Despite the lull for duck hunters during the cold snap we had, the wet and windy weather should prove to be a very good ending to the waterfowl season.
Reports have come in regarding the success local waterfowlers are having harvesting snow geese in the Skagit flats. Hunters have until Jan. 8 to get out and enjoy the action.
In addition to geese, the ducks also are moving through the area.
Sometimes, the problem is finding a spot to hunt that isn’t right on top of a bunch of other hunters.
I always have a hard time getting up early enough in the morning to be able to set my decoys out before other hunters and then wait for what seems like forever for legal hunting hours to arrive.
Some of you are lucky enough to have private land to hunt on. For the others, I recommend trying to get out during a weekday. The pressure is much less and the ducks seem to be just as plentiful if not moreso.
Fishing this time of year can be tough.
The Skagit River still has a few chums left for you to catch, but most of the attention is turning to winter steelhead. This is when the action starts to heat up as winter runs make their way up the rivers to feast on eggs.
Local fishermen are reporting catching a few nice ones off the beach at Fort Casey. Personally, I’ve never tried it but initial reports are good with fish being caught reportedly weighing in the low teens. You might want to give it a try, and I might do it as well.
Spin and glow/bead combos seem to be the favorite lures, but I would give your local tackle store a visit to find the exact formula before heading out. Other than that, the action has been slow.
Some hardy souls have braved the elements and taken their boats out in pursuit of winter chinook. With numbers being rather fair I have considered it myself, but decided not to when the weather reached the point of intimidation.
Yes, I have an overwhelming fear of drowning and this does influence my decisions at times!
One thing I love about Christmas is figuring out what new hobby I can explore.
This year I think I am going to build a few custom fishing rods for the family. I know it is amusing to my wife, but hey, I believe you should try to do something new each year.
Maybe next year I will try fly tying. I know quite a few people that do it but I have only tied a few in my life.
What are you going to try? I would love to hear about it. I haven’t heard of any fly tying or rod building groups on the island but if you know of any or would like to see if we can get one started, please let me know. I think it would be fun.
Cabelas in Washington is the big news for me.
Yes, they are going to open a store down in Lacey sometime next year. I can’t wait to check it out as I know a few people that have visited other Cabelas stores in different states and compare them to an outdoorsman’s Disney World. I will just have to wait and see.
Until next week take care and I hope Santa gives you what you want. I look forward to hearing from you. e-mail me at whidbey_fff@yahoo.com.
