Woodland Creek Community Center 6729 Pacific Avenue SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Club News and Current Events
South Sound Chapter – September 2023
Martin F Chen - President
Summer 2023 is coming to a close. It has proved to be a great summer for many of us. The weather gods have cooperated by giving us mostly pleasant conditions and I have heard reports of fantastic salmon fishing both in the ocean and in our local waters. Just a reminder that if you are fishing and want a companion the attached Boat Share list is a great source.
The local water part was proved to be true at our annual Member and Guest Derby. There were 41 participants who weighed in 9 fish from 3.13 lbs all the up to 17.3. This is the most fish weighed in since we started this derby in 2019. Winners were 1st Place Bob Boes 17.3 lbs, 2nd Place Luke Parson 16.4 lbs and 3rd Place Malcom Maughan 16.4 lbs. The tie for second and third was broken by the time the fish were brought to the weigh station. Coincidentally, Bob Boes placed second in the 2000 derby.
Another August event had us taking the fish pond to Westport for the Tuna Classic. We were able to give about 300 kids an opportunity to catch a fish in spite of a problem. There was a partial loss of fish right after stocking the pond. This was the second time this year we have had this happen. Both times when water was delivered to the pond by a fire truck. We suspect the partial loss suggests anoxia and are looking for a solution to avoid such occurrences in the future. Thanks to everyone who volunteered to make this event happen.
We have a number of possible upcoming outings as you can see on the attached Fall Calendar. Several of these are dependent on WDFW season announcements. If you have any suggestions for future outings please let me or any Board member know. It would be nice to come up with some new opportunities for us to get together as a group.
The September meeting be on Thursday 9/7 at the Lacey Community Center. The speaker will be Larry Phillips, Pacific Fisheries Policy Director, American Sportfishing Association. Formerly with WDFW in various roles.
South Sound Chapter –August 2023
Martin F Chen - President
The month of August will start off with a great salmon/steamer clam banquet on Thursday August 3. Thanks to the great fishing many of us have experienced at Westport and the generosity of our members who have shared their catch with us we will have plenty of fresh Chinook salmon along with steamer clams, clam chowder, salads and dessert. There will also be an awesome raffle and the joy of companionship with our fellow members. The cost of this event will be $15.00. Where else can you find a meal like this at that price. Come, bring your family and friends and enjoy a great evening.
For the second year in a row we have been asked to bring our kid’s fishing pond to Westport for Mission Outdoors annual Tuna Classic on August 12. Last year we gave almost 600 kids a chance to catch a fish at this one day event. We will need volunteer to help set up the pond on Friday August 11 and for fishing the kids on the day of the event (August 12). More information regarding the event will be sent later.
The next event is the annual Member and Guest Derby. The derby will be on August 19. Derby area is anywhere in MA 13. The Weigh Station will be at the Boston Harbor Marina from 10 to 3. Start time is as early as you want. Everyone on the participating boat must have a derby ticket and at least one of them has to be a club member. Tickets are $30.00 and will be available at the banquet and from Mike Silvers ( setthehook55@gmail.com or 360 951-5160) and Dee Glenn ( deeglenn2@comcast.com or 360 491-0431). Prizes will be 1st place$500, 2ndplace $300 and 3rd place $150.
I am attaching a copy of our calendar of upcoming events. As you can see there is nothing on it for the month of September other than the monthly membership and board meetings. This is due to two things. One is that September is a quite month for activities that we all enjoy. Hopefully, WDFW will open razor clam digs late in the month and we will be able to have an outing. But, the most critical reason there is nothing on the calendar is that we will no longer have an outing coordinator. Mike Silvers who has taken on the role for what seems like forever is leaving us. We need someone to step up and take on this responsibility. If you are interested please let Martin Chen (marchen101@aol.com) know as soon as possible.
Fishing has been good so far this summer and looks to continue into the fall. If you are planning a trip and need a partner or two take a look at the attached Boat Share list and ask a fellow member to join you. In any event if you are fishing be safe.
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South Sound Chapter –July 2023
Martin F Chen - President
In June we had two opportunities to introduce kids to the joy of fishing. The first was an event at Mason Lake where we set up our pond and gave 75+ Shelton School District special needs students a chance to catch, in most cases, their first ever fish. I think I can speak for all those members participating in this event that we get as much personal satisfaction and enjoyment out of it as do the kids. This was the return of this event since the onset of the pandemic hopefully it will continue in the future. The second kids fishing event was at the Rods and Reels Expo on June 17 and 18. We had 150+ kids at the pond during the weekend.
The big event for the month of July is the annual club garage sale on Saturday July 15th at Mike Silvers house (4554 14th AVE SE, Lacey, WA 98503). This is an eight-hour, one day sale that brought in over $6,500 last year. This is a significant fund raiser for the club. We can sell just about anything, except clothing, so bring what you have to Mike’s. Everybody has items lying around that have been in their way for a long time. Here is an opportunity to get rid of them. Our annual sale is looked forward to every year by a lot of people. Mike says he has been stopped by strangers asking when it will be this year. Mike’s back yard and the canopy is open. Just bring your donations over and put them inside the canopy or in front of the garage and Mike will move them. There is a hand cart beside the canopy. Better yet bring your items on Friday July 14 when you come to help us set the sale up. If you need help moving something or need it hauled, just holler and we will get it done. We will need help setting up the sale on July 14 beginning at 10:00 AM and on the day of the sale starting at 7:00 AM. Lunch will be provided for volunteers on both days.
Thanks to Ed Kinkopf, who has stepped up to be the coordinator, the annual seafood banquet will be on Thursday August 3 at the Lacey Community Center. There will be a signup sheet for volunteers to assist him at the July meeting. The menu will include salmon, if some lucky anglers will donate their catch for the good of the order, steamer clams and Dee’s famous potato salad along with various other side dishes. There will also be a raffle. The cost to attend the event is $15.00. I don’t where you can find a dinner with this menu at this price so plan to join us.
There are several other events scheduled during August as you can see on the attached calendar. The first is at Westport on 8/12 where we will set up our fish pond and provide kids an opportunity to catch a fish during the Tuna Classic event. The second will be the annual club member and guest fishing derby. This year the derby prizes will be 1stplace $500.00, second place $300.00 and third place $200.00. Tickets will be $30.00 with $5.00 of each ticket sold going to Terry Rudnick’s Cancer Research. They will be available at the August meeting or from Dee Glenn (360 491-0431 deeglenn2@comcast.net), Mike Silvers (360 951-5160 setthehook55@gmail.com) and Allen morrow (360 866-0189 ramorrow@pacifier.com) The weigh station will be at Boston Harbor Marina from 10:00-3:00.
For many years we have relied on Mike Silvers to organize outings and coordinate kids fishing events. He is retiring the end of July and will be moving to Idaho in the fall. We are still looking for someone to step and take on some of his duties. This is evident when you look at the September calendar. There is nothing on it other than our routine meetings. If you are interested there is still time to pick Mike’s brain before he leaves.
The July meeting will be on Thursday July 6. The speaker will be Jeromy Jording from NOAA. His responsibilities include review of fishery actions for compliance with the Magnuson Stevens Act (MSA), Endangered Species Act (ESA) pursuant to sections 7, 10, and 4(d) of the ESA. Support of the development and implementation of anadromous fish recovery plans, and the integration of fishery actions with other recovery related efforts. Assistance with developing Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) for proposed fishery actions to meet National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. Analysis of fishery management actions within the context of the biology of salmon and steelhead with a focus on fisheries in Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River, Puget Sound and South East Alaska, as well as provisions of the MSA, ESA and NEPA.
I am also attaching the current iteration of the boat share list. Please use it if you plan to go fishing and want a partner or two. If you aren’t on the list and would like to be added please let me know (ramorrow@pacifier.com). If you are fishing please be safe and have a good time. Finally, if you do catch a salmon consider donating it to the club for the August banquet.
Allen Morrow
Past President South Sound Chapter PSA
South Sound Chapter –June 2023
Martin F Chen - President
On Monday June 5 we will reinstate, what pre-pandemic, had been our annual Shelton School District special needs kids fish in. This event is what I and many other members have expressed is the most rewarding kids fishing event we take part in each year. This year we expect around 70 kids to join us at the Green Diamond Employees Park on Mason Lake which means we will need as many volunteers as we can get first to set up the pond and then to help the kids. We plan to assemble the pond on Sunday June 4. The plan is to depart the Mud Bay Park and Ride at 8:00 AM and caravan to the Green Diamond Employees Park on Mason Lake. The actual event will take place on Monday June 5 with the kids at the park from 9 to 2. We will be leaving the Mud Bay Park and Ride at 7:00 and again caravan to the park. It is important that volunteers try to join the caravan as the park is gated with a lock so please plan to join the caravan. However, if you miss the caravan you can call Mike Silvers at 360 951-5160 and he will give you the combination.
As you can see on the attached calendar, we have several other upcoming events. The first is a kids fishing event on June 17 and 18 at the Rods and Reels Expo 2023 at the Thurston County Fairgrounds. We will need volunteers on June 16 to set up the pond and on June 17 and 18 the help the kids fish. More details on the times will be sent later.
The next significant event will be the annual garage sale on July 15. Now is the time to clean out your garage and donate those items you aren’t using to the club. We will accept and sell anything other than clothing. This is a major fund raiser for the club. Donations may be taken to Mike Silvers home at 4554 14th Ave SE, Lacey, WA. More info regarding this event will be sent as we get closer to the date.
A third upcoming event is our annual seafood banquet at the Lacey Community Center provided we can find someone to volunteer to coordinate the event. If you are interested please let any board member know as soon as possible.
This club, like most clubs, depends on the willingness of its members to volunteer their time and energy toward its common goal. As discussed above we need everyone’s help to further our efforts to introduce kids to the joy of fishing. But the need goes beyond that. We are faced with the impending loss of Mike Silvers who has served as the outing coordinator for many years. We definitely need some one to come forward soon so they have time to absorb some of the vast knowledge of the club and its events before he leaves us in the Fall. On the same bent, all of us have enjoyed the semiannual banquets that have been organized by Dee Glenn. Dee has retired after providing this service to the club for over 20 years. We will be unable to continue holding these banquets unless someone agrees to assume this duty. If you are interested in either position please let Martin Chen or me know.
The summer fishing season in upon us. Hopefully, we will all get an opportunity to fish. Width that in mind we have established a list of folks with boats who might want a partner or two and a list of those who without boats who would like a ride. I am attaching the current lists to this email. If you are not on either list and would like to be added please let me know a ramorrow@paccifier.com.
Our next meeting will be Thursday June 1 beginning at 7:00 PM at the Lacey Community Center. The speaker will be Dayv Lowery. Dayv began work with the WDFW in 2006 where he held positions researching and managing fisheries for Dungeness crab, salmon, forage fishes, and marine fishes. In 2012, he became the Senior Research Scientist in charge of the WDFW's programs for marine fish and forage fish biology, stock assessment, and ecology in Puget Sound. In 2020, Dayv transitioned to the federal government, briefly working for the U.S. Navy, before moving to the PRD of NOAA Fisheries, where I focus on rockfish assessment and recovery in Puget Sound.
I look forward to seeing everyone Thursday night.
Allen Morrow
South Sound Chapter –May 2023
Martin F Chen - President
The 2023 Lacey Kids Fish-in was a resounding success thanks to the many members who volunteered their time. First putting the rods together on April 10, helping set the net on April 14 and then on the day of the event. We gave 494 kids a new rod and reel and a chance to catch in many cases their first fish although the efforts for many were futile as the fish didn’t always cooperate by biting the hook. In any event our efforts were appreciated by those 
who participated in 
the event. Lacey wants to reward us for our efforts by bringing dinner for all members at our May 4 meeting. So, come hungry.
We have a number of upcoming events as you can see on the attached calendar. The first is a kids fishing opportunity at Columbus Park on Saturday April 29. We will have the pond at this event and give kids 8 and younger a chance in most cases to catch their first fish. We will need volunteers for this event beginning at 8:30 AM and ending around 4:00 PM. The next event is a clam dig at Hope Island on May 6. More details on the event will be sent later and available at the May meeting.
I am pleased to announce that Jonathan Farney, a new member has agreed to replace Dee Glenn as our Treasurer. As most of you know Dee announced her intention to retire as our Secretary/Treasurer effective June 1 several months ago after 20 years serving in this position. Jonathan’s agreement to be Treasurer solves part of the problem of replacing her but we still need someone to step up and become Secretary. The duties of this position primarily involve taking minutes at the general and board meetings. Please let Martin Chen know if you are interested in this position.
Dee isn’t the only one of our mainstay members who has announced that his intention to vacate his duties. Mike Silvers, who has served as our outings and other events coordinator for many years will retire on August 1 and plans to move to Idaho. As a result, we also are faced with the need to find a new volunteer (or volunteers) for all the tasks that he performs for us. His efforts are what make this club a viable organization. It is imperative that someone comes forward soon so that they can shadow him for a time.
I am attaching the latest edition of the Boat Share list. If you would like to be added to the list either as a boat owner or passenger please let me know at ramorrow@pacifier.com or at the May meeting.
Our next meeting will on Thursday May 4. The speaker that night will Mike Silvers on the topic of fishing Westport in a small boat. Mike has years of experience in this fishery and we need to learn from him before he is gone. Don’t forget that Lacey is providing dinner so come hungry.
Allen Morrow
Just a reminder for those who have not paid your club dues yet, time is getting short . Dues are $35.00 and can be paid at the general meetings or you can mail them to PSA, P.O.Box 1002, Olympia, Washington 98507. If your dues are not paid by April you will be removed from the membership list, will not get The Reel News and will be removed from the e-mail list.
Also we need a member to volunteer for the secretary/treasurer position. I am retiring from this position after 21 years. I will help the member learn the job and it is not difficult. Along that line we need a member to volunteer to be banquet chairman. I can also help train for this position.
If you are interested you can call me at 360-491-0431 to ask any questions.
Dee Glenn
360-491-0431
We had 2 boats and 6 fishing for flat fish on March 4 - fishing was slow, but, a few fish were caught - starry flounder, rock sole, Irish lord and sculpin. Was a good day on the water.
Our club's bylaws require us to elect these officers, president, vice president, secretary/treasurer and two board members, at the March meeting. The purpose of this email to solicit candidates for these essential positions. The very survival of the South Sound Chapter Puget Sound Anglers is dependent upon members of the club stepping up and taking on one of these positions.
This year the most critical position is secretary/treasurer. Dee Glenn, who has graciously served in this position for twenty years has decided to retire effective March 31, 2023. She has agreed to serve jointly with the person elected at the March meeting for up to one year to provide the necessary training. If no one is elected to the position at the March meeting the club will almost surely die because we will have nobody to do what she does to keep us functioning. If you are interested in taking on her duties, but need more information, please give Dee a call at 360 491 0431.
Please let me know at ramorrow@pacifier.com or 360 866 0189 if you are interested in any of these positions.
Allen Morrow
Chair Nominating Committee
South Sound Chapter – April 2023
Martin F Chen - President
We began our annual give a “kid an opportunity to catch a fish season” with a two-day event at Cabela’s during which many of our members gave up part of their weekend to help 300 kids catch a trout. This was just the start of our kid fishing programs for the year. We have two events planned for the month of April beginning with Kids-In at Longs Pond on April 15. This promises to be a great event. Over 450 kids have been registered as of the end of March. We will need all the help we can get to ensure that it is a success starting with rod assembly on Monday April 10 beginning at 5:00 PM at the White House (adjacent to the Lacey Community Center). Pizza will be provided for dinner. We also will need a few volunteers to help put the net and fish in the pond on the morning of Friday April 14 beginning at 8:00 AM. Finally, we will need as many volunteers as we can get to help the kids fish on Saturday April 15 beginning at 6:30, but if you can’t make the early morning time help will be appreciated throughout the day. The next event will be on April 29 at Columbus Park on Black Lake. More information regarding this event will be forthcoming.
The weather in March and WDFW river closures weren’t very conducive for fishing activities, but some of us did manage to get out. We had a local bottom fishing trip (flatfish) March 4, but success was somewhat limited by bad weather. Several members had successful outings to the Cowlitz and Columbia rivers, but reports were few and far between. We were finally able to have a combination clam dig and surf perch outing to Grayland on the 26thafter getting reports that the clams were readily available and big. Seven of us were able get our clam limits, the surf perch didn’t cooperate.
On March 25, we held our annual club boat show and safety inspection event at Swan Town Marina. Thirteen members brought their boats to show off and get inspected by Viki Sharp of the United States Power Squadron. Viki reported that all 13 boats passed and received a decal indicating that fact which can keep you from being subject to an additional inspection at a boat launch or on the water. She attributes this success rate to the fact that we are all concerned about our safety when enjoying being on the water. If you couldn’t make the event and would like to have your boat inspected she will come to your home or meet you somewhere in the local area. If you are interested call her at 360 866-7134 to make an appointment. Let her know that you are a PSA member.
In recent weeks the apparent position of PSA’s State Board regarding the use of gill nets in the mainstream of the Columbia River has caused concern for many of our members. I have been advised that at this point the need for a formal discussion of this issue by all members of our Chapter will be on agenda of our April board meeting on the 19th with the intent to organize a debate by both sides of the issue at our May general meeting if possible. Hopefully, this will result in a decision by our Chapter that can be used in future years.
If you haven’t paid your 2023 dues you need to do so before the end of the meeting on April 6. If you don’t pay up by then you will be removed from our membership roles and will no longer get the Reel News and our shared email messages.
Our next general meeting will be on Thursday April 6 beginning at 7:00. The speaker will be a WDFW biologist on the topic of crab populations and fishing opportunities in Puget Sound. We have a number of other future events as you can see on the attached calendar.
Finally, we are entering the fishing season for many of us. Last year we initiated a list of those with boats who might want to find a partner and those without boats who might want to go out with someone. I am attaching what I believe is the current list in word format. If you would like to be added to either category or I missed you please let me know at ramorrow@pacifier.com.
South Sound Chapter – March 2023
Martin F Chen - President
February has come and gone. The month began with a very informative presentation by Jason Morgan from the Northwest Straits foundation on their efforts to locate and remove derelict nets and crab pots from Puget Sound. We had high hopes that we would be able to have a couple of clam digs and surf perch outings but the weather gods put a damper on those efforts.
We are now entering the busiest time of our year. There are a lot of events on the attached calendar during March and April that require active volunteer participation. Perhaps the most critical of these events will occur on Thursday March 2 when we elect officers for the upcoming year at our annual meeting. This year we will elect a President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and two board members. All of these positions are important for the continued operation of our club, but this year the need to elect a new Secretary/Treasurer is paramount. Dee Glenn, who has held this office for over 20 years, has announced that she plans to retire effective June 1. We currently have candidates for all these positions other than Secretary/Treasurer. We currently have around 110 members and It is essential that someone within that group will step up and take on that role. If you are interested but need more information regarding the duties please call Dee at 360 491-0431 or me at 360 866-0189.
Other events in March begin on Saturday March 4 with a Flounder fishing outing in Area 13. You need to let Martin Chen know if you plan to attend either at the March 2 meeting or by phone at 360 490-3383. The plan is to meet at Zittles Marina at 9:00 AM for assignment to a boat or at the Luhr Beach Launch if a prior arrangement has been made with a boat operator who plans to launch there. If you are new to this fishery you might want to go to our web page and look at Bottom Fishing Areas 11, 12 and 13 under the Fishing Info and Info Links Tab.
The next March event is on Saturday and Sunday 3/18 and 19. We have been asked to man a kid’s fish pond at Cabela’s. We will need volunteers to help the kids fish at this event. Cabela’s will furnish breakfast, lunch and snacks. If you want to volunteer, plan to be at Cabela’s at 8:00 AM on one or both days.
The final March event will be on Saturday 3/25. This is the date for our annual Club Member Boat Show and Coast Guard Safety inspection. This is an opportunity to get your boat inspected to ensure it meets all the Coast Guard safety requirements and to show it off to your fellow club members. The plan is to assemble at Swantown Marina’s upper parking lot around 9:00 AM. Viki Sharp from the United States Power Squadron will conduct the inspections from 10:00 to noon or as long as it takes to inspect every boat.
Events don’t stop in March. We have our two biggest kid fishing events beginning the second week of April with the kid’s fish-in at Longs Pond. We will need volunteers to assemble the rods on Monday April 10, to put in the net on April 14 and to help the kids fish on April 15. Volunteers will also be needed on April 28 and 29 to assemble the pond and help the kids fish at Columbus Park on Black Lake. Exact times for each event will be posted closer to the events.
Just a reminder your dues are due by the first of April. If they aren’t paid by that date you will be removed from the list of active members and will no longer get the Reel News and any club communications. They can be paid at the March meeting or by sending a check in the amount of $35.00 payable to South Sound Chapter Puget Sound Anglers to PO Box 1002, Olympia, WA 98507-1002.
Although most of us aren’t actively fishing this time of year, we are looking forward to getting out as the weather improves. I am attaching our current Boat Share list (in both PFD and Word). If you aren’t on either the boat owner or passenger list and would like to be added look for the signup sheet at the March meeting or contact me at 360 866-0189.
The speaker at the March meeting will be Art Tachell on the topic of fishing in Marine Area 11. Art is the President of the Gig Harbor PSA Chapter and a very knowledgeable source of fishing information in that area. The member drawing amount is growing. Bob Green, not only missed a great talk, but the opportunity to take home $300 by staying home on February 2. Don’t miss your chance to take home $350.00 by missing the March meeting.
Additional Clam Digs announced - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers today confirmed razor clam digging reopens at Mocrocks beaches Feb. 4 followed by opportunities there on Feb. 6 and Feb. 8. This is in addition to Copalis Beach digs on Feb. 5 and Feb. 7.
The Lacey Community Center is closed for the first two weeks of January so our January 5th meeting will be held at the Mountain View Church at 940 Israel Rd, Tumwater 98501. It's at the corner of Israel Rd and 11th Avenue Southwest, across 11th Ave from Tumwater High School and across Israel Rd from State Parks, and the I 5 Freeway is the western border of the property. If you enter off Israel Rd, go immediately left and park near the southwest corner of the building. If you enter off 11th, keep heading west. Walk along the west (freeway) side of the building until you find the 2nd set of double glass doors. Enter and look for the room 418 on the right. Setup begins 6 pm and meeting will start at 7 pm.
Coming south from Lacey or north from Centralia on I 5, exit on to Tumwater Blvd, make the a left at the stoplight onto 11th Avenue SW and continue to Israel Rd. Left on Israel and then right into parking lot.
The speaker will be Martin Chen who will share his knowledge of fishing for bottom fish in Marine Areas 11, 12 and 13. We hope to see you all there.
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Outings, Events and Announcements