WDFW just announced what this summer’s saltwater salmon seasons will look like in Area 3 (La Push) and Area 4 (Neah Bay). They also gave us an idea what the seasons inside the Strait of Juan de Fuca will look like. The seasons should be finalized in the next couple weeks.
Salmon will be open for hatchery chinook for a few days in May and from June 22-28th. The season for coho and pink salmon (which are the primary fly fishing targets) opens June 29th and runs until the quota is caught or mid-September. The local fishing in the Strait of Juan de Fuca looks good with similar seasons to last summer and a couple extra pinks added to the limit. We have not seen the exact dates yet but the pink salmon fly fishing should be great for boat anglers from Sekiu to Ediz Hook and the Eastern Strait in July and August. The coho will follow and we should remain open into October. Bank anglers won’t be left out as those same salmon will pass close by the points and beaches around Port Townsend and Hood Canal.
Stay tuned for more salmon season news along with tackle tips in the next month or two. Then the trip reports should start pouring in.