|
Our chapter is now in good financial health, thanks to our successful summer auction. We intend to donate some of the funds to the RFA lobbying effort that works to the benefit of all sportfishers in Washington. Our cause needs all the help it can get, especially after the recent resignation, under pressure, of sportfishing supporter Clyde McBrayer from the Fish & Wildlife Commission.
Upcoming activities for our chapter includes additional classes on Fishing Techniques for Lake Washington, taught by Roger Urbaniak through the parks and recreation departments of various eastside cities. We are also working on the possibility of several new sites to augment our coho incubator enhancement program in the Lake Washington drainage system. We were pleased over the summer to see one of our members, David Powell, receive recognition on the State Board web site as the Angler of the Month for July. Dave's now-legendary battle with a 57-lb. Puget Sound halibut on spinning gear off a 14-ft. boat without halibut spear or gaff was also featured in a REEL NEWS article.
Overall, our fishing reports are somewhat down from last year. This probably reflects the unusual ocean conditions that disrupted the food chain and likewise disrupted the fishing up and down the Northwestern coast this year. The Lake Washington sockeye season was a no-show, which could have been due to warm water in the ship canal or some other environmental factor. Does anyone (other than our President) believe that global warming is not a serious problem? Our chapter continues to support the Cedar River hatchery project, and we received a good briefing at our September meeting. Notwithstanding the challenges, our members have reported good catches of salmon and halibut from the Washington coast, British Columbia and Alaska, along with perch and cutthroat from Lake Washington and abundant shellfish in coastal areas during the brief openings.
We have a full calendar for the Fall season, including State Board President Steve Sande for our October 13th meeting, speaking to us on the state of fish politics and Catching Big Chinook off the Washington Coast, something he, Ron Garner and other Sno-King chapter folks are very good at. Our October 13th meeting is at the Fire Station, our usual meeting place. On November 10th, we will have our popular annual Seafood Cooking Seminar at the VFW Hall. We always welcome other PSA members and guests, so come and join us!
|
|
