Buoy Ten Challenge slated for Aug. 16-17
The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association invites anglers from all over the Pacific Northwest to join them for a day of friendly competitive fishing at the Buoy 10 Salmon Challenge in Astoria, Ore. on Aug. 16-17th. Registration is still open with a cost per angler at $110.
Participants can join the NSIA on Aug. 16 at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds for the pre-tournament Team Reception from 5-7pm. The reception is an opportunity to review the rules and participate in a Tule ID training.
The derby takes place on Aug. 17, with weigh-in between 3-5 p.m. and an awards dinner at 6 p.m.
Anglers will compete for thousands in cash and gear prizes, including a $1,000 cash prize donated by North River Boats for Biggest Fish, as well as a $1,100 Mystery Fish Prize donated by Weldcraft/Duckworth.
NSIA will be promoting catch and release of Lower Columbia River Wild Chinook, known as Tule Chinook, to increase survivability of the threatened stock. NSIA will not weigh wild Tules during this tournament. All ODFW and WDFW rules and regulations apply.
Proceeds from the event go to support NSIA’s work preserving, restoring and enhancing sportfisheries and the businesses dependent on them. To register contact NSIA at (503) 631-8859 or email events@nsiafishing.org.(NSIA)
DNR Bans Outdoor Burning Statewide
Ninety-six percent of the state is experiencing drought-like conditions, which means a high risk of wildfires. In response, Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz is instituting a statewide ban on outdoor burning on the 13 million acres of forests and state parks under Department of Natural Resources fire protection.
Per the Commissioner’s order, the ban is effective Aug. 2.
Included in the outdoor burning ban are burn piles, prescribed burns, and the use of charcoal briquettes.
Cowlitz Sheriff’s Office hosts boater’s education class
The Cowlitz County Sheriff Office and Marine Division will begin hosting an Adventures in Boating certification course. Classes are open to any individual who needs to obtain a Washington State Boaters Education Card. The next available class will be held on Saturday, Aug. 11. Class will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cowlitz County Search and Rescue Building, 1800 Western Lane in Kelso. The class is free.
To registerm, contact Deputy Jordan Spencer via email at spencerj@co.cowlitz.wa.us . This oneday class will certify you to operate a vessel in the state of Washington. Registrations fill up fast.
All vessel operators age 59 and younger must have a Washington Boaters Education Card to operate a vessel in Washington State. For additional information and resources, check out www.boatered.org.
Contact Info: Corey Huffine, Undersheriff, Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office at huffinec@co.Cowlitz.wa.us or (360) 577-3092.
Huckleberry Season starting on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Huckleberries are ripening on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Beginning Monday, commercial huckleberry permits will be available at Ranger Districts and the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Headquarters. All people harvesting more than three gallons, or selling any quantity of berries, must obtain a commercial huckleberry permit.
Under Washington State law, huckleberry buyers and sellers must register their sales transactions. For more details, visit the forest permits page.
A free-use permit is also required for harvesting berries for personal consumption. Free-use includes up to one gallon of berries per day and up to three gallons per year. There is no cost for free-use permits. To apply for and print a free-use huckleberry permit, visit: https://apps.fs.usda.gov/gp (GPNF)
Handle fish with care during hot weather
As temperatures rise, fish (especially cold-water species like trout) feel the heat, too.
Anglers can do their part to reduce the stress fish are under. This is especially important when fishing in waters that include native fish that may be released.
Follow these tips to help fish:
• Fish early in day when water temperatures are cooler.
• Look for trout in deep, high-elevation lakes or shaded streams near headwaters. These places are often cooler.
• Use appropriate gear and land fish quickly. The longer the fight, the less likely the fish will survive.
• Keep the fish in the water when you unhook it and cradle the fish upright until it revives enough to swim away.
• Use your judgement. If conditions where you want to fish seems especially severe (low, hot water), consider fishing somewhere else where water conditions are better. (ODFW)
