Outdoors | Puyallup Tribe aids hatchery chinook

The Puyallup Tribe is working on some innovative ways to boost fisheries on hatchery chinook destined for the Lower Puyallup River, while still raising efforts to protect wild chinook.

At the tribe's new Clarks Creek Hatchery, biologists created rearing ponds that simulate a more natural setting with tree-root wads and gravel to boost young chinook survival.

"Chinook born in the wild develop instincts that help them avoid predators and find food," said Blake Smith, a tribe hatchery biologist. "Unfortunately, this isn't something we see a lot of in hatchery fish raised in traditional, almost featureless, cement ponds. The more these fish learn to survive in the wild, the more hatchery fish that will return to the river in a few years."

The tribe has also obtained a new automated coded wire-tagging trailer. These millimeter-long metal tags will be inserted into the fingerling chinook snout, plus each fish will have its adipose fin removed so it can be identified in fisheries or on the spawning grounds as hatchery fish.

The tags will show where and when they were released, their survival rates, migration and abundance.

"We can make better management decisions when we know more about their migration and behavior," Smith said. "Better decisions mean more fish."

The tribe's new hatchery will also generate more chinook in the lower river, away from where wild chinook tend to lurk in the upper river.

This spring, the tribe plans to release about 650,000 chinook, and in a few years that number will jump to nearly 1 million.

"If there are more hatchery fish to catch in the lower river we can expand fisheries while protecting wild salmon," said Chris Phinney, the tribe's harvest management biologist. "Getting wild chinook into the upper watershed to spawn is a priority for the tribal community and future generations."

Last year, the sport fishery was limited to the lower river from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, and anglers had to release all wild chinook. The tribe had no directed fishery on the Puyallup River. To further protect wild Puyallup chinook, sport fishing is annually closed in a portion of Commencement Bay from June to mid-August.

This year, state Fish and Wildlife has forecasted 1,700 wild chinook to return to the Puyallup River [2,135 predicted to return last year], and 4,700 hatchery fish. The low abundance threshold calls for 500 wild spawning chinook.

Chinook fisheries on the Puyallup River will likely be curtailed this coming year, but an increase of hatchery-produced chinook at Clarks Creek could raise the chances of more fishing opportunity in the future.

Notes

• Northwest photographer Lee Mann will host a benefit program for the Merlin Falcon Foundation titled "Landscapes and Wildlife of the World," 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Seattle REI store, 222 Yale Ave. N. Cost is $12. Details: 206-223-1944 or www.rei.com or www.merlinfalconfoundation.org.

• The Puget Sound Anglers Eastside Chapter meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. N.E. Author Terry Rudnick will discuss halibut fishing. Details: 425-562-9180.

• The Seattle Poggie Fishing Club meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Seattle City Light Building, 97th St. N. and Stone Ave. N. Gary Krein, owner of All Star Charters Everett, will discuss salmon fishing in Puget Sound. Details: 425-742-7948 or www.seattlepoggies.com.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club meeting is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the College Club of Seattle, 505 Madison St. in Seattle. Andrew Bennett will discuss bonefishing on South Andros Island in the Bahamas. Reservations are required to attend. Details: www.wffc.com.

• The Orvis Company store, 911 Bellevue Way N.E., is hosting a free seminar titled "Fishing the Hancock Tree Farm and Beyond," 1-3 p.m. Saturday. Kent Lufkin will discuss wild trout, wilderness and solitude that lie behind the locked gates of the 150-square-mile tree farm along the Snoqualmie River North Fork. Details: 425-452-9138.

• The South King County Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers meeting is 6:15 p.m. Wednesday at 2208 South 223rd St. in Des Moines. Joel Shangle of Northwest Wild Country Radio will discuss Washington fishing opportunities. Details: 253-833-1440 or www.Pugetsoundanglers.net.

• The Fly Fishing Film Tour is 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Neptune Theater in Seattle. The tour highlights some of fly fishing's top films such as "Trout Bum Diaries, Volume 2"; Running Down the Man; and Chasing Silver. Cost is $12 for adults and $8 for children. Details: www.flyfishingfilmtour.com.

• The Tacoma Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation Hunter Heritage fundraising banquet is Saturday at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Cost is $60 per person and $80 for couples, and both include a one-year membership. Details: 253-531-3446.

• The Washington State Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society Habitat Banquet is 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the College Club of Seattle, 505 Madison. The event will feature a live and silent auction, games, drawings and door prizes. Cost is $60 for a new or renewing member and $35 for each guest. Banquet proceeds support habitat projects benefiting grouse and other forest wildlife. Details: 206-667-8211 or 206-232-0603.

• The Salmon University two-day seminar is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 24-25 at the Ikea Performing Arts Center, 400 S. 2nd St. in Renton. Instructors include Rob Endsley, host of "Fisherman's Heaven"; Terry Rudnick, author of "How to Catch a Trophy Halibut"; Jeff Boyer, Bass Master Pro Tour Angler; and Paul Marander manager of Seattle's Outdoor Emporium and more. Reservations are required. Cost is $150. Details: 360-626-8216 or www.salmonuniversity.com.

• The Pacific Crest Trail Association is hosting Trail Fest at the Mountaineers Club, 300 Third Ave. West, in Seattle.

The festival will have a wide range of trail classes, local outings, a vendor fair, Saturday night awards dinner and special presentations.

The Friday night presentation with Andy Skurka is free to the public to attend. Skurka was the first person the complete the 7,778-mile Sea-to-Sea Route, a transcontinental long-distance hiking trail from Quebec to Washington. He was also named Person of the Year by Backpacker Magazine in 2005 for that accomplishment.

The trail classes and vendor fair are $10 members and $15 non-members. The awards dinner is $45 or $60. Details: www.pcta.org.

— The Orvis Company store, 911 Bellevue Way N.E., is hosting a free seminar titled "Fishing the Hancock Tree Farm and Beyond," 1 p.m.-3 p.m. March 24. Kent Lufkin will discuss wild trout, wilderness and solitude that lie behind the locked gates of the 150 square-mile tree farm along the Snoqualmie River North Fork. Details: 425-452-9138.

• The Northwest Fly Anglers is hosting an eight-week beginning fly casting class 6:30 p.m. April 3-May 22 at the Green Lake Casting Pier on the northwest corner of the lake. Cost is $35. Details: 425-486-5011 or slowsnap@att.net.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club is offering fly casting classes for beginner and advanced fly fishers. The beginning classes start April 5, and are held every Thursday for six weeks. Cost is $40. The advanced classes start April 4, and are held every Wednesday for four weeks. Cost is $50. Details: 206-542-4623 or 206-932-4925.

• The Mukilteo Yacht Club general meeting is 6:30 p.m. March 22 at the Old Mukilteo Garage, 807 2nd St. in Mukilteo. Guest speaker Mike McClaughley from Seattle Canvas will discuss taking care of a boat canvas. Also, the Fleet Captains Cruise to the Shilshole Bay Marina is March 31-April 1. Details: 425-315-0535 or email tcrinulin@aol.com.

• The Mission Ridge Pro Patrol is hosting the Steve Burchett Memorial Ski & Golf Classic March 31, a fundraiser to promote avalanche education, awareness, and to purchase rescue equipment.

Skiers take part in a two-run dual giant slalom race, and the play 18-hoels of golf at the Highlander Golf Club. Cost is $280 for a team of four people. Details: 509-663-6543 or www.missionridge.com.

• The Tacoma Dome Boat Show is March 28-April 1, and will feature more than 500 boats on display, including the latest in marine accessories and helpful seminars.

Cost is $9 adults, $7 for seniors age 62 and older [weekdays only], and $5 for kids age 6-16. Discounted two-day passes are also available.

Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free parking is available at the dome's parking lot after 5 p.m. Details: www.tacomadomeboatshow.com.

• The Olympic Peninsula BirdFest is March 31-April 1 and birdwatchers from afar are expected to flock to Sequim. The festival will offer a live raptor demonstration, Saturday night salmon bake, Protection Island boat trip, local field trips, kayaking and other presentations. Details: 360-681-4076 or www.olympicbirdfest.org.

• The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation are hosting two Fishng Kids events in the Seattle area during April and May.

During each event about 500 kids will get a chance to fish, and go home with a t-shirt, rod and reel, and maybe a fish or two for a $5 registration fee.

Each child should arrive 30-minutes before their assigned time. Kids will listen to a short talk on water safety, and volunteers will show them how to bait the hook and use the rod and reel before they start fishing.

The first event is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 21 at the Green Lake Park Bathhouse Theater, 7630 East Green Lake Drive North. The second is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 19 at Seward Park on Lake Washington in South Seattle.

Sponsors include the Bellevue/Issaquah Trout Unlimited, the Seattle Poggie Club, West Marine, the Washington State B.A.S.S. Federation, Castmasters Bass Club, Everett Steelhead and Salmon Club, Puget Sound Anglers (Sno-King Chapter), West Marine, ZEBCO, Eagle Claw, Starbucks Coffee Company, and G.I. Joe's.

Pre-registration is required. Details: 425-251-3202 or 206-684-4075 or www.castforkids.org.

• Washington State and Recreation Commission is accepting applications for the 2007-08 Winter Recreation Sports Grant Program.

The grant provides funds to create new or enhanced services in the Washington state Sno-Park system. The snowmobile program is facing a funding shortfall and may not consider applications for new projects. The non-motorized program is accepting all applications.

Deadline to apply is May 1. For application copies, mail to Winter Recreation Program, P.O. Box 42662, Olympia, WA. 98504-2662 or email winter@parks.wa.gov or 360-586-6645 or www.parks.wa.gov/winter/grants/default.asp.

• The Washington State Parks Commission's Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment State Park is offering an exhibit and speaker series titled "Celebrating the River: A Confluence of Cultures.

The series of programs and exhibits traces the evolution of salmon fishing in the Columbia River area from prehistory to the present day. Dates: April 14, 2 p.m., Songwriter Mary Garvey will perform songs inspired by the local fishing industry; and May 12, 2 p.m., an event featuring Charles Funk will outline the fishing history and culture of the Chinook people at Waikiki Beach near the center. Details: 360-642-3029.

• The Olympic Coast Cleanup is April 21-22, and celebrates Earth Day by targeting hundreds of miles of beaches along Olympic National Park, the Makah Reservation and Ocean Shores.

Volunteers can participate or team up with friends and co-workers to clean up a beach. Details: 206-364-2689 or www.olympiccoastcleanup.us.

• The NCW Mule Deer Foundation Banquet, Auction and Big Horn Show is 3:30 p.m. April 21 at the Chelan County Fairgrounds Pavilion. The group is part of the Mule Deer Foundation, a national non-profit wildlife conservation organization. Cost is $55, includes a one-year membership or $70 per couple. Details: 509-665-0524 or www.muledeer.org.

• People for Puget Sound is hosting a speaker series presentation titled "Keeping the Sound Alive, Listening To The Birds: What Seabirds Are Telling Us About Puget Sound," 7 p.m. April 5 at the REI Store, 222 Yale Ave. North in Seattle.

Dr. Julia Parrish, a University of Washington professor, will examine the patterns of Washington seabird populations, including those breeding and wintering in Puget Sound, and the health of the sound itself. Cost is $6 for members, and $8 non-members. Details: 206-382-7007 or www.pugetsound.org.

• The Lynnwood Parks Dept. offers hunter education courses April 16-21. The course is approved by state Fish and Wildlife and sponsored by the Kenmore Gun Range. Cost is $14 non-Lynnwood residents and $10 residents. Details: 425-771-4030.

• The Pacific Northwest Salmon Center is seeking nominations for the Wild Salmon Hall of Fame Awards.

The award recognizes an individual from across the Pacific Northwest for their dedicated, influential passion for the preservation and protection of wild salmon. Deadline is June 1. An awards dinner will be Sept. 22 at the Kitsap Conference Center in Bremerton. Details: 360-275-2763 or www.pnwsalmoncenter.org/wshf.xml.

• The Northwest Youth Conservation and Fly-Fishing Academy hosted by the Olympia Chapter of Trout Unlimited and South Sound Fly-Fishers is June 24-30 at the Gwinwood Conference Center on Hicks Lake in Lacey.

The purpose of the summer camp is to educate youths ages 12 to 16 about the importance of natural resources conservation and stewardship, and to provide an introduction to fly-fishing.

Lessons include ecology, hydrology, aquatic entomology, invasive species, watersheds, wildlife management and fish behavior. The deadline for application is April 15. Cost is $275. Details: 360-491-9227 or www.nwycffa.org.

• The ecotourism schooner Maple Leaf is offering a five-night nature tour of western Canada's newest national park: The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve on April 12-17.

The trip offers visits to virtually unreachable wildlife spots, natural history education by experienced naturalists, frequent shore excursions, sailing a tall ship and chef-cooked meals. Details: 888-599-5323 or www.MapleLeafAdventures.com.

• The Race and Ace Competitions are May 5 at Mt. Bachelor and Sunriver Resort in Oregon, and May 19 at the Tamarack Resort in Idaho. The event is a single-day biathlon where competitors ski or snowboard a dual giant slalom course in the morning and play 18 holes of in the afternoon. Cost for the Oregon event is $229 by April 9, and $248 until registration closes April 30. Cost for the Idaho event is $179 by April 23, and $199 until registration closes May 14. Details: www.raceandace.com.

• The Rosario Resort & Spa on Orcas Island is offering a "Take a Hike, Clear a Trail, Enjoy a Vacation" travel package starting May 5 through Sept. 3.

The three-hour-a-day program offers guests a chance to prepare trails for the Moran State Park's summer season and maintain them. Guests who volunteer will receive a special "green" rate of $119 per night, a 40 percent discount. Participants will also receive a 15 percent discount at Rosario's Avanyu spa.

Many cleanup sites will require three to four mile hikes, while others are accessible by vans provided by the resort. Activities will include brushing trails and removing unwanted weeds. Details: 866-801-ROCK or www.rosario.rockresorts.com.

• The Cycle Washington Memorial two-day bike ride from Seattle to Wenatchee is July 21-22. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Jill Spanjer Foundation and the Washington State RSVP Association. Details: www.cyclewamemorialride.com.

• The Washington Ski Touring Club offers trips, classes and volunteer opportunities for cross-country, telemark and backcountry skiers. Meetings are at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month through April at the Seattle REI Store, 222 Yale Ave. N. Membership is $20, and $30 for a family. Details: 206-784-8741 or www.wstc.org.

• State Fish and Wildlife officials have closed public access to the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area now through April 30 to reduce stress on wintering elk.

Last month, wildlife biologists counted nearly 400 elk in the wildlife area at the foot of Mount St. Helens, and that number is likely to grow depending on the severity of the winter. More than 60 elk died of malnutrition and related causes last winter in the 2,744-acre wildlife area.

• Skiers and snowboarders traveling to Mission Ridge, Stevens Pass and the Summit at Snoqualmie can take part in "SkiGreen," a Bonneville Environmental Foundation program meant to help maintain snow-pack levels in the Cascades by supporting the development of wind and solar energy.

Participants can purchase a $2 SkiGreen Tag at a lift or a $20 SkiGreen Tag when purchasing a season pass.

The program reinvests its revenue into renewable energy and conservation projects. Details: 503-248-1905, 866-BEF-TAGS or www.skigreen.org.

• The Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall holds numerous outdoors events, including a monthly "Tracking Club," that meets in Sultan on the third Saturday of each month now through May (but not December) from 9 a.m. to noon.

The program is open to naturalists, hunters and people curious about learning to identify, follow and understand stories written in tracks left by animals on the Skykomish River shoreline. Details: 425-788-1301 or www.wildernessawareness.org.

• The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is looking for volunteers for the wild salmon recovery program now through June. Details: 360-275-3575 or email Chris Daniel at chris@hcseg.org.

• The Salish Lodge and Spa, 30 minutes east of Seattle, offers an array of winter outdoor activities.

The guided fly-fishing package for two guests is available year-round, weather permitting A winter snowshoeing package for two occurs during the winter and early spring.

At the adventure center guests can participate in cross country and downhill skiing trips, guided hikes, kayaking and mountain biking. Details: 800-272-5474 or www.salishlodge.com.

• Alpine Ascents International Inc. will begin offering a variety of guided climbs and instructional programs on Mount Rainier starting next year. The group has scheduled more than 30 expeditions and more than 50 training courses in 14 countries, including the Arctic and Antarctic regions. These expeditions range from six-day training courses in the North Cascades and Alaska to three-month expeditions to Mount Everest to summit climbs and courses on Mount Rainier. Details: 206-378-1927 or www.AlpineAscents.com.

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

• The Northwest Fly Anglers offers various public classes through the year. The public also is invited to club meetings on the third Thursday of each month, at the Haller Lake Community Center, 12579 Densmore Ave N., in North Seattle. Details: 206-684-7524.

• The Emerald Sea Dive Club offers year-round activities including the big buddy program and weekly and monthly dives. The club meets on the first Wednesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. at Alfy's Pizza, 4820 196th S.W. in Lynnwood. Details: 425-775-2410 or www.emeraldseadiveclub.org.

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

• Northend Bassmasters is accepting new members who want to learn more about bass fishing. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Creek Cafe, 22620 Bothell-Everett Highway (Canyon Park) in Bothell. Details: 206-789-4259 or e-mail Gary Millard at glmillard@comcast.net.

• Local Escapes, a local-based travel planner and tour operator, offers a two-night guided exploration of the Olympic Peninsula's rainforest, mountains and coastline.

The personal guided package offers snowshoeing, hiking and other recreational activities. The cost is $950 per person and includes two-night accommodations; transportation; all equipment including snowshoes, poles and raingear; park entrance fees and all meals and refreshments. Details: 877-780-4162 or www.localescapes.com.

• The storms from last November and December left a wake of damage and downed trees across many parts of Washington's state parks.

Because of the severe damage, many parks normally open to the public during the winter months were forced to close their doors.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation is now looking for volunteers to help clear debris from park trails and camping areas in preparation for the spring and summer months.

Here is a list of parks seeking volunteers, and phone numbers: Bridle Trails, 425-649-4276; Dash Point, near Tacoma, 253-661-4955; Kitsap Memorial, near Poulsbo, 360-779-3205; Saint Edward Park in Kenmore, 425-823-2992; Seaquest in Castle Rock, 360-274-8633; Spencer Spit, on Lopez Island, 360-468-2251; Wenberg in Stanwood, 360-652-7417; and Moran on Orcas Island, 360-376-3636.

Also, Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island, 360-675-2417, and Blake Island State Park in Puget Sound near Seattle, 360-731-8330 are looking for volunteers to help remove noxious weeds. Details: 360-902-8583.

• The Washington Audubon Society has unveiled a new section of the Great Washington State Birding Trail to include the Olympic Loop in the Olympic Peninsula.

The new route features more than 200 of Washington's 365 bird species. The trails are usually self-guided driving tours to places where birds are likely to be seen, and some include water routes where visitors can paddle canoes or kayaks. Copies of the trail maps can be ordered at www.wa.audubon.org.

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

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