VOLUME 52 MAR 2017 NUMBER 03

MARCH MEETINGThursday, Mar 16, 2017 @ Farmhouse Restaurant

Wet Fly / Social Gathering: 6:00PM

Dinner / General Meeting: 7:00PM

President’s Message:By: Ryan Johnson

It’s time once again to get that fly box in order and get out on the water. Spring willsoon be upon us and the club has many outings and opportunities in the immediate future. Check the web site for a list of upcoming events to make sure you don’t missout. To name a few we have the Double Haul casting clinic at Bowman’s Bay on March 4th, Chironomid Capers at Pass Lake on March 18th, Salt Water Spey Casting on March 25th and the April Fools Outing at Pass Lake on April 1st. The Pass Lake Fish Census is also being conducted from March 18th through April 1st. (More details on these events are included in this issue.) Please take some time to join the club for these outings and continue to check the web site for any updates.

Another opportunity is the Skagit River opening on March 1st below the Highway 536 Bridge in Mt Vernon under Selective Gear Rules. Please refer to the WDFW regulations and take advantage of this opportunity.

Be safe out there and enjoy these early spring opportunities.

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This Months Presentation: Rich DeLorenzoBy: Tim Cooley

Richard DeLorenzo has lived and fished in Alaska since the 70’s. He has worked in the field of education during the winter, but explored most of Alaskan wilderness during his 30 years. He has experience as a wilderness river guide, fly fishing guide and pilot. He has pioneered an array of new fisheries in Alaska including discoveringnew runs of steelhead along the Alaska Coast and fly fishing for halibut and five species of salmon in the ocean off the floats of his plane. He has developed many strategies to explore Alaska on a shoestring and will show you how to make the mostof your adventure, so you will have an unforgettable experience. His native name is “Kukuklek” which means the king fisher when he showed the natives of Port Grahamhow to catch king salmon all year long. He currently works with http://farawayflyfishing.com/team/ and spends his winters guiding in Argentina andChile.

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Fly of the Month: Rusty SpiderBy: Russ Asbury

This fly was tied at a FFF meeting in March of 2009. Today the materials used are a little different and much has been learned about where to fish this fly.

The Rusty Spider was developed by a Fidalgo Fly Fisher to fish for sea run cutthoat and the fly is far more effective in fresh water than salt. The Wenatchee Valley Fly Fishers discovered the fly is highly effective for West Slope cutthroat and reports of steelhead taken on this fly are not rare.

Recipe:

Hook: your favorite, size 8, 10, or 12Thread: black UniTail: 5-8 barbules of orange dyed GuineaBody: gold mylar (rear) and soft brass wire 28 gauge (front)Front Body Covering: fire orange threadHackle: orange GuineaHead: whip finished and cement

Formula:

1. Remove the barb; wrap thread from eye to the bend.2. Tie in the tail of 5-8 barbules of orange Guinea to extend the back of the hook by half a shank length.3. Tie on gold mylar at the bend and wrap forward to one-quarter shank of the eye.4. Tie on brass wire at the front of the mylar and make 4-5 wraps of the wire to the rear.5. Tie on and cover the wire wraps with fire orange thread to form a tapered body.6. Tie on Guinea Hackle at the front of the tapered orange body, make 2-3 wraps, secure hackle with thread, build the fly head, whip finish and cement.

Fishing Technique:

This fly fishes best tied to a tippet with a non-slip loop knot, a tapered leader of six to nine feet on a floating or intermediate sinking line. Cast the fly as close as you dare to structure, logs, boulders, brush piles. Strip the line in with erratic strips of three to fifteen inches. DO NOT pause more than half a second – cutts will turn away when the fly stops moving.

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Rejoining the IFFF:Submitted by: Danny Beatty

When the club’s membership voted unanimously to the pass the 2017 budget an important part of the club’s history was restored. For two years (2015 and 2016) the club had failed to send the International Federation of Fly Fishers (IFFF or Federation) their annual dues. We continued to include “An Active Member Club of the Federation of Fly Fishers” across the bottom of each page of our newsletter but in fact, we were not members. I had notified one of the club officers in 2015 that the club had not paid dues but it took the careful eye of another club member in 2016 to finally get the process moving for reinstatement. I am pleased that now we can place the Federation’s and Club’s logos side by side. The Fidalgo club has been a Federation club since its beginnings 42+ years ago. The people who helped us organize were officers or directors of the Federation. We soonbecame part of the regional efforts to bring the idea of fly fishing into focus on

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issues of Conservation, Restoring and Educating. While those important words are in fine print at the bottom of the Federation’s logo, they are the focus of its mission. The Fidalgo club has been engaged in many programs and projects which emulate the true value of what those key logo words mean. Immediately in 1975 we were involved with efforts to improve the fly fishing at Pass Lake. Up until that time otherarea clubs, especially the Washington Fly Fishing Club (WFFC), led the way in keeping the lake fly fishing only. Two of those clubs, the WFFC and Evergreen Club, are charter members of the Federation. Members from all the clubs soon became friends as we visited back and forth and attended area and regional meetings where we shared mutual interests and concerns.

This brings me to an important message to all club members who value the environment, the sport of fishing and the future progression of our special form, fly fishing. Return to those important words in the Federation’s logo and consider that for those words to have meaning, each of us as individuals and then as a group, hold the method of maintaining and improving situations across the vast spectrum known as the environment. I wrote an article for the Wahoo asking members to contact state representatives and Senators for help in regulating stream dredges that damage or destroy the spawning redds of fish. I hope you made the contact. We hope you will continue to take part in this important effort at all levels of our society. Thank you for reading through these thoughts and may our combined work toward these important issues bring success.

Danny

Comment:Submitted by: Editor

Thank you, Danny. All Club members are encouraged to join the IFFF. You can find membership information on their website fedflyfishers.org as well as a lot of other helpful information related to fly fishing, fly tying, and conservation.And Danny received the following from Rhonda at the IFFF hqs: We also received the membership & donation from the Fidalgo Fly Fishers. We appreciate the support very much.

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Pass Lake Fish Census for 2017:Submitted by: Bruce Freet

For the past three years, the Fidalgo Fly Fishers and other anglers interested in improving the fishing at Pass Lake have conducted a catch and release fish census during a three week period in the spring. This year the fish census will begin on Saturday, March 18th with Chironomid Capers and end on April 1st with our April Foolsouting. Our census is coordinated with a Washington Fish and Wildlife Department (WDFW) fisheries biologist and provides valuable rainbow and brown trout growth data, which they augment their fish netting in May.

To do the fish census, you will need a census form, a pencil or pen, a battery electronic scale (set in ounces), a measuring board, a large fish net. The census form can be printed from our website (http://www.fidalgoflyfishers.com/smf/index.php?topic=40.msg48#msg48) and this newsletter. You will need to purchase a scale (under $20) or borrow one from a committee member. You can make a measuring board from a wooden yard stick (cut at 18 inches) or borrow one from a committee member. Our Pass Lake Fish Census Committee includes Allen Rhoades, Dan Farmer, Bill Brodie, Robin LaRue, and Bruce Freet. Contact us when you are thinking of fishing Pass Lake, and we will try to make arrangements so that you have what you need to help in the fish census.We get the best statistical data if you fish for at least 2 ½ hours, and we hope for 250 fish measured per year. Give your completed data sheets to any Committee member.

To minimize handling the fish (and reduce mortality), use a large fish net and weigh it when it is wet without a fish for a tare weight; when a fish is caught weigh the fish and net together and record this weight; and finally place your measuring board inside the net to determine the TOTAL length (nose to tip end of tail) of the fish. Here are some tables that summarize our fish census data to date. From the first table, you can see how our reported fishing “effort” declined last year. It is interesting that our catch consistently under-estimates the brown trout population compared with the WDFW gill netting, 7 to 16% versus 20 to 25%. Looking at fish growth, we see larger rainbows from the Spring 2016 census, but they are still belowaverages for trout in western Washington. This suggests that there remains a high competition for food sources in Pass Lake. When comparing Pass Lake (2014 & 2016)to Lone Lake (2012) we see that in Lone Lake almost 50% of the rainbows were in the 14 to 16 inch size class and about 25% were over 18 inches in length. Lone Lake is biologically more productive, more available food. Both lakes have the Goldendale rainbow trout strain, but WDFW stocks larger fish in Lone Lake.

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Measuring our effort:

PeriodSampled

Numberof

Participants

Number of

Trips

TotalHours

TotalFish % RB % BR

Fish/Hour

Spring2014 20 32 131.8 195 93% 7% 1.5

Fall 2014 10 16 62.75 58 91% 9% 0.9

Spring2015

13 42 230.5 292 85% 15% 1.3

Spring2016

11 22 118.5 107 84% 16% 0.9

Measuring fish growth:

RainbowCatch Data

TotalRB

% over16"

Largest

AvgLengt

h

14"Avg

Weight

15"Avg

Weight

16"Avg

Weight

Spring2014

181 18% 171/2"

14.9 17.3 18.1 20.4

Fall 2014 53 36% 20" 14.9 16 18.4 20

Spring2015 247 34%

171/2" 14.0

insufdata 19.6 23

Spring2016 91 37%

193/4” 16 14.6 19.0 20.4

Comparing Lone and Pass Lake Rainbows:

Lake Total FishMeasured

FishCaught

per Hour

Fishunder

14inches

Fishbetween14 & 16

inch

Fishbetween16 & 18

inch

Fishover

18inches

Lone 2012

90 1.8 0 21 46 23

Pass 2014

191 1.5 20 127 39 5

Pass 2016

107 0.9 5 60 36 6

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While last year was tough spring season catching, this year should be better because the freezing winter temperatures have killed most of the algae and the Daphnia population that fed on last year’s algal bloom has crashed. Last year, the high concentration of algae appeared to reduce the aquatic insect populations. As a result, the fish should be feeding more on chironomids, and we should experience a more “normal” chironomid and leech fishing season. This winter anglers have reported catching fish in the 14 to 16 inch range on bloodworms and leeches.

Instead of stocking 10,000 to 12,000 rainbow fry per year as in the past, the amount of fish that WDFW will stock varies as shown in the table below. The objectives are for Pass Lake to produce larger, healthier rainbow trout, improve catch rates, have 75% rainbow and 25% brown trout populations, and maintain a larger minnow population for trout forage.

Year

AggregateDensity

(fish/acre)

Annual Allotment

Rainbow TroutBrown Trout

2015 75 5,000 2,5002016 64 5,000 1,3002017 66 5,000 1,5002018 102 5,000 5,0002019 66 5,000 1,5002020 66 5,000 1,5002021 102 5,000 5,0002022 66 5,000 1,500

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Pass Lake Annual Fish CensusFidalgo Fly Fishers

Saturday, March 18th to Saturday, April 1st, 2017

Angler’s Name (s) _______________________ Date: __________________ Time: ______ to _______

Total Hours Fished: _______ One or Two Rods per Angler _______ Wet Weight of Fish Net _________

Number Species Length Weight(includes net)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Show two rods per angler if using the WDFW Two Rod Endorsement.

Species is “R” for Rainbow and “B” for Brown trout.

Weight is the fish plus net together to the nearest lb and ounce. We can deduct the wet weight of your net later.

Length (total) is the fish snout to end of the tail fin to the nearest ¼ inch. Time is actual time fishing; fly first in the water to when you quit fishing. Fish a minimum of 2 ½ hours. Return form whether or not you catch fish so that we can determine our catch per effort (# fish per hour).

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Number Species Length Weight(includes net)

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Use onedata sheetper day & per boat.

Get moresheets

from ourwebsite,

www.fidalgoflyfishers.com

.

Lone Lake Plan Update: Feb 21, 2017

Submitted by: Terry Abrams

This is just a quick note to let all interested parties know about where we are in the process of getting Lone Lake back to being one of the finest lakes in western Washington. The trout kill in September really set a lot of folks back on their heels, and support for recovery efforts has been strong. No one wants this to happen again. We also want to reduce both toxic algae blooms to make the lake safe for humans and pets year round, and algae blooms in general to make the lake a more pleasant place to enjoy.

Steps taken to date -

A meeting with county and conservation district staff was held on January 20th, 2017 to discuss lake WQ issues. County is supportive, but has limited funds to helpunder their current work plan. Meeting attendees included Jake, Clarence Hein, Mark Sytsma, Matt Zupich (Conservation District), and Caitlin Budd, LoriClark and others from the county.

A staff gauge to monitor lake levels was installed January24. Weekly recording of lake levels has begun. Gauge provided by homeowners association.

WDFW stocked 1000 catchables in late January. An additional 3000 are coming laterthis spring.

A meeting was held with Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson on February 17 to discuss options. Recommendations from that meeting are discussed in follow-up actions. Meeting attendees included, Helen Price Johnson, Jake, Mark Sytsma, and John Lees.

Five fishing clubs have joined resources to restock the lake with 450 jumbo trout in late February.

Arrangements have been made with bow fishers to shoot carp starting in April.

Contacts have been established with the following individuals/organizations who want to participate in developing and implementing a rehab plan –

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Follow-up Actions -

We need to set up a meeting with the Conservation to discuss the outfall function, and development of a Lake Management Plan (aka algae management plan) with DOE. Mark Sytsma stated he could develop an application to DOE that could fund both the development of the plan along with funding to assist withour carp removal effort. Applications are due in November, and require a 25% match which can be in kind services This grant would have to be in partnership with an agency such as the conservation district. Helen Price Johnson suggested we take this action. We also would like to establish a Lake

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Stewardship Program, as called for in the Aquatic Weed Management Plan adopted years ago. This would bring together all our partners and neighbors as we figure out a long term strategy for cleaning up the lake.

Temperature loggers need to be programmed and launched, and a water budget needs to be developed (measuring water in and out of the lake). Mark Sytsmais working on the water budget.

Additional water quality measurements are needed this spring, summer, and fall. It’s been 10 years since there has been complete water quality monitoring. Again, Mark Sytsma will be collecting this info.

We will need to monitor the effectiveness and results of carp removal by the bow fishers this spring as carp removal is key to our having success at cleaning upthe lake. For all the fishers on this distribution list, please encourage your friends to help out by fishing for carp this summer, too. We’d be foolish to think that the bow fishers are going to get all of them.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me.

Jake Jacobson

Phone 425-330-2441

Jcjacobson1@frontier.com

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Fishing Report for February 27 th , 2017

Submitted by: Jerry Buron via Terry Abrams

Today marks a new beginning for the resurrection of Lone Lake. Since I last wrote my article entitled: Lone Lake Requiem, November 14, 2016, much has happened. The trout kill in September set a lot of folks back on their heels, and support for recovery efforts has been strong. No one wants this to happen again. There is also the need to reduce toxic algae blooms to make the lake safe for humans and pets year round, and algae blooms in general to make the lake a more pleasant place to enjoy.

Steps taken to date:

1. A meeting with county and conservation district staff was held on January 20th,2017 to discuss Lone Lake water quality issues. Island County is supportive, but has limited funds to help under their current work plan. Meeting attendees included Jake Jacobson, Clarence Hein, Mark Sytsma, Matt Zupich (Conservation District), Caitlin Budd, Lori Clark and others from the county.

2. A staff gauge to monitor lake levels was installed January 24, 2017. Weekly recordings of lake levels has begun. Gauge provided by homeowners association.

3. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) stocked 1,000 catchables in late January. An additional 3,000 are coming later this spring.

4. A meeting was held with Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson on February 17th to discuss options. Recommendations from that meeting will be discussed in follow-up actions. Meeting attendees included Helen Price Johnson, Jake Jacobson, Mark Sytsma, and John Lees.

5. Five regional fishing clubs have joined resources to stock the lake with 450 jumbo trout in late February. Fish were delivered February 27, 2017.

6. Arrangements have been made with bow fishers to shoot carp starting in April,2017.

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I had the pleasure to be on hand today for the stocking of 450 (500 lbs.) “jumbo trout” at the lake. There were members helping from three fly fishing clubs present today to help with Lone Lake restoration project. Clubs included the Evergreen Fly Fishing Club, the Whidbey Island Fly Fishing Club, and the Fidalgo Fly Fishing Club. The fish were delivered by Dianna, co-owner of J & D Hatchery in Darrington, WA. Inaddition the event was also covered by a reporter from the Whidbey Record who wasalso taking photos of today's event.

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With Dianna also instructing participants on how to “release” the fish we all enthusiastically pitched in to release the 450 fish. Several photos show club members releasing fish. It was a cold, nasty day but all pitched in with great enthusiasm.

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Follow-up Actions:

1. A meeting has been set up with Conservation to discuss the outfall function, and development of a Lake Management Plan (aka algae management plan) with DOE. Date of the meeting is March 10th. Mark Sytsma stated he could develop and application to DOE that could fund both the development of the plan along with funding to assist with our carp removal effort. Applications aredue in November, and require a 25% match which can be in kind services. This grant would have to be in partnership with an agency such as the conservationdistrict. Helen Price Johnson suggested we take this action. We also would liketo establish a Lake Stewardship Program, as called for in the Aquatic Weed Management Plan adopted years ago. This would bring together all our partners and neighbors as we figure out a long term strategy for cleaning up the lake.

2. Temperature loggers are being programmed for launch, and a water budget needs to be developed (measuring water in and out of the lake). Mark Sytsma is working on the water budget.

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3. Additional water quality measurements are needed this spring, summer, and fall. It's been 10 years since there has been complete water quality monitoring. Again, Mark Sytsma will be collecting this info.

4. We will need to monitor the effectiveness and results of carp removal by the bow fishers this spring as carp removal is key to our having success at cleaning up the lake. Please encourage your friends to help out by fishing for carp this summer, too. We'd be foolish to think that the bow fishers are going to get all of them.

Efforts to rehabilitate Lone Lake are the results of efforts of a number of dedicated individuals, several fly fishing clubs, Island County, local land owners, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. There is still much to be done but in terms of total rehab, I believe things are headed in the right direction. The long-term health of Lone Lake will depend, in large part, on addressing the water quality of the lake, with perhaps the most significant issue to be addressed is the total removal of the grass carp from the lake. When this is accomplished, I believe, all other issues will fall into place.

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With this said, without a doubt, the major force behind the resurrection of Lone Lake is Jake Jacobson. Without his tireless efforts I don't think the restoration wouldhave taken place. Or at least not at the pace that which is currently happening. Jake is working on a number of issues that will hopefully stabilize Lone Lake for the foreseeable future. I for one am very thankful for his past and current efforts to bring Lone Lake back. I speak for many others when I give my sincere thanks to you, Jake, for your efforts to bring back this valuable Western Washington fishery.

Tight Lines!

Jerry

Editors Note: For a slide show of the stocking event, check out http://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/news/slideshow-lone-lake-swimming-with-rainbows-fly-clubs-dump-500-pounds-of-trout-into-regional-fishing-hole/

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Lone Lake February 27, 2017:Submitted by: Danny Beatty

Terry Abrams pulled into the Pass Lake parking area at precisely 9:00 AM. Curtis Hezeau, Graham Read and Danny Beatty joined Terry for the drive south on WhidbeyIsland to our destination at Lone Lake. I appreciated the chance to ride with other members of the Fidalgo Club. It gave us a chance to visit with each other. As we crossed Deception Pass I told Curtis I remember the first time I crossed was during the summer of 1945 and I was eleven years old, riding in a bus from Whatcom County filled with 4-H members on our way to Summer Camp at the Cornet Bay CCC Camp. Curtis told me about growing up in New Orleans where he learned to fly fish with a fiberglass rod fishing for bass in the small lakes and ponds in that area.Soon we were in Oak Harbor and a Starbucks coffee stop for Graham and Terry. Terry continued to meander “down” the island. The next stop was at Ebey Landing and a bit of history and a look at Port Townsend across Admiralty Inlet. There was a quick tour of Fort Casey and then on to the lake. We arrived at the lake with plenty of time to spare. The truck with a tank of fish arrived at 11:30 after crossing over from Mukilteo to Clinton. After introductions, Dianna (Co-Owner of the privately owned hatchery near Darrington) got the process of transferring the fish from the tank to the lake underway. Using five gallon buckets(pink color by the way which made me think about the organization “Casting for Recovery”) she would fill the bucket about half full of water, dip out five or six of the large trout and let them slide into the bucket. Immediately one of us would grabthe bucket and walk over to the lake, wade out a bit, then “sling” the water and fish in as much of an arc as possible. Dianna explained that this process was better than tipping the bucket into the lake and letting the fish swim out or tip the bucket over releasing the fish. The fish were free to go in any direction with most heading for deeper water. But a few seemed disoriented and came toward shore so we wouldcarefully wade out and sort of nudge them around toward the middle of the lake. I wondered what their sensory organs were telling them. Living their life to this point in a concrete run, then a couple of hours in even closer quarters while being transferred to the lake and now their chance at freedom. Some of the fish acted likethose we often notice when released after removing the hook. A slight hesitation and then that quick tail surge away! Jerry Buron does an excellent job of explaining with words and pictures what the operation was all about which you can read elsewhere in the Wahoo. For me it was great to be with members from five different clubs that came together after the tragic situation September 2016. If you have not read Jerry Buron’s November Essay “Lone Lake Requiem” ask around for access so you will know the background. It is available via email attachment.Seven of us met in Langley for lunch. On the way back north, we passed Lone Lake.

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My thoughts were again about those 450 fish which now could roam across 90 acres (about the same as Pass Lake) of water without bumping the concrete sides of the hatchery runs. That day and from then on, there will no longer be a rain of pellets to feed on. Now they must look down instead of up to find their food. I hear and have read that Lone Lake is rich; meaning abundant, in the aquatic stage of insects and other organisms yet the diet adjustment must be unique. It was a successful dayfor four Fidalgo members and hopefully for the future of Lone Lake and the fish.I took a few turns at “slinging” fish into the lake. Would you agree it is a reasonable ARC for an older fly fisher?

Danny

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WDFW NEWS RELEASE Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091 http://wdfw.wa.gov/February 28, 2017Contacts: Kyle Adicks, (360) 902-2664;Michelle Dunlop, (360) 902-2255Projections indicate state salmon fisherieswill again be tempered by low coho runsOLYMPIA – Returns of hatchery chinook and coho salmon to Washington's rivers and ocean waters are expected to vary this year, but low returns of wild salmon projected to several rivers will again make setting fisheries a challenge. That was the prediction of fishery managers at a public meeting today, when forecasts for chinook, coho, sockeye, chum and pink salmon were released. The forecasts were developed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and treaty tribes.The forecast meeting in Olympia marks the starting point for developing 2017 salmon-fishing seasons in Puget Sound, the Columbia River and Washington coastal areas. Fishery managers have scheduled a series of public meetings through early April before they plan to finalize seasons later that month.Unfavorable environmental conditions, such as warm ocean water or flooding in rivers, have reduced the number of salmon returning to Washington's waters, especially when compared to some of the more abundant returns of recent years, said Kyle Adicks, salmon fisheries policy lead for WDFW."Some salmon runs are expected to return in higher numbers over last year, when weforecast historic low numbers for several stocks," Adicks said. "But, for the most part, forecasts are at about average or lower than average, which means we will once again need to limit fisheries in some areas to protect weak returns of wild fish."Coho returns to several Puget Sound-area rivers, such as the Skagit and Stillaguamish, are projected to be extremely low, which will limit opportunities for salmon fishing overall. The total forecast of 559,000 Puget Sound coho is down about 6 percent from the 10-year average, although it represents an increase from last year's forecast. Similarly, some chinook fisheries in Puget Sound will be limited this year due to low returns of wild chinook to rivers, such as the Stillaguamish, Nooksack and Dungeness. The forecast for wild chinook is down 10 percent from last year while the forecast for Puget Sound hatchery chinook is 166,000 fish, up 27 percent from the 2016 forecast.Farther south, about 386,000 Columbia River coho are projected to return this year, which is similar to last year's forecast. Only 223,000 coho actually returned last year to the Columbia River, where some coho stocks are listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act.

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About 582,600 fall chinook salmon are expected to return to the Columbia River, which is similar to last year's actual return. While that's significantly lower than the record 1.3 million fish that returned in 2015, this year's forecast is considered a fairly good run of fall chinook, Adicks said.Roughly 260,000 "upriver brights" are headed for areas of the Columbia River above Bonneville Dam. The forecast for these fall chinook is the lowest since 2009.About 250,000 hatchery chinook are expected to return this year to the lower Columbia River – nearly 124,000 more fish than actually returned last year. Those salmon, known as "tules," are the backbone of the recreational ocean chinook fishery. For the most part, tules are doing well considering recent unfavorable oceanconditions, Adicks said. Meanwhile, this year's run of pink salmon, which mostly return to Washington's waters only in odd-numbered years, is expected to be about 80 percent lower than the 10-year average. About 1.15 million pink salmon are forecast to return to Puget Sound this year.On a more positive note, roughly 47,000 sockeye are expected to return to the Baker River, a tributary of the Skagit River, making sockeye fisheries in Baker Lake and the Skagit River a possibility, Adicks said."This is going to be another challenging year for setting salmon fishing seasons," Adicks said. "We'll rely heavily on input from the public to set priorities for fisheries."Adicks encourages anglers, commercial fishers and others interested in Washington state salmon fisheries to attend one of nearly 20 public meetings scheduled on setting salmon seasons. A meeting schedule, salmon forecasts, and information about the salmon season-setting process are available on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/northfalcon/. An online commenting tool will be available on the website later this week.State, tribal and federal fishery managers will meet March 8-13 in Vancouver, Wash., with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) to develop options for this year's commercial and recreational ocean chinook and coho salmon fisheries. The PFMC establishes fishing seasons in ocean waters three to 200 miles off the Pacific coast.Additional public meetings have been scheduled into April to discuss regional fishery issues. Input from these regional discussions will be considered as the season-settingprocess moves into the "North of Falcon" and PFMC meetings, which will determine the final 2017 salmon seasons.The PFMC is expected to adopt final ocean fishing seasons and harvest levels at its April 7-11 meeting in Sacramento, Calif. The 2017 salmon fisheries package for Washington's inside waters is expected to be completed by the state and tribal co-managers during the PFMC's April meeting.Persons with disabilities who need to receive this information in an alternative format or who need reasonable accommodations to participate in WDFW-sponsored

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public meetings or other activities may contact Dolores Noyes by phone (360-902-2349), TTY (360-902-2207), or email (dolores.noyes@dfw.wa.gov). For more information, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/reasonable_request.html.Submitted by: Terry Abrams

Chironomid Capers:

Submitted by: Robin LaRue

This year’s Pass Lake Chironomid Capers will be on Saturday March 18th. Fish stories, coffee, and cookies will be available at the boat launch picnic table at 8:00 am to help ward off the early morning chill and munchies. Fishing begins at 8:30 am. Don’t forget a Discovery Park Pass is required to park in the boat launch area. If you don’t have a Discovery Pass a one day permit can be purchased on site.

As of this writing I have not tried Pass Lake this year, but hopefully I will have a fishreport for the March meeting. I would expect blood worm patterns, and chironomid pupa patterns such as black red-ribbed, static bag black-ribbed, brown copper- ribbed in size 14 and 12 to draw some interest from the local piscatorial residents.

The Pass Lake Creel Census will be occurring at the time of the outing so be sure anddownload a copy of the creel census form from the website and fill in the information during the day. The census is coordinated with the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Department area fisheries biologist and provides growth information for the rainbow and brown trout planted in Pass Lake.

If you have any questions or need help setting up for Chironomid fishing contact Robin LaRue.

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Casting on the Salt Beach Demo Day March 25 th :Submitted by: Sheila Tomas, Event Coordinator

Join Scott Willison of the Confluence Fly Shop and Echo Sales Rep Troy Lichtenegger to try out the latest rods and lines designed for one of the fastest growing fisheries in the Puget Sound. They will have the Echo Beach Boost single handers and new Beach Boost two hand over hand rods and Beach lines, along with a host of other Echo rods and lines geared toward our local saltwater cutthroat and salmon fly fishing opportunities. They will demo and help you hone your beach casting skills to deal with distance, strategy and wind. The demo will take place from 10-2 on Saturday, March 25th at Ala Spit. Waders andboots are necessary; bring a stripping basket as well if you have one. They will have a few to try out as well. You can bring your own rod/reel if you want, but they will have plenty of demo gear for everybody to try. Please consider carpooling as parking at the spit is limited.

The club will provide coffee and cookies.

Skagit Land Trust 25 th Anniversary Dinner and Auction:

Submitted by: Richard Raisler

You are invited to attend Skagit Land Trust's 25th Anniversary Dinner and Auction, Saturday, March 25th, 2017 5-9 pm at WA Walton Event Center at the Swinomish Lodge, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes, WA 98221.

Please enter through the Lodge entrance at the east side of the building.

Reservations $65 per person or $520 for table of eight. $25 per person is a tax deductible donation.

Includes Champagne Welcome, appetizers, and a buffet dinner featuring wild salmon, chicken, and pasta.

Space is limited: reserve by mail, online, or call 360-428-7878.

Preview live auction items on our website: www.skagitlandtrust.org

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April Fools Outing:

Submitted by: Ryan Johnson

Please join us Saturday, April 1st for the club’s annual April Fools Outing event at Pass Lake. This year’s event is hosted by the club’s Board of Directors and will include a warm lunch of homemade chili, hot dogs and all the fixings we’ve become accustomed to in the past. Enjoy a morning of fishing followed by a hot lunch or justjoin us for lunch to mingle with other club members and guests.

We will set up a covered area near the picnic table around 7am. Coffee will be provided for those early arrivals. Lunch will be served at noon. Remember to renew those fishing licenses for 2017 and to have a current Discover Pass, as it is required for parking at Pass Lake. The Board of Directors look forward to seeing you at this year’s event.

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JANICE LAKE 2017:

Submitted by: Dan Farmer

The 2017 Janice Lake outing is confirmed for June 8-12. Meal service will begin at dinner on Thursday, June 8th and end with lunch on the following Monday. Participants can fish three full days and two half days during their four night stay.The all inclusive price is $CAD800. (in Canadian funds) per person which includes three meals per day, a tent cabin, and use of the camp boats. The Canadian Dollar iscurrently trading at approximately a 25% discount so this year’s trip is still a bargain especially if gas prices stay low.Janice Lake Fishing Camp is one of the last old time British Columbia fishing camps. It is located approximately 15 miles west of Little Fort, B.C., about a 6 hour drive from our area at the far west end of Emar Provincial Park. It has been in operation by the Cartwright family continuously for 58 summers. Accommodations consist of

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four tent cabins and two log cabins with wood stove heat. Each tent or cabin has beds for from two to four guests on single spring and foam mattress beds (BYO sleeping bag). There is a large lodge where the meals are prepared and served; the lodge is a great place to sit, eat, watch the lake, and take a break.The camp lacks modern amenities, and first timers are advised to check with Dan Farmer or Tom Fulk to discuss what to bring and what to expect. This is truly a wonderful fishing experience, but if you require cell phone/internet connections or a daily TV fix, you will find these luxuries unavailable without leaving camp.The fish at Janice Lake are not large but typically are numerous. There are several walk in lakes nearby, some with boats. Depending on weather and spring trail clearing, these other lakes may be accessible for the more adventurous.A reservation deposit of $165.USD is required by April 20 (our April meeting date) to hold your place. If you cancel your reservation by May 1, your deposit will be returned, but not afterwards. Payment of the balance due is expected in Canadian funds, cash only, on the last day of camp. Contact Dan Farmer at fidalgoflyfishers@gmail.com for reservations and more information. Additional information will also be provided to any one who is interested at the March 16 meeting during the ‘wet fly’ hour…see either Dan or Tom.

Janice Lake Resident

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Up Coming Events:

Note: Please check the Outings and Event page on the web site, things get added from time to time.

Fly Fishing Film Tour: Thursday, April 13th at the Lincoln Theatre

The Confluence Fly Shop and the North Sound Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be hosting the 2017 installment of the Fly Fishing Film Tour at the Lincoln Theatre. If you missed last year's event, here's your opportunity. If you caught the tour last year, then you already know how much fun it is. The tour showcases fly fishing shortfilms from around the globe and offers something exciting for just about everyone.Oskar Blues beer will be available for purchase to enjoy during the event.In addition to the film, the North Sound Chapter of TU will raffle off a number ofexciting items, included guided fly fishing trips and a Dogfish 8 boat. Raffle tickets are cash only at the event, $5 per ticket or 5 tickets for $20.The film entry fee is $15. Tickets are available at the Lincoln Theatre box office, on-line at https://app.artspeople.com/index.php?actions=34&p=1 or at the Confluence

Fly Shop. Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7:30. Hope to see you there.

Photo of the Month:

March 4th Double Haul Clinic at Bowman Bay, Russ Asbury instructor

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Fly Shops :

The Confluence Fly Shop2620 N. Harbor Loop Drive #9Bellingham, WA 98225(360) 312-7978

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