Hatcheries could take a hit from state budget cuts

Washington hatchery fish production could have big cutbacks in the near future due to the state's budget crisis.

Governor Chris Gregoire has requested state agencies to submit 10 percent reduction plans from their current budgets to make up for a $1.4 billion shortfall.

State Fish and Wildlife is looking to make its cuts with a reduction of hatchery production.

Hatchery fish represent more than 75 percent of the fish caught in Washington.

Potential cuts include salmon production at the Stevens Creek Hatchery on the Humptulips River near Grays Harbor, eliminating all fall chinook production, and a 75 percent cut in coho (970,000 down to 240,000).

"We're looking at a volunteer cooperative that may be interested to help us with mass marking as well as a host of other different volunteer outreach activities," said Ron Warren, a state Fish and Wildlife fish program manager in Montesano.

"We've also continued talks with the Quinault Nation, and they've engaged us in trying to resolve this," Warren added. "None of us want to make these cuts, so we're doing everything we can to make those options actually happen."

Warren said there is a lot of misunderstanding about the cutbacks. He said a total closure of Stevens Creek is not happening.

"We will continue to raise 125,000 winter steelhead as well as 30,000 summer steelhead," Warren said.

But Stevens Creek is not the only hatchery that might be making cuts.

The Samish River Hatchery is scheduled to be shut down — resulting in the elimination of all fall chinook production in the Nooksack and Samish region. This will save fisheries about $1.46 million. The Samish Hatchery contributes to 20 percent of the marked hatchery fish in Puget Sound fisheries, including the winter chinook fishery.

Another hatchery facing possible closure is the Nemah Hatchery in Willapa Bay on the southwest coast. This would result in a loss of three million fall chinook and 300,000 chum annually.

The Hoodsport Hatchery in Hood Canal could be faced with a 5 percent reduction, and will eliminate 55 percent of the chum produced, as well as 12 percent of the fall chinook, and in odd-years an additional 500,000 pink salmon..

Those who'd like to provide input on the hatchery cutbacks should contact their local state representative at www.sos.wa.gov/elections/elected_officials.aspx

Notes

• The Wild Steelhead Coalition and Emerald Water Anglers are hosting a movie titled CONNECT by filmmakers Chris Patterson and Jim Klug 6:30 p.m. (starts at 7 p.m.) on Nov. 17 at the Guild 45th Theatre, 2115 North 45th Ave. in Seattle. The movie was shot on location in Japan, Yellowstone National Park, the Yukon Drainage of Alaska, the flats of Cuba, coast of Maine and Tanzania, Africa. Features well-known anglers Greg Vincent, Jeff Currier, Jimmy Bartschi, Craig Mathews, Masa Katsumata, Brian Porter, and Captain Eric Wallace, and more than a dozen different fish species, both freshwater and saltwater. Cost is $10. Details: www.ticketriver.com.

• Washington Sea Grant is offering a three-day wide-ranging workshop on boat engine troubleshooting and maintenance for commercial fishermen and recreational boaters. The workshop will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, 42 North Water St. in Port Hadlock.

Participants will learn to troubleshoot problems in the fuel, lubrication, electrical, filtering, cooling, exhaust and drive systems of diesel and gas inboards, stern drives and outboards (two-cycle and four-stroke). The workshop will also provide instruction in proper maintenance techniques to prevent the most common problems. Cost is $150. Space is limited, so preregistration is advised. Details: 206-543-1225 or 360-379-4034.

• With fall in the air that means the chum salmon are starting to migrate back to Kennedy Creek in southern Puget Sound. There is an interpretive salmon trail with volunteer guides on hand to provide information about spawning salmon characteristics and behavior, native plants, and the natural history of the site.

The area will be manned with volunteers from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends through Nov. 27, plus Veterans Day and the day after Thanksgiving (closed Thanksgiving Day). Details: www.spsseg.org.

• The 10-week Tengu Winter Blackmouth Derby is Sunday at the Seacrest Boathouse in West Seattle. The derby is held every Sunday at daybreak until 11 a.m. Other dates: Nov. 20 and 27, and Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Cost is $15 and $5 for kids under age 12. Rental boats are available 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., and costs $65 for boat only, and $85 for boat and motor. Tickets are available at the Seacrest Boathouse, Linc's Tackle Shop in Seattle, Auburn Sports and Marine, Outdoor Emporium in Seattle, and Sportco in Fife. Details: 206-324-7600.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club is hosting three fly-fishing classes:

An eight-week Beginning Fly-Tying Class is held every Thursday, and starts Jan. 5 from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Mercer Island Covenant Church, 3200 78th S.E. on Mercer Island. The class is taught by WFFC members. Anglers will learn to tie 15 Northwest trout fly patterns, as well as, receiving personal instruction on common fly tying skills, and will receive a class manual. A DVD showing close-ups of the flies being tied is also available. Cost is $35, and the DVD is $10.

A six-week Beginning Fly-Casting Class is held every Thursday, and starts April 5 from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Green Lake Casting Pier. The class is taught by Federation of Fly Fishing Certified Casting Instructors and other WFFC members. Cost is $50, and limited to 36 fly anglers.

The Advanced Fly-Casting Class is four weekly sessions starting April 4 from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Green Lake Casting Pier. The class is taught by WFFC members all Federation of Fly Fishing Certified Casting Instructors. Cost is $50, and limited to 10 fly anglers. Details: 206-200-3909.

• The San Juan Islands Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers Resurrection is Derby Dec. 2-3 at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. The derby is limited to 100 teams of up to four anglers per boat, and costs $400. First place is $10,000. Tickets go on sale Oct. 15. Details: www.resurrectionderby.com.

• The Roche Harbor's Salmon Classic Invitational is Feb. 2-4 at Roche Harbor Marine & Resort on San Juan Island. Limited to 100 boat limits (four anglers per boat). First place is $10,000. Cost is $700, plus sales tax $54.60, which includes moorage and angler's dinner all three nights. Details: 360-378-5562 or email at market@rocheharbor.com.

• The Northshore Trout Unlimited meeting is the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center, 18560 1st Ave. NE in Shoreline. Details: http://northshoretu.blogspot.com.

• Mount St. Helens climbing permits are on sale. Cost is $22. Permits are required year-round to climb above 4,800 feet. Details: 360-891-5007 or www.mshinstitute.org.

• The Issaquah Alps Trails Club holds weekly hikes and meets in downtown Issaquah. Details: www.issaquahalps.org.

• The Washington Trails Association offers statewide trip reports and trail conditions. Details: www.wta.org.

• The Seattle Audubon Society offers field trips and classes every month. Details: 206-523-4483 or www.seattleaudubon.org.

• The Western Bass Club meets every third Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Kennydale Hall in Renton. Details: www.westernbassclub.comor www.nickbarrfishing.com.

• The new nonprofit Cascade Musky Association is looking for members. Cost is $25 or $35 for a couple/family membership. Details: www.cascademuskyassociation.com or www.wafish.com.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com