Though the main quarry's the same and some terminal rigs might carry over, fishing the wintertime saltwater here for salmon differs markedly from summer's experience.
LFS Marine & Outdoor of Bellingham is putting on a free seminar Saturday, Nov. 10, that will focus on key aspects of winter blackmouth fishing on Washington's northern inland waters.
With Marine Area 7 salmon fishing now in a one-month hiatus, there's time to study up as well as repair gear and retool the bay boat for the resumption of winter fishing and December's derby.
To reserve a seat, stop by the store off Roeder Avenue at the older entrance to Squalicum Harbor or call 360 734-3336.
NEW REGS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Changes to the fishing regulations for 2013 are up for comment at this time and there are among the 70 proposed alterations a number likely to spark debate.
Several agency recommendations would loosen the stops governing the taking of warmwater species such as bass, walleye and catfish in selected waters to reduce their numbers and thus their pressure on native federally listed steelhead and salmon as well as some other coldwater fishes.
Another would further attenuate saltwater salmon fishing by putting a size restriction on cabezon.
NEXT TO LAST DERBY
Two salmon fishing contests remain on the Northwest Salmon Derby Series calendar for 2012 organized by the Northwest Marine Trade Association.
Ticket sales close at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, for the two-day Everett Bayside Marine 2012 Salmon Fishing Event set for this weekend. Both coho and chinook may be entered in this cash ladder contest.
The Resurrection Derby, a limited-entry blackmouth event, is set for Dec. 7-8 out of Friday Harbor.
COMING SUNDAY
For more details about LFS winter salmon fishing tune and proposed regulation changes for next year plus more fishing and hunting news, read the Outdoors Column in the Sunday Herald.
Doug Huddle, the Bellingham Herald's outdoors correspondent, since 1983, has written a weekly fishing and hunting column that now appears Sundays. Read his blog and contact him at http//pblogs.bellinghamherald.com/outdoor.
