Woodland Creek Community Center 6729 Pacific Avenue SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Club News and Current Events
SSCPSA President's Monthly Newsletter March 2021
March 2021
For the 12th consecutive month it appears that we will not be able to have an in person meeting in March. From what I read in the paper as I am writing this it doesn’t appear that the current rules barring large gatherings will be relaxed for some time. In reading the club comments in the Reel News I noticed that several other chapters are now meeting on Zoom. That is an option that I think we might want to consider. Personally, I have found Zoom meetings to not be satisfying and sometimes difficult to access. I also am aware that many of us are either unfamiliar with Zoom or lack the necessary computer and software to use it. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to have such a meeting if there are enough members interested to justify the time it will take to set one up. Please let me by the middle of March if you think we should or should not explore a Zoom meeting in April at ramorrow@pacifier.com. This is a critical time for us all to watch what is happening that will affect our opportunities to fish for salmon and steelhead. I recently forwarded to everyone the schedule for the North of Falcon meetings and an invitation from WDFW seeking public input into the process. These meetings are where the salmon seasons and allocations are established. Other issues that we need to watch are the law suit brought by Fish NW against WDFW alleging mismanagement of our fisheries and potential lawsuit brought by Wild Fish Conservancy against WDFW baring the release of summer steelhead smolts in the Skykomish River. It is critical that we all watch what is happening and make our feelings known to the decision makers. The Board and I are trying to come up with some outings that will meet the COVID 19 restrictions. A clam dig would be great if the Domoic Acid would just go away. We are currently working the Lacey Parks Department trying to come up with a way we can have some sort of a Kids Fish-in in April. It probably won’t be a traditional program, but we hope to be able to have something that will allow kids to fish in Long’s Pond with a new rod and reel. Finally, thank you for everyone that has paid your 2021 dues. If you haven’t paid them yet, please send a $35.00 check payable to South Sound Chapter PSA to PO Box 1002, Olympia, WA 98507. Also, if you are fishing and successful please send pictures of your catch to spsanewsletter@gmail.com.
February 2021
At this point it is apparent that February will be another month without a meeting. I hope this message finds everyone healthy and coping well with everything occurring in our world. We not only are facing a pandemic and political issues, but now are faced with a number of threats to our ability to fish. Recent decisions by WDFW to allow the use of gill nets in the mainstream of the Columbia and banning fishing from a boat and the use of bait or scent in coastal rivers will significantly limit recreational fishing opportunities. If that wasn’t enough, Wild Fish Conservancy is in the process of filing another law suit aimed at stopping steelhead hatchery production on the Skykomish River. This organization has the admitted goal of forcing the closure of all fish hatcheries which would essentially close all recreational fishing opportunities. We as an organization must join together to fight these actions. We can do that by making our view known by letting the decision makers know how we feel. Please take the time to respond to “Voter Voice” calls for action you receive, by communicating directly with WDFW on issues you are concerned about or more importantly by letting your legislator know how you feel.
On a more positive note, I understand that there are fish in some of the local rivers. The Skookumchuck is fishable unless we have just had one of the heavy rains. The word is that it is very crowded especially on the weekends. I am sure that the situation is the same on other local rivers. Another available opportunity to catch a fish are the several year around lakes in our area. Most offer a chance to catch
trout and several bass. Just be sure to check the rules before you go as they seem to change more frequently and quickly than in the past. It is my hope that we will be able to have another clam dig or crab outing if the Domoic Acid Toxin problem clears. It is somewhat promising that might happen as WDFW has allowed the commercial
crabbing season to reopen north of Point Chehalis. Finally, I want to thank those who have already paid their dues. If you haven’t paid them yet you an do so by sending a check to Puget Sound Anglers, PO Box 1002, Olympia, WA 98507.
January 2021
It will most likely be the end of 2020 before you read this message. In my mind that couldn’t have come soon enough. Unfortunately, it appears the start of 2021 will not be a significant improvement at least in the early part. There will not be a general meeting in January. Based on what I hear on the news, it probably will be at least March before restrictions on gatherings are relaxed enough for us to meet.
The board has tried to find activities that are permissible for us to get together. Since April we have had an outing to Westport for bottom fish and crab, a very successful garage sale, one of the best attended club member and guest only derbies, a surf perch outing, a couple of clam digs and an outing to Mayfield Lake. We had a number of other clam digs scheduled for December and hoped to have more after the first of the year, but the Domoic Acid Toxin put an end to them. Please let me know if you have any ideas for an outing while we wait for everything to open again.
In light of the lack meetings the board has voted to ask the current officers to serve for an additional year. All have agreed to do so with the exception of vice-president Pat Leahy. Pat has moved to Port Orchard and the commute to Olympia for meeting is more that he wants to make. I want to thank Pat for his service to our chapter during is term. So, we are looking for a candidate for his position. If you are interested please let me know.
Dee Glenn recently sent out an email outlining how you can pay your 2021 dues. Among other things the dues are the source of funds we use to pay for the Reel News, the club newsletter, insurance and some other general expenses. If you didn’t get the email please let me know.
If you have a chance to go fishing do so safely and if you are successful please share that fact with all of us.
December 2020
For the eighth consecutive month I have to announce that there will not be a meeting. It seems like forever since we have been able to have a meeting, but I hope the current steps will bring an end to the drought. It is especially troubling to cancel the December meeting as that is our annual holiday party. I hope this message finds everyone safe and healthy and that we all will continue to be so in the future. One of the things I miss most from our meetings other than the companionship is the sharing of fish tales. It is always enjoyable and beneficial to hear about successful and sometimes unsuccessful fishing expeditions. Under the current rules there is no reason we all can’t be fishing and why we can’t be sharing that information with the membership. I and I am sure many others would like to know where people are fishing and how they are doing. The best way to share your stories is to send an email to the membership. Simply do an email and send it to psa-mailing@googlegroups.com
. We are planning a couple of outings in the month of December. The current rules allow gatherings of up to 5 people so we will strive to ensure social distancing at each outing to maintain compliance and safety for all of us. The first will be a crabbing outing to Willipa Bay on December 19. The exact details have yet to be determined, but if you are interested please let Mike Silvers (setthehook55@gmail.com) or me
(ramorrow@pacifier.com) know. The second is a clam dig on December 31. The New Year’s Eve outing is a club tradition not only for the opportunity to harvest razor clams, but to see what has always proved to be some spectacular firework displays. Hopefully, the domoic acid toxin will be gone and we will be able to hold this event. Location and time will be sent out later. Finally, we are nearing the start of a new year which means that you will need to pay your dues. Dee Glenn, Treasurer will be sending out an email shortly how you can make payment in era without meetings.
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
PREVIOUS NEW LETTERS:
There will not be a November meeting. In fact, it appears that we will be unable to have any meetings until sometime next year unless there is a dramatic change in the Covid-19 pandemic. That means that there probably will not be a Christmas banquet this year. We are trying to find ways to allow us to get together that comply with the rules. One such event was on October 17 when eleven members had a great day digging clams and enjoying a wienie roast. We hope to have other outings in the near future. Tentative outings and dates are:
1. The third annual bobber dogging outing for chum salmon in early November.
2. Clam digs in November and December.
3. An outing to Mayfield Lake for Trout and Tiger Muskies in November.
4. A second annual crab outing to the Willipa in December.
More specific information regarding these events with dates and times will be sent out shortly. If you have suggestions for additional outings, please let me or any board member know. On a more serious side there are a number of issues on the horizon that threaten recreational fishing as we know it today. Issues like the Orca problem in the Salish Sea, gill nets in the main stream Columbia River and Willapa Bay, the Puget Sound Chinook Harvest Management Plan, predation by seals, sea lions and birds continue to threaten the future of recreational fishing in our state. It is essential that we all monitor proposed action by WDFW, to insure that recreational opportunities aren’t lost as decisions are made. You have been and will continue to
receive messages from PSA, CCA and other interest groups encouraging you to attend meetings with WDFW or to at least send your comments regarding the proposals to the interested parties. So when you receive an email asking for your support please don’t ignore it. Rather you need to make your position known to the powers that be. Remember that the more noise we make the more likely our position will be considered. I hope this message finds everyone safe and free from Covid-19. If you are and have the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoor activities available this time of the year please share your experience with the rest of us. You can forward pictures and reports sspsanewsletter@gmail.com and we will see that they are shared with everyone. If you are fishing be safe and have a good day on the water.
THERE WILL BE NO OCTOBER MEETING
The COVID 19 prohibition on large gatherings continues to keep us from having a general meeting. Hopefully, this will change in the near future. In the interim, the Board is trying to find ways to get us together and still comply with the rules. For example, we are planning surf perch/clam dig outings on Saturday October 17, Saturday November 14 Saturday December 12 and Thursday December 31. The specific location and time for these outings will be sent out shortly before each event. Other potential events are a joint trip to Mayfield Lake for trout and maybe tiger muskies in early October, a crab outing to Willipa Bay in December and our annual Bobber Dogging outing for chum salmon in early November. We need your help in identifying ew opportunities. If you have any ideas please let me at ramorrow@pacifier.com or Mike Silvers at setthehook55@gmail.com
know.
Our third annual derby on August 22 was a great success if you consider that there were 59 tickets sold and that it was a perfect day to be on the water.
However, it was not a very successful day for those of us who measure fishing success by the number of fish in the box. There were only 2 fish brought to the weigh station. The winner was Ben Bower with a 10.4#
King with second place going to Bob Boes at 9.10#. John Ignac has served as derby chair the last three years and says it is time for someone else to assume the duty. If you are interested in assuming this role please let me know at ramorrow@pacifier.com . John promises to help the new chair for the first year. The lack of a meeting doesn’t mean that there aren’t opportunities to learn new things. For example, Forrest Gill has sent out several links to sites offering suggestions for new ways to fish. Another good source of information is LeeRoys Ramblings (www.leeroysramblings.com). There is a wealth of information about many subjects on this web site from fishing and hunting to boat and motor maintenance.
I hope you all remain healthy and am looking forward to seeing everyone soon. If you are fishing “good luck” and be safe.
SEPTEMBER WILL PROBABLY BE ANOTHER MONTH WITH NO MEETING
Efforts to contain the COVID 19 crisis continue to bar our ability to have a general meeting. The rules as I am writing this message bar any meeting of ten or more persons and the news that I hear do not suggest a change before our scheduled September third meeting date. In an attempt to provide opportunities for us to meet the Board has scheduled several outings in recent months. In July we had a rockfish/crab outing to Westport. Six members brought their boats and around 15 members had a day on the water. Unfortunately, the weather and fish didn’t cooperate, but we all had a good time. That month we also had a surf perch and wienie roast outing at Grayland attended by 25 members and guests. It was a great day for all.
We started the month of August with our annual garage sale. This is one of our primary fund raisers for the Kid’s Fishing Program and our general operating expenses. We did not know what to expect given the current COVID 19 conditions. To our surprise it was the best year ever. We almost doubled the amount earned over last year. This successful result solved budgetary concerns facing the Board. I want to thank everyone who contributed items for the sale and helped out. The other event is August will be our annual Club Member and Guest Derby. This event will occur in late August after the deadline for this message in the Reel News. With the understanding that outings where we can have social distancing are our only way to get together these days, the Board is considering scheduling more events in the next several months. Please let me or any boards member know if you have any ideas for an outing. I hope everyone stays safe and look forward to a return to normalcy in the very near future.
AUGUST:
Unfortunately, we will not be able to have our scheduled August meeting. The current rules limiting activities to groups of 10 people or less and Lacey’s decision to close the picnic area make it impossible for us to get together. It is my hope that conditions will change soon and we can get back to our monthly meetings.
I want to thank everyone who contributed items for our very successful garage sale. I also want to thank and acknowledge those who donated not only items but also their time and energy to this endeavor. First and foremost Mike Silvers for organizing the sale and providing the location and Dee Glenn for agreeing to handle the money. Others who participated are Darwin Kumm, Steve Andrews, Jay and Eli Evans, Jim Wood, Bill Leuschen, Jason and Tracy Anderson, Bob Jamison, Dave Reynolds, Jerry Williams, Martin Chen, Dan Cloverdale and Alice Beals. Hopefully, I haven’t missed any one.
The Member and Guest Salmon Derby on August 22 is a definite go. If you have already purchased your ticket I hope to see you on the water that day. If not, they are available from Dee Glenn (360-491-0431), Allen Morrow (360-515-1482), or John Ignac, (360-581-8904). The word I have is that fishing in the local area has been good so lets get out there and catch some.
Allen Morrow, President
South Sound Chapter Puget Sound Anglers
WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AN AUGUST MEETING (Cancelled)
Thurston County has now entered Phase 3 of the COVID 19 recovery. Originally that meant that groups of up to 50 people were permitted with some restrictive precautions. In light of those requirements, we planned to meet outdoors at Long’s Pond Picnic Area 1 on August 6 at 7:00 PM. Unfortunately, the Governor has just issued a revised order limiting gatherings in phase 3 counties to 10 or fewer people. Hopefully, this restriction will be lifted before August 6 and we will be able to have our first meeting since March. The next planned event is our annual Members and Guests Fishing Derby on Saturday August 22 from sun-up to 3:00 PM. The derby is limited to Marine Area 13. Prizes are higher this year. $400 – 1st;
$200 – 2nd; $100 – 3rd; $75 – Mystery Fish.
Any legal salmon can be entered. Tickets are $30 each ($5 goes to pancreatic cancer research) and will be available at the August meeting, if it happens. We must sell at least 30 tickets by August 19th have a Derby. You can purchase tickets by contacting John Ignac (cou121gar@comcast.net), Dee Glenn (deeglen2@comcast .net) or me (ramorrow@pacifier.com). This is our third annual derby and the winning fish in each of the previous years has been entered by Paula Corcoran (who has already bought her ticket for this year) and Valentina Maughan respectively. Do you see a pattern here?
Guys, we all need to step up and play our “A” game to stop this trend.
At its June meeting the WDFW Commission released the latest draft language of a policy that would reverse the 2013 Oregon-Washington gill net reforms in favor of a year-round return of non-selective gillnets to the lower Columbia River. The
Commission has released the draft policy and is asking for your input. Anyone who cares about the future of our fisheries understands that subjecting imperiled salmon and steelhead to non-selective gill netting is a really bad idea. The Commission plans to act on this proposal at its August meeting. If you agree that this is a terrible idea comments can be sent to the Commission at Commission@dfw.wa.gov and the Governor’s office at
I will keep you posted regarding the possibility of a meeting on August 6. If it happens, there will be a $50.00 prize if you are there and your name is drawn from the hat. Jim Word was at the March meeting and went home $150.00 richer.
Allen Morrow, President
South Sound Chapter Puget Sound Anglers
Outings, Events and Announcements
Happy thanksgiving everyone.
A couple of us are planning a fishing expedition to Mayfield Lake for trout on Black Friday (November 27). So far we have 2 boats committed and are looking for those without boats who would like to fish or those who want to join us with their boat. If you are interested please let me or Mike Silvers know by Thanksgiving day. You can reach me at ramorrow@pacifier.com and Mike at setthehook55@gmail.com.
Details will be finalized and announced once we have an idea of the number people interested in this outing.
Allen Morrow, President
South South Chapter Puget Sound Anglers
AT THIS TIME WE WILL BE HAVING LIMITED OUTINGS. PLEASE STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY AND CHECK BACK LATER FOR ANY UPDATES TO OUR EVENTS. Thank you!
Who wants to go Razor Clam Digging?
We are digging Twin Harbors this Saturday. We will have a bon fire at our normal location behind Grayland Beach State Park. Instead of taking Cranberry Road to gain access to the beach we will be using Grayland Beach Road then turning South about 1 1/2 miles. Drive until you find fresh water running onto the beach. We will be parked there. Cranberry Road was a little soft last dig.
We will be leaving Mud Bay Park & Ride at 4:30 PM. Hot Dogs will be furnished. The Hot Dog sticks ate 3 1/2' long so we should be able to keep our distances.
I don't think I'll be fishing for Surf Perch this time. The surf is 3.5' and the wind is supposed to die down. If you do go fishing, don't go by yourself, make sure there is someone with you. Let me know if you are going and I will try to hook you up with someone else.
Let me know if you are coming and there will be hot dogs waiting for you. If you want to car pool from Mud Bay let me know. If nobody wants to car pool I will probably go down a little earlier.
I'll see you there.
--
Mike Silvers
Puget Sound Anglers South Sound Chapter
setthehook55@gmail.com
cell/text (360)951-5160
As you can see from some of the pictures on the first page, some members have had good success chasing kings, silvers and halibut. WDFW has opened up several clam dig dates. Check their website for more details.
Our annual bragging rights derby in August, had only two fish turned in for weighing. Better luck next year!! It was a beautiful day to be on the sound fishing!
Other things in the works include the Skookumchuk river clean up and possibly bobber doggin' for chum. Stay tuned for more information.
On JULY 11 we will have a rock fish and crabbing outing in Westport. Members will leave the Mud Bay park and ride at 9:45 and caravan down. Members need to let Mike (360-951-5160) or Allen know if they are going so they can have adequate boats for everyone.
Clam Dig Saturday, February 22. At Twin Harbors Beach, Grayland, Wa. If you want to caravan down, please meet at the Mud Bay Park & Ride by 2:30 PM.
Our Bobber Doggin' trip(s) were a success, for some!
Went fishing for Chum's in Little Skookum Inlet on Saturday. Four of our boats took 8 Gi's out. Only 2 Chum's to the net. But everybody seemed to have fun. My boat had 2 on but didn't get any to the net.
Went back on Sunday with 2 more GI's. We put 6 in the net by 12:30. 1 set of doubles. FYI - It is hard to net 2 chum with 1 person that had never caught a salmon before, 1 person that never fished before, two salmon swimming in opposite directions and one of those wrapped up in the stringer with 2 salmon on it. Was very interesting for awhile. Sunday the concentration of fish seemed to disappear about 1:30.
Bobber Doggin’ November 9, 2019
Our plans for a bobber dogging outing for single soldiers at JBLM are coming together. The plan is to take single soldiers from JBLM on a chum fishing outing. We have made contact with an organization called Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) at JBLM and they are excited about this opportunity for their members. The plan is to meet at Swantown Marina with our boats at 10:00 AM on the morning of Saturday November 9 go to Mill Creek in Hammersley Inlet or Little Skookum in Totten Inlet (depending on the where the chum are to be found) returning to Swantown around 4:00 PM. We are planning on taking 2 soldiers per boat so the more boats we have the more we can take out. The plan is for us to provide all the fishing gear and for the soldiers to have a license, appropriate clothing and something to eat and drink.
If you are interested and want more information please let me know as soon as possible so I can let the folks at BOSS know how many we can accommodate. When you do respond it will be helpful if you could let me know how many people you can take on your boat. Contact info is ramorrow@pacifier.com
Allen Morrow
PSA SSC will have a clam dig at Twin Harbors Beach on October 25th. If you do not know where this is, we will leave the Mud Bay Park and Ride at 1 PM to caravan out to the site. Or you can find us on the beach between Grayland Beach Road and Cranberry Beach Road. Low tide is about 6 PM with a surf perch fishing oppotunity before the dig commences.
We had our annual kid's fish-in last Saturday, April 13, 2019. Rain in the morning and wind in the afternoon but the kid's and the volunteers stuck it out. A good time was had by all.
35 volunteers helped 454 kids fish on 2,000 Rainbow Trout. A couple of big carp thrown into the middle of the event brought smiles all around. I went back to Long's Pond on Sunday and a young lady was there fishing and had to show me a picture of the big Carp that she had caught at the event. She said that it tried to pull her in.
It was another successful PSA event
Thanks everybody for all of your time and effort in helping these kids fish.
See you next time.
Come join for a "bobber dog-in" event on November 10. We will be out on the Puget Sound chasing Chum Salmon. Contact Mike Silvers at Mike Silvers [setthehook55@gmail.com] to see if we have an open seat for you or to find out details about the outing. Hope to see you there! (See pictures below)
_______
On October 13 members participated in a clam dig/surf perch fishing/bon fire event at Rooseveldt Beach. All got limits of razor clams 5 surf perch were caught by one member. Good time had by all!
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At the Puyallup Fair, the Master Hunters out did themselves this year. Master Hunters volunteered for 13 days with 57 shifts and a total of 396 volunteer hours to help 4,355 kids catch fish at the Puyallup Fair. Because of the volunteers we fished 315 more kids this year than we did last year and did it with less fish.
Thanks for all the help!
--
Mike Silvers
On July 14th, Cub Scout Pack 462 had a ball catching Rainbow trout. After the scouts each caught two it was open to their siblings. The fish cooperated, sort of. All caught fish. The South Sound chapter of Puget Sound Anglers volunteers had a ball and a fabulous lunch provided by the Pack. Pack 462 is JBLM based. They have 62 cub scouts! A wonderful program and pleased we could help. Thank you Mike Silvers Mike Servey, Dennis Knutz, Kevin Fast, and John Ignac for your time.
Thanks to all the volunteers, the May 30, 2018 Kid's Fish-in at Mason Lake was a great success. You made some lasting memories for many a kid and I heard a lot of "Thank You's" from the parents.
We had at least 80 kids catch fish. Some kids (with teacher permission) took the fish back to the school to be grilled and eaten! Happy fishers at Mason Lake (Shelton, Wa) Kids Fish-In. See pictures below and Click here to watch some of the fun!
Our South Sound Chapter of PSA received a $5,000 grant from Cabela's in Lacey Wa, on May 26, 2018, for us to give kids rods and reels.
MEDIA ALERT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -
June 1, 2018
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s to donate 50,000 rods and reels in nationwide effort to get kids outside this summer
Gone Fishing movement kicks off with National Donation Day at Cabela’s in LACEY, WA
WHAT: Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris is challenging families to put down their digital devices and get outside to discover the joys of fishing. To kick off Gone Fishing, the nationwide movement that gets kids and families connected to nature each summer, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are donating 50,000 rods and reels to nonprofit organizations that help kids from all backgrounds connect to the great outdoors.
Media are invited to Cabela’s in Lacey, Washington on Thursday, June 7 for a special ceremony featuring Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) receiving the donations, The WDFW helps get kids outside with programs like “Fish Washington, Kid Fish Events”, receiving this donation of rods and reels will help increase the number of kids that participate in events throughout the year.
During the family-friendly Gone Fishing events taking place over the next two weekends (June 9-10 and 16-17), kids of all ages are invited to catch their first fish with free catch-and-release ponds, take home a “First Fish” certificate and beginner’s guides, and participate in free seminars, free crafts and free photo downloads.
The effort is part of the company’s mission to inspire future generations to enjoy, love and conserve the great outdoors. In the past five years, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s have donated more than 300,000 items to youth-focused nonprofit organizations across North America.
WHEN: Thursday, June 7, 2018, 4 P.m.
WHO: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (Insert name(s) of local nonprofit representatives attending the event)
WHERE: Cabela’s
MEDIA CONTACT: Tracy Hatton
360-252-3535
Tracy Hatton
Events Specialist
Cabela’s – Lacey, WA
(360) 252-3535
4136-8046 (internal)