Heck, that’s as good as a glass float any day.

Until next week, enjoy the outdoors responsibly, be safe, and most of all, take someone with you and show them what this wonderful planet is all about.