Triploid escapees potential hazard to steelhead

The Fish and Wildlife press release sounded a bit desperate. "A 17-mile stretch of the Columbia River between Bridgeport and Brewster, Washington, is about to become a hotspot for triploid trout fishing."

Anglers will have through Aug. 31 to catch and keep triploid rainbow trout in the Columbia River from the Highway 173 Bridge in Brewster to the Highway 17 Bridge in Bridgeport.

Fish and Wildlife issued a new regulation to allow the fishery because a large number of triploid trout that escaped from a net-pen facility on Rufus Woods Reservoir, which is above Chief Joseph Dam, in June have made it to the Wells Dam pool below Chief Joseph Dam.

The fish have made it past the dam because of the large amount of water going over and through the dam. Pacific Seafoods, the owner of the net-pen facility, estimates that 117,500 triploids escaped in June through a breach in a net-pen. The fish are in the 4- to 5-pound range, some are larger.

"Anglers have been catching those fish in Rufus Woods Reservoir for the past couple of months, which is great," Fish and Wildlife Fish Biologist Jeff Korth said. "But we do have some concerns about the growing number of triploids turning up below Chief Joseph Dam, because they could interfere with juvenile steelhead downstream."

Triploids are gluttonous eaters and could pose a threat to juvenile steelhead, some of which are listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Under the new rule, the daily limit in the Wells Pool will be four triploid rainbow trout, with a minimum size 12 inches. All steelhead must be released, and must not be completely removed from the water.

Although most of the steelhead do not start arriving in the area until September, anglers should be aware of the differences between a steelhead and a triploid rainbow trout.

Signs will be posted at all boat launches that list distinguishing features of the two types of fish. The fishery will be heavily monitored.

"The differences are pretty obvious," Korth said. "Triploids are big and fat, while steelhead are long and skinny. But if there's any doubt, anglers should release the fish back into the water."

So what should an angler use to catch them?

"Anything 3-inches long and black, such as a black leech pattern," he said.

Bob Fately, who owns the Triangle Exxon Food Mart in Brewster, said anglers drifting through the steelhead areas are catching them with steelhead gear. A slip bobber and PowerBait is also working and so is a worm harness.

"Dennis, these fish are hitting anything," Fately said. "They are weighing in the 2- to 5-pound range."

The season will close on Aug. 31, because the steelhead fishing is expected to pick up. Korth expects to reopen the triploid season next year, perhaps in July with a season extending through August, but at this time the 2012 season is just a vision.

"Triploids live for a long time and grow to a large size," Korth said. "We don't want them to affect the steelhead. People should catch and keep these fish."

Above Chief Joseph Dam

Triploids are still being caught above Chief Joseph Dam, but remember, the limit there is two fish per day. The fish, according to angler Ed Gorrell, are averaging 8 pounds and a limit is coming in short order, whatever short order means.

Another wolf pack confirmed

Washington's fifth gray wolf pack has been confirmed in northeast Stevens County. Watch this column and Dennis' weekly outdoors column for more information about Washington's wolf packs

Lake Cle Elum and Cooper Lake kokanee size limit adopted

Fish and Wildlife has adopted a maximum size limit of 14 inches total length for retention of kokanee, which are landlocked sockeye salmon in Cle Elum Lake and Cooper Lake. The rule is effective immediately through Oct. 31.

The Yakama Nation and Fish and Wildlife are continuing the pilot study for reintroduction of anadromous sockeye salmon in the upper Cle Elum Basin that began in 2009. This year approximately 3,000 adult sockeye salmon trapped at Priest Rapids Dam on the Columbia River have been released into Lake Cle Elum.

An additional 500 sockeye have been transported to Cooper Lake near Salmon La Sac. The outlet of Cooper Lake, known as Cooper River, flows into the Cle Elum River upstream from Lake Cle Elum.

A percentage of the fish will be released with radio-tags so they can be tracked to understand their pre-spawning behavior and their actions when they migrate into the upper Cle Elum River and upper Cooper River to select spawning habitat later this fall.

Very few, if any, anadromous sockeye will be smaller than 16 inches, and few landlocked kokanee are greater than 12 inches; therefore, a 14-inch size threshold will allow the kokanee fisheries in both lakes to proceed this summer without inadvertently harvesting valuable sockeye dedicated to the reintroduction effort.

The kokanee daily limit in Lake Cle Elum remains the same at 16 kokanee. The daily limit for trout, including kokanee, remains five fish in Cooper Lake

Ephrata Sportsmen's Association

The new Fiver-stand shooting course is set up and running, and has proven quite popular. Come out and take a look, try your hand at those birds, rabbits and wiley squirrels. This course is open on Sunday's at noon. The cost is $5 per round and you do not need to be a member of the association to participate.

Do not use the 450-yard range when stunt planes fly

No one can be in the 450 bay while the stunt planes are flying. Dates include July 19-31, Aug 30-31 and Sept 1-7. The 450-range is for shooting 200 yards to 450 yards only. Steel targets are provided in this bay. These are appropriate for use by most rifles except for the largest calibers and any armor piercing ammo.

This long-range shooting area is an eye-opening shooting area. If you know of anyone who claims to be able to shoot and hit the target consistently at 400-plus yards, take them to this 450-yard range and test their skill.

There are other ranges for 25, 50 and 100 yard shooting.

Trap: Open to the public Sunday at 1 p.m. Skeet: Open to the public on Thursday at 6 p.m.

The next meeting of the club will be held in the clubhouse at the range, August 11th 2011 6:30 p.m

Sockeye retention allowed above Priest Rapids on Columbia River, two tributaries, Lake Osoyoos

Anglers will be able to retain adult sockeye salmon in the mainstem Columbia River above Priest Rapids Dam, including the Okanogan and Similkameen Rivers, and Lake Osoyoos.

The daily limit is four sockeye, with a minimum size 12 inches. All coho and steelhead must be released.

Effective dates and locations include: Now through Oct. 15, Columbia River from Hwy 395 Bridge at Pasco to Wells Dam. Anti-snagging and night closure in effect for Rocky Reach Dam to Turtle Rock; Now through Aug 31, Columbia River from Wells Dam to Hwy 173 Bridge in Brewster; Now through Oct. 15, Columbia River from Hwy 173 Bridge in Brewster to Hwy 17 Bridge in Bridgeport; Now through Oct. 15, Okanogan River from the mouth to Hwy 97 Bridge immediately upstream of mouth. Anti-snagging and night closure in effect.

Other rules are in effect for the Okanogan River, Similkameen River and Lake Osoyoos. Check the fishing regulations.

This action is being enacted because sockeye salmon returns above Priest Rapids Dam are predicted to be well in excess of needs for wild fish escapement to the spawning grounds.

All sockeye and chinook with a floy tag attached must be released. These fish are essential to ongoing studies being conducted by the Yakama Indian Tribe and by Fish and Wildlife.

Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement required for ALL sockeye fisheries.