Gorrell, Loss find Rufus Woods pleasing in February

Ed Gorrell and Glen Loss headed for Rufus Woods Lake a couple of times in February and limited on triploid rainbow trout.

On the first visit the fish were in the 4- to 6-pound range and on the second visit Glen's largest fish weighed 11 pounds and 9 ounces. They were using PowerBait.

And yes we have photos of the men and their fish, but you don't get to see them until the Hook and Bullet section is published later this month.

New fishing license required

It's now time to purchase a new fishing license. The old one was valid from April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010. We have found it easiest to go online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

At that location the user will select either the box titled new customer or wild I.D. customers. We click the second box and next select an ID method of your wild ID number, your social security number or your drivers' license number.

We enter our wild ID number, last name, month, day and year of birth, along with the license season or 2010. Click continue. Your profile with your personal data is the next screen. You need to verify all of the information and especially your mailing address, as an incorrect mailing address may result in a replacement charge.

We purchased an annual combination fishing license, for now, and with it we will receive a catch record card and a complimentary vehicle permit.

A credit card will be needed to complete the purchase. When the purchase is complete a receipt and temporary license will appear to print. Below the authorization number is this statement: "You may use this authorization number immediately to hunt for species that do not require a transport tag or fish for species that do not require a catch record card until you receive your license documents in the mail."

Also on the page it says to allow 7 to 10 business days to receive the formal license documents in the mail.

It has never taken seven or 10 days for the documents to arrive at our house, but Fish and Wildlife must be allow the time.

Columbia Basin Hatchery Creek now open to fishing

The creek at the outlet of the Columbia Basin Hatchery opened to fishing yesterday. Fishing hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Juveniles 14 years old and younger are allowed to fish, along with disabled person with a fishing license.

There is a three-fish limit and no catch and release. All juveniles must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Pets must be on a leash at all times and the entry gate closes at 4:30 p.m.

This is a great place for youth and disabled persons to fish. The hatchery puts some extra fish in the creek from time to time and especially for the opener, which was yesterday.

The creek needs cleaning every year to get rid of the duckweed and watercress to facilitate better fishing. As part of his master hunter volunteer work, Kade Pruett, 12, volunteered to clean the creek last Saturday.

He and Dennis spent three hours using rakes to push the duckweed down the creek and pull as much of the watercress as they could reach. Anglers should be pleased with the results.

Look for more of story about Kade cleaning the creek in the spring CBH Hook and Bullet section to be published later this month.

Spring turkey hunt for youth this weekend

The youth spring turkey season for hunters under 16 years of age will take place tomorrow and Sunday, April 3 and 4. The limit will be two turkeys in Eastern Washington and only one may be taken in Chelan, Kittitas and Yakima counties combined.

Only gobblers and turkeys with visible beards may be taken. The regular spring season is scheduled to take place from April 15 through May 31.

Fish and Wildlife Commission approves triploid trout stocking plan

The Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved a plan that will send 58,118 large rainbow trout, 16,708 over last year's total, to 104 lowland lakes statewide.

The commission voted to modify the stocking plan developed by Fish and Wildlife staff to more closely balance stocking percentages between eastern and western Washington.

Under the approved plan, 55 percent of the fish will go to western Washington lakes, and 45 percent will go to eastern Washington waters. The adopted plan will partly offset lost fish production resulting from the closure of the Bellingham Hatchery.

Triploids, trout bred so that they cannot reproduce, average 1 and a half pounds apiece. Fish and Wildlife purchases the popular triploids from a private grower under a program authorized by the Legislature in 1999.

Triploid trout, along with catchable-size trout produced by Fish and Wildlife hatcheries, provide fish for lake fisheries statewide.

The 2010 triploid trout stocking plan will be posted on the WDFW website later this month.

As we understand the situation, these triploid trout are grown by Trout Lodge, who has three hatcheries in the Columbia Basin.