By Larry Dublanko

For the Grays Harbor News Group

The year in review reveals many twists and turns as it pertains to fishing in Grays Harbor. Much of this was governed by outside influence beyond the control of Grays Harbor anglers.

Last year’s winter steelhead season was predictable and much of it went as planned. The lake trout season seemed to satisfy the urge to fish after the time lapse which occurs naturally between the winter steelhead season and the official lake opener. It began with several scheduled pre-season fisheries for youth in conjunction with spring break.

Additional plants supplied the lakes in our region with plenty of rainbows in a timely manner throughout this early fishery. More fish were added to cover for holiday weekends which extended this fishery well into the summer months.

In June, the rivers opened to summer steelhead which is the prime target for anglers at this time for our area. Again this fishery produced fish for those willing to work for them. The river conditions do present challenges as they always do, during the summer.

Things began to take a turn when it was discovered that the salmon return was going to be different than what was originally anticipated. This determination provoked several changes for the inland salmon season. Henceforth, the season was shortened and catch regulations were changed.

As we move into the heart of winter steelhead season, there is every good reason to believe this fishery will be predictably good. This news comes with some favor due to the rocky ride anglers took over the fall months.

Outdoors people will continue to keep an eye on clam digs throughout the winter months. These pop up as scheduled when the Department of Fisheries determines they are healthy to dig and the numbers support the effort.

A question which arises at this time every year is the need for a new license. Licenses are valid until March 31. Even if you do not possess a fishing license at this time, it would be a worthwhile investment which allows fishing steelhead for the balance of this season.

Many anglers have acquired “now tags” to be tried following Christmas. I am sure there are some who have actually given themselves the perfect gift. No returns or exchanges are necessary. Now, the remaining holidays are a good time to put these to good use. It may take some doing to set aside some football games. This is where a recording device would come in handy.

I would expect that fishing pressure will pick up in the month of January. Typically, this is the month that yields the highest return for hatchery steelhead on the Olympic Peninsula. Our two best producers of these fish are the Wynooche River and the Humptulips River.

Anglers will work their way to some of the northern rivers throughout the season. This is usually the case when water conditions become marginal. The Salmon River becomes the focus of a lot of people. This small stream is the passageway to a tribal hatchery which is a great source for fish.